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：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：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：US20210207438A1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-08

申请号：US17209177

申请日：2021-03-22

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Timothy Shaw ,  John E. Mercer ,  Albert W. Chau

IPC: E21B7/06 ,  G01V3/34 ,  G01V3/38 ,  E21B47/024 ,  E21B44/00 ,  G01V3/18 ,  E21B47/13 ,  E21B47/0232 ,  G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/15

Abstract: A boring tool is movable through the ground. A transmitter supported by the boring tool transmits an electromagnetic homing signal. A portable device monitors the electromagnetic homing signal and receives the electromagnetic homing signal in a homing mode for guiding the boring tool to a target position. A processor generates steering commands for guiding the boring tool based on a bore plan in a steering mode such that at least some positional error is introduced without using the electromagnetic homing signal. Switching from the steering mode to the homing mode is based on monitoring of the electromagnetic homing signal as the boring tool approaches the portable device to then guide the boring tool to the target position location in compensation for the positional error. Intermediate target positions are described as well as guiding the boring tool based on the homing signal so long as the portable device receives the signal.

公开(公告)号：US11555352B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-17

申请号：US17209177

申请日：2021-03-22

Applicant: Merlin Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Timothy Shaw ,  John E. Mercer ,  Albert W. Chau

IPC: E21B44/00 ,  E21B7/06 ,  G01V3/34 ,  G01V3/38 ,  E21B47/024 ,  G01V3/18 ,  E21B47/13 ,  E21B47/0232 ,  G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/15

Abstract: A boring tool is movable through the ground. A transmitter supported by the boring tool transmits an electromagnetic homing signal. A portable device monitors the electromagnetic homing signal and receives the electromagnetic homing signal in a homing mode for guiding the boring tool to a target position. A processor generates steering commands for guiding the boring tool based on a bore plan in a steering mode such that at least some positional error is introduced without using the electromagnetic homing signal. Switching from the steering mode to the homing mode is based on monitoring of the electromagnetic homing signal as the boring tool approaches the portable device to then guide the boring tool to the target position location in compensation for the positional error. Intermediate target positions are described as well as guiding the boring tool based on the homing signal so long as the portable device receives the signal.

公开(公告)号：US20220065098A1

公开(公告)日：2022-03-03

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 ,  G01B3/12 ,  G01S19/49 ,  G01S19/13 ,  E21B7/04

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.