The Charles Machine Works, Inc.

Brian K Bailey

Scott Bryan Cole

Michael F Gard

Kelvin P Self

Larry G Morse

Floyd R Gunsaulis

Richard Felix Sharp

Bradley S Marshall

Klayton Day Jones

Gerald A Stangl

Brian J Schrock

Jacob Harman

Brent W Perteet

Richard William Fling

Víctor D Cámara Puerto

Victor D Camara Puerto

A method and apparatus for installing a monitoring cable or other utility near an existing pipeline. An electromagnetic signal may be induced on the pipeline, either directly, or by transmitting a signal from a vehicle carrying a sensor array. The sensors disposed on the vehicle communicate with a processor to determine a distance and orientation of the vehicle relative to the pipeline. The signal may be electromagnetic, acoustic, capacitive, or the like. A plow or other digging tool may be on the vehicle or a secondary vehicle. Such a digging tool opens a trench and installs the cable along a path disposed next to the pipeline within an acceptable distance range from the pipeline. The vehicle may be remotely or automatically operated.

Pipeline following sensor arrangement

A downhole energy harvesting system configured for use in a downhole tool. The system utilizes at least one harvesting antenna supported within the downhole tool. During operation, the harvesting antenna harvests energy from a beacon signal emanating from a beacon included in the downhole tool. The harvested energy is used to power electronics included within the downhole tool during the course of a boring operation.

Downhole energy harvesting system

A system for tracking and steering a downhole tool using an augmented reality device. A tracker tracks the location of a downhole tool as it moves underground and transmits data to the device, while one or more sensors measure a position and orientation of the device. The device analyzes the data received from the tracker and the sensors and generates a virtual image of the downhole tool. The virtual image is displayed on the device at its detected location relative to the ground surface and relative to the position of the device. The position of the displayed virtual image is modified in response to updated information from the tracker or the sensors. Virtual images representing various parameters of the drilling operation are also displayed on the device in juxtaposition with the virtual image of the downhole tool.

Augmented reality system for use in horizontal directional drilling operations

A magnetic coupler for inducing a signal on a buried utility wire. The coupler has two elongated jaws, each extending along a separate longitudinal axis. The jaws are attached at a hinge. The jaws may be placed about an exposed portion of the utility wire. A signal generate provides a signal which is emitted from a transmitter in each of the jaws. The signals emitted from each jaw are antiphase to one another, such that they are additive to a utility wire disposed between the jaws but out of phase with respect to any utility not between the jaws. The signal is thus induced on the utility wire and can be detected as emitted from its below ground length by a conventional locator.

Magnetic coupler for inducing a signal on a utility line

A system for tracking a below-ground transmitter from an aerial receiver. The receiver has an antenna assembly, a processor, and a propulsion system. The antenna assembly detects the magnetic field from an underground transmitter and generates an antenna signal. The processor is programmed to receive the antenna signal and generate a command signal, which moves the receiver to a position above the transmitter. Once in the desired position, which may be a reference plane at a fixed elevation, the antenna assembly measures the magnetic field to determine the location of the drill bit along borepath.

Device and method for tracking a downhole tool

Airborne locator of an underground object

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 beacon assembly located at a downhole end of a drill string proximate a boring tool. The beacon assembly transmits data to an above-ground receiver. The beacon has a housing with a housing wall located between its sensors, such as gradiometers, accelerometers, and other orientation sensors, and an antenna assembly. The antenna assembly has a protective covering made of electromagnetically transparent material.

External hollow antenna

A system for locating an underground line. The system uses a self-propelled autonomous antenna, processor and propulsion system. The antenna detects a magnetic field from an underground line and generates an antenna signal. The processor is programmed to receive the antenna signal and generate a command signal. The propulsion system receives the command signal and moves the antenna along a length of the underground line, allowing the processor to map the same.

A method for choosing a frequency to locate an underground object. A locating receiver is provided with a display. The locating receiver scans multiple pre-selected frequencies to determine a noise level, or a signal-to-noise ratio. The locating receiver transmits the chosen frequency to a transmitter, which places the chosen frequency on the underground object to provide an optimal locating frequency.

Noise measurement in a locating receiver

A locator for determining the location of a buried utility line from an offset position. The locator has a top peak antenna, a bottom peak antenna, and a null antenna. The locator is tilted until the null antenna is pointed directly at the utility line with the top and bottom peak antennas disposed in a locating plane that is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the line. The tilt angle of the locator and the direct distance between the locator and the utility is measured. The tilt angle and direct distance are used by the processor to determine the vertical and horizontal distances between the locator and the utility.

Growing community of inventors

Stillwater, OK, United States of America

Brian K Bailey