Boring tool control using remote locator

• US 7,926,589 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2007
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Merlin Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Merlin Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Mercer, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Singh; Sunil
• Application Number:
  US11/742,668
• Publication Number:
  US 20070193777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,449 Days
• Field of Search: 175/61, 175/45, 324/326, 324/207.17, 324/346, 3408532-8536
• US Class Current: 175/45
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 44/00 Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 44/005 Below-ground automatic control systems
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/0232 at least one of the energy sources or one of the detectors being located on or above the ground surface
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/024 of devices in the borehole determining slope or direction of the borehole E21B47/022
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/13 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/046 horizontal drilling drilling with mechanical conveying means E21B7/003
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/06 Deflecting the direction of boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/068 drilled by a down-hole drilling motor down-hole drives per se E21B4/00, E21B7/067 takes precedence

Abstract

A drilling system performs underground boring using a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground under control of the drill rig to form an underground bore. A monitoring arrangement, forming part of the system, includes a detection arrangement at the drill rig for monitoring at least one operational parameter to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool. A portable device forms another part of the system for receiving the data signal relating to the operational parameter for use by the portable device. A communication arrangement, for example using telemetry, transfers the data signal from the drill rig to the portable device. The operational parameter may be monitored for the purpose of preventing equipment failure.

Claims

1. In a drilling system for performing underground boring including a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for movement through the ground by the drill rig to form an underground bore, a monitoring arrangement comprising:

a detection arrangement at said drill rig for monitoring at least one operational parameter to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool;

a handheld portable device configured for carrying by an operator for receiving the data signal relating to the operational parameter for use by the portable device and said portable device includes a display arrangement configured for using the data signal for display to the individual operator of the portable device; and

a communication arrangement for transferring the data signal from the drill rig to the portable device.

2. The monitoring arrangement of claim 1 wherein said communication arrangement includes a telemetry link between the drill rig and the portable device for wirelessly transferring the data signal to the portable device.

3. The monitoring arrangement of claim 1 wherein said detection arrangement at said drill rig is configured for detecting a range of the operational parameter for which an out of range condition of the operational parameter can result in a catastrophic equipment failure.

4. The monitoring arrangement of claim 3 wherein said detection arrangement is configured for generating a warning as part of said data signal responsive to the out of range condition of said operational parameter.

5. The monitoring arrangement of claim 4 wherein said system includes a drill string that extends from said drill rig to said boring tool for applying a push force to the boring tool to advance the boring tool through the ground and said operational parameter is said push force that is applied to the drill string and said display arrangement is configured for displaying a real time status of said push force.

6. The monitoring arrangement of claim 4 wherein said system includes a drill string that extends from said drill rig to said boring tool for carrying a drilling mud to the boring tool and said operational parameter is a pressure of said drilling mud and said display arrangement is configured for displaying a real time status of said drilling mud.

7. The monitoring arrangement of claim 4 wherein said portable device includes an indication arrangement that is configured for using the warning to generate at least one of an audio indication and a visual indication in response to said warning.

8. The monitoring arrangement of claim 1 wherein said detection arrangement is configured for detecting the operational parameter as at least one of a push force which drives the boring tool, a temperature of the boring tool, a pressure of a drilling mud that is supplied to the boring tool, a status of a battery used in the boring tool, a curvature of the underground bore and a proximity of the boring tool to an underground utility.

9. The monitoring arrangement of claim 8 wherein said detection arrangement provides a real time indication of the status of each parameter that is detected.

10. The monitoring arrangement of claim 9 wherein said real time indication includes an actual reading of at least one parameter that is detected.

11. The monitoring arrangement of claim 1 wherein said detection arrangement is configured for detecting the operational parameter as at least one of a status of a battery used in the boring tool, a curvature of the underground bore and a proximity of the boring tool to an underground utility.

12. In a drilling system for performing underground boring including a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for movement through the ground by the drill rig to form an underground bore, a method comprising:

monitoring at least one operational parameter using a detection arrangement at said drill rig to produce a data signal relating to at least one of a utility to be installed in the underground bore, the drill rig and the boring tool;

transferring the data signal, relating to the operational parameter, to a handheld portable device, that is carried by an operator, for use by the portable device; and

using the data signal for a display presentation to the operator of the portable device.

13. The method of claim 12 including wirelessly transferring the data signal to the portable device.

14. The method of claim 12 including configuring said detection arrangement at said drill rig for detecting a range of the operational parameter for which an out of range condition of the operational parameter can result in a catastrophic equipment failure.

15. The method of claim 14 including configuring said detection arrangement for issuing a warning, as part of said data signal, responsive to the out of range condition of said operational parameter.

16. The method of claim 14 including configuring said portable device to include an indication arrangement that uses the warning to generate at least one of an audio indication and a visual indication in response to an issuance of said warning.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said system includes a drill string that extends from said drill rig to said boring tool for applying a push force to the boring tool to advance the boring tool through the ground and including measuring said operational parameter as said push force that is applied to the drill string and configuring said display presentation to show a real time status of said push force.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said system includes a drill string that extends from said drill rig to said boring tool for carrying a drilling mud to the boring tool and including measuring said operational parameter as a pressure of said drilling mud and configuring said display presentation to show a real time status of said drilling mud.

19. The method of claim 12 including detecting the operational parameter as at least one of a push force which drives the boring tool, a temperature of the boring tool, a pressure of a drilling mud that is supplied to the boring tool, a status of a battery used in the boring tool, a curvature of the underground bore and a proximity of the boring tool to an underground utility.

20. The method of claim 19 including providing a real time indication of the status of each parameter that is detected.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said real time indication includes an actual reading of at least one parameter that is detected.

22. The method of claim 12 including detecting the operational parameter as at least one of a status of a battery used in the boring tool, a curvature of the underground bore and a proximity of the boring tool to an underground utility.