公开(公告)号：US20190010797A1

公开(公告)日：2019-01-10

申请号：US16119855

申请日：2018-08-31

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Scott Phillips ,  Benjamin J. Medeiros

IPC: E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/12 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B41/00 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/09 ,  E21B47/01 ,  H02J1/00 ,  H02J50/80

Abstract: A transmitter is powered by a regulated battery voltage and is installable in one of a plurality of different housings, each housing is characterized by a different design and each can form part of an inground tool for performing an inground operation in which a drill string extends from a drill rig to the inground tool. An antenna driver drives an antenna based on the regulated voltage to emanate an electromagnetic signal for remote reception. A controller limits power consumption from the regulated voltage so as not to exceed a power consumption threshold, irrespective of installation of the transmitter in any one of the housings when the transmitter would otherwise exhibit a different power consumption for each housing design. A corresponding method is described. Features relating to power consumption threshold modification based on temperature as well as mechanical shock and vibration are described.

公开(公告)号：US20180364362A1

公开(公告)日：2018-12-20

申请号：US16114189

申请日：2018-08-27

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Mark Marvin ,  Brian Kelly

IPC: G01S19/14 ,  H01Q1/22 ,  G08B5/36 ,  G01S19/35

Abstract: A portable locator includes a locator housing having a display head that supports a display. A GPS module includes a frame and an antenna arm extending from a side margin of the frame. The frame defines a display aperture such that the frame is removably installable on the display head of the portable locator with the display visible through the display aperture. An electrical interface provides for electrical communication with the portable locator with the frame removably installed thereon.

公开(公告)号：US10101487B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-16

申请号：US15785986

申请日：2017-10-17

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

Inventor： John E. Mercer ,  Albert W. Chau

IPC: G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/165 ,  G01V3/12 ,  G01V3/17

Abstract: A transmitter is part of a cable locating system for use in a region which contains at least first and second in-ground cables such that, when the first cable is driven at a locating signal frequency to emit a locating signal, the locating signal is coupled to the second cable to cause the second cable to generate a false locating signal. A frequency generator produces the locating signal frequency for coupling onto the first cable and a reference signal, which includes the locating signal frequency, such that the reference signal includes a modulation envelope for distinguishing the locating signal from the false locating signal. A switch selectively couples the locating signal frequency to the first cable in a selected coupling configuration such that the locating signal is subject to a coupling phase shift that varies based on the coupling configuration. A phase shifter phase shifts the locating signal frequency responsive to the selected coupling configuration such that the locating signal frequency at least approximately matches the phase of the locating signal to compensate for the coupling phase shift.

公开(公告)号：USD827466S1

公开(公告)日：2018-09-04

申请号：US29584050

申请日：2016-11-10

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Designer： Mark Marvin ,  Brian Kelly

公开(公告)号：US20180208303A1

公开(公告)日：2018-07-26

申请号：US15926972

申请日：2018-03-20

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Mark Marvin ,  John E. Mercer ,  Derek Vetter

IPC: B64C27/57 ,  B64C27/56 ,  B64C27/59 ,  B64C27/00

CPC classification number: B64C27/57 ,  B64C27/006 ,  B64C27/56 ,  B64C27/58 ,  B64C27/59

Abstract: An emergency collective actuator includes an actuator motor to produce an actuation force and an actuator linkage that directly engages a friction control lever that is pivotally supported on the collective stick of a helicopter to apply the actuation force directly to the friction control lever such that the actuation force initially disengages the friction control and then reduces the adjustable pitch toward a minimum collective pitch position. The actuator can include a clutch that slips to allow the pilot to overcome the actuation force and that slips responsive to an engagement of the friction control by the pilot, but otherwise the clutch co-rotates with the motor shaft to bias the adjustable pitch toward a minimum collective pitch position.

公开(公告)号：US20180202240A1

公开(公告)日：2018-07-19

申请号：US15920344

申请日：2018-03-13

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Kenneth J. Theimer

IPC: E21B17/02 ,  E21B17/00 ,  G01V3/34 ,  E21B7/02 ,  E21B47/00 ,  E21B47/12 ,  E21B47/024

CPC classification number: E21B17/028 ,  E21B7/028 ,  E21B17/003 ,  E21B47/00 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B47/122 ,  G01V3/34

Abstract: An inground isolator and associated method can provide an electrically isolated break in a drill string using electrical insulating members/isolators that are supported by a housing. During drill string operations, the isolators are subject only compressive forces responsive to both extension (pushing) and retraction (pulling) by the drill string. The isolators can be formed from an electrically insulating material such as a ceramic material. An interchangeable inground tool system is described which integrally serves to provide an electrically isolating gap in the drill string.

公开(公告)号：US20180058193A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-01

申请号：US15792502

申请日：2017-10-24

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Thomas J. Hall

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/01 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/12 ,  E21B47/02 ,  E21B47/022

CPC classification number: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/01 ,  E21B47/02 ,  E21B47/02224 ,  E21B47/12 ,  E21B47/122

Abstract: A drilling area network hub is located proximate to a drill rig and includes an uphole transceiver in bidirectional communication with a downhole transceiver by utilizing the drill string as an electrical conductor. Certain information is collected including rig-based and/or location information. At least one field report is generated based on the certain information to characterize at least one of an inground operation, an operational condition of the downhole transceiver, an operational condition of the uphole transceiver, and an operational condition of the drill rig. A drilling area network server receives the field report from the Internet at a remote location and can generate a custom report and/or recommended actions based on field data. Region specific parameters can be applied to the operation of a drilling system. The drilling area network hub can transfer data logs to the remote location according to assigned priorities.

公开(公告)号：US20180023380A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-25

申请号：US15720865

申请日：2017-09-29

Applicant: Merlin Technology Inc.

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

IPC: E21B44/02 ,  G01V3/15 ,  E21B47/022 ,  E21B7/04

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.

公开(公告)号：US09758244B2

公开(公告)日：2017-09-12

申请号：US15015689

申请日：2016-02-04

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： John E. Mercer ,  Nicolas Albion ,  Mark Bartel ,  Marc Feifel ,  Mark Marvin

IPC: B64C27/57 ,  B64C27/64 ,  B64C27/68 ,  G05D1/08 ,  B64C27/56 ,  G05D1/10 ,  B64C13/18 ,  B64C13/42 ,  B64C27/59 ,  G05D1/00

CPC classification number: B64C27/57 ,  B64C13/18 ,  B64C13/42 ,  B64C27/56 ,  B64C27/59 ,  B64C27/64 ,  B64C27/68 ,  G05D1/0077 ,  G05D1/0816 ,  G05D1/0858 ,  G05D1/102 ,  Y02T50/44

Abstract: A helicopter autopilot system includes an inner loop for attitude hold for the flight of the helicopter including a given level of redundancy applied to the inner loop. An outer loop is configured for providing a navigation function with respect to the flight of the helicopter including a different level of redundancy than the inner loop. An actuator provides a braking force on a linkage that serves to stabilize the flight of the helicopter during a power failure. The actuator is electromechanical and receives electrical drive signals to provide automatic flight control of the helicopter without requiring a hydraulic assistance system in the helicopter. The autopilot can operate the helicopter in a failed mode of the hydraulic assistance system. A number of flight modes are described with associated sensor inputs including rate based and true attitude modes.

公开(公告)号：US09650125B2

公开(公告)日：2017-05-16

申请号：US15231650

申请日：2016-08-08

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Carlos E. Golborne ,  Ray E. Debs ,  Mark Marvin ,  John E. Mercer

IPC: B64C13/04 ,  G05G9/047 ,  B64C13/22 ,  B64C27/04 ,  B64C13/18 ,  B64C27/56 ,  B64D43/00 ,  G01C23/00

CPC classification number: B64C13/22 ,  B64C13/04 ,  B64C13/18 ,  B64C27/04 ,  B64C27/56 ,  B64C27/57 ,  B64D43/00 ,  G01C23/00 ,  G01C23/005 ,  G05G9/047 ,  G05G2009/04774

Abstract: A pilot control interface and method are described for selective control of an autopilot system by a pilot of an aircraft in which the autopilot system is installed. The pilot control interface includes a passive network that is selectively switchable between a plurality of states across an output interface that is made up of no more than two conductors that are in electrical communication with the autopilot system. Modification of a current autopilot flight mode can be performed incrementally or continuously based on respective momentary and continuous pilot input actuations.