Boring tool control using remote locator

• US 20050236186A1
• Filed: 06/28/2005
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Merlin Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Merlin Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Mercer, John E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,225,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/45
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 44/00 Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 44/005 Below-ground automatic control systems
• 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: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/046 horizontal drilling drilling with mechanical conveying means E21B7/003
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/06 Deflecting the direction of boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/068 drilled by a down-hole drilling motor down-hole drives per se E21B4/00, E21B7/067 takes precedence

Abstract

A drilling system performs underground boring using a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground under control of the drill rig to form an underground bore. A monitoring arrangement, forming part of the system, includes a detection arrangement at the drill rig for monitoring at least one operational parameter to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool. A portable device forms another part of the system for receiving the data signal relating to the operational parameter for use by the portable device. A communication arrangement, for example using telemetry, transfers the data signal from the drill rig to the portable device. The operational parameter may be monitored for the purpose of preventing equipment failure.

Claims

1. In a drilling system for performing underground boring including a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground under control of the drill rig to form an underground bore, a monitoring arrangement comprising:

a detection arrangement at said drill rig for electronically monitoring at least one operational parameter to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool;

a portable device configured for electronically receiving the data signal relating to the operational parameter for use by the portable device; and

a communication arrangement for electronically receiving the data signal from said detection arrangement and for transferring the data signal from the drill rig to the portable device.

2. The monitoring arrangement of claim 1 wherein said communication arrangement includes a telemetry link between the drill rig and the portable device for transferring the data signal to the portable device.

3. In a drilling system for performing underground boring including a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground under control of the drill rig to form an underground bore, a method comprising:

electronically monitoring at least one operational parameter using a detection arrangement at said drill rig to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool; and

wirelessly transferring the data signal, relating to the operational parameter, to a portable device for use by the portable device.

4. The method of claim 3 including providing a telemetry link between the drill rig and the portable device and said wirelessly transferring includes using the telemetry link for transmitting the data signal to the portable device.

5. In a drilling system for performing underground boring including a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground under control of the drill rig to form an underground bore, a monitoring arrangement comprising:

a detection arrangement for electronically monitoring at least one operational parameter which is at least measurable at the drill rig to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool;

a portable device configured for electronically receiving the data signal relating to the operational parameter for use by the portable device; and

a communication arrangement for electronically receiving the data signal from the detection arrangement and for transferring the data signal from the detection arrangement to the portable device.

6. The monitoring arrangement of claim 5 wherein said communication arrangement includes a telemetry link between the drill rig and the portable device for transferring the data signal to the portable device.

7. In a drilling system for performing underground boring including a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground under control of the drill rig to form an underground bore, a method comprising:

electronically monitoring at least one operational parameter which is at least measurable at said drill rig to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool; and

wirelessly transferring the data signal, relating to the operational parameter, to a portable device for use by the portable device.

8. The method of claim 7 including providing a telemetry link between the drill rig and the portable device and said wirelessly transferring includes using the telemetry link for transmitting the data signal to the portable device.