US 11,747,504 B2
Device and method for tracking a downhole tool
Scott B. Cole, Edmond, OK (US); Brian K. Bailey, West Des Moines, IA (US); and Larry G. Morse, Fairfield, TX (US)
Assigned to The Charles Machine Works, Inc., Perry, OK (US)
Filed by The Charles Machine Works, Inc., Perry, OK (US)
Filed on Oct. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/970,284.
Application 17/970,284 is a continuation of application No. 17/133,220, filed on Dec. 23, 2020, granted, now 11,480,704, issued on Oct. 25, 2022.
Application 17/133,220 is a continuation of application No. 16/661,548, filed on Oct. 23, 2019, granted, now 10,877,176, issued on Dec. 29, 2020.
Application 16/661,548 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/603,719, filed on May 24, 2017, granted, now 10,459,105, issued on Oct. 29, 2019.
Application 15/603,719 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/802,500, filed on Jul. 17, 2015, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/025,543, filed on Jul. 17, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2023/0041967 A1, Feb. 9, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01V 3/16 (2006.01); G01V 3/165 (2006.01); E21B 7/04 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); E21B 47/024 (2006.01); E21B 47/092 (2012.01); B64U 101/00 (2023.01)
CPC G01V 3/16 (2013.01) [B64C 39/024 (2013.01); E21B 7/046 (2013.01); E21B 47/024 (2013.01); E21B 47/092 (2020.05); G01V 3/165 (2013.01); B64U 2101/00 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
providing an antenna assembly and a propulsion system on a frame;
transmitting a magnetic field from an underground field transmitter;
engaging the propulsion system to move the frame;
detecting the magnetic field using the antenna assembly;
determining an absolute position of the antenna assembly;
moving the frame with the propulsion system such that the antenna assembly is at a position within the magnetic field indicative of a null in the field;
measuring the signal strength of the magnetic field and the orientation of the magnetic field using the antenna assembly to determine a position of the underground field transmitter relative to the antenna assembly; and
with the position of the underground field transmitter relative to the antenna assembly and the absolute position of the antenna assembly, determining the absolute position of the underground field transmitter.