Underground drilling device employing down-hole radar

Abstract

Devices for sensing at an underground drilling device in communication with an above-ground locator involve transmitting a radar probe signal from the underground drilling device. A radar return signal is received at the underground drilling device. The radar return signal is processed at the underground drilling device to produce sensor data. The sensor data is transmitted in a form suitable for reception by the above-ground locator.

1 . A method, comprising: 
 establishing a bore plan representative of an intended bore;    receiving product information concerning a product to be installed in the intended bore;    drilling a pilot bore in accordance with the bore plan; and    adjusting drilling of the pilot bore in response to the product information to ensure that the pilot bore accommodates the product.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product information comprises product diameter.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product information comprises allowable bend radius of the product.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product information comprises quantity of the product to be installed in the intended bore.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product information comprises safety clearance between the product to be installed and underground utilities or obstacles.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product information comprises maximum allowable depth of the product to be installed.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving ground cover information concerning ground cover above the product to be installed in the intended bore, wherein drilling of the pilot bore is adjusted in response to the ground cover information.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting pilot bore drilling comprises modifying the bore plan and determining if pilot bore adjustment is consistent with constraints of the bore plan.  
   
   
       9 . A method, comprising: 
 establishing a bore plan representative of an intended bore;    receiving product information concerning a product to be installed in the intended bore;    estimating backreamer deviation from a pilot bore along the intended bore in response to the product information; and    adjusting drilling of the pilot bore in accordance with the estimated backreamer deviation.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the product information comprises product diameter.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the product information comprises allowable bend radius of the product.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the product information comprises quantity of the product to be installed in the intended bore.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the product information comprises safety clearance between the product to be installed and underground utilities or obstacles.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the product information comprises maximum allowable depth of the product to be installed.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising receiving ground cover information concerning ground cover above the product to be installed in the intended bore, wherein drilling of the pilot bore is adjusted in response to the ground cover information.  
   
   
       16 . A system, comprising: 
 a cutting tool coupled to a drill string;    a driving apparatus coupled to the drill string;    memory configured to store a bore plan representative of an intended bore and product information concerning a product to be installed in the intended bore; and    a controller coupled to the driving apparatus and the memory, the controller configured to control the driving apparatus while drilling a pilot bore in accordance with the bore plan and to adjust drilling of the pilot bore in response to the product information to ensure that the pilot bore accommodates the product.    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust pilot bore drilling in accordance with an estimated backreamer deviation from the pilot bore along the intended bore in response to the product information.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a bore planning system configured to generate the bore plan.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the product information comprises product diameter.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the product information comprises allowable bend radius of the product.