US 12,448,883 B2
Sonde with advanced battery power conservation and associated methods
Craig A. Caswell, Mattawa, WA (US); and Scott D. Phillips, Normandy Park, WA (US)
Assigned to Merlin Technology, Inc., Kent, WA (US)
Filed by Merlin Technology, Inc., Kent, WA (US)
Filed on Apr. 23, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/642,817.
Application 18/642,817 is a continuation of application No. 17/843,838, filed on Jun. 17, 2022, granted, now 11,994,023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0271523 A1, Aug. 15, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 47/13 (2012.01); E21B 7/04 (2006.01); E21B 47/0232 (2012.01); E21B 47/024 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 47/13 (2020.05) [E21B 7/046 (2013.01); E21B 47/0232 (2020.05); E21B 47/024 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A transmitter for use in conjunction with a horizontal directional drilling system that includes a drill string that extends from a drill rig to an inground tool which supports the transmitter such that extension and retraction of the drill string moves the inground tool through the ground during an inground operation, said transmitter comprising:
an antenna;
a sensor section at least including an orientation sensor for generating sensor data;
an antenna driver configured for selectively driving the antenna to emit a locating signal for aboveground reception such that the locating signal carries the sensor data; and
a processor for controlling 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 and said processor is further configured to enter the sleep state from a snooze mode such that the snooze mode disables 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.