Device and Method for Tracking a Downhole Tool
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for tracking a drill bit, the system comprising:
- a drill rig;
a drill string having a first end and a second end, the first end is operatively connected to the drill rig;
a downhole tool connected to the second end of the drill string;
a dipole magnetic field transmitter supported by the downhole tool;
a drill bit connected to the downhole tool; and
a self-propelled autonomous receiver comprising;
an antenna assembly to detect the magnetic field and generate an antenna signal;
a processor programmed to receive the antenna signal and generate a command signal; and
a propulsion system to receive the command signal and move the receiver to a position above the transmitter.
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Abstract
A system for tracking a drill bit. The system uses a self-propelled autonomous receiver. The receiver has an antenna assembly, a processor, and a propulsion system. The antenna assembly detects the magnetic field from an underground transmitter and generates an antenna signal. The processor is programmed to receive the antenna signal and generate a command signal. The propulsion system receives the command signal and moves the receiver to a position above the transmitter. Once in the desired position, the antenna assembly measures the magnetic field to determine the location of the drill bit along borepath.
14 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for tracking a drill bit, the system comprising:
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a drill rig; a drill string having a first end and a second end, the first end is operatively connected to the drill rig; a downhole tool connected to the second end of the drill string; a dipole magnetic field transmitter supported by the downhole tool; a drill bit connected to the downhole tool; and a self-propelled autonomous receiver comprising; an antenna assembly to detect the magnetic field and generate an antenna signal; a processor programmed to receive the antenna signal and generate a command signal; and a propulsion system to receive the command signal and move the receiver to a position above the transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device for determining the location of a transmitter that transmits a dipole magnetic field, the device comprising:
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a frame having a top and a bottom; an antenna assembly attached to the bottom of the frame; and a propulsion system supported by the frame; wherein the propulsion system moves the frame to a position above the transmitter in response to signal strength and magnetic field orientation measurements taken by the antenna assembly. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for tracking a dipole magnetic field transmitter, the method comprising:
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providing a receiver having an antenna assembly for detecting the dipole magnetic field in three dimensions and a propulsion system to lift the receiver off the ground; transmitting the dipole magnetic field; engaging the propulsion system to lift the receiver into the air; detecting the magnetic field using the antenna assembly; moving the receiver with the propulsion system to a position above the transmitter and at a front null point of the magnetic field using the detected magnetic field; and measuring the signal strength of the magnetic field and the orientation of the magnetic field in three dimensions using the antenna assembly with the receiver at the null point to determine a location of the transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification