System for tracking a downhole tool assembly using dual above-ground receiver assemblies

• US 9,547,101 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2013
• Issued: 01/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles Machine Works Incorporated The
• Original Assignee: Charles Machine Works Incorporated The
• Inventors: Cole, Scott Bryan, Schrock, Brian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATIDAR, JAY M
• Application Number:
  US14/137,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20140111211A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 324326-329
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: G01R 33/02 Measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux G01R33/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/0206 Three-component magnetometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/15 specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/26 operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified either by the surrounding earth formation or by the detecting device with electromagnetic waves G01V3/30
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/30 operating with electromagnetic waves

Abstract

A system for identifying the location of a dipole magnetic field source below ground. The system comprises a first receiver assembly and a second receiver assembly each configured to detect the dipole magnetic field in three dimensions from a transmitter and generate antenna signals indicative of the detected dipole magnetic field. The first receiver assembly detects the dipole magnetic field from the transmitter substantially simultaneously as the second receiver assembly simultaneously detects the dipole magnetic field from the transmitter. The second receiver assembly is movable relative to both the first receiver assembly and the transmitter. A processor determines the location of the transmitter below ground based on the antenna signals generated by the first and second receiver assemblies.

Claims

1. A tracking system comprising:

a transmitter configured to emit a dipole magnetic field;

a first receiver assembly configured to detect the dipole magnetic field in three dimensions and generate a first antenna signal indicative of the detected field;

a first radio antenna to transmit the first antenna signal;

a second receiver assembly which is movable relative to both the first receiver assembly and the transmitter, configured to detect the dipole magnetic field in three dimensions substantially simultaneously with the first receiver assembly and generate a second antenna signal indicative of the detected field;

a second radio antenna to receive the first antenna signal from the first radio antenna; and

a processor configured to receive the first and second antenna signals and determine a subsurface location of the transmitter using the first and second antenna signals.

2. The tracking system of claim 1 wherein the first receiver assembly and the second receiver assembly are positioned on opposite sides of the transmitter.

3. The tracking system of claim 1 wherein the first receiver assembly and the second receiver assembly each comprise a tri-axial antenna to detect the dipole magnetic field in three dimensions.

4. The tracking system of claim 1 wherein the first receiver assembly and the second receiver assembly are each supported on unconnected frames.

5. The tracking system of claim 1 wherein the first receiver assembly and the second receiver assembly are both positioned on the ground along a desired borepath to detect the dipole magnetic field.

6. A horizontal directional drilling system comprising;

a rotary drive;

a drill string operatively connected to the rotary drive;

the tracking system of claim 1; and

a downhole tool connected to the drill string, the downhole tool comprising the transmitter.

7. The horizontal directional drilling system of claim 6 further comprising a frame to support the second receiver assembly and the processor.

8. The horizontal directional drilling system of claim 6 wherein the processor is located proximate the rotary drive.

9. The horizontal directional drilling system of claim 8 wherein the first and second antenna signals are transmitted to the processor wirelessly.

10. The horizontal directional drilling system of claim 6 wherein the location of the downhole tool is determined relative the first receiver assembly, the second receiver assembly, and the rotary drive.

11. The horizontal directional drilling system of claim 6 wherein the first receiver assembly and the second receiver assembly each comprise a tri-axial antenna to detect the dipole magnetic field in three dimensions.

12. The horizontal directional drilling system of claim 11 wherein the first receiver assembly and the second receiver assembly each comprise a second tri-axial antenna to detect the dipole magnetic field in three dimensions.

13. The horizontal directional drilling system of claim 12 wherein the first antenna signal comprises information indicative of the dipole magnetic field detected by both the tri-axial antenna and the second tri-axial antenna of the first receiver assembly, and wherein the second antenna signal comprises information indicative of the dipole magnetic field detected by both the tri-axial antenna and the second tri-axial antenna of the second receiver assembly.

14. The horizontal directional drilling system of claim 6 wherein the first receiver assembly and the second receiver assembly are positioned on opposite sides of the transmitter.

15. An assembly to track the subsurface location of a transmitter, the assembly comprising:

a frame;

a radio antenna supported on the frame to receive a first antenna signal from a first antenna assembly, the first antenna signal being indicative of a dipole magnetic field detected in three dimensions from a first side of the transmitter;

a second antenna assembly, movable relative to both the first antenna assembly and the transmitter, configured to generate a second antenna signal indicative of the dipole magnetic field detected in three dimensions from a second side of the transmitter; and

a processor supported on the frame configured to receive the first and second antenna signals and determine a subsurface location of the transmitter using the first and second antenna signals.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the second antenna assembly further comprises a tri-axial antenna to detect the dipole magnetic field in three dimensions.