Horizontal directional drilling system including sonde position detection using global positioning systems

摘要

A locator device and methods of use are disclosed. The locator device includes a first locating system configured to generate to sense an electromagnetic field emanating from a sonde associated with a drill head, and a second locating system including a global positioning system. The locator device includes a display on the locating system configured to display a map of the area in which the locator device resides based on a location detected by the global positioning system. The locator device also includes control electronics configured to, upon receipt of an input from a user, record location data in a memory associated with the locator device for use by a horizontal directional drilling control system.

主权项

1. A locator system for recording a location of a sonde comprising:
a first locating device configured to sense an electromagnetic field emanating from a sonde associated with a drill head, the first locating device including a display, an operator interface, and a communication interface; a second locating device configured with a global positioning system a controller configured to: upon receipt of a first input from a user, record first location data in a memory associated with the first locating device; record second location data in a memory associated with the second locating device; and combine the first location data and the second location data to record the location of the sonde, including refining the second location data based on known information associated with the drill head and an additional location data associated with a previously determined sonde location, and further including refining a determination of the previously determined sonde location based on the recorded location of the sonde.