Multi-frequency boring tool locating system and method
First Claim
1. In a system in which a boring tool is moved underground in a region during selective rotation of the boring tool, a method comprising the steps of:
- configuring the boring tool with a transmitter for transmitting a locating signal for use in tracking an underground position of the boring tool in said region and for changing at least one characteristic of said locating signal responsive to subjecting the boring tool to a predetermined roll sequence during underground operation such that the predetermined roll sequence includes the steps of rotating the boring tool for one time period at a first roll rate in timed relation to rotating the boring tool for another time period at a second roll rate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Arrangements, apparatus and associated methods are described for use in a multi-frequency boring tool locating system. The boring tool includes a transmitter for transmitting a locating signal at two or more selectable frequencies. One set of above ground procedures may be applied to the transmitter in order to change the frequency of the boring tool transmitter. Another set of procedures is applicable for changing the frequency during below ground drilling operations, for example, by subjecting the boring tool to a predetermined roll orientation sequence. An enhanced portable locator operates in a manual or automatic mode to receive locating frequency information transmitted from the boring tool transmitter including frequency updates. Boring tool transmitter, as well as above ground locator shutdown/restart procedures are described relating to multi-frequency operation. A tone detector is described which implements one or more digital match filters.
25 Citations
14 Claims
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1. In a system in which a boring tool is moved underground in a region during selective rotation of the boring tool, a method comprising the steps of:
configuring the boring tool with a transmitter for transmitting a locating signal for use in tracking an underground position of the boring tool in said region and for changing at least one characteristic of said locating signal responsive to subjecting the boring tool to a predetermined roll sequence during underground operation such that the predetermined roll sequence includes the steps of rotating the boring tool for one time period at a first roll rate in timed relation to rotating the boring tool for another time period at a second roll rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a system in which a boring tool is movable underground in a region during selective rotation of the boring tool using a drill string, a method comprising the steps of:
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configuring the boring tool with a transmitter for transmitting a locating signal for use in tracking an underground position of the boring tool in said region and for changing at least one characteristic of said locating signal responsive to subjecting the boring tool to a predetermined roll sequence during underground operation, said characteristic being selected as at least one of frequency of the locating signal and transmitted power of the locating signal;
selectively rotating the boring tool using the drill string to subject the boring tool to the predetermined roll sequence, said predetermined roll sequence including the steps in the order of for a first time interval, maintaining a non-roll status of the boring tool, rolling the boring tool at a slow roll rate for a second, slow roll rate time interval, rolling the boring tool at a fast roll rate for a third, fast roll rate time interval without stopping rotation following the slow roll rate time interval, and for a fourth time interval, again maintaining the non-roll status of the boring tool. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. In a boring tool for use in a system in which the boring tool is moved underground in a region during selective rotation of the boring tool, an assembly comprising:
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a first arrangement for transmitting a locating signal from the boring tool for use in tracking an underground position of the boring tool in said region; and
a second arrangement, cooperating with said first arrangement, for changing at least one characteristic of said locating signal responsive to subjecting the boring tool to a predetermined roll sequence during underground operation including rotation of the boring tool for one time interval at a first roll rate in timed relation to rotation of the boring tool for another time interval at a second roll rate. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification