The Charles Machine Works, Inc.

Subsite, LLC

Brian J Schrock

Scott Bryan Cole

Brian K Bailey

David R Brown

Klayton Day Jones

Brent W Perteet

Jeffrey D Barnes

A method and system for using GPS signals and a magnetic field to track an underground magnetic field source. A tracker having an antenna for detecting the magnetic field and a GPS receiver is coupled to a processor. The magnetic field is used by the antenna to direct the tracker to a field null point. Once multiple measurements of the field are taken, the changes in signal strength as the absolute position of the tracker is changed, are used to determine whether the closest field null point is in front of or behind the underground beacon. The position and depth of the beacon can then be estimated.

GPS assisted walkover locating system and method

Display screen with graphical user interface

A tracking system for communicating a location of a beacon in order to drill a bore path. The beacon is carried by a drill string in a drilling operation. Above-ground trackers are arranged in a path to define an intended underground bore path. The trackers form a multi-node mesh network in communication with a display unit at a drilling rig. A drilling operator guides the drill string in response to tracking data sent from the tracking system.

Underground guidance using above-ground mesh network

A tracker used to analyze a desired borepath prior to horizontal directional drilling operations. The tracker analyzes an amount of interference present at a plurality of different frequencies at multiple locations along the borepath and maps a plot of the interference at the different frequencies. The lower the point on the plot, the less interference present at that frequency at the location analyzed. The tracker summarizes the overall interference along the desired borepath for the different frequencies analyzed and will recommend a preferred frequency. An operator may program the beacon prior to boring operations to emit a beacon signal at the preferred frequency. The operator may also tune the tracker to receive the preferred frequency. The tracker and beacon may then communicate during boring operations at the preferred frequency in order to detect the position of the beacon underground relative to the tracker.

Borepath analyzer

A system for identifying the location of a dipole magnetic field source below ground. The system comprises a first receiver assembly and a second receiver assembly each configured to detect the dipole magnetic field in three dimensions from a transmitter and generate antenna signals indicative of the detected dipole magnetic field. The first receiver assembly detects the dipole magnetic field from the transmitter substantially simultaneously as the second receiver assembly simultaneously detects the dipole magnetic field from the transmitter. The second receiver assembly is movable relative to both the first receiver assembly and the transmitter. A processor determines the location of the transmitter below ground based on the antenna signals generated by the first and second receiver assemblies.

System for tracking a downhole tool assembly using dual above-ground receiver assemblies

A receiver and tracking system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of tri-axial antennas are positioned at three distinct points on a receiver frame. Each antenna detects a magnetic field from a source and a processor is used to determine a location of the source relative to the frame using the antenna signals. Each tri-axial antenna comprises three windings in each of three channels defined by a support structure. The windings each define an aperture area. The windings have substantially identical aperture areas and have a common center point. The receiver may to display to the operator the relative location of the field source or may direct the operator to a spot directly above the field source.

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Fulshear, TX, United States of America

Brian J Schrock