Vector Magnetics, LLC

Herbert J Susmann

Arthur F Kuckes

Rahn Pitzer

A pair of elongated crossed coils is deployed in a first borehole and an instrument containing magnetic field sensors is deployed in a second borehole. The crossed coils are energized in quadrature by AC currents producing a rotating, elliptically polarized magnetic field at the second borehole. Mathematical analysis of the magnetic field sensor readings determines the location of the second borehole relative to the first. Both the distance and the rotational direction to the second borehole are determined as a function of depth of the sensors relative to that of the pair of crossed coils. Twisting of the long coil in the borehole is evaluated and the relative distance between the boreholes and the corrections needed due to such twisting are determined.

Elongated cross coil assembly for use in borehole location determination

An apparatus and method for surveying the path of a borehole includes two single-axis field sensors located at a radius centered at a fixed location. Guide wires are located along the earth's surface above the prescribed borehole path and the known electromagnetic field produced by current in the guide wires are detected by the sensors. Values of X and Y vectors at multiple locations on a spherical surface at the radial distance of the sensors are calculated and compared with measured values to define the location of the sensors on the spherical surface to permit the lateral spacing between the sensors and the desired borehole path to be determined.

Growing community of inventors

Ithaca, NY, United States of America

Herbert J Susmann