INGROUND DEVICE WITH ADVANCED TRANSMIT POWER CONTROL AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

摘要

An inground housing supports a transmitter for receiving electrical power from a battery. The transmitter transmits at least one signal using at least two different transmit power levels for at least one of locating the transmitter and characterizing an orientation of the transmitter. Based on detecting the battery voltage, the transmitter selects one of the transmit power levels. Transmitter output power can be controlled based on one or both of signal gain and duty cycle.

主权项

1. An apparatus for use with a system for performing an inground operation supported at least proximate to the inground tool during the inground operation, said apparatus comprising:
a housing that is configured for receiving a battery having one of at least two different battery voltages; and a transmitter supported within the housing for receiving electrical power from the battery and configured for (i) transmitting at least one signal from the apparatus using at least two different transmit power levels for at least one of locating the transmitter and characterizing an orientation of the transmitter, (ii) detecting the battery voltage, and (iii) selecting one of the transmit power levels based on the detected battery voltage.