公开(公告)号：US20220107167A1

公开(公告)日：2022-04-07

申请号：US17155961

申请日：2021-01-22

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Rudolf Zeller ,  Richard McKibbon ,  David Bahr ,  Johan Anders Fredrik Mantere ,  Sigurdur Finnsson

IPC: G01B5/20 ,  E21B7/04 ,  G01B5/28

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. Surface roughness is measured based on instantaneous rate of change of an accelerometer output. Accelerometer cross axis sensitivity compensation provides for more accurate surface contour characterization for paths that are not smooth. Accuracy of rolling datasets is predicted and associated indications are presented based on surface roughness in combination with speed. A rumble/speed gauge guides operator movement based on detected surface roughness in combination with speed.

公开(公告)号：US10781638B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-22

申请号：US15373417

申请日：2016-12-08

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce Kolpack ,  David Bahr ,  Thomas J. Hall ,  Benjamin J. Medeiros

IPC: E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B41/00 ,  E21B44/00

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used in conjunction with a system for performing horizontal directional drilling, the system including a drill string extending from a drill rig to a boring tool such that the boring tool is steerable based on a roll orientation. The system also includes an arrangement for generating steering commands for guiding the boring tool to a target position. Responsive at least in part to the steering commands, a display is configured to selectively indicate each of a rotate command, a push command and a spin command. A steering indicator is described which indicates a current roll orientation of the boring tool. A 3-D grid can be animated and centered on either a steering or target indicator. Rounding of a steering command ratio can limit the display of target roll orientations to only those that a given boring tool transmitter is capable of sensing and indicating.

公开(公告)号：US20170089139A1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-30

申请号：US15373417

申请日：2016-12-08

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce Kolpack ,  David Bahr ,  Thomas J. Hall ,  Benjamin J. Medeiros

IPC: E21B7/04 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B41/00 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B47/024

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used in conjunction with a system for performing horizontal directional drilling, the system including a drill string extending from a drill rig to a boring tool such that the boring tool is steerable based on a roll orientation. The system also includes an arrangement for generating steering commands for guiding the boring tool to a target position. Responsive at least in part to the steering commands, a display is configured to selectively indicate each of a rotate command, a push command and a spin command. A steering indicator is described which indicates a current roll orientation of the boring tool. A 3-D grid can be animated and centered on either a steering or target indicator. Rounding of a steering command ratio can limit the display of target roll orientations to only those that a given boring tool transmitter is capable of sensing and indicating.

公开(公告)号：US20210340819A1

公开(公告)日：2021-11-04

申请号：US17373553

申请日：2021-07-12

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce Kolpack ,  David Bahr ,  Thomas J. Hall ,  Benjamin J. Medeiros

IPC: E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B41/00 ,  E21B44/00

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used in conjunction with a system for performing horizontal directional drilling, the system including a drill string extending from a drill rig to a boring tool such that the boring tool is steerable based on a roll orientation. The system also includes an arrangement for generating steering commands for guiding the boring tool to a target position. Responsive at least in part to the steering commands, a display is configured to selectively indicate each of a rotate command, a push command and a spin command. A steering indicator is described which indicates a current roll orientation of the boring tool. A 3-D grid can be animated and centered on either a steering or target indicator. Rounding of a steering command ratio can limit the display of target roll orientations to only those that a given boring tool transmitter is capable of sensing and indicating.

公开(公告)号：US11060355B2

公开(公告)日：2021-07-13

申请号：US16994619

申请日：2020-08-16

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce Kolpack ,  David Bahr ,  Thomas J. Hall ,  Benjamin J. Medeiros

IPC: E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B41/00 ,  E21B44/00

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used in conjunction with a system for performing horizontal directional drilling, the system including a drill string extending from a drill rig to a boring tool such that the boring tool is steerable based on a roll orientation. The system also includes an arrangement for generating steering commands for guiding the boring tool to a target position. Responsive at least in part to the steering commands, a display is configured to selectively indicate each of a rotate command, a push command and a spin command. A steering indicator is described which indicates a current roll orientation of the boring tool. A 3-D grid can be animated and centered on either a steering or target indicator. Rounding of a steering command ratio can limit the display of target roll orientations to only those that a given boring tool transmitter is capable of sensing and indicating.

公开(公告)号：US20240418042A1

公开(公告)日：2024-12-19

申请号：US18816470

申请日：2024-08-27

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce Kolpack ,  David Bahr ,  Thomas J. Hall ,  Benjamin J. Medeiros

IPC: E21B7/04 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B41/00 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/024

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used in conjunction with a system for performing horizontal directional drilling, the system including a drill string extending from a drill rig to a boring tool such that the boring tool is steerable based on a roll orientation. The system also includes an arrangement for generating steering commands for guiding the boring tool to a target position. Responsive at least in part to the steering commands, a display is configured to selectively indicate each of a rotate command, a push command and a spin command. A steering indicator is described which indicates a current roll orientation of the boring tool. A 3-D grid can be animated and centered on either a steering or target indicator. Rounding of a steering command ratio can limit the display of target roll orientations to only those that a given boring tool transmitter is capable of sensing and indicating.

公开(公告)号：US11629554B2

公开(公告)日：2023-04-18

申请号：US17373553

申请日：2021-07-12

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce Kolpack ,  David Bahr ,  Thomas J. Hall ,  Benjamin J. Medeiros

IPC: E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B41/00 ,  E21B44/00

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used in conjunction with a system for performing horizontal directional drilling, the system including a drill string extending from a drill rig to a boring tool such that the boring tool is steerable based on a roll orientation. The system also includes an arrangement for generating steering commands for guiding the boring tool to a target position. Responsive at least in part to the steering commands, a display is configured to selectively indicate each of a rotate command, a push command and a spin command. A steering indicator is described which indicates a current roll orientation of the boring tool. A 3-D grid can be animated and centered on either a steering or target indicator. Rounding of a steering command ratio can limit the display of target roll orientations to only those that a given boring tool transmitter is capable of sensing and indicating.

公开(公告)号：US20200378189A1

公开(公告)日：2020-12-03

申请号：US16994619

申请日：2020-08-16

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce Kolpack ,  David Bahr ,  Thomas J. Hall ,  Benjamin J. Medeiros

IPC: E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B44/00

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used in conjunction with a system for performing horizontal directional drilling, the system including a drill string extending from a drill rig to a boring tool such that the boring tool is steerable based on a roll orientation. The system also includes an arrangement for generating steering commands for guiding the boring tool to a target position. Responsive at least in part to the steering commands, a display is configured to selectively indicate each of a rotate command, a push command and a spin command. A steering indicator is described which indicates a current roll orientation of the boring tool. A 3-D grid can be animated and centered on either a steering or target indicator. Rounding of a steering command ratio can limit the display of target roll orientations to only those that a given boring tool transmitter is capable of sensing and indicating.

公开(公告)号：US12104490B2

公开(公告)日：2024-10-01

申请号：US18134542

申请日：2023-04-13

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce Kolpack ,  David Bahr ,  Thomas J. Hall ,  Benjamin J. Medeiros

IPC: E21B7/04 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B41/00 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/024

CPC classification number: E21B7/046 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B41/00 ,  E21B44/00 ,  E21B47/024

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used in conjunction with a system for performing horizontal directional drilling, the system including a drill string extending from a drill rig to a boring tool such that the boring tool is steerable based on a roll orientation. The system also includes an arrangement for generating steering commands for guiding the boring tool to a target position. Responsive at least in part to the steering commands, a display is configured to selectively indicate each of a rotate command, a push command and a spin command. A steering indicator is described which indicates a current roll orientation of the boring tool. A 3-D grid can be animated and centered on either a steering or target indicator. Rounding of a steering command ratio can limit the display of target roll orientations to only those that a given boring tool transmitter is capable of sensing and indicating.

公开(公告)号：US20230250693A1

公开(公告)日：2023-08-10

申请号：US18134542

申请日：2023-04-13

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce Kolpack ,  David Bahr ,  Thomas J. Hall ,  Benjamin J. Medeiros

IPC: E21B7/04 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B41/00 ,  E21B44/00

CPC classification number: E21B7/046 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B7/06 ,  E21B41/00 ,  E21B44/00

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used in conjunction with a system for performing horizontal directional drilling, the system including a drill string extending from a drill rig to a boring tool such that the boring tool is steerable based on a roll orientation. The system also includes an arrangement for generating steering commands for guiding the boring tool to a target position. Responsive at least in part to the steering commands, a display is configured to selectively indicate each of a rotate command, a push command and a spin command. A steering indicator is described which indicates a current roll orientation of the boring tool. A 3-D grid can be animated and centered on either a steering or target indicator. Rounding of a steering command ratio can limit the display of target roll orientations to only those that a given boring tool transmitter is capable of sensing and indicating.