System and method for tracking and communicating with a boring tool
First Claim
1. A tracking system, comprising:
- a tracker assembly comprising;
a signal transmitter;
a tracker receiver arrangement comprising at least one receiving antenna; and
a tracker processor; and
a beacon assembly comprising;
a beacon receiver arrangement adapted to detect the signal transmitted from the tracker, the beacon receiver arrangement comprising first, second, and third antennas oriented orthogonal to each other and adapted to output electrical signals representative of the detected signal;
a sensor adapted to sense an orientation of the beacon assembly; and
a beacon signal transmitter;
wherein the beacon assembly determines position of the tracker assembly with respect to the beacon assembly in response to the tracker signal detected by the beacon receiver; and
wherein the tracker receiver arrangement is adapted to detect signals transmitted from the beacon transmitter; and
wherein the tracker processor is adapted to determine the position of the beacon assembly with respect to the tracker assembly in response to the information detected by the tracker receiver arrangement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for determining the location of and communicating with a downhole tool assembly. A tracker assembly comprises a vertical transmitting antenna, a plurality of receiving antennas, and a processor. The downhole tool assembly has a beacon assembly comprising a plurality of receiving antennas, a transmitting antenna, an orientation sensor, and a processor. The transmitter in the tracker transmits a substantially vertical dipole field. The beacon assembly detects the vertical field and processes the signals to determine the location of the beacon relative to the tracker. The beacon assembly transmits the beacon location and operational information to the tracker assembly. The tracker assembly displays the beacon location and operational information on a visual display. The tracker assembly may also transmit operational commands or requests for information to the beacon assembly.
22 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A tracking system, comprising:
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a tracker assembly comprising; a signal transmitter; a tracker receiver arrangement comprising at least one receiving antenna; and a tracker processor; and a beacon assembly comprising; a beacon receiver arrangement adapted to detect the signal transmitted from the tracker, the beacon receiver arrangement comprising first, second, and third antennas oriented orthogonal to each other and adapted to output electrical signals representative of the detected signal; a sensor adapted to sense an orientation of the beacon assembly; and a beacon signal transmitter; wherein the beacon assembly determines position of the tracker assembly with respect to the beacon assembly in response to the tracker signal detected by the beacon receiver; and wherein the tracker receiver arrangement is adapted to detect signals transmitted from the beacon transmitter; and wherein the tracker processor is adapted to determine the position of the beacon assembly with respect to the tracker assembly in response to the information detected by the tracker receiver arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification