Boring tool control using remote locator

• US 9,810,053 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2016
• Issued: 11/07/2017
• 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:
  US15/187,917
• Publication Number:
  US 20160298440A1
• Time in Patent Office: 504 Days
• Field of Search: 342459, 3408532-8536, 3408544, 3408546, 175 45, 175 61, 324326, 324329, 324346, 32420717
• 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 system for performing underground boring including a handheld portable device, said system also including a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground to form an underground bore, an apparatus at the drill rig, said apparatus comprising:

a receiver for receiving a signal that is indicative of a current roll orientation of the boring tool which current roll orientation is related to steering the boring tool;

a processor configured to generate a display output at least including the current roll orientation and a desired roll orientation that is indicative of a steering command; and

a display for presenting the display output to an operator.

2. The drill rig of claim 1 wherein the steering command is remotely generated and said receiver is configured to receive the steering command.

3. The drill rig of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to generate the display output including a clock face that graphically illustrates the desired roll orientation in relation to the current roll orientation.

4. The drill rig of claim 3 wherein the processor is configured to generate a center position on the clock face that is indicative of boring straight ahead such that the boring tool rotates.

5. The drill rig of claim 3 wherein the clock face includes an outer ring in relation to which the desired roll orientation and the current roll orientation are displayed.

6. The drill rig of claim 1 wherein said processor is further configured for generating an aural indication relating to the steering command.

7. In a system for performing underground boring including a handheld portable device, said system also including a drill rig and a boring tool which is configured for moving through the ground to form an underground bore, a portable locator comprising:

a receiver for receiving a signal that is indicative of a current roll orientation of the boring tool which current roll orientation is related to steering the boring tool;

a processor configured to generate a display output at least including the current roll orientation and a desired roll orientation that is indicative of a steering command; and

a display for presenting the display output to an operator.

8. The portable locator of claim 7 wherein said boring tool includes a transmitter for emitting a locating signal and said portable locator is configured to receive the locating signal as said signal.

9. The portable locator of claim 7 wherein the desired roll orientation is generated by the portable locator.

10. The portable locator of claim 7 wherein the processor is configured to generate the display output including a clock face that graphically illustrates the desired roll orientation in relation to the current roll orientation.

11. The portable locator of claim 10 wherein the processor is configured to generate a center position on the clock face that is indicative of boring straight ahead such that the boring tool rotates.

12. The portable locator of claim 10 wherein the clock face includes an outer ring in relation to which the desired roll orientation and the current roll orientation are displayed.

13. The portable locator of claim 7 wherein said processor is further configured for generating an aural indication relating to the steering command.