Homing technique for an in-ground boring device
US4881083A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 2, 1986 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 2, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B7/068
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The homing technique for directing an in-ground boring device through the ground from its particular location to a specific target point is disclosed herein. In accordance with this technique, an electromagnetic dipole field containing a predetermined homing signal is generated at the boring device and detected by a specifically configured receiving antenna arrangement at the target point or, in a preferred embodiment where the target point is below ground, at a ground level point directly above or beyond the target point. Means are provided in response to detection of the homing signal for producing an internal electrical signal containing certain information relating to the actual path taken by the boring device as compared to the path or course leading to the target point. The information from this latter signal is then transmitted by means of electromagnetic waves to a remote location where it is used to steer the boring device on a course toward the target.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.