Abstract: An inground housing supports a transmitter for receiving electrical power from a battery. The transmitter transmits at least one signal using at least two different transmit power levels for at least one of locating the transmitter and characterizing an orientation of the transmitter. Based on detecting the battery voltage, the transmitter selects one of the transmit power levels. Transmitter output power can be controlled based on one or both of signal gain and duty cycle.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are described for purposes of initiating a response to detection of an adverse operational condition involving a system including a drill rig and an inground tool. The response can be based on an uphole sensed parameter in combination with a downhole sensed parameter. The adverse operational condition can involve cross-bore detection, frac-out detection, excessive downhole pressure, a plugged jet indication and drill string key-holing detection. A communication system includes an inground communication link that allows bidirectional communication between a walkover detector and the drill rig via the inground tool. Monitoring of inground tool depth and/or lateral movement can be performed using techniques that approach integrated values. Bit force based auto-carving is described in the context of an automated procedure.

Abstract: A transmitter is carried proximate to an inground tool for sensing a plurality of operational parameters relating to the inground tool. The transmitter customizes a data signal to characterize one or more of the operational parameters for transmission from the inground tool based on the operational status of the inground tool. A receiver receives the data signal and recovers the operational parameters. Advanced data protocols are described. Pitch averaging and enhancement of dynamic pitch range for accelerometer readings are described based on monitoring mechanical shock and vibration of the inground tool.

Abstract: A drill string communication system is described. An uphole transceiver can couple a signal onto the drill string at a power that is always greater that a selectable power for a downhole signal. Communication from a drill rig to an inground tool can be re-initiated using a maximum uphole transmit power of an uphole transceiver. A procedure can establish a new set of transmission parameters for a drill string signal to establish communication between the drill rig and the inground tool. The system can include a walkover locator that receives an active/inactive status-controlled electromagnetic locating signal. Responsive to a locating signal degradation, a reconfiguration command can modify the locating signal. The uphole transceiver and a downhole transceiver can automatically modify at least one parameter of a downhole signal. An uphole receiver can apply a compensation response to a transferred signal to compensate for a drill string channel transfer function.

Abstract: A drilling area network hub is located proximate to a drill rig and includes an uphole transceiver in bidirectional communication with a downhole transceiver by utilizing the drill string as an electrical conductor. Certain information is collected including rig-based and/or location information. At least one field report is generated based on the certain information to characterize at least one of an inground operation, an operational condition of the downhole transceiver, an operational condition of the uphole transceiver, and an operational condition of the drill rig. A drilling area network server receives the field report from the Internet at a remote location and can generate a custom report and/or recommended actions based on field data. Region specific parameters can be applied to the operation of a drilling system. The drilling area network hub can transfer data logs to the remote location according to assigned priorities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used in conjunction with a system for performing horizontal directional drilling, the system including a drill string extending from a drill rig to a boring tool such that the boring tool is steerable based on a roll orientation. The system also includes an arrangement for generating steering commands for guiding the boring tool to a target position. Responsive at least in part to the steering commands, a display is configured to selectively indicate each of a rotate command, a push command and a spin command. A steering indicator is described which indicates a current roll orientation of the boring tool. A 3-D grid can be animated and centered on either a steering or target indicator. Rounding of a steering command ratio can limit the display of target roll orientations to only those that a given boring tool transmitter is capable of sensing and indicating.

Abstract: An emergency collective actuator includes an actuator motor to produce an actuation force and an actuator linkage that directly engages a friction control lever that is pivotally supported on the collective stick of a helicopter to apply the actuation force directly to the friction control lever such that the actuation force initially disengages the friction control and then reduces the adjustable pitch toward a minimum collective pitch position. The actuator can include a clutch that slips to allow the pilot to overcome the actuation force and that slips responsive to an engagement of the friction control by the pilot, but otherwise the clutch co-rotates with the motor shaft to bias the adjustable pitch toward a minimum collective pitch position.

Abstract: A transmitter for an inground operation includes an antenna and a sensor section for generating sensor data. An antenna driver selectively drives the antenna to emit a locating signal such that the locating signal carries the sensor data. A processor controls the antenna driver to transmit the locating signal during a normal mode and to enter a sleep state that disables at least the sensor section and the antenna driver such that the locating signal is not transmitted responsive to detecting that the transmitter is inactive. The processor can enter a snooze mode from the normal mode by disabling the antenna driver so that the locating signal is not transmitted, without disabling the sensor section, and the snooze mode requires less power than the normal mode but more power than the sleep state.

Abstract: Generally, a sonde, associated components and methods are described which can be used in conjunction with an inground tool having an inground tool housing that defines an inground tool cavity such that the inground tool cavity is exposed to an ambient pressure environment which surrounds the inground tool during an inground operation. A sonde housing assembly includes an exterior configuration that is receivable within the inground tool cavity. The sonde housing assembly at least partially defines a sonde interior and is further configured for receiving the pressure sensor body of a pressure sensor in a pressure sealed engagement. A sonde electronics package is supported within the sonde interior and is at least configured to receive the pressure signal and transfer a corresponding pressure signal from the sonde.

Abstract: A transmitter is powered by a regulated battery voltage and is installable in one of a plurality of different housings, each housing is characterized by a different design and each can form part of an inground tool for performing an inground operation in which a drill string extends from a drill rig to the inground tool. An antenna driver drives an antenna based on the regulated voltage to emanate an electromagnetic signal for remote reception. A controller limits power consumption from the regulated voltage so as not to exceed a power consumption threshold, irrespective of installation of the transmitter in any one of the housings when the transmitter would otherwise exhibit a different power consumption for each housing design. A corresponding method is described. Features relating to power consumption threshold modification based on temperature as well as mechanical shock and vibration are described.

Abstract: A planning tool plans movement of a boring tool for an underground drilling operation. The planning tool includes one or more wheels for rolling on a surface of the ground along a path responsive to movement by an operator to characterize the surface contour and to generate guidance for the boring tool to reach a target position. Planning can additionally be based on waypoints. The planning tool can be rolled unidirectionally or bidirectionally to characterize the surface contour. Bidirectional movement cancels accelerometer fixed bias. Path stitching is used to plan around obstacles. The planning tool can facilitate tracker placement. The planning tool can collect noise information for frequency selection purposes. A described technique maximizes linear drilling in an underground plan. Compensation and/or warnings are provided for unsteady, fast and slow movement of the planning tool while measuring the surface contour.

Abstract: An accelerometer arrangement and method are described for determining accelerations of an inground tool. First and second triaxial accelerometers are supported such that a normal sensing axis of the first triaxial accelerometer is at least generally orthogonal to the normal sensing axis of the second triaxial accelerometer for determining the accelerations along the three orthogonal axes based on a combination of sensing axis outputs from one or both of the triaxial accelerometers. A weaker sensing axis of one triaxial accelerometer can be supported at least approximately normal to a weaker sensing axis of another triaxial accelerometer such that the weaker axes are not used. The triaxial accelerometers can be supported such that one axis of one accelerometer can be redundant with respect to another axis of another accelerometer. One triaxial accelerometer can be mounted on a tilted plane with respect to another triaxial accelerometer.

Abstract: A transmitter for inground use controls a depth signal transmit power in relation to a data signal transmit power such that one reception range of the depth signal at least approximately matches another, different reception range of the data signal. A portable device can form a system with the transmitter in which the portable device scans a plurality of frequencies within at least one low frequency depth signal range to measure the electromagnetic noise at each one of the plurality of frequencies and identify at least one of the frequencies as a potential depth frequency for the transmitter. The portable device can include a dual mode filter having a rebar mode and a normal mode filter. The depth signal frequency is dynamically positionable in relation to low frequency noise.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are used in conjunction with a system for performing horizontal directional drilling, the system including a drill string extending from a drill rig to a boring tool such that the boring tool is steerable based on a roll orientation. The system also includes an arrangement for generating steering commands for guiding the boring tool to a target position. Responsive at least in part to the steering commands, a display is configured to selectively indicate each of a rotate command, a push command and a spin command. A steering indicator is described which indicates a current roll orientation of the boring tool. A 3-D grid can be animated and centered on either a steering or target indicator. Rounding of a steering command ratio can limit the display of target roll orientations to only those that a given boring tool transmitter is capable of sensing and indicating.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are described for purposes of initiating a response to detection of an adverse operational condition involving a system including a drill rig and an inground tool. The response can be based on an uphole sensed parameter in combination with a downhole sensed parameter. The adverse operational condition can involve cross-bore detection, frac-out detection, excessive downhole pressure, a plugged jet indication and drill string key-holing detection. A communication system includes an inground communication link that allows bidirectional communication between a walkover detector and the drill rig via the inground tool. Monitoring of inground tool depth and/or lateral movement can be performed using techniques that approach integrated values. Bit force based auto-carving is described in the context of an automated procedure.

Abstract: A housing defines a through passage along its length and is configured to support a group of electrical isolators surrounding the through passage to form an electrically isolating break in a drill string such that each isolator of the group of isolators is subject to no more than a compressive force responsive to extension and retraction of the drill string. The housing defines a housing cavity to receive an electronics package having a signal port and is configured for electrical connection of the signal port across the electrically isolating break. A housing lid can cooperate with a main housing body to define elongated slots for purposes of enhancing the emanation of a locating signal. A housing arrangement can support electrical connections from an electronics package to bridge an electrically isolating gap.

Abstract: A drill string communication system is described. An uphole transceiver can couple a signal onto the drill string at a power that is always greater that a selectable power for a downhole signal. Communication from a drill rig to an inground tool can be re-initiated using a maximum uphole transmit power of an uphole transceiver. A procedure can establish a new set of transmission parameters for a drill string signal to establish communication between the drill rig and the inground tool. The system can include a walkover locator that receives an active/inactive status-controlled electromagnetic locating signal. Responsive to a locating signal degradation, a reconfiguration command can modify the locating signal. The uphole transceiver and a downhole transceiver can automatically modify at least one parameter of a downhole signal. An uphole receiver can apply a compensation response to a transferred signal to compensate for a drill string channel transfer function.

Abstract: Generally, a sonde, associated components and methods are described which can be used in conjunction with an inground tool having an inground tool housing that defines an inground tool cavity such that the inground tool cavity is exposed to an ambient pressure environment which surrounds the inground tool during an inground operation. A sonde housing assembly includes an exterior configuration that is receivable within the inground tool cavity. The sonde housing assembly at least partially defines a sonde interior and is further configured for receiving the pressure sensor body of a pressure sensor in a pressure sealed engagement. A sonde electronics package is supported within the sonde interior and is at least configured to receive the pressure signal and transfer a corresponding pressure signal from the sonde.

Abstract: A transmitter for an inground operation includes an antenna and a sensor section for generating sensor data. An antenna driver selectively drives the antenna to emit a locating signal such that the locating signal carries the sensor data. A processor controls the antenna driver to transmit the locating signal during a normal mode and to enter a sleep state that disables at least the sensor section and the antenna driver such that the locating signal is not transmitted responsive to detecting that the transmitter is inactive. The processor can enter a snooze mode from the normal mode by disabling the antenna driver so that the locating signal is not transmitted, without disabling the sensor section, and the snooze mode requires less power than the normal mode but more power than the sleep state.

Abstract: An accelerometer arrangement and method are described for determining accelerations of an inground tool. First and second triaxial accelerometers are supported such that a normal sensing axis of the first triaxial accelerometer is at least generally orthogonal to the normal sensing axis of the second triaxial accelerometer for determining the accelerations along the three orthogonal axes based on a combination of sensing axis outputs from one or both of the triaxial accelerometers. A weaker sensing axis of one triaxial accelerometer can be supported at least approximately normal to a weaker sensing axis of another triaxial accelerometer such that the weaker axes are not used. The triaxial accelerometers can be supported such that one axis of one accelerometer can be redundant with respect to another axis of another accelerometer. One triaxial accelerometer can be mounted on a tilted plane with respect to another triaxial accelerometer.