The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Jun. 15, 2021

Filed:

Jan. 29, 2020
Applicant:

Merlin Technology Inc., Kent, WA (US);

Inventors:

Guenter W. Brune, Bellevue, WA (US);

Albert W. Chau, Woodinville, WA (US);

Rudolf Zeller, Seattle, WA (US);

John E. Mercer, Gig Harbor, WA (US);

Assignee:

Merlin Technology Inc., Kent, WA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01V 3/15 (2006.01); E21B 44/02 (2006.01); E21B 47/0228 (2012.01); E21B 47/0232 (2012.01); E21B 7/04 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B 44/02 (2013.01); E21B 7/04 (2013.01); E21B 7/046 (2013.01); E21B 47/0228 (2020.05); E21B 47/0232 (2020.05); G01V 3/15 (2013.01);
Abstract

A steering tool is movable by a drill string to form an underground bore along an intended path. A sensing arrangement of the steering tool detects its pitch and yaw orientations at a series of spaced apart positions along the bore, each position is characterized by a measured extension of the drill string. The steering tool further includes a receiver. At least one marker is positioned proximate to the intended path, for transmitting a rotating dipole field to expose a portion of the intended path to the field for reception by the receiver. The detected pitch orientation, the detected yaw orientation and the measured extension of the drill string are used in conjunction with magnetic information from the receiver to locate the steering tool. The steering tool may automatically use the magnetic information when it is available. A customized overall position determination accuracy can be provided along the intended path.


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