Directional drilling target steering apparatus and method
US11060355B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 16, 2020 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 16, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/024
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An apparatus and method are used in conjunction with a system for performing horizontal directional drilling, the system including a drill string extending from a drill rig to a boring tool such that the boring tool is steerable based on a roll orientation. The system also includes an arrangement for generating steering commands for guiding the boring tool to a target position. Responsive at least in part to the steering commands, a display is configured to selectively indicate each of a rotate command, a push command and a spin command. A steering indicator is described which indicates a current roll orientation of the boring tool. A 3-D grid can be animated and centered on either a steering or target indicator. Rounding of a steering command ratio can limit the display of target roll orientations to only those that a given boring tool transmitter is capable of sensing and indicating.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.