公开(公告)号：US10422664B2

公开(公告)日：2019-09-24

申请号：US15090507

申请日：2016-04-04

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Rudolf Zeller ,  Guenter W. Brune ,  Albert W. Chau ,  John E. Mercer

IPC: G01V3/08 ,  G01D5/20 ,  E21B47/022 ,  G01V3/38

Abstract: A device rotates at least one static magnetic field about an axis, producing a rotating magnetic dipole field, and is movable in relation to the surface of the ground. The field is periodically sensed using a receiver to produce a receiver output responsive to the field. A positional relationship between the receiver and the device is monitored using the output. In one aspect, changing the positional relationship, by moving the device nearer to a boring tool which supports the receiver, causes an increase in accuracy of depth determination. In another aspect, determination of an actual overhead position of the boring tool, and its application, are described. Use of a plurality of measurements over at least one-half revolution of each magnet is disclosed. Establishing a surface radial direction toward a boring tool and resolution of multi-valued parameters is described. Calibration techniques, as well as a three transmitter configuration are also described.

公开(公告)号：US10378334B2

公开(公告)日：2019-08-13

申请号：US16139100

申请日：2018-09-24

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： Guenter W. Brune ,  Albert W. Chau ,  John E. Mercer

IPC: E21B47/09 ,  E21B47/024 ,  G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/15 ,  G01V3/165 ,  G01C9/02 ,  G01V3/28

Abstract: A portable locator and method for establishing the location of the cable line in a region which includes at least one generally straight electrically conductive cable line extending across the region from which cable line a locating signal includes a first arrangement for measuring a local flux intensity of the locating signal at a first above ground point within the region with the portable locator in a particular orientation at the first above ground point. A second arrangement uses the local flux intensity to establish a cable line angular orientation which limits the possible directions to the cable line relative to the particular orientation of the portable locator at the above ground point. A third arrangement uses the measured local flux intensity to establish an actual direction of the cable line that is selected from the possible directions based on certain characteristics of the locating signal.

公开(公告)号：US10246985B2

公开(公告)日：2019-04-02

申请号：US15177297

申请日：2016-06-08

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： James W. Burrows ,  Guenter W. Brune ,  John E. Mercer

IPC: E21B44/00 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/022 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/10

Abstract: A boring tool moves having a pitch orientation, a yaw orientation and a roll orientation and is steerable underground using the roll orientation. A maximum drill string curvature is established for steering. The boring tool is advanced over a path segment. An averaged roll characteristic is determined for movement of the boring tool along the path segment. A path segment pitch orientation is established based on at least one measured pitch orientation along the path segment. Using the maximum drill string curvature in combination with the averaged roll characteristic and the path segment pitch orientation, the yaw orientation is determined. The averaged roll characteristic is determined based on a series of incremental roll measurements that are spaced across the path segment. A set of coupled ordinary differential equations is used to characterize movement of the boring tool.

公开(公告)号：US20190048711A1

公开(公告)日：2019-02-14

申请号：US16161043

申请日：2018-10-15

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： Guenter W. Brune ,  John E. Mercer ,  Albert W. Chau

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B47/022 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B44/00

Abstract: A boring tool that is moved by a drill string to form an underground bore. A transmitter transmits a time varying dipole field as a homing field from the boring tool. A pitch sensor detects a pitch orientation of the boring tool. A homing receiver is positionable at a target location for detecting the homing field to produce a set of flux measurements. A processing arrangement uses the pitch orientation and flux measurements with a determined length of the drill string to determine a vertical homing command for use in controlling depth in directing the boring tool to the target location such that the vertical homing command is generated with a particular accuracy at a given range between the transmitter and the homing receiver and which would otherwise be generated with the particular accuracy for a standard range, different from the particular range. An associated system and method are described.

公开(公告)号：US10107090B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-23

申请号：US15231764

申请日：2016-08-08

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： Guenter W. Brune ,  John E. Mercer ,  Albert W. Chau

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B47/022 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B44/00

Abstract: A boring tool that is moved by a drill string to form an underground bore. A transmitter transmits a time varying dipole field as a homing field from the boring tool. A pitch sensor detects a pitch orientation of the boring tool. A homing receiver is positionable at a target location for detecting the homing field to produce a set of flux measurements. A processing arrangement uses the pitch orientation and flux measurements with a determined length of the drill string to determine a vertical homing command for use in controlling depth in directing the boring tool to the target location such that the vertical homing command is generated with a particular accuracy at a given range between the transmitter and the homing receiver and which would otherwise be generated with the particular accuracy for a standard range, different from the particular range. An associated system and method are described.

公开(公告)号：US20170268329A1

公开(公告)日：2017-09-21

申请号：US15611429

申请日：2017-06-01

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： Guenter W. Brune ,  Albert W. Chau ,  John E. Mercer

IPC: E21B47/09 ,  G01V3/08 ,  G01C9/02 ,  G01V3/165 ,  E21B47/024 ,  G01V3/15

CPC classification number: E21B47/0905 ,  E21B47/024 ,  G01C9/02 ,  G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/15 ,  G01V3/165 ,  G01V3/28

Abstract: A portable locator and method for establishing the location of the cable line in a region which includes at least one generally straight electrically conductive cable line extending across the region from which cable line a locating signal includes a first arrangement for measuring a local flux intensity of the locating signal at a first above ground point within the region with the portable locator in a particular orientation at the first above ground point. A second arrangement uses the local flux intensity to establish a cable line angular orientation which limits the possible directions to the cable line relative to the particular orientation of the portable locator at the above ground point. A third arrangement uses the measured local flux intensity to establish an actual direction of the cable line that is selected from the possible directions based on certain characteristics of the locating signal.

公开(公告)号：US20170059733A1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-02

申请号：US15350639

申请日：2016-11-14

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： Guenter W. Brune ,  Albert W. Chau ,  John E. Mercer

IPC: G01V3/08 ,  E21B47/09

CPC classification number: G01V3/081 ,  E21B47/0905 ,  G01V3/15 ,  G01V3/30 ,  G01V3/38

Abstract: An arrangement and an associated method are described in which a boring tool is moved through the ground within a given region along a path in which region a cable is buried. The boring tool and the cable transmit a boring tool locating signal and a cable locating signal, respectively. Intensities of the boring tool locating signal and the cable locating signal are measured along with a pitch orientation of the boring tool. Using the measured intensities and established pitch orientation, a positional relationship is determined to relative scale including at least the boring tool and the cable in the region. The positional relationship is displayed to scale in one view. The positional relationship may be determined and displayed including the forward locate point in scaled relation to the boring tool and the cable. Cable depth determination techniques are described including a two-point ground depth determination method.

Abstract translation: 描述了一种布置和相关方法，其中镗孔工具沿着沿着其中埋入电缆的区域的路径在给定区域内移动通过地面。 钻孔工具和电缆分别传输钻孔定位信号和电缆定位信号。 镗刀定位信号和电缆定位信号的强度随钻孔工具的俯仰方向一起测量。 使用所测量的强度和建立的俯仰方向，确定位置关系至至少包括该钻孔工具和该区域中的电缆的相对标度。 位置关系在一个视图中以比例显示。 可以确定和显示位置关系，包括与镗孔工具和电缆成比例关系的前向定位点。 描述了电缆深度确定技术，其包括两点地面深度确定方法。

公开(公告)号：US09581717B2

公开(公告)日：2017-02-28

申请号：US14186310

申请日：2014-02-21

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Guenter W. Brune ,  John E. Mercer ,  Albert W. Chau ,  Rudolf Zeller

IPC: G01V3/08 ,  H01Q1/04 ,  H01Q7/00 ,  H01Q9/28

CPC classification number: G01V3/08 ,  H01Q1/04 ,  H01Q7/00 ,  H01Q9/28

Abstract: Location determination is performed using a transmitter including an elongated generally planar loop antenna defining an elongation axis. The elongation axis is positioned along at least a portion of a path. A magnetic field is then generated which approximates a dipole field. Certain characteristics of the magnetic field are then determined at a receiving position radially displaced from the antenna elongation axis. Using the determined certain characteristics, at least one orientation parameter is established which characterizes a positional relationship between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The magnetic field may be transmitted as a monotone single phase signal. The orientation parameter may be a radial offset and/or an angular orientation between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The antenna of the transmitter may be inserted into a first borehole to transmit the magnetic field to a receiver inserted into a second borehole.

Abstract translation: 使用包括限定伸长轴的细长大体上平面的环形天线的发射机来执行位置确定。 伸长轴沿着路径的至少一部分定位。 然后产生近似偶极子场的磁场。 然后在从天线伸长轴径向偏移的接收位置处确定磁场的某些特性。 使用确定的某些特征，建立表征路径上的接收位置和天线之间的位置关系的至少一个取向参数。 磁场可以作为单调单相信号传输。 取向参数可以是路径上的接收位置和天线之间的径向偏移和/或角度取向。 发射器的天线可以插入第一钻孔中，以将磁场传输到插入第二钻孔的接收器。

公开(公告)号：US09371725B2

公开(公告)日：2016-06-21

申请号：US14097180

申请日：2013-12-04

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： James W. Burrows ,  Guenter W. Brune ,  John E. Mercer

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/022

CPC classification number: E21B44/00 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B7/10 ,  E21B47/02224 ,  E21B47/024 ,  G01V3/081 ,  G01V3/38

Abstract: A boring tool moves having a pitch orientation, a yaw orientation and a roll orientation and is steerable underground using the roll orientation. A maximum drill string curvature is established for steering. The boring tool is advanced over a path segment. An averaged roll characteristic is determined for movement of the boring tool along the path segment. A path segment pitch orientation is established based on at least one measured pitch orientation along the path segment. Using the maximum drill string curvature in combination with the averaged roll characteristic and the path segment pitch orientation, the yaw orientation is determined. The averaged roll characteristic is determined based on a series of incremental roll measurements that are spaced across the path segment. A set of coupled ordinary differential equations is used to characterize movement of the boring tool.

公开(公告)号：US20160138340A1

公开(公告)日：2016-05-19

申请号：US15004783

申请日：2016-01-22

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： Guenter W. Brune ,  Albert W. Chau ,  Rudolf Zeller ,  John E. Mercer

IPC: E21B7/06

CPC classification number: E21B44/02 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B47/02216 ,  E21B47/02224 ,  G01V3/15

Abstract: A steering tool is movable by a drill string to form an underground bore along an intended path. A sensing arrangement of the steering tool detects its pitch and yaw orientations at a series of spaced apart positions along the bore, each position is characterized by a measured extension of the drill string. The steering tool further includes a receiver. At least one marker is positioned proximate to the intended path, for transmitting a rotating dipole field to expose a portion of the intended path to the field for reception by the receiver. The detected pitch orientation, the detected yaw orientation and the measured extension of the drill string are used in conjunction with magnetic information from the receiver to locate the steering tool. The steering tool may automatically use the magnetic information when it is available. A customized overall position determination accuracy can be provided along the intended path.