Raytheon Company

Raytheon Utd, Incorporated

John T Ishibashi

Benjamin P Dolgin

William G Suliga

Thomas G Pepin

Michael A Toreno

James A Nalasco

Steven Cotten

Luis B Giraldo

Michael Shore

Craig E Matter

Kenneth D Kuck

Benjamin G Dolgin

Disclosed is a system and method for horizontal directional drilling (HDD). The system and method utilize predictive algorithms to both characterize the soil within the borehole and to quantify instability within the drillstring. The soil characteristics are represented by a soil coefficient (&#x3b1;) which relates the curvature of the borehole with the length of thrust of the drill rig as well as by comparison of thrust while thrusting with torque while drilling. The value of (&#x3b1;) is obtained by comparison of the historical orientation of the drilling head over the length of the borehole and the borehole shape as determined by an arbitrary navigation sensor. Drillstring instability is determined as a function of historical thrust and torque efficiencies and windup over the length of the borehole.

System and method for determining soil characteristics and drilling instability during horizontal directional drilling

Disclosed is a system and method for horizontal directional drilling (HDD). The system and method utilize predictive algorithms to both characterize the soil within the borehole and to quantify instability within the drillstring. The soil characteristics are represented by a soil coefficient (&#x3b1;), which relates the curvature of the borehole with the length of thrust of the drill rig as well as by comparison of thrust while thrusting with torque while drilling. The value of (&#x3b1;) is obtained by comparison of the historical orientation of the drilling head over the length of the borehole and the borehole shape as determined by an arbitrary navigation sensor. Drillstring instability is determined as a function of historical thrust and torque efficiencies and windup over the length of the borehole.

System and method for determining soil characteristics and drillstring instability during horizontal directional drilling

A positioning, communication, and detection system designed to provide a three dimensional location of an object, navigation tools, and bidirectional surface-to-subsurface communications, and methods of using the system. The system can include one or multiple transmitters comprising electromagnetic beacons, software defined radio receivers with an associated processing unit and data acquisition system, and magnetic antennas. The system may use theoretical calculations, scale model testing, signal processing, and sensor data.

Positioning, detection and communication system and method

Growing community of inventors

Burke, VA, United States of America

John T Ishibashi