公开(公告)号：US20230340869A1

公开(公告)日：2023-10-26

申请号：US18215127

申请日：2023-06-27

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Rudolf Zeller ,  Timothy Shaw ,  Timothy Bayliss ,  Craig Caswell

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/04 ,  G01S19/49 ,  G01S19/13 ,  G01B3/12

CPC classification number: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/046 ,  G01S19/49 ,  G01S19/13 ,  G01B3/12

Abstract: A planning tool plans movement of a boring tool for an underground drilling operation. The planning tool includes one or more wheels for rolling on a surface of the ground along a path responsive to movement by an operator to characterize the surface contour and to generate guidance for the boring tool to reach a target position. Planning can additionally be based on waypoints. The planning tool can be rolled unidirectionally or bidirectionally to characterize the surface contour. Bidirectional movement cancels accelerometer fixed bias. Path stitching is used to plan around obstacles. The planning tool can facilitate tracker placement. The planning tool can collect noise information for frequency selection purposes. A described technique maximizes linear drilling in an underground plan. Compensation and/or warnings are provided for unsteady, fast and slow movement of the planning tool while measuring the surface contour.

公开(公告)号：US11136881B2

公开(公告)日：2021-10-05

申请号：US13946611

申请日：2013-07-19

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Benjamin John Medeiros ,  Craig Caswell

IPC: E21B47/13 ,  E21B47/024 ,  G01V3/18 ,  E21B21/08 ,  E21B47/12 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/02 ,  E21B47/06 ,  E21B47/10

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are described for purposes of initiating a response to detection of an adverse operational condition involving a system including a drill rig and an inground tool. The response can be based on an uphole sensed parameter in combination with a downhole sensed parameter. The adverse operational condition can involve cross-bore detection, frac-out detection, excessive downhole pressure, a plugged jet indication and drill string key-holing detection. A communication system includes an inground communication link that allows bidirectional communication between a walkover detector and the drill rig via the inground tool. Monitoring of inground tool depth and/or lateral movement can be performed using techniques that approach integrated values. Bit force based auto-carving is described in the context of an automated procedure. Loss of locator to drill rig telemetry can trigger an automated switch to a different communication path within the system.

公开(公告)号：US20240360752A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-31

申请号：US18766584

申请日：2024-07-08

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Benjamin John Medeiros ,  Craig Caswell

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B21/08 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/02 ,  E21B47/06 ,  E21B47/10 ,  E21B47/12 ,  E21B47/13 ,  G01V3/18

CPC classification number: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B21/08 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/02 ,  E21B47/06 ,  E21B47/10 ,  E21B47/12 ,  E21B47/13 ,  G01V3/18

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are described for purposes of initiating a response to detection of an adverse operational condition involving a system including a drill rig and an inground tool. The response can be based on an uphole sensed parameter in combination with a downhole sensed parameter. The adverse operational condition can involve cross-bore detection, frac-out detection, excessive downhole pressure, a plugged jet indication and drill string key-holing detection. A communication system includes an inground communication link that allows bidirectional communication between a walkover detector and the drill rig via the inground tool. Monitoring of inground tool depth and/or lateral movement can be performed using techniques that approach integrated values. Bit force based auto-carving is described in the context of an automated procedure.

公开(公告)号：US20220333480A1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-20

申请号：US17855795

申请日：2022-07-01

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Benjamin John Medeiros ,  Craig Caswell

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/06 ,  E21B47/02 ,  E21B47/10 ,  E21B21/08 ,  E21B47/13 ,  E21B47/12 ,  G01V3/18

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are described for purposes of initiating a response to detection of an adverse operational condition involving a system including a drill rig and an inground tool. The response can be based on an uphole sensed parameter in combination with a downhole sensed parameter. The adverse operational condition can involve cross-bore detection, frac-out detection, excessive downhole pressure, a plugged jet indication and drill string key-holing detection. A communication system includes an inground communication link that allows bidirectional communication between a walkover detector and the drill rig via the inground tool. Monitoring of inground tool depth and/or lateral movement can be performed using techniques that approach integrated values. Bit force based auto-carving is described in the context of an automated procedure.

公开(公告)号：US11149539B2

公开(公告)日：2021-10-19

申请号：US16520182

申请日：2019-07-23

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Rudolf Zeller ,  Timothy Shaw ,  Timothy Bayliss ,  Craig Caswell

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/04 ,  G01S19/49 ,  G01S19/13 ,  G01B3/12

Abstract: A planning tool plans movement of a boring tool for an underground drilling operation. The planning tool includes one or more wheels for rolling on a surface of the ground along a path responsive to movement by an operator to characterize the surface contour and to generate guidance for the boring tool to reach a target position. Planning can additionally be based on waypoints. The planning tool can be rolled unidirectionally or bidirectionally to characterize the surface contour. Bidirectional movement cancels accelerometer fixed bias. Path stitching is used to plan around obstacles. The planning tool can facilitate tracker placement. The planning tool can collect noise information for frequency selection purposes. A described technique maximizes linear drilling in an underground plan. Compensation and/or warnings are provided for unsteady, fast and slow movement of the planning tool while measuring the surface contour.

公开(公告)号：US11814950B2

公开(公告)日：2023-11-14

申请号：US17501438

申请日：2021-10-14

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Rudolf Zeller ,  Timothy Shaw ,  Timothy Bayliss ,  Craig Caswell

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/04 ,  G01S19/49 ,  G01S19/13 ,  G01B3/12

CPC classification number: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/046 ,  G01B3/12 ,  G01S19/13 ,  G01S19/49

Abstract: A planning tool plans movement of a boring tool for an underground drilling operation. The planning tool includes one or more wheels for rolling on a surface of the ground along a path responsive to movement by an operator to characterize the surface contour and to generate guidance for the boring tool to reach a target position. Planning can additionally be based on waypoints. The planning tool can be rolled unidirectionally or bidirectionally to characterize the surface contour. Bidirectional movement cancels accelerometer fixed bias. Path stitching is used to plan around obstacles. The planning tool can facilitate tracker placement. The planning tool can collect noise information for frequency selection purposes. A described technique maximizes linear drilling in an underground plan. Compensation and/or warnings are provided for unsteady, fast and slow movement of the planning tool while measuring the surface contour.

公开(公告)号：US20210025273A1

公开(公告)日：2021-01-28

申请号：US16520182

申请日：2019-07-23

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Rudolf Zeller ,  Timothy Shaw ,  Timothy Bayliss ,  Craig Caswell

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/04 ,  G01B3/12 ,  G01S19/13 ,  G01S19/49

Abstract: A planning tool plans movement of a boring tool for an underground drilling operation. The planning tool includes one or more wheels for rolling on a surface of the ground along a path responsive to movement by an operator to characterize the surface contour and to generate guidance for the boring tool to reach a target position. Planning can additionally be based on waypoints. The planning tool can be rolled unidirectionally or bidirectionally to characterize the surface contour. Bidirectional movement cancels accelerometer fixed bias. Path stitching is used to plan around obstacles. The planning tool can facilitate tracker placement. The planning tool can collect noise information for frequency selection purposes. A described technique maximizes linear drilling in an underground plan. Compensation and/or warnings are provided for unsteady, fast and slow movement of the planning tool while measuring the surface contour.

公开(公告)号：US20140020953A1

公开(公告)日：2014-01-23

申请号：US13946284

申请日：2013-07-19

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Benjamin John Medeiros ,  Craig Caswell

IPC: E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/12 ,  E21B47/02 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/06

CPC classification number: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B21/08 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/02 ,  E21B47/06 ,  E21B47/10 ,  E21B47/12 ,  E21B47/122 ,  G01V3/18

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are described for purposes of initiating a response to detection of an adverse operational condition involving a system including a drill rig and an inground tool. The response can be based on an uphole sensed parameter in combination with a downhole sensed parameter. The adverse operational condition can involve cross-bore detection, frac-out detection, excessive downhole pressure, a plugged jet indication and drill string key-holing detection. A communication system includes an inground communication link that allows bidirectional communication between a walkover detector and the drill rig via the inground tool. Monitoring of inground tool depth and/or lateral movement can be performed using techniques that approach integrated values. Bit force based auto-carving is described in the context of an automated procedure.

Abstract translation: 描述了系统，装置和方法，用于启动对涉及包括钻机和地下工具的系统的不利操作条件的检测的响应。 响应可以基于井下感测参数与井下感测参数的组合。 不利的操作条件可以涉及钻孔检测，破裂检测，井下压力过大，堵塞式喷射指示和钻柱键盘检测。 一种通信系统包括一个允许步行检测器和钻机之间通过地下工具进行双向通信的环形通信链路。 可以使用接近积分值的技术来监测地下工具深度和/或横向运动。 在自动化程序的上下文中描述了基于位力的自动雕刻。

公开(公告)号：US12055034B2

公开(公告)日：2024-08-06

申请号：US17855795

申请日：2022-07-01

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Benjamin John Medeiros ,  Craig Caswell

IPC: E21B7/04 ,  E21B21/08 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/02 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B47/06 ,  E21B47/10 ,  E21B47/12 ,  E21B47/13 ,  G01V3/18

CPC classification number: E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/046 ,  E21B21/08 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/02 ,  E21B47/06 ,  E21B47/10 ,  E21B47/12 ,  E21B47/13 ,  G01V3/18

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are described for purposes of initiating a response to detection of an adverse operational condition involving a system including a drill rig and an inground tool. The response can be based on an uphole sensed parameter in combination with a downhole sensed parameter. The adverse operational condition can involve cross-bore detection, frac-out detection, excessive downhole pressure, a plugged jet indication and drill string key-holing detection. A communication system includes an inground communication link that allows bidirectional communication between a walkover detector and the drill rig via the inground tool. Monitoring of inground tool depth and/or lateral movement can be performed using techniques that approach integrated values. Bit force based auto-carving is described in the context of an automated procedure.

公开(公告)号：US11408273B2

公开(公告)日：2022-08-09

申请号：US16918355

申请日：2020-07-01

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Albert W. Chau ,  Benjamin John Medeiros ,  Craig Caswell

IPC: E21B47/024 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/06 ,  E21B47/02 ,  E21B47/10 ,  E21B21/08 ,  E21B47/13 ,  E21B47/12 ,  G01V3/18

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are described for purposes of initiating a response to detection of an adverse operational condition involving a system including a drill rig and an inground tool. The response can be based on an uphole sensed parameter in combination with a downhole sensed parameter. The adverse operational condition can involve cross-bore detection, frac-out detection, excessive downhole pressure, a plugged jet indication and drill string key-holing detection. A communication system includes an inground communication link that allows bidirectional communication between a walkover detector and the drill rig via the inground tool. Monitoring of inground tool depth and/or lateral movement can be performed using techniques that approach integrated values. Bit force based auto-carving is described in the context of an automated procedure.