公开(公告)号：US09291738B2

公开(公告)日：2016-03-22

申请号：US14174176

申请日：2014-02-06

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

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

IPC: G01V3/15 ,  G01V3/12 ,  G01V3/08 ,  E21B47/024 ,  G01V3/28

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.

Abstract translation: 一种便携式定位器和方法，用于在包括至少一个大致直的导电电缆线的区域中建立电缆线的位置，该电缆线延伸穿过电缆线的区域，定位信号包括用于测量电缆线的局部通量强度的第一布置 将定位信号放置在该区域内的第一个地上点，便携式定位器在第一个地面上处于特定取向。 第二种方案使用局部通量强度来建立电缆线角度取向，其限制相对于便携式定位器在上述地面点的特定取向的电缆线的可能方向。 第三布置使用测量的局部通量强度来建立从基于定位信号的某些特性的可能方向中选择的电缆线的实际方向。

公开(公告)号：US20140167764A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-19

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

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：US20140110170A1

公开(公告)日：2014-04-24

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: E21B44/00 ,  E21B7/04

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.

Abstract translation: 镗削刀具具有俯仰方位，偏转方向和滚动方位，并且可使用滚动方向在地下方向转向。 建立最大的钻柱曲率用于转向。 无聊工具在路径段上前进。 确定镗刀沿着路径段的移动的平均辊特性。 基于沿着路径段的至少一个测量的俯仰方向来建立路径段俯仰取向。 使用最大钻柱曲率与平均辊特性和路段段俯仰方向相结合，确定偏航方向。 基于在路径段上间隔的一系列增量滚动测量来确定平均滚动特性。 一组耦合的常微分方程用于表征钻孔工具的运动。

公开(公告)号：US08622150B2

公开(公告)日：2014-01-07

申请号：US13688314

申请日：2012-11-29

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

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

IPC: E21B7/08 ,  E21B44/00

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.

Abstract translation: 镗削刀具具有俯仰方位，偏转方向和滚动方位，并且可使用滚动方向在地下方向转向。 建立最大的钻柱曲率用于转向。 无聊工具在路径段上前进。 确定镗刀沿着路径段的移动的平均辊特性。 基于沿着路径段的至少一个测量的俯仰方向来建立路径段俯仰取向。 使用最大钻柱曲率与平均辊特性和路段段俯仰方向相结合，确定偏航方向。 基于在路径段上间隔的一系列增量滚动测量来确定平均滚动特性。 一组耦合的常微分方程用于表征钻孔工具的运动。

公开(公告)号：US20130146356A1

公开(公告)日：2013-06-13

申请号：US13761632

申请日：2013-02-07

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

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

IPC: E21B47/022

CPC classification number: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B44/005 ,  E21B47/02224

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.

Abstract translation: 一个钻孔工具，通过钻柱移动以形成地下孔。 发射机从钻孔工具发送时变偶极场作为归位场。 俯仰传感器检测钻孔工具的俯仰方向。 归位接收器可定位在目标位置，用于检测归位域以产生一组通量测量。 处理装置使用具有确定的钻柱长度的俯仰方向和通量测量来确定用于控制将钻孔工具引导到目标位置的深度的垂直归位命令，使得以特定精度产生垂直归位命令 在发射机和归巢接收机之间的给定范围内，否则将以与特定范围不同的标准范围的特定精度产生。 描述了相关联的系统和方法。