Position and orientation locator/monitor

• US 20040140810A1
• Filed: 01/09/2004
• Published: 07/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1991
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Merlin Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Merlin Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Mercer, John E.
• Granted Patent: US 6,924,645 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/326
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/0228 using electromagnetic energy or detectors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/0232 at least one of the energy sources or one of the detectors being located on or above the ground surface
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/024 of devices in the borehole determining slope or direction of the borehole E21B47/022
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/06 Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/20 the indication being based on the inclination of the surface of a liquid relative to its container
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/165 operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by the object or by the detecting device with electromagnetic waves G01V3/17

Abstract

The present invention provides a locator/monitor capable of locating a boring tool and monitoring the progress of the tool for control purposes. The locator/monitor may be used in expedited locating methodology and straightforward calibration techniques of the present invention. A durable and cost effective pitch sensor is also provided by the present invention. In addition, the present invention provides a slotted transmitter housing formed of an electrically conductive material, where the magnetic field generated by the transmitter is capable of penetrating to the surface.

Claims

1. In an overall system in which a dipole electromagnetic transmitter is disposed within a given region along a path while transmitting a locating field, a portable locator comprising:

(a) a receiver arrangement including at least first and second antennae positioned transverse to one another, said first and second antennae simultaneously sensing at least respective first and second orthogonal components of said locating field, said receiver arrangement producing respective first and second, at least substantially simultaneous, electrical signals, which first and second electrical signals are functions of said first and second orthogonal components sensed by said first and second antennae; and

(b) an electronic processor for receiving said electrical signals at least substantially simultaneously and configured for responding to movement of the above ground portable locator, which movement causes variation in the electrical signals, as detected by the portable locator, for using the electrical signals to determine the location of said transmitter within said region.

2. A locator according to claim 1 wherein said electrical signals are analog signals simultaneously produced and simultaneously received by said receiver arrangement.

3. A locator according to claim 1 wherein said electrical signals are digital signals substantially simultaneously produced and substantially simultaneously received by said receiver arrangement.

7. The locator of claim 1 wherein said electronic processor is configured for determining a value using said electrical signals that varies monotonically with above ground movement of the portable locator toward and away from the dipole electronic transmitter.

8. The locator of claim 7 wherein said electronic processor is configured for determining a vector sum using said electrical signals.

4. An above-ground portable locator for locating a dipole electromagnetic transmitter positioned within a region, said dipole electronic transmitter including a transmitter arrangement which transmits within said region an electromagnetic dipole signal, said locator comprising:

(a) a receiver arrangement including first, second and third antenna arrangements positioned transverse to one another, said first, second and third antenna arrangements simultaneously sensing respective first, second and third orthogonal components of said electromagnetic dipole signal, said receiver arrangement producing respective first, second and third, at least substantially simultaneous, electrical signals, which first, second and third electrical signals are functions of said first, second and third orthogonal components sensed by said first, second and third antenna arrangements; and

(b) an electronic processor for receiving said electrical signals at least substantially simultaneously and configured for responding to movement of the above ground portable locator, which movement causes variation in the electrical signals, as detected by the portable locator, for using the electrical signals to determine the location of said transmitter within said region.

5. A locator according to claim 4 wherein said electrical signals are analog signals simultaneously produced and simultaneously received by said receiver.

6. A locator according to claim 4 wherein said electrical signals are digital signals substantially simultaneously produced and substantially simultaneously received by said receiver.

9. The locator of claim 4 wherein said electronic processor is configured for determining a value that varies monotonically with above ground movement of the portable locator toward and away from the boring tool.

10. The locator of claim 9 wherein said electronic processor is configured for determining a vector sum using said electrical signals.