Electronically calibrated beacon for a horizontal directional drilling machine
US7251567B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 5, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C17/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A monitoring system for use with a horizontal directional drilling machine and adapted to determine the roll and/or pitch orientation of the downhole tool assembly by detecting signals from a sensor assembly supported by the downhole tool assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the monitoring system uses an antenna assembly to detect a signal transmitted from the sensor assembly. The antenna assembly transmits the detected signal to a processor which determines a calibration factor indicative of the actual orientation of the sensor relative to the known orientation of the downhole tool assembly. The processor then uses the calibration factor and the signal emitted from the sensor, indicative of the actual orientation of the sensor, to determine the actual orientation of the downhole tool assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.