SYSTEM FOR DETECTING A LOCATION OF A SUBSURFACE CHANNEL

• US 20140239955A1
• Filed: 02/27/2013
• Published: 08/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Willowstick Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Willowstick Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Kofoed, Val O., Montgomery, Jerry R., Jessop, Michael L., Jeffery, Rondo N., Montgomery, N. Rich, Wallace, Michael J., Christensen, Benjamin A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,588,247 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/332
• 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: G01V 3/10 using induction coils

Abstract

A system for detecting a location of a subsurface channel may include a portable frame and a plurality of magnetic coils supported by the frame. The magnetic coils may be spaced apart from one another and ends of each of the magnetic coil are unobstructed by other of the magnetic coils.

Claims

1. A system for detecting a location of a subsurface channel, comprising:

a portable frame;

a magnetic coil oriented in a x direction and supported by the frame;

a magnetic coil oriented in a y direction and orthogonal to the magnetic coil oriented in the x direction and supported by the frame; and

a magnetic coil oriented in a z direction and orthogonal to the magnetic coils oriented in the x and y directions and supported by the frame,

wherein the magnetic coils in the x, y and z directions are spaced apart from one another and ends of each of the magnetic coil are unobstructed by other of the magnetic coils.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic coils are spaced apart from one another at least one inch and less than one foot.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery power source supported by the frame, wherein the magnetic coils are spaced apart from the battery power source such that an electrical current from the battery power source flows away from the magnetic coils.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery power source supported by the frame, wherein the magnetic coils are spaced apart from the battery power source at a distance such that an effect of the battery power source on the magnetic coils is an absolute magnetic field deviation of not more than 1%.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery power source supported by the frame, wherein the magnetic coils are spaced apart from the battery power source at a distance such that an effect of the battery power source on the magnetic coils is an absolute magnetic field deviation of not more than 1 picoteslas.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising circuitry supported by the frame and configured to read signals measured from at least two of the magnetic coils simultaneously.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising circuitry supported by the frame and configured to read signals measured from each of the magnetic coils simultaneously.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer supported by the frame to measure an orientation of the coils.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a compass for measuring an orientation of the coils.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising GPS for measuring a geographical location of the coils.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a battery and wherein the battery and the magnetic coils are positioned in a columnar arrangement with the magnetic coils suspended beneath the battery by the frame and spaced apart from the battery by the distance.

12. A mobile system for detecting a location of a subsurface channel, comprising:

a portable frame;

a plurality of magnetic coils supported by the frame and configured to detect a magnetic field from the subsurface water channel; and

a battery power source supported by the frame and spaced apart from the plurality of magnetic coils at a distance such that an absolute magnetic field deviation of a signal detected by the coils as a result of proximity of the battery power source is not greater than 1 picotesla.

13. The mobile system of claim 12, wherein the battery power source and the plurality of magnetic coils are supported about the frame in a columnar arrangement with the battery power source being positioned farther from the subsurface water channel than the plurality of magnetic coils when the system is in an upright position.

14. The mobile system of claim 12, further comprising a handle coupled to the portable frame for carrying the mobile system, the handle including a trigger for triggering detection of the magnetic field using the plurality of magnetic coils simultaneously.

15. A system for detecting a location of a subsurface channel, comprising:

a portable frame;

a magnetic coil oriented in a x direction and supported by the frame;

a magnetic coil oriented in a y direction and orthogonal to the magnetic coil oriented in the x direction and supported by the frame;

a magnetic coil oriented in a z direction and orthogonal to the magnetic coils oriented in the x and y directions and supported by the frame; and

circuitry for simultaneously reading magnetic fields detected by at least two of the magnetic coils.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the magnetic coils in the x, y and z directions are spaced apart from one another and ends of each of the magnetic coil are unobstructed by other of the magnetic coils.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the circuitry is configured to read signals measured from each of the magnetic coils simultaneously.

18. The system of claim 15, further comprising an accelerometer supported by the frame to measure an orientation of the coils.

19. A system for detecting a location of a subsurface channel, comprising:

a portable frame;

a magnetic coil oriented in a x direction and supported by the frame;

a magnetic coil oriented in a y direction and orthogonal to the magnetic coil oriented in the x direction and supported by the frame; and

a magnetic coil oriented in a z direction and orthogonal to the magnetic coils oriented in the x and y directions and supported by the frame,

wherein ends of each of the magnetic coil are unobstructed by other of the magnetic coils.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the magnetic coils are spaced apart from one another by at least 0.5 inches.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the magnetic coils are spaced apart from one another approximately 1 inch.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the magnetic coils are coupled to a mounting board, wherein at least one coil is coupled each side of the mounting board.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein at least one coil extends through a hole in the mounting board.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the coils and the mounting board are arranged in a volume of approximately 0.1 cubic feet or less.

25. A system for detecting a location of a subsurface channel, comprising:

a portable frame;

a plurality of magnetic coils supported by the frame and configured to detect a magnetic field from the subsurface water channel; and

an accelerometer coupled to the plurality of magnetic coils to detect an orientation of the coils when the magnetic field is detected by the plurality of magnetic coils.