The Charles Machine Works, Inc.

Michael R Campbell

Scott Bryan Cole

Floyd R Gunsaulis

Bradley S Marshall

A monitoring system is used to monitor the location and orientation of a downhole tool assembly by detecting an output signal. The downhole tool assembly has a beacon assembly with one or more configurable operation parameters. A transmitting assembly transmits a modulated instruction signal to the beacon assembly to configure the operation parameters. The modulated instruction signal is processed by the beacon assembly and the operation parameter is configured. The transmitting assembly may be separate from the monitoring system and have an input assembly. The input assembly allows the operator to input predetermined operation parameters into the transmitting assembly that are then transmitted to the beacon assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the configurable operation parameters may include the intensity and/or frequency of the output signal, the calibration and resolution of orientation sensors, and the rate at which data is transmitted from the beacon assembly.

Configurable beacon and method

A system for determining the location of and communicating with a downhole tool assembly. A tracker assembly comprises a vertical transmitting antenna, a plurality of receiving antennas, and a processor. The downhole tool assembly has a beacon assembly comprising a plurality of receiving antennas, a transmitting antenna, an orientation sensor, and a processor. The transmitter in the tracker transmits a substantially vertical dipole field. The beacon assembly detects the vertical field and processes the signals to determine the location of the beacon relative to the tracker. The beacon assembly transmits the beacon location and operational information to the tracker assembly. The tracker assembly displays the beacon location and operational information on a visual display. The tracker assembly may also transmit operational commands or requests for information to the beacon assembly.

System and method for tracking and communicating with a boring tool

A monitoring system is used to monitor the location and orientation of a downhole tool assembly by detecting an output signal. The downhole tool assembly has a beacon assembly with one or more configurable operation parameters. A transmitting assembly transmits an operation instruction signal to the beacon assembly to configure the operation parameters. The detected operation instruction signal is processed by the beacon assembly and the operation parameter is configured. The transmitting assembly may be separate from the monitoring system and have an input assembly. The input assembly allows the operator to input predetermined operation parameters into the transmitting assembly that are then transmitted to the beacon assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the configurable operation parameters may include the intensity and/or frequency of the output signal, the calibration and resolution of orientation sensors, and the rate at which data is transmitted from the beacon assembly.

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Perry, OK, United States of America

Michael R Campbell