IP Library Granted Patent US 7,151,376
Granted Patent B2
US 7,151,376 · App. 11/341,789 · Granted Dec 19, 2006

Bore location system

Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,151,376
App. No.
11/341,789
Granted
Dec 19, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for locating a horizontal bore below a ground surface includes a transmitting source configured to radiate from the bore a dipole magnetic field aligned with the bore. A receiver is located remote from the transmitting source and has a first coil and a second coil. Each coil defines an axis, wherein the axes of the first coil and the second coil are orthogonal to each other. A measurement device is in communication with the coils and configured to measure the phase of signals induced on the coils by the magnetic field when the axis of the first coil is horizontally perpendicular to the axis of the magnetic field and the axis of the second coil is vertically perpendicular to the axis of the magnetic field. The measurement device is also configured to determine the lateral position of the transmitting source relative to the coils responsively to the phase of the signals on the first coil and the second coil.

Claims (13)

1. A system for locating a horizontal bore below a ground surface, said system comprising:

a transmitting source configured to radiate from said bore a dipole magnetic field aligned with said bore;

a receiver remote from said transmitting source and having a first coil and a second coil, each coil defining an axis, wherein said axes of said first coil and said second coil are orthogonal to each other; and

a measurement device in communication with said coils and configured to

measure the magnitude of signals induced on said coils by said magnetic field when said coils are disposed above said transmitting source, and

determine the yaw of said transmitting source relative to said axis of one of said coils responsively to said magnitudes of said signals on said first coil and said second coil.

2. A system for locating a horizontal bore below a ground surface, said system comprising:

a transmitting source configured to radiate from said bore a dipole magnetic field aligned with said bore;

a receiver remote from said transmitting source and having a first coil and a second coil, each coil defining an axis, wherein said axes of said first coil and said second coil are orthogonal to each other; and

a measurement device in communication with said coils and configured to

measure the magnitude of signals induced on said coils by said magnetic field when said coils are disposed above said transmitting source and said coils are vertically aligned with each other and above said transmitting source and when said axes of said first coil and said second coil are horizontal, and

determine the angular position of said transmitting source relative to said axis of one of said coils by determining an angle between said axis of said first coil and the axis of said transmitting source responsively to said magnitudes of said signals on said first coil and said second coil.

3. The system as in claim 2 wherein said measurement device is configured to determine the arctangent of said magnitude of said signal on second coil divided by said magnitude of said signal on said first coil.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2006
From: MCLAUGHLIN MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
To: DIGITAL CONTROL INC.
Reel/Frame 017521/0565 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2006
From: MIZUNO, MORIO
To: MCLAUGHLIN MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
Reel/Frame 017523/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2006
From: DIGITAL CONTROL INC.
To: MERLIN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 017524/0045 →
Continuity (5)
Division 1115769000 · Jun 20, 2005
Division 1079255900 · Mar 3, 2004
Continuation 1043713800 · May 13, 2003
Division 0965767800 · Sep 8, 2000
Related Publication 20060132136A1 · Jun 22, 2006