Underground utility detection system and method employing ground penetrating radar
First Claim
1. An underground object detection system for use with a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine, comprising:
- a drill pipe configured to cooperate with the HDD machine to produce a horizontal bore;
a transmit apparatus, the transmit apparatus provided with the drill pipe and transmitting electromagnetic probe signals from the drill pipe;
a receive apparatus, the receive apparatus provided with the drill pipe and receiving electromagnetic return signals resulting from the probe signals; and
a processor coupled to the transmit and receive apparatuses, the processor comparing amplitudes of at least some of the return signals acquired at a time when one or more antennae of the transmit and receive apparatuses are oriented along a substantially horizontal plane relative to a surface of the earth, and generating an alert signal indicative of a detected object in proximity with the drill pipe in response to the processor comparing return signals having about the same amplitude.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method are employed to detect underground objects for use with a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine. A drill pipe is configured to cooperate with the HDD machine to produce a horizontal bore. A transmit apparatus is provided with the drill pipe and transmits electromagnetic probe signals ahead and/or to the side of the drill pipe. A receive apparatus is provided with the drill pipe and receives electromagnetic return signals resulting from the probe signals. A processor, coupled to the transmit and receive apparatuses, compares at least some of the return signals, and generates an alert signal indicative of a detected object in proximity with the drill pipe. HDD machine activity is modified, such as by reducing or halting drill pipe advancement, in response to the alert signal.
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Citations
60 Claims
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1. An underground object detection system for use with a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine, comprising:
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a drill pipe configured to cooperate with the HDD machine to produce a horizontal bore;
a transmit apparatus, the transmit apparatus provided with the drill pipe and transmitting electromagnetic probe signals from the drill pipe;
a receive apparatus, the receive apparatus provided with the drill pipe and receiving electromagnetic return signals resulting from the probe signals; and
a processor coupled to the transmit and receive apparatuses, the processor comparing amplitudes of at least some of the return signals acquired at a time when one or more antennae of the transmit and receive apparatuses are oriented along a substantially horizontal plane relative to a surface of the earth, and generating an alert signal indicative of a detected object in proximity with the drill pipe in response to the processor comparing return signals having about the same amplitude. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
the transmit apparatus transmits electromagnetic probe signals lateral to the drill pipe;
the receive apparatus receives electromagnetic lateral return signals resulting from the laterally transmitted probe signals; and
the processor compares amplitudes of at least some of the lateral return signals, and generates an alert signal indicative of a detected object in proximity with a side of the drill pipe in response to the processor comparing lateral return signals having about the same amplitude.
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18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmit and receive apparatuses define an impulse ground penetrating radar apparatus.
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19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmit and receive apparatuses define a stepped-frequency ground penetrating radar apparatus.
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20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmit and receive apparatuses define a swept-frequency ground penetrating radar apparatus.
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21. An underground object detection system, comprising:
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a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine;
a drill pipe coupled to the HDD machine and controlled by the HDD machine to produce a horizontal bore;
a transmit apparatus, the transmit apparatus provided with the drill pipe and transmitting electromagnetic probe signals from the drill pipe;
a receive apparatus, the receive apparatus provided with the drill pipe and receiving electromagnetic return signals resulting from the probe signals;
a first processor provided proximate the drill pipe and coupled to the transmit and receive apparatuses, the first processor receiving return signal data from the receive apparatus; and
a second processor provided at the HDD machine, one or both of the first and second processors comparing amplitudes of at least some of the return signals acquired at a time when one or more antennae of the transmit and receive apparatuses are oriented along a substantially horizontal plane relative to a surface of the earth, and generating an alert signal indicative of a detected object in proximity with the drill pipe in response to comparing return signals having about the same amplitude, and the second processor modifying movement of the drill pipe in response to an alert signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
the transmit apparatus transmits electromagnetic probe signals lateral to the drill pipe;
the receive apparatus receives electromagnetic lateral return signals resulting from the laterally transmitted probe signals; and
the first or second processor compares amplitudes of at least some of the lateral return signals, and generates an alert signal indicative of a detected object in proximity with a side of the drill pipe in response to the first or second processor comparing lateral return signals having about the same amplitude.
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40. A method of detecting an underground object for use with a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine, comprising:
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moving a drill pipe and cutting tool using the HDD machine to produce a horizontal bore;
transmitting, from one or both of the drill pipe and cutting tool, electromagnetic probe signals;
receiving, at one or both of the drill pipe and cutting tool, electromagnetic return signals resulting from the probe signals;
comparing amplitudes of at least some of the return signals received at a time when one or more antennae provided at the drill pipe or cutting tool are oriented along a substantially horizontal plane relative to a surface of the earth; and
generating an alert signal indicative of a detected object in proximity with one or both of the drill pipe and cutting tool in response to comparing return signals having about the same amplitude. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
transmitting electromagnetic probe signals lateral to the drill pipe;
receiving electromagnetic lateral return signals resulting from the laterally transmitted probe signals;
comparing amplitudes of at least some of the lateral return signals;
and generating an alert signal indicative of a detected object in proximity with a side of the drill pipe in response to comparing lateral return signals having about the same amplitude.
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56. The method of claim 40, wherein the probe and return signals comprise impulse ground penetrating radar signals.
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57. The method of claim 40, wherein the probe and return signals comprise stepped-frequency ground penetrating radar signals.
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58. The method of claim 40, wherein the probe and return signals comprise swept-frequency ground penetrating radar signals.
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59. The method of claim 40, further comprising modifying delivery of drilling fluid through the drill pipe in response to the alert signal.
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60. The method of claim 40, further comprising terminating delivery of drilling fluid through the drill pipe in response to the alert signal.
Specification