Inground device with advanced transmit power control and associated methods
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for use with a system for performing an inground operation supported at least proximate to the inground tool during the inground operation, said apparatus comprising:
- a housing that is configured for receiving a battery having one of at least two different battery voltages; and
a transmitter supported within the housing for receiving electrical power from the battery and configured for (i) transmitting at least one signal from the apparatus using at least two different transmit power levels for at least one of locating the transmitter and characterizing an orientation of the transmitter, (ii) detecting the battery voltage, and (iii) selecting one of the transmit power levels based on the detected battery voltage.
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Abstract
An inground housing supports a transmitter for receiving electrical power from a battery. The transmitter transmits at least one signal using at least two different transmit power levels for at least one of locating the transmitter and characterizing an orientation of the transmitter. Based on detecting the battery voltage, the transmitter selects one of the transmit power levels. Transmitter output power can be controlled based on one or both of signal gain and duty cycle.
69 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use with a system for performing an inground operation supported at least proximate to the inground tool during the inground operation, said apparatus comprising:
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a housing that is configured for receiving a battery having one of at least two different battery voltages; and a transmitter supported within the housing for receiving electrical power from the battery and configured for (i) transmitting at least one signal from the apparatus using at least two different transmit power levels for at least one of locating the transmitter and characterizing an orientation of the transmitter, (ii) detecting the battery voltage, and (iii) selecting one of the transmit power levels based on the detected battery voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for providing an apparatus for use with a system for performing an inground operation in which a drill string extends from a drill rig to an inground tool with the apparatus supported at least proximate to the inground tool during the inground operation, said method comprising:
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configuring the apparatus to include a housing for receiving a battery having one of at least two different battery voltages; and supporting a transmitter within the housing for receiving electrical power from the battery and configuring the transmitter for (i) transmitting at least one signal from the transmitter using at least two different transmit power levels for at least one of locating the transmitter and characterizing an orientation of the transmitter, (ii) detecting the battery voltage, and (iii) selecting one of the transmit power levels based on the detected battery voltage.
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11. An apparatus for use with a system for performing an inground operation in which a drill string extends from a drill rig to an inground tool with the apparatus supported at least proximate to the inground tool during the inground operation, said apparatus comprising:
a transmitter configured for transmitting at least one signal from the transmitter using one of at least two different transmit power levels at least by utilizing a modulation duty cycle of the signal that is different for each different transmit power level. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for providing an apparatus for use with a system for performing an inground operation in which a drill string extends from a drill rig to an inground tool with the transmitter supported at least proximate to the inground tool during the inground operation, said method comprising:
configuring a transmitter as part of the apparatus for transmitting at least one signal therefrom using one of at least two different transmit power levels for at least one of locating the transmitter and characterizing an orientation of the transmitter at least by using a modulation duty cycle of the signal that is different for each different transmit power level.
Specification