DIPOLE LOCATOR USING MULTIPLE MEASUREMENT POINTS
First Claim
1. A receiver system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source, the receiver comprising:
- a frame;
a first antenna assembly supported by the frame and adapted to detect a magnetic field from a source;
a second antenna assembly supported by the frame and adapted to detect the magnetic field from the source;
a third antenna assembly supported by the frame and adapted to detect the magnetic field from the source; and
a processor adapted to receive an antenna signal from each of the antenna assemblies and to determine a location of the source relative to the frame using the antenna signals.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A receiver and tracking system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of tri-axial antennas are positioned at three distinct points on a receiver frame. Each antenna detects a magnetic field from a source and a processor is used to determine a location of the source relative to the frame using the antenna signals. Each tri-axial antenna comprises three windings in each of three channels defined by a support structure. The windings each define an aperture area. The windings have substantially identical aperture areas and have a common center point. The receiver may to display to the operator the relative location of the field source or may direct the operator to a spot directly above the field source.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A receiver system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source, the receiver comprising:
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a frame;
a first antenna assembly supported by the frame and adapted to detect a magnetic field from a source;
a second antenna assembly supported by the frame and adapted to detect the magnetic field from the source;
a third antenna assembly supported by the frame and adapted to detect the magnetic field from the source; and
a processor adapted to receive an antenna signal from each of the antenna assemblies and to determine a location of the source relative to the frame using the antenna signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A triaxial antenna comprising:
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a support member comprising a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel;
a first winding supported in the first channel and defining an aperture area;
a second winding supported in the second channel and defining an aperture area;
a third winding supported in the third channel and defining an aperture area;
wherein the aperture area of each winding is the same; and
wherein the windings have a common center point. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for tracking a below ground source of a magnetic field, the method comprising:
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simultaneously detecting in three dimensions a magnetic field from a source at each of three distinct points of a receiver frame;
determining a location of the source relative to the receiver frame using the detected field values. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for drilling a horizontal borehole, the method comprising:
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placing a receiver assembly on the ground in a proximity of a drill bit;
aligning the receiver with a desired bore path;
advancing the drill head forward without rotation to perform a steering correction in the horizontal plane;
transmitting an orientation of the drill bit relative to the receiver from the receiver to an operator; and
transmitting a distance of forward advance of the drill bit without rotation from the receiver to the operator.
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28. A method for communicating information from a downhole tool assembly to an above ground receiver, the method comprising:
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alternately turning a transmitter on and off to communicate data in binary form;
detecting a signal condition when the transmitter is on and a no signal condition when the transmitter is off; and
decoding data communicated from a series of signal conditions and no signal conditions.
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Specification