US 11,814,950 B2
Drill planning tool for topography characterization, system and associated methods
Rudolf Zeller, Seattle, WA (US); Timothy Shaw, Auburn, WA (US); Timothy Bayliss, Maple Valley, WA (US); and Craig Caswell, Stanwood, WA (US)
Assigned to Merlin Technology, Inc., Kent, WA (US)
Filed by Merlin Technology, Inc., Kent, WA (US)
Filed on Oct. 14, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/501,438.
Application 17/501,438 is a continuation of application No. 16/520,182, filed on Jul. 23, 2019, granted, now 11,149,539.
Prior Publication US 2022/0065098 A1, Mar. 3, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 47/024 (2006.01); E21B 7/04 (2006.01); G01S 19/49 (2010.01); G01S 19/13 (2010.01); G01B 3/12 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 47/024 (2013.01) [E21B 7/046 (2013.01); G01B 3/12 (2013.01); G01S 19/13 (2013.01); G01S 19/49 (2013.01)] 39 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
18. A planning tool as part of a system for horizontal directional drilling in which a drill rig advances a boring tool through the ground using a drill string that extends from the drill rig to the boring tool, said planning tool comprising:
one or more wheels for rolling on a surface of the ground along a path responsive to movement by an operator;
an encoder for generating an encoder output responsive to the rolling of one of the one or more wheels;
an accelerometer including at least one measurement axis for generating an accelerometer output during said rolling of the one or more wheels that characterizes a pitch orientation of the planning tool; and
a processor for generating an underground plan for the boring tool below the surface of the ground in relation to said path based on the encoder output and the accelerometer output.