Multi-frequency boring tool locating system and method

• US 20060087447A1
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Merlin Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Merlin Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Mercer, John E., Brune, Guenter W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,327,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/853.300
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/02 Determining slope or direction
• 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 47/092 by detecting magnetic anomalies
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/12 Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/08 operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices with electromagnetic waves G01V3/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/081 the magnetic field is produced by the objects or geological structures characterised by the method of magnetic field measurement G01R33/00

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.

Claims

1. 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:

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 for controlling at least one function in the boring tool responsive to subjecting the boring tool to a predetermined roll sequence during underground operation.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said system includes a receiver for receiving the locating signal and said assembly includes a third arrangement, cooperating with the first and second arrangements, for sending encoded data related to said function for reception by the receiver.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said locating signal is transmitted at a selected frequency and said function is frequency selection of the locating signal.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said locating signal is transmitted having a power level and said function is power selection of the locating signal.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the system includes a receiver at least for receiving the locating signal and wherein said assembly includes a third arrangement, cooperating with the first and second arrangements, at least for sending encoded data to allow the receiver to adjust to a new signal strength of the locating signal.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said second arrangement detects at least one roll rate as part of the predetermined roll sequence.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said second arrangement cooperates with said first arrangement for causing the boring tool to function to change at least one characteristic of said locating signal responsive, to subjecting the boring tool to said predetermined roll sequence.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said characteristic is one or more of a frequency of the locating signal and a signal strength of the locating signal.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said second arrangement is responsive to at least one roll rate forming at least part of the predetermined roll sequence.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first arrangement transmits the locating signal at a selected frequency from the boring tool for use in tracking the underground position of the boring tool in said region and wherein the second arrangement changes the selected frequency, as said function, responsive to subjecting the boring tool to said predetermined roll sequence during underground operation.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the boring tool is moved using a drill string and wherein said assembly further comprises a roll detection arrangement forming part of said second arrangement for detecting the predetermined roll sequence.

12. In a system in which a boring tool is moved underground in a region during selective movement of the boring tool by a drill string, said boring tool transmitting a locating signal at least for tracking the underground position of the boring tool using a locator, an assembly comprising:

a first arrangement for transmitting a control signal from the surface of the ground to the boring tool using the drill string;

a second arrangement, forming part of the boring tool, which is configured for controlling at least one function in the boring tool responsive to said control signal and, thereafter, for encoding data related to the function for transmission to the locator.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said second arrangement is configured to respond to said control signal by changing at least one characteristic of the locating signal and, thereafter, encode data related to changing the characteristic for transmission to the locator.

14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said characteristic is the power level of the locating signal and the second arrangement encodes data including a new signal strength.

15. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said characteristic is the frequency of the locating signal and the second arrangement encodes data including frequency control information.

16. In a system in which a boring tool is moved underground in a region during selective rotation of the boring tool, a method comprising:

configuring the boring tool for transmitting a locating signal for use in tracking an underground position of the boring tool in said region and for control of at least one function in the boring tool responsive to subjecting the boring tool to a predetermined roll sequence during underground operation.

17. The method of claim 16 where said function relates to controlling one or more of a frequency of the locating signal and a transmission power of the locating signal.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the system includes a receiver for receiving the locating signal and including sending encoded data from the boring tool related to said function for reception by the receiver.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said function is a selection of the power level of the locating signal and the encoded data includes a new signal strength.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said function is a selection of the frequency of the locating signal and the encoded data includes frequency control information.