US 12,442,288 B2
Sonde with integral pressure sensor and method
Albert W. Chau, Woodinville, WA (US); Dmitry Feldman, Seattle, WA (US); and Benjamin John Medeiros, Orting, WA (US)
Assigned to Merlin Technology, Inc., Kent, WA (US)
Filed by Merlin Technology, Inc., Kent, WA (US)
Filed on Apr. 29, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/649,045.
Application 18/649,045 is a continuation of application No. 18/117,967, filed on Mar. 6, 2023, granted, now 12,000,265, issued on Jun. 4, 2024.
Application 18/117,967 is a continuation of application No. 17/749,138, filed on May 20, 2022, granted, now 11,598,200, issued on Mar. 7, 2023.
Application 17/749,138 is a continuation of application No. 17/011,194, filed on Sep. 3, 2020, granted, now 11,339,645, issued on May 24, 2022.
Application 17/011,194 is a continuation of application No. 16/404,393, filed on May 6, 2019, granted, now 10,767,468, issued on Sep. 8, 2020.
Application 16/404,393 is a continuation of application No. 15/256,535, filed on Sep. 3, 2016, granted, now 10,323,506, issued on Jun. 18, 2019.
Application 15/256,535 is a continuation of application No. 14/174,024, filed on Feb. 6, 2014, granted, now 9,435,193, issued on Sep. 6, 2016.
Application 14/174,024 is a continuation of application No. 13/071,302, filed on Mar. 24, 2011, granted, now 8,662,200, issued on Mar. 4, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2024/0301787 A1, Sep. 12, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 47/01 (2012.01); E21B 47/06 (2012.01); E21B 47/017 (2012.01)
CPC E21B 47/06 (2013.01) [E21B 47/017 (2020.05); Y10T 29/49002 (2015.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An end cap for use as part of a sonde that is configured for use in 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, said sonde including a sonde body defining an open end, said end cap comprising:
an end cap body that is (i) receivable by said open end of the sonde body for pressure sealing engagement therewith and (ii) defines a pressure sensor aperture for removably receiving a pressure sensor body of a pressure sensor in a pressure sealed engagement for producing a pressure signal responsive to the ambient pressure environment.