Advanced inground device power control and associated methods
First Claim
1. A transmitter that is powered by a battery and the transmitter is receivable in a housing to 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, said transmitter comprising:
- a regulator for generating a regulated voltage from said battery;
an antenna driver powered from the regulated voltage for electrically driving an antenna to emanate an electromagnetic signal for remote reception based on power consumption from the regulator;
an accelerometer for generating accelerometer readings responsive to mechanical shock and vibration of the inground tool during the inground operation; and
a controller that monitors the power consumption and selectively limits the power consumption based on at least one power consumption threshold while continuing to drive the antenna to emanate the electromagnetic signal and for changing the power consumption threshold responsive to the mechanical shock and vibration.
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Accused Products
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.
45 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A transmitter that is powered by a battery and the transmitter is receivable in a housing to 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, said transmitter comprising:
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a regulator for generating a regulated voltage from said battery; an antenna driver powered from the regulated voltage for electrically driving an antenna to emanate an electromagnetic signal for remote reception based on power consumption from the regulator; an accelerometer for generating accelerometer readings responsive to mechanical shock and vibration of the inground tool during the inground operation; and a controller that monitors the power consumption and selectively limits the power consumption based on at least one power consumption threshold while continuing to drive the antenna to emanate the electromagnetic signal and for changing the power consumption threshold responsive to the mechanical shock and vibration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification