Boring technique using locate point measurements for boring tool depth prediction
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in a system including a steerable boring tool which transmits a dipole locating signal and for avoiding an inground obstacle at a known depth, and said boring tool is configured for transmitting a pitch orientation signal, said apparatus comprising:
- a signal strength detector for measuring a signal strength of said locating signal at a location above the inground obstacle serving as a field defined forward point of the locating signal and with the boring tool located at a first position that is a forward distance from the obstacle such that the signal strength is representative of the depth of the boring tool at said forward distance from the obstacle;
a pitch sensing arrangement for determining a pitch orientation of the boring tool using the pitch orientation signal; and
a processor for determining a predicted depth of the boring tool, based on at least generally straight movement of the boring tool by said forward distance toward the inground obstacle, said signal strength and said pitch orientation for use in steering the boring tool in a way that is intended to avoid the obstacle based on the predicted depth of the boring tool and the known depth of the obstacle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method is disclosed as part of an overall process in which a boring tool is moved through the ground within a given region along a particular path in an orientation which includes pitch. A locating signal is transmitted from the boring tool which signal exhibits a field defined forward point within a reference surface which field defined forward point is vertically above an inground forward point on the particular path through which the boring tool is likely to pass. The method establishes a predicted depth of the boring tool at the inground forward point by first identifying the field defined forward point. The signal strength of the locating signal is then measured at the field defined forward point as being representative of the depth of the boring tool at an inground upstream point which is the current location of the boring tool. With the boring tool at the upstream inground point, the pitch of the boring tool is determined. Using the measured signal strength and the determined pitch, the predicted depth of the boring tool is determined for the inground forward point based on the boring tool moving along an approximately straight path to the inground forward point.
-
Citations
13 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for use in a system including a steerable boring tool which transmits a dipole locating signal and for avoiding an inground obstacle at a known depth, and said boring tool is configured for transmitting a pitch orientation signal, said apparatus comprising:
-
a signal strength detector for measuring a signal strength of said locating signal at a location above the inground obstacle serving as a field defined forward point of the locating signal and with the boring tool located at a first position that is a forward distance from the obstacle such that the signal strength is representative of the depth of the boring tool at said forward distance from the obstacle;
a pitch sensing arrangement for determining a pitch orientation of the boring tool using the pitch orientation signal; and
a processor for determining a predicted depth of the boring tool, based on at least generally straight movement of the boring tool by said forward distance toward the inground obstacle, said signal strength and said pitch orientation for use in steering the boring tool in a way that is intended to avoid the obstacle based on the predicted depth of the boring tool and the known depth of the obstacle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
Specification