Boring tool tracking/guiding system and method with unconstrained target location geometry
First Claim
1. In a system for tracking a transmitter within an underground region using a portable locator, in which system the transmitter is configured for transmitting a dipole locating signal and where the position of the transmitter is characterized, at least in part, by certain orientation parameters which are transmitted from the transmitter, a method comprising:
- from a first position, moving the transmitter to a second position during a time interval, said first position forming part of a first positional relationship relative to the portable locator at a locator position;
with the transmitter at the second position, measuring a signal strength of the locating signal with the portable locator and receiving said certain orientation parameters from the transmitter with the portable locator;
establishing a maximum movement value for the boring tool such that any potential movement of the transmitter over the time interval is less than the maximum movement value and saving the maximum movement value in the portable locator; and
based on the first positional relationship, said certain orientation parameters, the maximum movement value and the measured signal strength of the locating signal as received by the portable locator with the transmitter at the second position, configuring the portable locator for determining a second positional relationship including the transmitter at the second position relative to the portable locator at the locator position.
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Accused Products
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.
10 Citations
7 Claims
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1. In a system for tracking a transmitter within an underground region using a portable locator, in which system the transmitter is configured for transmitting a dipole locating signal and where the position of the transmitter is characterized, at least in part, by certain orientation parameters which are transmitted from the transmitter, a method comprising:
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from a first position, moving the transmitter to a second position during a time interval, said first position forming part of a first positional relationship relative to the portable locator at a locator position; with the transmitter at the second position, measuring a signal strength of the locating signal with the portable locator and receiving said certain orientation parameters from the transmitter with the portable locator; establishing a maximum movement value for the boring tool such that any potential movement of the transmitter over the time interval is less than the maximum movement value and saving the maximum movement value in the portable locator; and based on the first positional relationship, said certain orientation parameters, the maximum movement value and the measured signal strength of the locating signal as received by the portable locator with the transmitter at the second position, configuring the portable locator for determining a second positional relationship including the transmitter at the second position relative to the portable locator at the locator position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification