초록 ▼

Systems and methods 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 a

Systems and methods 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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An underground drilling device for use with an above-ground locator, comprising:a cutting tool assembly comprising a cutting tool and a sensor housing;a radar unit provided in the sensor housing;a transmitter provided in the sensor housing; anda processor provided in the sensor housing and commun

1. An underground drilling device for use with an above-ground locator, comprising:a cutting tool assembly comprising a cutting tool and a sensor housing;a radar unit provided in the sensor housing;a transmitter provided in the sensor housing; anda processor provided in the sensor housing and communicatively coupled to the radar unit and the transmitter, the processor receiving radar data from the radar unit and producing sensor data for transmission via the transmitter in a form suitable for reception by the above-ground locator. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor communicates with the aboveground locator via a wireless link. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor communicates with the aboveground locator via a hardwire link. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the processor communicates with the aboveground locator via (1) a hardwire link to a drilling machine to which the underground drilling device is coupled and (2) a wireless link from the drilling machine to the above-ground locator. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein a multiple-axis magnetometer is provided in the sensor housing. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein a multiple-axis accelerometer is provided in the sensor housing. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein a gas sensor is provided in the sensor housing. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein an acoustic sensor, a seismic sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor is provided in the sensor housing. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein a resistive sensor or a capacitive sensor is provided in the sensor housing. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor or a pressure sensor is provided in the sensor housing. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein a magnetic or electromagnetic sonde is provided in the sensor housing. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the radar data comprises object detection data indicative of an object in proximity to the cutting tool assembly, and the processor produces an alert signal in response to the object detection data. 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor data produced by the processor comprises geophysical data indicative of geology in proximity to the cutting tool assembly. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor data represents radar data at least partially processed by the processor. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor data represents substantially unprocessed radar data. 16. The device of claim 1, further comprising a receiver provided in the sensor housing. 17. A method of sensing at an underground drilling device in communication with an above-ground locator, comprising:transmitting a radar probe signal from the underground drilling device;receiving a radar return signal at the underground drilling device;processing the radar return signal at the underground drilling device to produce sensor data; andtransmitting the sensor data in a form suitable for reception by the aboveground locator. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the sensor data comprises transmitting the sensor data to the above-ground locator via a wireless link. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the sensor data comprises transmitting the sensor data to the above-ground locator via a hardwire link. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the sensor data comprises transmitting the sensor data to the above-ground locator via (1) a hardwire link to a drilling machine to which the underground drilling device is coupled and (2) a wireless link from the drilling machine to the above-ground locator. 21. The method of claim 17, further comprising displaying the sensor data at the above-ground locator. 22. The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting the sensor data from the above-ground locator to a drilling machine to which the underground drilling device is coupled. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising displaying the sensor data at the drilling machine. 24. The method of claim 17, wherein the sensor data further com prises magnetometer data. 25. The method of claim 17, wherein the sensor data further comprises accelerometer data. 26. The method of claim 17, wherein the sensor data further comprises gas sense data. 27. The method of claim 17, wherein the sensor data further comprises temperature data or pressure data. 28. The method of claim 17, further comprising detecting an object in proximity to the underground drilling device using the radar return signal. 29. The method of claim 17, further comprising detecting one or more geophysical characteristics of earth in proximity to the underground drilling device using the radar return signal. 30. The method of claim 17, wherein the sensor data represents at least partially processed radar return signal data. 31. The method of claim 17, wherein the sensor data represents substantially unprocessed radar return signal data. 32. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving data transmitted from the above-ground locator at the underground drilling device.