Patents Assigned to Merlin Technology, Inc.
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Patent number: 9759012Abstract: A boring tool is movable through the ground. A transmitter supported by the boring tool transmits an electromagnetic homing signal. A portable device monitors the electromagnetic homing signal and receives the electromagnetic homing signal in a homing mode for guiding the boring tool to a target position. A processor generates steering commands for guiding the boring tool based on a bore plan in a steering mode such that at least some positional error is introduced without using the electromagnetic homing signal. Switching from the steering mode to the homing mode is based on monitoring of the electromagnetic homing signal as the boring tool approaches the portable device to then guide the boring tool to the target position location in compensation for the positional error. Intermediate target positions are described as well as guiding the boring tool based on the homing signal so long as the portable device receives the signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.Inventors: Tim Shaw, John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau
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Patent number: 9739140Abstract: A system includes a transmitter for use in conjunction with a horizontal directional drilling system that transmits a multi-bit symbol stream that characterizes sensor symbols for receipt by an aboveground portable device. The portable device receives the symbol stream for aboveground recovery of the sensor signals. The transmitter can precisely place the symbol frequencies at least to avoid a noise environment, as well as to avoid powerline harmonics, and can utilize wave shaping for transmitted symbols at least to provide for transmission power control, spectral content control and wideband antenna matching. The receiver can measure the noise environment to identify the symbol frequencies used by the transmitter. The noise can be scanned at an incremental resolution across a wide frequency bandwidth for display or automatic symbol frequency selection.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.Inventors: Rudolf Zeller, Gary Garrabrant, Timothy Bayliss, John E. Mercer
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Patent number: 9683436Abstract: A portable locator and method for establishing the location of the cable line in a region which includes at least one generally straight electrically conductive cable line extending across the region from which cable line a locating signal includes a first arrangement for measuring a local flux intensity of the locating signal at a first above ground point within the region with the portable locator in a particular orientation at the first above ground point. A second arrangement uses the local flux intensity to establish a cable line angular orientation which limits the possible directions to the cable line relative to the particular orientation of the portable locator at the above ground point. A third arrangement uses the measured local flux intensity to establish an actual direction of the cable line that is selected from the possible directions based on certain characteristics of the locating signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Merlin Technology Inc.Inventors: Guenter W. Brune, Albert W. Chau, John E. Mercer
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Patent number: 9664027Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.Inventors: Albert W. Chau, Benjamin John Medeiros, Craig Caswell
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Patent number: 9650125Abstract: A pilot control interface and method are described for selective control of an autopilot system by a pilot of an aircraft in which the autopilot system is installed. The pilot control interface includes a passive network that is selectively switchable between a plurality of states across an output interface that is made up of no more than two conductors that are in electrical communication with the autopilot system. Modification of a current autopilot flight mode can be performed incrementally or continuously based on respective momentary and continuous pilot input actuations.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.Inventors: Carlos E. Golborne, Ray E. Debs, Mark Marvin, John E. Mercer
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Patent number: 9617797Abstract: A coupling adapter is insertable in at least one joint of a drill string as the drill string is extended from a drill rig. The coupling adapter includes an arrangement for receiving a data signal that is generated by an inground tool and for electromagnetically coupling the data signal onto at least a portion of the drill string that extends from the adapter to the drill rig such that at least some of the drill pipe sections cooperate as an electrical conductor for carrying the data signal to the drill rig. In another feature, a current transformer is resiliently supported to isolate the current transformer from mechanical shock and vibration that is produced by an inground operation that is performed using the drill string. In another feature, a drill string repeater is described.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Merlin Technology Inc.Inventors: Albert W. Chau, Benjamin John Medeiros
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Patent number: 9586681Abstract: An autopilot actuator includes first and second motors each including a rotatable motor output shaft such that either one or both of the motors can drive an actuator output shaft. An autopilot main unit enclosure is removably mounted to the helicopter proximate to a cyclic control and commonly houses autopilot actuators as well as main autopilot electronics. A cyclic vibration isolator is removably supported by an actuator shaft for co-rotation and coupled to the cyclic control to attenuate a cyclic vibration frequency at the actuator shaft while output rotations of the actuator shaft below a resonant frequency are coupled to the cyclic control. A force limited link includes first and second ends and a variable length between. The force limited link having a relaxed length when less than an unseating force is applied and the variable length changes when an applied force exceeds the unseating force to permit pilot override.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.Inventors: John E. Mercer, Marc Feifel, Mark Marvin, Nicolas Albion
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Patent number: 9581717Abstract: Location determination is performed using a transmitter including an elongated generally planar loop antenna defining an elongation axis. The elongation axis is positioned along at least a portion of a path. A magnetic field is then generated which approximates a dipole field. Certain characteristics of the magnetic field are then determined at a receiving position radially displaced from the antenna elongation axis. Using the determined certain characteristics, at least one orientation parameter is established which characterizes a positional relationship between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The magnetic field may be transmitted as a monotone single phase signal. The orientation parameter may be a radial offset and/or an angular orientation between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The antenna of the transmitter may be inserted into a first borehole to transmit the magnetic field to a receiver inserted into a second borehole.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Merlin Technology Inc.Inventors: Guenter W. Brune, John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau, Rudolf Zeller
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Patent number: 9551730Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.Inventors: Albert W. Chau, John E. Mercer, Scott Phillips
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Patent number: 9540879Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.Inventors: Bruce Kolpack, David Bahr, Thomas J. Hall, Benjamin J. Medeiros
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Patent number: 9519074Abstract: A portable locator and method for establishing the location of the cable line in a region which includes at least one generally straight electrically conductive cable line extending across the region from which cable line a locating signal includes a first arrangement for measuring a local flux intensity of the locating signal at a first above ground point within the region with the portable locator in a particular orientation at the first above ground point. A second arrangement uses the local flux intensity to establish a cable line angular orientation which limits the possible directions to the cable line relative to the particular orientation of the portable locator at the above ground point. A third arrangement uses the measured local flux intensity to establish an actual direction of the cable line that is selected from the possible directions based on certain characteristics of the locating signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Merlin Technology Inc.Inventors: Guenter W. Brune, Albert W. Chau, John E. Mercer
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Patent number: 9511856Abstract: A helicopter includes a rotor system having a rotor with an adjustable pitch that is controlled at least in part by a pilot using a collective control and which helicopter generates a Low RPM signal that is indicative of a threshold low rotational speed of the rotor. An actuator arrangement can move the collective control by exerting a force on the collective control such that the pilot is able to overcome the actuator force but which otherwise can move the collective control from a current operational position toward a minimum pitch position. A clutch can co-rotate with a motor to serve in transferring the actuation force to reduce the adjustable pitch and can slip relative to the actuator shaft assembly responsive to an application of a counterforce applied by the pilot to the collective control such that the counterforce overcomes the actuation force.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Merlin Technology Inc.Inventors: John E. Mercer, Mark H. Marvin
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Patent number: 9513397Abstract: A tone detection arrangement and method decodes an incoming data stream that is received in sequential bit times and which contains at least one tone that is selectively present for the duration each bit time. Each one of a plurality of digital filters is tuned for detecting the tone over a filter interval. The filters are operable in timed relation to one another.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Merlin Technology Inc.Inventors: Guenter W. Brune, John E. Mercer
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Patent number: 9507046Abstract: An arrangement and an associated method are described in which a boring tool is moved through the ground within a given region along a path in which region a cable is buried. The boring tool and the cable transmit a boring tool locating signal and a cable locating signal, respectively. Intensities of the boring tool locating signal and the cable locating signal are measured along with a pitch orientation of the boring tool. Using the measured intensities and established pitch orientation, a positional relationship is determined to relative scale including at least the boring tool and the cable in the region. The positional relationship is displayed to scale in one view. The positional relationship may be determined and displayed including the forward locate point in scaled relation to the boring tool and the cable. Cable depth determination techniques are described including a two-point ground depth determination method.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Merlin Technology Inc.Inventors: Guenter W. Brune, Albert W. Chau, John E. Mercer
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Patent number: 9500041Abstract: An inground isolator and associated method can provide an electrically isolated break in a drill string using electrical insulating members/isolators that are supported by a housing. During drill string operations, the isolators are subject only compressive forces responsive to both extension (pushing) and retraction (pulling) by the drill string. The isolators can be formed from an electrically insulating material such as a ceramic material. An interchangeable inground tool system is described which integrally serves to provide an electrically isolating gap in the drill string.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.Inventors: Albert W. Chau, Kenneth J. Theimer
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Patent number: 9435193Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.Inventors: Albert W. Chau, Dmitry Feldman, Benjamin John Medeiros
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Patent number: 9425619Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.Inventors: Albert W. Chau, Scott Phillips, Benjamin J. Medeiros
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Patent number: 9422804Abstract: A boring tool that is moved by a drill string to form an underground bore. A transmitter transmits a time varying dipole field as a homing field from the boring tool. A pitch sensor detects a pitch orientation of the boring tool. A homing receiver is positionable at a target location for detecting the homing field to produce a set of flux measurements. A processing arrangement uses the pitch orientation and flux measurements with a determined length of the drill string to determine a vertical homing command for use in controlling depth in directing the boring tool to the target location such that the vertical homing command is generated with a particular accuracy at a given range between the transmitter and the homing receiver and which would otherwise be generated with the particular accuracy for a standard range, different from the particular range. An associated system and method are described.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Merlin Technology Inc.Inventors: Guenter W. Brune, John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau
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Patent number: 9422802Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.Inventors: Albert W. Chau, Kenneth J. Theimer
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Patent number: 9415862Abstract: A pilot control interface and method are described for selective control of an autopilot system by a pilot of an aircraft in which the autopilot system is installed. The pilot control interface includes a passive network that is selectively switchable between a plurality of states across an output interface that is made up of no more than two conductors that are in electrical communication with the autopilot system. Modification of a current autopilot flight mode can be performed incrementally or continuously based on respective momentary and continuous pilot input actuations.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.Inventors: Carlos E. Golborne, Ray E. Debs, Mark Marvin, John E. Mercer