Boring tool tracking/guiding system and method with unconstrained target location geometry

US 6,727,704 B2
Filed: 11/20/2001
Issued: 04/27/2004
Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. In a system for tracking a boring tool within an underground region, in which system the boring tool is configured for transmitting a dipole locating signal and where the position of the boring tool is characterized, at least in part, by certain orientation parameters, a method comprising the steps of:

from a first position, moving the boring tool to a second position during a time interval, said first position forming part of a first positional relationship relative to a receiving position;

with the boring tool at the second position, measuring a signal strength of the locating signal at the receiving position as well as said certain orientation parameters of the boring tool;

establishing a maximum movement value for the boring tool such that any potential movement of the boring tool over the time interval is less than the maximum movement value; and

based on the first positional relationship, said certain orientation parameters, the maximum movement value and the determined signal strength of the locating signal at the second position, determining a second positional relationship including the boring tool at the second position relative to the receiving position.

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Abstract

Tracking a boring tool is performed within an underground region using a locating signal. The boring tool is moved through the ground during a series of distance movements such that potential movement of the boring tool during any one of the distance movements is less than a maximum movement value. A current positional relationship is determined for a current one of the distance movements based on: a last-determined positional relationship established for an immediately preceding one of the distance movements, certain orientation parameters, the maximum movement value and the determined signal strength of the locating signal in the current positional relationship. Target coordinates are accepted and a target position, based on the target coordinates, is included as part of the current positional relationship. The position of the target is unconstrained with respect to system geometry. Steering command features are provided along with steering warnings.

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66 Claims

1. In a system for tracking a boring tool within an underground region, in which system the boring tool is configured for transmitting a dipole locating signal and where the position of the boring tool is characterized, at least in part, by certain orientation parameters, a method comprising the steps of:
- from a first position, moving the boring tool to a second position during a time interval, said first position forming part of a first positional relationship relative to a receiving position;
  
  with the boring tool at the second position, measuring a signal strength of the locating signal at the receiving position as well as said certain orientation parameters of the boring tool;
  
  establishing a maximum movement value for the boring tool such that any potential movement of the boring tool over the time interval is less than the maximum movement value; and
  
  based on the first positional relationship, said certain orientation parameters, the maximum movement value and the determined signal strength of the locating signal at the second position, determining a second positional relationship including the boring tool at the second position relative to the receiving position.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
- - 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said certain orientation parameters include yaw of the boring tool in said region.
  - 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said certain orientation parameters include pitch of the boring tool in said region.
  - 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the boring tool defines an elongation axis and said method includes the step of determining a first lateral distance, as part of the first positional relationship, measured along the elongation axis from the boring tool to an orthogonal plane defined as (i) including the receiving position and (ii) intersecting the elongation axis normal thereto.
  - 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of determining the second positional relationship includes the step of comparing the first lateral distance to the maximum movement value.
  - 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said comparing step establishes that the first lateral distance is more than said maximum movement value and the first positional relationship further establishes that the receiving position is ahead of the boring tool with respect to said orthogonal plane.
  - 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the second positional relationship is determined, at least in part, using an angle α
    - defined between the elongation axis of the boring tool and a line extending from the boring tool to the receiving position, said method including the step of determining α
      
      using the expression;
      
      $\tan α = \frac{(- 3 b_{ξ} + \sqrt{9 b_{ξ}^{2} + 8 b_{ζ}^{2}}) sign (b_{ζ})}{2 \langle b_{ζ} \rangle}$
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the second positional relationship is determined, at least in part, based on a radial distance, r, between the second position of the boring tool and the receiving position established using the expression:
- $\frac{1}{r^{3}} = - \frac{1}{4} b_{ξ} + \sqrt{\frac{9}{16} b_{ξ}^{2} + \frac{1}{2} b_{ζ}^{2}}$ where an orthogonal pair of axes ξ and
  
  ζ
  
  define an axial plane including the elongation axis of the boring tool and the receiving position such that ξ
  
  is coincident with the elongation axis of the boring tool and ζ
  
  is normal thereto in said axial plane and where b_ξ and b_ζ are components of the dipole locating field along the ξ and
  
  ζ
  
  axes, respectively.
9. The method of claim 5 wherein said comparing step establishes that the first lateral distance is less than said maximum movement value and that the receiving position is ahead of the boring tool, in the first positional relationship, when projected orthogonally onto the elongation axis of the boring tool.
10. The method of claim 9 where an axial plane is defined by the elongation axis of the boring tool and including the receiving position and said method includes the step of monitoring flux components of the dipole locating signal in said axial plane in a way which identifies the boring tool having passed the receiving position with respect to an orthogonal line extending through the receiving position orthogonal to the elongation axis of the boring tool as a part of the second positional relationship.
11. The method of claim 10 where an orthogonal pair of axes ξ
- and ζ
  
  are included in said axial plane such that the ξ
  
  axis is coincident with the elongation axis of the boring tool and the ζ
  
  axis is normal thereto in said plane and where b_ξ and b_ζ are components of the dipole locating field along the ξ and
  
  ζ
  
  axes, respectively, said method including the step of monitoring b_ζ in a way which identifies the boring tool having passed the receiving position with respect to the elongation axis of the boring tool.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of monitoring b_ζ
- detects the passage of the boring tool beyond the receiving position with respect to the elongation axis of the boring tool based on a change in the sign of b_ζ.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of monitoring b_ζ
- indicates that the boring tool has not passed the receiving position with respect to the elongation axis of the boring tool and the second positional relationship between the boring tool and the receiving position is determined, at least in part, using;
  
  $\tan α = \frac{(- 3 b_{ξ} + \sqrt{9 b_{ξ}^{2} + 8 b_{ζ}^{2}}) sign (b_{ζ})}{2 \langle b_{ζ} \rangle}, and$ $\frac{1}{r^{3}} = - \frac{1}{4} b_{ξ} + \sqrt{\frac{9}{16} b_{ξ}^{2} + \frac{1}{2} b_{ζ}^{2}}$ where, in the second positional relationship, angle α
  
  is defined between the elongation axis of the boring tool and a line extending from the boring tool to the receiving position and r is a radial distance between the boring tool and the receiving position.
14. The method of claim 5 wherein said comparing step establishes that the first lateral distance is less than said maximum movement value and the first positional relationship further establishes that the receiving position is behind the boring tool when projected orthogonally onto the elongation axis of the boring tool.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein an axial plane is defined by the elongation axis of the boring tool and the receiving position and said method includes the step of monitoring flux components of the dipole locating signal in said axial plane in a way which identifies the boring tool again crossing the receiving position with respect to an orthogonal line extending through the receiving position orthogonal to the elongation axis of the boring tool as a part of the second positional relationship.
16. The method of claim 15 where an orthogonal pair of axes ξ
- and ζ
  
  are included in said axial plane such that the ξ
  
  axis is coincident with the elongation axis of the boring tool and the ζ
  
  axis is normal thereto in said axial plane and where b_ξ and b_ζ are components of the dipole locating field along the ξ and
  
  ζ
  
  axes, respectively, said method including the step of monitoring b_ζ in a way which detects the boring tool crossing the receiving position with respect to the elongation axis of the boring tool.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of monitoring b_ζ
- detects the passage of the boring tool beyond the receiving position with respect to the elongation axis of the boring tool based on a change in the sign of b_ζ.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the second positional relationship between the boring tool and the receiving position is determined, at least in part, using an angle γ
- defined as;
  
  $\tan (γ) = \frac{(- 3 b_{ξ} + \sqrt{9 b_{ξ}^{2} + 8 b_{ζ}^{2}}) sign (b_{ζ})}{2 \langle b_{ζ} \rangle},$ α
  
  =γ
  
  +180°
  
  , and $\frac{1}{r^{3}} = - \frac{1}{4} b_{ξ} + \sqrt{\frac{9}{16} b_{ξ}^{2} + \frac{1}{2} b_{ζ}^{2}},$ where, in the second positional relationship, angle α
  
  is defined between the elongation axis of the boring tool and a line extending from the boring tool at the second position to the receiving position and r is a radial distance between the boring tool at the second position and the receiving position.
19. The method of claim 5 wherein said comparing step establishes that the first lateral distance is more than said maximum movement value and the first positional relationship further establishes that the receiving position is behind the boring tool when projected orthogonally onto the elongation axis of the boring tool.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein an axial plane is defined by the elongation axis of the boring tool and the receiving position includes an orthogonal pair of axes ξ
- and ζ
  
  such that the ξ
  
  axis is coincident with the elongation axis of the boring tool and the ζ
  
  axis is normal thereto in said axial plane and where b_ξ and b_ζ are components of the dipole locating field along the ξ and
  
  ζ
  
  axes, respectively, wherein a second positional relationship between the boring tool and the receiving position is determined, at least in part, using an angle γ
  
  defined as;
  
  $\tan (γ) = \frac{(- 3 b_{ξ} + \sqrt{9 b_{ξ}^{2} + 8 b_{ζ}^{2}}) sign (b_{ζ})}{2 \langle b_{ζ} \rangle},$ α
  
  =γ
  
  +180°
  
  , and $\frac{1}{r^{3}} = - \frac{1}{4} b_{ξ} + \sqrt{\frac{9}{16} b_{ξ}^{2} + \frac{1}{2} b_{ζ}^{2}},$ where, in the second positional relationship, angle α
  
  is defined between the elongation axis of the boring tool and a line extending from the boring tool to the receiving position and r is a radial distance between the boring tool at the second position and the receiving position.
21. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
- obtaining target coordinates to which the boring tool is intended to be directed; and
  
  determining a target position of the target coordinates relative to the boring tool as part of a last-determined positional relationship including the boring tool and the receiving position.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of obtaining the target coordinates includes the step of accepting the target coordinates specified relative to the receiving position.
23. The method of claim 22 including the step of defining a global coordinate system in said region having an origin at said boring tool and having three orthogonally opposed axes, and the step of establishing the target position relative to the boring tool includes the step of using the target coordinates specified relative to the receiving position to determine the target position in global coordinates.
24. The method of claim 21 wherein the boring tool must pass through an orthogonal plane defined as being normal to the elongation axis of the boring tool and including the receiving position to reach the target position.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein the dipole locating signal is receivable at the receiving position when the receiving position is within a dipole receiving range of the boring tool and wherein said target position is located at approximately the dipole receiving range from the target position.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the receiving position is at approximately the dipole receiving range from the boring tool in the first position.
27. The method of claim 21 wherein the dipole locating signal is receivable at the receiving position when the receiving position is within a dipole receiving range of the boring tool, said method including the step of arranging the first position of the boring tool and the target location such that an intended path of the boring tool is longer than said dipole receiving range.
28. The method of claim 21 wherein the target position is at least laterally offset with respect to the receiving position.
29. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
- obtaining target coordinates specified relative to the receiving position to which the boring tool is intended to be directed including a specified boring tool pitch orientation and a specified boring tool yaw orientation for arrival of the boring tool at the target coordinates;
  
  determining a target position of the target coordinates relative to the boring tool as part of a last-determined positional relationship between the boring tool and the receiving position;
  
  calculating a signal strength of the dipole locating signal at the target position based, at least in part, on the target position relative to the boring tool; and
  
  generating at least one steering command for use in guiding the boring tool to the target position using the signal strength at the receiving position, as calculated, and the specified boring tool pitch and yaw orientations.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein the step of generating at least one steering command, at least in part, uses the expression:
- $δ Y = - \tan β_{T} + \frac{b_{y_{T}}}{b_{x_{T}}}$ to laterally guide the boring tool to the target position where x and y are orthogonal coordinate axes forming part of a global coordinate system having a global coordinate system origin centered on the boring tool, coinciding with an origin of the dipole locating signal, to define a horizontal plane, δ
  
  Y represents a flux slope in the horizontal plane normal to the global x axis sharing the global coordinate origin, β
  
  _Trepresents a target yaw of the boring tool for arrival at the target position, b_y_Tis a flux at the target position taken along the y coordinate axis determined using measurements at the receiving position and b_x_Tis another flux at the target position taken along the x coordinate axis determined using measurements at the receiving position.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein the step of generating at least one steering command includes the step of directing steering in one lateral direction when δ
- Y is positive in sign and directing steering in an opposing lateral direction when δ
  
  Y is negative in sign.
32. The method of claim 30 wherein the step of generating at least one steering command further includes the step of using the expression:
- $δ Z = \tan φ_{T} - \frac{b_{z_{T}}}{b_{x_{T}}}$ to vertically guide the boring tool to the target position where z is a vertical, orthogonal coordinate axis in the global coordinate system sharing said global coordinate system origin, δ
  
  Z represents a flux slope in a vertical plane defined by the global x and z axes, φ
  
  _Trepresents a target pitch of the boring tool for arrival at the target position and b_z_Tis a flux at the target position taken along the z coordinate axis determined using measurements at the receiving position.
33. The method of claim 32 wherein the step of generating at least one steering command includes the step of directing steering in one vertical direction when δ
- Z is positive in sign and directing steering in an opposing vertical direction when δ
  
  Z is negative in sign.

34. In a system for tracking a boring tool within an underground region, in which system the boring tool is configured for transmitting a dipole locating signal and where the position of the boring tool is characterized, at least in part, by certain orientation parameters, an apparatus comprising:
- first means for measuring a signal strength of the locating signal at a receiving position as well as said certain orientation parameters of the boring tool after moving the boring tool during a time interval from a first position, forming part of a first positional relationship relative to the receiving position, to a second position;
  
  second means for establishing a maximum movement value for the boring tool such that any potential movement of the boring tool over the time interval is less than the maximum movement value; and
  
  third means for determining a second positional relationship of the boring tool at the second position relative to the receiving position based on the first positional relationship, said certain orientation parameters, the maximum movement value and the determined signal strength of the locating signal at the second position.
- View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66)
- - 35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said third means is configured for using yaw of the boring tool as one of said certain orientation parameters.
  - 36. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said third means is configured for using pitch of the boring tool as one of said certain orientation parameters.
  - 37. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the boring tool defines an elongation axis and said third means is configured for using a first lateral distance determined as part of the first positional relationship and measured along the elongation axis from the boring tool to an orthogonal plane defined as (i) including the receiving position and (ii) intersecting the elongation axis normal thereto.
  - 38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said third means determines the second positional relationship, at least in part, by comparing the first lateral distance to the maximum movement value.
  - 39. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said third means is configured for establishing when the first lateral distance is more than said maximum movement value where the first positional relationship places the receiving position ahead of the boring tool with respect to said orthogonal plane.
  - 40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said third means is configured for determining the second positional relationship, at least in part, using an angle α
    - defined between the elongation axis of the boring tool and a line extending from the boring tool to the receiving position using an angle α
      
      defined by the expression;
      
      $\tan α = \frac{(- 3 b_{ξ} + \sqrt{9 b_{ξ}^{2} + 8 b_{ζ}^{2}}) sign (b_{ζ})}{2 \langle b_{ζ} \rangle}$
41. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said third means is configured for determining the second positional relationship based, at least in part, on a radial distance, r, between the second position of the boring tool and the receiving position using the expression:
- $\frac{1}{r^{3}} = - \frac{1}{4} b_{ξ} + \sqrt{\frac{9}{16} b_{ξ}^{2} + \frac{1}{2} b_{ζ}^{2}}$ where an orthogonal pair of axes ξ and
  
  ζ
  
  define an axial plane including the elongation axis of the boring tool and the receiving position such that ξ
  
  is coincident with the elongation axis of the boring tool and ζ
  
  is normal thereto in said axial plane and where b_ξ and b_ζ are components of the dipole locating field along the ξ and
  
  ζ
  
  axes, respectively.
42. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said third means is configured for establishing when the first lateral distance is less than said maximum movement value and where the first positional relationship places the receiving position ahead of the boring tool, when projected orthogonally onto the elongation axis of the boring tool.
43. The apparatus of claim 42 where an axial plane is defined by the elongation axis of the boring tool and including the receiving position and said third means monitors one or more flux components of the dipole locating signal in said axial plane in a way which identifies the boring tool having passed the receiving position with respect to an orthogonal line extending through the receiving position orthogonal to the elongation axis of the boring tool as a part of the second positional relationship.
44. The apparatus of claim 43 where an orthogonal pair of axes ξ
- and ζ
  
  are included in said axial plane such that the ξ
  
  axis is coincident with the elongation axis of the boring tool and the ζ
  
  axis is normal thereto in said plane and where b_ξ and b_ζ are components of the dipole locating field along the ξ and
  
  ζ
  
  axes, respectively, and wherein said third means includes means for monitoring b_ζ in a way which identifies the boring tool having passed the receiving position with respect to the elongation axis of the boring tool.
45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said means for monitoring b_ζ
- is configured for detecting passage of the boring tool beyond the receiving position with respect to the elongation axis of the boring tool based on a change in the sign of b_ζ.
46. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein, when said means for monitoring b_ζ
- indicates that the boring tool has not passed the receiving position with respect to the elongation axis of the boring tool, said third means is configured for determining the second positional relationship between the boring tool and the receiving position, at least in part, using;
  
  $\tan α = \frac{(- 3 b_{ξ} + \sqrt{9 b_{ξ}^{2} + 8 b_{ζ}^{2}}) sign (b_{ζ})}{2 \langle b_{ζ} \rangle}, and$ $\frac{1}{r^{3}} = - \frac{1}{4} b_{ξ} + \sqrt{\frac{9}{16} b_{ξ}^{2} + \frac{1}{2} b_{ζ}^{2}}$ where, in the second positional relationship, angle α
  
  is defined between the elongation axis of the boring tool and a line extending from the boring tool to the receiving position and r is a radial distance between the boring tool and the receiving position.
47. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said third means is configured for establishing when the first lateral distance is less than said maximum movement value where the first positional relationship places the receiving position behind the boring tool when projected orthogonally onto the elongation axis of the boring tool.
48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein an axial plane is defined by the elongation axis of the boring tool and the receiving position and said third means is configured for monitoring at least one flux component of the dipole locating signal in said axial plane in a way which identifies the boring tool again crossing the receiving position with respect to an orthogonal line extending through the receiving position orthogonal to the elongation axis of the boring tool as a part of the second positional relationship.
49. The apparatus of claim 48 where an orthogonal pair of axes ξ
- and ζ
  
  are included in said axial plane such that the ξ
  
  axis is coincident with the elongation axis of the boring tool and the ζ
  
  axis is normal thereto in said axial plane and where b_ξ and b_ζ are components of the dipole locating field along the ξ and
  
  ζ
  
  axes, respectively, and wherein said third means is configured for monitoring b_ζ in a way which detects the boring tool crossing the receiving position with respect to the elongation axis of the boring tool.
50. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said third means is configured for detecting the passage of the boring tool beyond the receiving position with respect to the elongation axis of the boring tool based on a change in the sign of b_ζ
- .
51. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said third means is configured for determining the second positional relationship between the boring tool and the receiving position based, at least in part, on an angle γ
- defined as;
  
  $\tan (γ) = \frac{(- 3 b_{ξ} + \sqrt{9 b_{ξ}^{2} + 8 b_{ζ}^{2}}) sign (b_{ζ})}{2 \langle b_{ζ} \rangle},$ α
  
  =γ
  
  +180°
  
  , and $\frac{1}{r^{3}} = - \frac{1}{4} b_{ξ} + \sqrt{\frac{9}{16} b_{ξ}^{2} + \frac{1}{2} b_{ζ}^{2}},$ where, in the second positional relationship, angle α
  
  is defined between the elongation axis of the boring tool and a line extending from the boring tool at the second position to the receiving position and r is a radial distance between the boring tool at the second position and the receiving position.
52. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said third means is configured for establishing when the first lateral distance is more than said maximum movement value where the first positional relationship places the receiving position behind the boring tool when projected orthogonally onto the elongation axis of the boring tool.
53. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein an axial plane is defined by the elongation axis of the boring tool and the receiving position includes an orthogonal pair of axes ξ
- and ζ
  
  such that the ε
  
  axis is coincident with the elongation axis of the boring tool and the ζ
  
  axis is normal thereto in said axial plane and where b_ξ and b_ζ are components of the dipole locating field along the ξ and
  
  ζ
  
  axes, respectively, and wherein said third means is configured for determining said second positional relationship between the boring tool and the receiving position based, at least in part, on an angle γ
  
  defined as;
  
  $\tan (γ) = \frac{(- 3 b_{ξ} + \sqrt{9 b_{ξ}^{2} + 8 b_{ζ}^{2}}) sign (b_{ζ})}{2 \langle b_{ζ} \rangle},$ α
  
  =γ
  
  +180°
  
  , and $\frac{1}{r^{3}} = - \frac{1}{4} b_{ξ} + \sqrt{\frac{9}{16} b_{ξ}^{2} + \frac{1}{2} b_{ζ}^{2}},$ where, in the second positional relationship, angle α
  
  is defined between the elongation axis of the boring tool and a line extending from the boring tool to the receiving position and r is a radial distance between the boring tool at the second position and the receiving position.
54. The apparatus of claim 34 including fourth means for obtaining target coordinates to which the boring tool is intended to be directed and for determining a target position of the target coordinates relative to the boring tool as part of a last-determined positional relationship including the boring tool and the receiving position.
55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said fourth means is configured for obtaining the target coordinates by accepting the target coordinates specified relative to the receiving position.
56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein said fourth means is configured for characterizing said region using a global coordinate system having an origin at said boring tool and having three orthogonally opposed axes, and for establishing the target position relative to the boring tool by using the target coordinates specified relative to the receiving position for determining the target position in global coordinates.
57. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said forth means is configured for using the target coordinates such that the boring tool must pass through an orthogonal plane defined as being normal to the elongation axis of the boring tool and including the receiving position to reach the target position.
58. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein the dipole locating signal is receivable at the receiving position when the receiving position is within a dipole receiving range of the boring tool and wherein said fourth means is configured for accepting said target position located at approximately the dipole receiving range from the target position.
59. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein said third means is configured for using the first lateral distance as up to approximately equal to the dipole receiving range so as to position the receiving position, in the first position of the boring tool, at up to approximately the dipole receiving range from the boring tool.
60. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the dipole locating signal is receivable at the receiving position when the receiving position is within a dipole receiving range of the boring tool and wherein said third means and said fourth means are cooperatively configured for said first position of the boring tool and the target location being arranged such that an intended path of the boring tool is longer than said dipole receiving range.
61. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said fourth means is configured for using the target position being at least laterally offset with respect to the receiving position.
62. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said fourth means is configured for (i) obtaining target coordinates specified relative to the receiving position to which the boring tool is intended to be directed including a specified boring tool pitch orientation and a specified boring tool yaw orientation for arrival of the boring tool at the target coordinates, (ii) determining a target position of the target coordinates relative to the boring tool as part of a last-determined positional relationship between the boring tool and the receiving position, (iii) calculating a signal strength of the dipole locating signal at the target position based, at least in part, on the target position relative to the boring tool, and (iv) generating at least one steering command for use in guiding the boring tool to the target position using the signal strength at the receiving position, as calculated, and the specified boring tool pitch and yaw orientations.
63. The apparatus of claim 62 said fourth means generates the steering command, at least in part, by using the expression:
- $δ Y = - \tan β_{T} + \frac{b_{y_{T}}}{b_{x_{T}}}$ to laterally guide the boring tool to the target position where x and y are orthogonal coordinate axes forming part of a global coordinate system having a global coordinate system origin centered on the boring tool, coinciding with an origin of the dipole locating signal, to define a horizontal plane, δ
  
  Y represents a flux slope in the horizontal plane normal to the global x axis sharing the global coordinate origin, β
  
  _Trepresents a target yaw of the boring tool for arrival at the target position, b_y_Tis a flux at the target position taken along the y coordinate axis determined using measurements at the receiving position and b_x_Tis another flux at the target position taken along the x coordinate axis determined using measurements at the receiving position.
64. The apparatus of claim 63 wherein said fourth means generates the steering command by directing an operator to steer in one lateral direction toward the target location when δ
- Y is positive in sign and directing the operator to steer in an opposing lateral direction toward the target position when δ
  
  Y is negative in sign.
65. The apparatus of claim 63 wherein said fourth means is further configured for generating the steering command using the expression:
- $δ Z = \tan φ_{T} - \frac{b_{z_{T}}}{b_{x_{T}}}$ to vertically guide the boring tool to the target position where z is a vertical, orthogonal coordinate axis in the global coordinate system sharing said global coordinate system origin, δ
  
  Z represents a flux slope in a vertical plane defined by the global x and z axes, φ
  
  _Trepresents a target pitch of the boring tool for arrival at the target position and b_z_Tis a flux at the target position taken along the z coordinate axis determined using measurements at the receiving position.
66. The apparatus method of claim 65 wherein said fourth means is configured for generating the steering command by directing steering in one vertical direction when δ
- Z is positive in sign and directing steering in an opposing vertical direction when δ
  
  Z is negative in sign.

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Current Assignee
Merlin Technologies Incorporated
Original Assignee
Martin Technologies, Inc.
Inventors
Brune, Guenter W., Chau, Albert W., Mercer, John E.
Primary Examiner(s)
Le, N.
Assistant Examiner(s)
Zaveri, Subhash

Application Number

US10/001,854
Publication Number

US 20030102868A1
Time in Patent Office

889 Days
Field of Search

324/326, 324/327, 324/329, 324/328, 324/345, 175/40, 175/45, 175/61, 175/25, 175/26, 340/853.1, 340/853.6
US Class Current

324/326
CPC Class Codes

E21B 47/024   of devices in the borehole ...

E21B 7/04   Directional drilling

G01V 3/08   operating with magnetic or ...

G01V 3/081   the magnetic field is produ...

Boring tool tracking/guiding system and method with unconstrained target location geometry

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Boring tool tracking/guiding system and method with unconstrained target location geometry

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