Sonde with advanced battery power conservation and associated methods
US11994023B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 2022 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/024
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A transmitter for an inground operation includes an antenna and a sensor section for generating sensor data. An antenna driver selectively drives the antenna to emit a locating signal such that the locating signal carries the sensor data. A processor controls the antenna driver to transmit the locating signal during a normal mode and to enter a sleep state that disables at least the sensor section and the antenna driver such that the locating signal is not transmitted responsive to detecting that the transmitter is inactive. The processor can enter a snooze mode from the normal mode by disabling the antenna driver so that the locating signal is not transmitted, without disabling the sensor section, and the snooze mode requires less power than the normal mode but more power than the sleep state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.