text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|3 May 2005
|Filing date
|20 Aug 2002
|Priority date
|11 Jan 1996
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Gregory S Stump, Christopher T. Allen
|Original Assignee
|Vermeer Manufacturing Company
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (71), Non-Patent Citations (18), Referenced by (31), Classifications (33), Legal Events (5)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
"This is a divisional of patent divisional application Ser. No. 09/676,730, which was filed on Sep. 29, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,286, which is a division of Ser. No. 09/311,085 May 13, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,630, which is a continuation of 08/784,061 Jan. 17, 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,210, which is a CIP of 08/587,832 Jan. 11, 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,534, issued Feb. 24, 1998, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein."
The present invention relates generally to the field of trenchless underground boring and, more particularly, to a system and method for horizontal drilling and subsurface object detection.
Utility lines for water, electricity, gas, telephone and cable television are often run underground for reasons of safety and aesthetics. In many situations, the underground utilities can be buried in a trench which is then back-filled. Although useful in areas of new construction, the burial of utilities in a trench has certain disadvantages. In areas supporting existing construction, a trench can cause serious disturbance to structures or roadways. Further, there is a high probability that digging a trench may damage previously buried utilities, and that structures or roadways disturbed by digging the trench are rarely restored to their original condition. Also, an open trench poses a danger of injury to workers and passersby.
The general technique of boring a horizontal underground hole has recently been developed in order to overcome the disadvantages described above, as well as others unaddressed when employing conventional trenching techniques. In accordance with such a general horizontal boring technique, also known as microtunnelling or trenchless underground boring, a boring system is situated on the ground surface and drills a hole into the ground at an oblique angle with respect to the ground surface. Water is typically flowed through the drill string, over the boring tool, and back up the borehole in order to remove cuttings and dirt. After the boring tool reaches a desired depth, the tool is then directed along a substantially horizontal path to create a horizontal borehole. After the desired length of borehole has been obtained, the tool is then directed upwards to break through to the surface. A reamer is then attached to the drill string which is pulled back through the borehole, thus reaming out the borehole to a larger diameter. It is common to attach a utility line or other conduit to the reaming tool so that it is dragged through the borehole along with the reamer.
In order to provide for the location of a boring tool while underground, a conventional approach involves the incorporation of an active beacon, typically in the form of a radio transmitter, disposed within the boring tool. A receiver is typically placed on the ground surface and used to determine the position of the tool through a conventional radio direction finding technique. However, since there is no synchronization between the beacon and the detector, the depth of the tool cannot be measured directly, and the position measurement of the boring tool is restricted to a two dimensional surface plane. Moreover, conventional radio direction finding techniques have limited accuracy in determining the position of the boring tool. These limitations can have severe consequences when boring a trenchless underground hole in an area which contains several existing underground utilities or other natural or man-made hazards, in which case the location of the boring tool must be precisely determined in order to avoid accidentally disturbing or damaging the utilities.
Recently the use of ground penetrating radar (GPR) for performing surveys along trenchless boring routes has been proposed. Ground-penetrating-radar is a sensitive technique for detecting even small changes in the subsurface dielectric constant. Consequently, the images generated by GPR systems contain a great amount of detail, much of it either unwanted or unnecessary for the task at hand. A major difficulty, therefore, in using GPR for locating a boring tool concerns the present inability in the art to correctly distinguish the boring tool signal from all of the signals generated by the other features, such signals collectively being referred to as clutter. Moreover, depending on the depth of the boring tool and the propagation characteristics of the intervening ground medium, the signal from the boring tool can be extremely weak relative to the clutter signal. Consequently, the boring tool signal may either be misinterpreted or undetectable.
It would be desirable to employ an apparatus for detecting a natural or man-made subsurface feature and controlling an underground excavator to avoid such subsurface feature with greater response time and accuracy than is currently attainable given the present state of the technology.
The present invention is directed to a system and method of horizontally drilling and subsurface feature detection. According to one embodiment, a horizontal drilling system includes a base machine capable of propelling a drill pipe rotationally and longitudinally underground. A cutting tool system is coupled to the drill pipe, and a control system controls the base machine. A detector is employed to detect a subsurface feature. A communication link is utilized for transferring data between the detector and the control system. The control system uses the data generated by the detector to modify control of the base machine in response to detection of the subsurface feature.
The subsurface feature may be a geological or man-made obstruction, in which case the control system uses the data generated by the detector to modify control of the base machine to avoid contact between the cutting tool system and the obstruction. The subsurface feature may also comprise a transition between a first subsurface geology and a second subsurface geology, in which case the control system uses the data generated by the detector to modify control of the base machine to modify one or both of cutting tool system direction and base machine propulsion in response to the detected subsurface geology transition. Cutting tool system and/or subsurface feature location and depth may be computed.
The detector can be integral with the cutting tool system. In such a configuration, the cutting tool includes a cutting element, a power source, a transmitter, and a receiver. In another configuration, the detector is communicatively coupled to the cutting tool system. In a further configuration, the detector operates cooperatively with the cutting tool system to detect the subsurface feature. In yet another configuration, the detector is situated above ground. According to another configuration, elements of the detector are respectively situated at or proximate the cutting tool system and above ground. The detector can include a ground penetrating radar unit, a beacon or an acoustic wave detection unit.
Referring now to the figures and, more particularly, to
The PDU 28 and the target 20 operate in cooperation to provide reliable and accurate locating of an underground boring tool 24. In addition, the orientation of the boring tool 24 during operation may also be provided. In terms of general operation, the PDU 28 transmits a probe signal 36 into the ground 10 and detects return signals reflected from the ground medium and the underground boring tool 24. The return signals typically includes content from many different reflection sources, often rendering detection of the underground boring tool 24 unreliable or impossible using conventional techniques. Detecting an underground boring tool 24 is greatly enhanced by use of the cooperative target 20, which, in response to the probe signal 36, emits a signature signal that is readily distinguishable from the return signals reflected by the ground medium and the underground boring tool 24. The cooperative target 20 may also include an orientation detection apparatus that senses an orientation of the boring tool 24. Boring tool orientation information may be transmitted with the location information as a composite signature signal or as an information signal separate from the signature signal. As such, the presence, location, and orientation of an underground boring tool 24 is readily and reliably determined by employing the probing and detection system and method of the present invention.
It is well known in the field of subsurface imaging that conventional underground imaging techniques, such as those that employ GPR, detect the presence of many types of underground obstructions and structures. It is also well known in the art that detecting objects of interest, such as an underground boring tool 24, is often made difficult or impossible due to the detection of return signals emanating from many sources not of interest, collectively known as clutter, associated with other underground obstructions, structures, and varying ground medium characteristics, for example. The clutter signal represents background noise in the composite return signal above which a return signal of interest must be distinguished. Attempting to detect the presence of the underground boring tool 24 using a conventional approach often renders the boring tool 24 undetectable or indistinguishable from the background noise.
It is understood that the return signal from an underground object of interest using conventional detection techniques may be weak relative to the clutter signal content. In such a case, the signal-to-clutter ratio would be low, which reduces the ability to clearly detect the return signal emanating from the underground object of interest. The probe and detection apparatus and method of the present invention advantageously provides for the production of a return signal from the cooperative target 20 provided at the underground boring tool 24 having a characteristic signature which can be more easily distinguished from the clutter. As will be discussed in detail hereinbelow, the generation of a signature signal containing either or both location and orientation information by the cooperative target 20 may be performed either passively or actively.
A typical boring operation takes place as follows. The rotating motor 19 is initially positioned in an upper location 19 a and rotates the drill string 22. While the boring tool 24 is rotated, the rotating motor 19 and drill string 17 are pushed in a forward direction by the thrust-pullback pump 20 toward a lower position into the ground, thus creating a borehole 26. The rotating motor 19 reaches a lower position 19 b when the drill string 22 has been pushed into the borehole 26 by the length of one drill string member 23. A new drill string member 23 is then added to the drill string 22 either manually or automatically, and the rotating motor 19 is released and pulled back to the upper location 19 a. The rotating motor 19 then clamps on to the new drill string member 23 and the rotation/push process is repeated so as to force the newly lengthened drill string 22 further into the ground, thereby extending the borehole 26. Commonly, water is pumped through the drill string 22 and back up through the borehole to remove cuttings, dirt, and other debris. If the boring tool 24 incorporates a directional steering capability for controlling its direction, a desired direction can be imparted to the resulting borehole 26.
The operation of the PDU 28 is more clearly described in reference to FIG. 2. The PDU 28 is generally used to transmit a probe signal 36 into the ground and to detect returning signals. The PDU 28 contains a generator 52 for generating the probe signal 36 which probes the ground 10. A transmitter 54 receives the probe signal 36 from the generator 52, which, in turn, transmits the probe signal 36 (shown as continuous lines in
The probe signal 36 is transmitted by the PDU 28, propagates through the ground 10, and encounters subsurface obstructions, one of which is shown as 30, which scatter a return signal 40 (shown as dotted lines in
The detection section of the PDU 28 includes a receiver 56, a detector 58, and a signal processor 60. The receiver 56 receives the return signals from the ground and communicates them to the detector 58. The detector 58 converts the return signals into electric signals which are subsequently analyzed in the signal processing unit 60. In the first embodiment described hereinabove in which the probe signal 36 constitutes a microwave signal, the receiver 56 typically includes an antenna, and the detector 58 typically includes a detection diode. In another embodiment in which the probe signal 36 constitutes an acoustic wave, the receiver 56 typically is a probe in good mechanical contact with the ground 10 and the detector 58 includes a sound-to-electrical transducer, such as microphone. The signal processor 60 may include various preliminary components, such as a signal amplifier, a filtering circuit, and an analog-to-digital converter, followed by more complex circuitry for producing a two or three dimensional image of a subsurface volume which incorporates the various underground obstructions 30 and the boring tool 24. The PDU 28 also contains a beacon receiver/analyzer 61 for detecting and interpreting a signal from an underground active beacon. The function of the beacon receiver/analyzer 61 will be described more fully hereinbelow.
The PDU 28 also contains a decoder 63 for decoding information signal content that may be encoded on the signature signal produced by the cooperative target 20. Orientation, pressure, and temperature information, for example, may be sensed by appropriate sensors provided in the cooperative target 20, such as a strain gauge for sensing pressure. Such information may be encoded on the signature signal, such as by modulating the signature signal with an information signal, or otherwise transmitted as part of, or separate from, the signature signal. When received by the receiver 56, an encoded return signal is decoded by the decoder 61 to extract the information signal content from the signature signal content. It is noted that the components of the PDU 28 illustrated in
Referring once again to
Signature signal generation, in accordance with the embodiments of
Line C illustrates an advantageous detection technique in which cooperation between the cooperative target 22, provided at the boring tool 24, and the PDU 28 is employed to produce and transmit a signature signal at a certain time ΔT2 following illumination with the probe signal 36 a. In accordance with this detection scheme, the return signal 40 a received from the scatterers is detected initially, and the signature signal 38 a received from the underground boring tool 24 is detected after a delay of ΔT2. The delay time ΔT2 is established to be sufficiently long so that the signature signal produced by the cooperative target 20 is significantly more pronounced than the clutter signal at the time of detection. In this case, the signal-to-clutter ratio of the signature signal 38 a is relatively high, thus enabling the signature signal 38 a to be easily distinguished from the background clutter 40 a.
It is an important feature of the invention that the underground boring tool 24 be provided with a signature signal-generating apparatus, such as a cooperative target 20, which produces a signature signal in response to a probe signal transmitted by the PDU 28. If no such signature signal was produced by the generating apparatus, the PDU 28 would receive an echo from the underground boring tool 24 which would be very difficult to distinguish from the clutter with a high degree of certainty using conventional detecting techniques. The incorporation of a signature signal generating apparatus advantageously provides for the production of a unique signal by the underground boring tool 24 that is easily distinguishable from the clutter and has a relatively high signal-to-clutter ratio. As discussed briefly above, an active or passive approach is suitable for generating the boring tool signature signal. It is understood that an active signature signal circuit is one in which the circuit used to generate the signature signal requires the application of electrical power from an external source, such as a battery, to make it operable. A passive circuit, in contrast, is one which does not utilize an external source of power. The source of energy for the electrical signals present in a passive circuit is the received probe signal itself.
In accordance with a passive approach, the cooperative target 20 does not include an active apparatus for generating or amplifying a signal, and is therefore generally less complex than an active approach since it does not require the presence of a permanent or replaceable power source or, in many cases, electronic circuitry. Alternatively, an active approach may be employed which has the advantage that it is more flexible and provides the opportunity to produce a wider range of signature response signals which may be more identifiable when encountering different types of ground medium. Further, an active approach reduces the complexity and cost of manufacturing the cooperative target 20, and may reduce the complexity and cost of the signature signal receiving apparatus.
Three embodiments of a passive signature signal generating apparatus associated with a microwave detection technique are illustrated in FIG. 5. Each of the embodiment illustrations shown in
The illustration of
In accordance with another embodiment, a single antenna embodiment of the passive time domain signature generator could be implemented by cutting the waveguide at the point indicated by the dotted line 76 a to form a termination. In this latter embodiment, the probe signal 70 a propagates along the waveguide 72 a until it is reflected by the termination located at the cut 76 a, propagates back to the receive antenna 66 a, and is transmitted back to the PDU 28. The termination could be implemented either as an electrical short, in which case the probe signal 70 a would be inverted upon reflection, or as an open circuit, in which case the probe signal 70 a would not be inverted upon reflection.
The introduction of a time delay to create the signature signal 74 a makes the underground boring tool 24 appear deeper in the ground than it is in actuality. Since microwaves are heavily attenuated by the ground, ground penetrating radar systems have a typical effective depth range of about 10 feet when employing conventional detection techniques, beyond which point the signal returns are generally too heavily attenuated to be reliably detected. The production of a time delayed signature signal return 74 a from the underground boring tool 24 artificially translates the depth of the underground boring tool 24 to an apparent depth in the range of 10 to 20 feet, a depth from which there is generally no other strong signal return, thus significantly enhancing the signal-to-clutter ratio of the detected signature signal 74 a. The actual depth of the underground boring tool 24 may then be determined by factoring out the artificial depth component due to the known time delay associated with the cooperative target 20. It is believed that the signature signal generated by a cooperative target 20 may be detectable at actual depths on the order of 100 feet. It is further believed that a signature signal generated by an active device will generally be stronger, and therefore more detectable, than a signature signal produced by a passive device.
The illustration of
The harmonic signal is then radiated from a transmit antenna 68 b as the signature signal 74 b and is received by the PDU 28. The PDU 28 is tuned to detect a harmonic frequency of the probe signal 70 b. For a probe signal 70 b of 100 MHz, for example, a second harmonic detector 58 would be tuned to 200 MHz. Generally, scatterers are linear in their response behavior and generate a clutter signal only at a frequency equal to that of the probe signal 70 b. Since there is generally no other source of the harmonic frequency present, the signal-to-clutter ratio of the signature signal 74 b at the harmonic frequency is relatively high. In a manner similar to that discussed hereinabove with respect to the passive time domain embodiment, the passive frequency domain embodiment may be implemented using a single antenna by cutting the waveguide at the point indicated by the dotted line 76 b to form a termination. In accordance with this latter embodiment, the probe signal 70 b would propagate along the waveguide 72 b, through the nonlinear element 78 b, reflect at the termination 76 b, propagate back through the nonlinear element 78 b, propagate back to the receive antenna 66 b, and be transmitted back to the PDU 28. The polarity of the reflection would be determined by the nature of the termination, as discussed hereinabove.
The illustration of
In a manner similar to that discussed hereinabove with respect to the passive time and frequency domain embodiments, the cross-polarization mode embodiment may be implemented using a single antenna by cutting the waveguide at the point indicated by the dotted line 76 c to form a termination and inserting a polarization mixer 78 c which alters the polarization of the wave passing therethrough. in this latter embodiment, the probe signal would propagate along the waveguide 72 c, through the polarization mixer 78 c, reflect at the termination 76 c, propagate back through the polarization mixer 78 c, propagate back to the receive antenna 66 c and be transmitted back to the PDU 28. The polarity of the reflection may be determined by the nature of the termination, as discussed previously hereinabove. It is understood that an antenna employed in the single antenna embodiment would be required to have efficient radiation characteristics for orthogonal polarizations. It is further understood that the cross-polarization embodiment may employ circularly or elliptically polarized microwave radiation. It is also understood that the cross-polarization embodiment may be used in concert with either the passive time domain or passive frequency domain signature generation embodiments described previously with reference to
Referring now to
In a second embodiment of the active frequency domain signature signal generator, generally illustrated in
A third embodiment of an active frequency domain signature generator suitable for use with an underground boring tool 24 is illustrated in
In accordance with an acoustic frequency-domain embodiment, as is illustrated in
Additionally, as is further illustrated in
It may be desirable for the operator to know the orientation of the boring tool 24 when adjusting the direction of the boring tool 24 along an underground pathway, since several techniques known in the art for directing boring tools rely on a preferential orientation of the tool. If the boring tool 24 orientation is not known, the boring tool 24 cannot be steered in a preferred direction in accordance with such known techniques that require knowledge of boring tool 24 orientation. It may not be possible to determine the orientation of the boring tool 24 simply from a knowledge of the orientation of the members 23 of the drill string 22, since one or more members 23 of the drill string 22 may twist or slip relative to one another during the boring operation. Since the boring operation takes place underground, the operator has no way of detecting whether such twisting or slipping has occurred. It may, therefore, be important to determine the orientation of the boring tool 24.
The orientation detector 47 produces an orientation signal which is communicated to an encoder 49, such as a signal summing device, which encodes the orientation signal produced by the orientation detector 47 on the signature signal produced by the signature signal generator 43.
The encoded signature signal produced at the output of the encoder 49 is communicated to the transmit antenna 45 which, in turn, transmits the encoded signature signal 39 to the PDU 28. Various known techniques for encoding the orientation signal on the signature signal may be implemented by the encoder 49, such as by modulating the signature signal with the orientation signal. It is noted that other sensors may be included within the apparatus illustrated in
Referring to
Referring now to
In one embodiment, as is illustrated in
Referring in greater detail to
As is further illustrated in
By way of example, and in accordance with a passive component implementation, each of the orientation signal generators P1 292 through PN 297 represent individual transmission lines, each of which produces a unique time-delayed signature signal which, when transmitted by the transmit antenna 244, provides both location and orientation information when received by the PDU 28. As such, the orientation detection apparatus in accordance with this embodiment provides both location and orientation information and does not require a separate signature signal generator 43. In another embodiment, each of the orientation signal generators, such as orientation signal generator P3 294, produces a unique orientation signal which is transmitted to an encoder 49. A signature signal 299 produced by a signature signal generator 43 separate from the orientation detection apparatus may be input to the encoder 49, which, in turn, produces a composite signature signal 301 which includes both signature signal and orientation signal content. The composite signal 301 is then transmitted to the PDU 28 and decoded to extract the orientation signal content from the signature signal content.
As discussed previously, the range of tilt angles detectable by the tilt detector 290 and the resolution between tilt angle increments may vary depending on a particular application or use. By way of example, it is assumed that the tilt detector 290 is capable of detecting maximum tilt angles of ±60°. The selector 291 may select orientation signal generator P1 292 when the tilt detector 290 is at a level or null state (i.e., 0° tilt angle) relative to horizontal. When selected, orientation detector P1 292 generates a unique orientation signal which is indicative of an orientation of 0°. As previously discussed, the orientation signal may be combined with a signature signal produced by a separate signature signal generator 43 or, alternatively, may provide both signature signal and orientation signal information which is transmitted to the PDU 28.
In the event that the tilt detector 290 detects a positive 5° tilt angle change, for example, orientation signal generator P2 293 is selected by the selector 291. The orientation signal generator P2 293 then produces an orientation signal that indicates a positive 5° tilt condition. Similarly, orientation signal generators P3 294, P4 295, and P5 296 may produce orientation signals representing detected tilt angle changes of positive 10°, 15°, and 20°, respectively. Other orientation signal generators may be selected by the selector 291 to produce orientation signals representing tilt angle changes in five degree increments between 25° and 60°. Negative tilt angles between 0° and −60° in 5° increments are preferably communicated to the PDU 28 by selection of appropriate orientation signal generators corresponding to the magnitude of negative tilting. It will be appreciated that the range and resolution between tilt angle increments may vary depending on a particular application.
As is further illustrated in
During operation, the boring tool 500 is rotated at an appropriate drilling rate which, assuming a full 360° rotation, exposes each of the signature signal generating devices to a probe signal 36 produced by the PDU 28. When exposed to the probe signal 36 during rotation, each of the signature signal generating devices will emit a characteristic or signature signal 38 in response to the probe signal 36. As a particular signature signal generating device rotates beyond a reception window within which the probe signal 36 is received and a signature signal 38 generated, the bulk metallic material of the boring tool 500 shields such a signature signal generating device from the probe signal 36. It may be desirable to situate the signature signal generating devices about the periphery of the boring tool 500 such that the signature signal produced by the signature signal detecting device exposed to the probe signal 36 produces the predominant signature signal 38 received by the PDU 28. It may further be desirable to provide for a null or dead zone between adjacent signature signal generating devices so that the only signature signal 38 received by the PDU 28 is that produced by a single signature signal generating device currently exposed to the probe signal 38.
The type of signature signal generating device, configuration of the boring tool recesses, such as recess 502, the type of protective material 505 employed, the number and location of signature signal generating devices used, and the rotation rate of the boring tool 500 will typically impact the ability of the PDU 28 to detect the signature signal 38 produced by each of the signature signal generating devices during boring tool rotation.
Turning now to
In one embodiment, sixty-four of such contact pairs are provided along the base of the tube 221 to provide 64-bit tilt resolution information. An electrical circuit or logic (not shown) is coupled to the pairs of electrical contacts 227 and 229 which provides an output indicative of the magnitude of tube tilting, and thus an indication of the magnitude of the cooperative target orientation with respect to the plane defined by axes 223 and 225. It is appreciated that use of a mercury sensor 220 in accordance with this embodiment may require a power source. As such, this embodiment of an orientation detector is appropriate for use in active signature signal generating circuits. It is noted that the range of tilt angles detectable by the mercury sensor 220 is dependent on the bend angle α provided in the bent tube 221. The bend angle α, as well as the length of the tube 221, will also impact the detection resolution of mercury bead displacement within the tube 221.
In accordance with another embodiment of an orientation detector suitable for use in passive signature signal generating circuits, reference is made to
By way of example, and with particular reference to
Referring now to
The magnitude of the responsive of each rotation detector, such as detector R1 512, is typically dependent on the radial location of a particular rotation detector relative to earth's gravity vector as the boring tool 24 rotates about the longitudinal axis 501. The magnitude of the output produced by the pitch detector 516 is typically dependent on the degree of a boring tool pitch off of horizontal relative to the ground surface 11. The output signal produced by each of the rotation detectors and the pitch detector may be encoded onto the signature signal produced by the signature signal generating apparatus provided on the boring tool 510 or, alternatively, transmitted to the PDU 28 as a separate information signal.
As the boring tool 400 rotates and moves along an underground path, the resistance, Rm, of the mercury switch 408 alternates from low to high values, as shown in the center trace 408 b. The regular opening and closing of the mercury switch 408 modulates the signature signal 409 b, Is, received at the surface. The modulation maintains a constant phase relative to a preferred orientation of the boring tool 24. The lower trace does not illustrate the delaying effects of the time delay line 404 since the time scales are so different (the time delay on the signature signal 409 is of the order of 10 nanoseconds, while the time taken for a single rotation of the boring tool 24 is typically between 0.1 and 1 second). Detection of the modulated signature signal 409 by the PDU 28 allows the operator to determine the orientation of the boring tool head. It is understood that the other embodiments of signature signal generation described hereinabove can also incorporate a mercury switch 408 and, preferably, a dissipative load 406 in order to generate a modulated signature signal 409 for purposes of detecting the orientation of the boring tool 24.
A methodology for detecting the depth of a boring tool 24 incorporating a cooperative target 20 in accordance with one embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 16. In accordance with this embodiment, the PDU 28 includes a transmit antenna 250 and two receive antennas, AR1 252 and AR2 254. Each of the receive antennas AR1 252 and AR2 254 is situated a known distance 2 m from the transmit antenna AT 250. It is assumed for purposes of this example that the propagation rate K through the ground medium of interest is locally constant. Although this assumption may introduce a degree of error with respect to actual or absolute depth boring tool, any such error is believed to be acceptable given the typical application or use of the boring tool cooperative detection technique described here. In other applications, absolute depth determinations may be desired. In such a case, the local propagation rate K, or dielectric constant, may be empirically derived, one such procedure being described hereinbelow.
Returning to
d 2 =K 2(t 1 2)−m 2 [1]
d 2 =K 2(t 2 2)−9m 2 [2]
K 2(t 2 2)−K 2(t 1 2)=8m 2 [3]
K 2(t 2 2 −t 1 2)=8m 2 [4]
K 2=[8m 2/(t 2 2 −t 1 2)] [5]
d 2=[(8m 2/(t 2 2 −t 1 2)](t 1 2)−m 2 [6]
d=m[(8t 1 2/(t 2 2 −t 1 2))−1]2 [7]
In accordance with an alternative approach for determining the depth d of a cooperative target 20, depth calculations may be based on field-determined values for characteristic soil properties, such as the dielectric constant and wave velocity through a particular soil type. A simplified empirical technique that may be used when calibrating the depth measurement capabilities of a particular GPR system involves coring a sample target, measuring its depth, and relating it to the number of nanoseconds it takes for a wave to propagate through the core sample.
For an embodiment of the invention which uses a microwave probe signal, a general relationship for calculating the depth or dielectric constant from the time of flight measurement is described by the following equation:
where, TE is an effective time-of-flight, which is the duration of time during which a probe signal or signature signal is traveling through the ground; TF is the measured time-of-flight; TD is the delay internal to the cooperative target between receiving the probe signal and transmitting the signature signal; dj is the thickness of the jth ground type above the cooperative target; Mj is the average dielectric constant of the jth ground type at the microwave frequency; and c is the speed of light in a vacuum. It is important to know the dielectric constant since it provides information related to the type of soil being characterized and its water content. Having determined the dielectric constant of a particular soil type, the depth of the boring tool 24 traversing through similar soil types can be directly derived by application of the above-described equations.
A methodology for detecting the location of an underground boring tool 24 as the boring tool 24 creates or otherwise travels along an underground path is illustrated in
In one embodiment, the PDU 28 repeatedly transmits a probe signal 36 into the ground 10 when moved along the path 41, which is received by the signature signal generating apparatus provided on or within the boring tool 24. In response to the probe signal 36, a signature signal 38 is transmitted at the boring tool 24 and received is by the PDU 28. Any deviation taken by the boring tool 24 from the preferred above-ground path 41 is detected by the PDU 28. An appropriate course correction may be effected either manually or automatically by the trenchless underground boring system 12 in response to such a deviation, as will be discussed hereinbelow. While effecting a boring tool course change, the PDU 28 is moved along the path 41 so as to continue tracking the progress and direction of the boring tool 24 through the ground 10. In this manner, cooperation between the PDU 28, the boring tool 24, and the above-ground portion of the trenchless underground boring system 12 provide for reliable and accurate navigating and tracking of an underground boring tool 24 during excavation.
Referring to the graph G1 of
At a second location L2 along the preferred or predetermined above-ground path 41, it can be seen that the boring tool 24 has deviated in a direction left (L) of the center (C) of the predetermined path 41. This deviation of the boring tool 24 is detected by the PDU 28 as a time delay between a time the signature signal 38 is received by the left and right receive antennas AL and AR, respectively. This time delay results from a difference in the separation distance between the boring tool 24 with respect to the left and right receive antennas AL and AR. It can be seen that the separation distance between the left receive antenna AL and the boring tool 24 is less than the separation distance between the right receive antenna AR and the boring tool 24. The boring tool deviation from the center of path 41 is reflected in the graph G2 of
At a third location L3 further along the preferred path 41, it can be seen that the boring tool 24 has deviated to the right (R) of the center (C) of the preferred path 41. Such a deviation may result from overcompensation when effecting a course change from a left-of-center location, such as from the second location L2. The right-of-center drift of the boring tool 24 is detected by the PDU 28 as the relative time delay between signature signal reception by the left and right receive antennas AL and AR, respectively. At the location L3, it can be seen that the distance between the boring tool 24 and the right receive antenna AR is less than the distance between the boring tool 24 and the left receive antenna AL. Accordingly, as is indicated in the graph G3 of
At a fourth location L4 along the predefined-above-ground path 41, it can is be seen that the boring tool 24 has been directed to the desired center point location along the path 41 after having deviated to the right of the path center point at the previously discussed location L3. As is shown at location L4, the boring tool 24 is again orientated immediately below the center point of the antenna array 37. The signature signal 38 produced by the cooperative target 20 in response to a probe signal 36 emitted from the transmit antenna situated within the antenna array 37 is received substantially concurrently by the left and right receive antennas AL and AR. The graph G4 of
At a location L2, it can be seen that the boring tool 24 has deviated right-of-center with respect to the path 41. This course deviation taken by the boring tool 24 is detected by the PDU 28 as an out-of-phase signature signal response within the antenna array 37. The right-of-center deviation is demonstrated in the graph G2 of
At a location L3, the graph G3 of
In order to obtain three-dimensional data, a GPR system employing single-axis antenna must make several traverses over the section of ground or must use multiple antennae. The following describes the formation of two and three dimensional images in accordance with another embodiment of an antenna configuration used in combination with the PDU 28. In
Generally, as discussed previously, a GPR system has a time measurement capability which allows measuring of the time for a signal to travel from the transmitter, reflect off of a target, and return to the receiver. After the time function capability of the GPR system provides the operator with depth information, the radar system is moved laterally in a horizontal direction parallel to the x-axis, thus allowing for the construction of a two-dimensional profile of a subsurface. By performing multiple survey passes 508 in a parallel pattern over a particular site, a series of two-dimensional images can be accumulated to produce an estimated three-dimensional view of the site within which a buried hazard may be located. It can be appreciated, however, that the two-dimensional imaging capability of a conventional antenna configuration 506 may result in missing a buried hazard, particularly when the hazard 502 is parallel to the direction of the multiple survey passes 508 and lies in between adjacent survey passes 508.
A significant advantage of a geologic imaging antenna configuration 520 of the present invention provides for true three-dimensional imaging of a subsurface as shown in
Additional features can be included on the boring tool 24. It may be desired, under certain circumstances, to make certain measurements of the boring tool 24 orientation, shear stresses on the drill string 22, and the temperature of the boring tool 24, for example, in order to more clearly understand the conditions of the boring operation. Additionally, measurement of the water pressure at the boring tool 24 may provide an indirect measurement of the depth of the boring tool 24 as previously described hereinabove.
Modulation of the signature signal is not restricted to the combination of amplitude modulation of a time domain signal as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 21. This combination was supplied for illustrative purposes only. It is understood that other embodiments include amplitude modulation of frequency domain signature signals, and frequency modulation of both time and frequency domain signature signals. In addition, the boring tool 24 may include two or more sensors rather than the single sensor as illustrated in the above embodiment.
When the boring tool 430 is oriented so that the mercury switch 440 is open, the beacon signal circuit 438 is disconnected from the antenna 432, and no signal is transmitted from the active beacon circuit 438. When the boring tool 430 is oriented so that the mercury switch 440 is closed, the active beacon circuit 438 is connected to the antenna 432 and the signal from the active beacon circuit 438 is transmitted along with the signature signal as the signature/beacon signal 435. The effect of the mercury switch on the signature/beacon signal 435 has been described previously with respect to
To illustrate the generation of the signature/beacon signal 455 transmitted to the PDU 28, several signals are illustrated as a function of time in
In the case of the boring tool at location 24 c, the probe signal 36 c propagates through the road fill 146 and the clay 142. The boring tool 24 c, in response, produces a signature signal 38 c which is detected and analyzed by the PDU 28 c. The analysis of the signature signal 38 c provides a measure of the time-of-flight of the probe signal 36 c and the signature signal 38 c. The time-of-flight is defined as a time duration measured by the PDU 28 c between sending the probe signal 36 c and receiving the signature signal 38 c. The time-of-flight measured depends on a number of factors including the depth of the boring tool 24 c, the dielectric conditions of the intervening ground medium 146 and 142, and any delay involved in the generation of the signature signal 38 c. Knowledge of any two of these factors will yield the third from the time-of-flight measurement.
The depth of the boring tool 24 c can be measured independently using a mechanical probe or sensing the pressure of the water at the boring tool 24 c using a sensor 130 located in the boring tool head 24 c as discussed hereinabove. For the latter measurement, the boring operation is halted, and the water pressure measured. Since the height of the water column in the drill string 22 above the ground is known, the depth of the boring tool 24 c can be calculated using known techniques. For an embodiment of the invention which uses a microwave probe signal, a general relationship for calculating the depth or dielectric constant from the time of flight measurement is given by Equation [8] discussed previously hereinabove.
For the case where the boring tool is located at position 24 c as shown in
where, the subscript "3" refers to GT3. Direct measurement of the time-of-flight, TF, and the depth of the boring tool 24 c, d3, along with the knowledge of any time delay, TD, will yield the average dielectric constant, M3, of GT3. This characteristic can be denoted as GC3.
Returning to
It may be advantageous to make a precise recording of the underground path traveled by the boring tool 24. For example, it may be desirable to make a precise record of where utilities have been buried in order to properly plan future excavations or utility burial and to avoid unintentional disruption of such utilities. Borehole mapping can be performed manually by relating the boring tool position data collected by the PDU 28 to a base reference point, or may be performed electronically using a Geographic Recording System (GRS) 150 shown generally as a component of the control unit 32 in FIG. 24. In one embodiment, a Geographic Recording System (GRS) 150 communicates with a central processor 152 of the control unit 32, relaying the precise location of the PDU 28. Since the control unit 32 also receives information regarding the position of the boring tool 24 relative to the PDU 28, the precise location of the boring tool 24 can be calculated and stored in a route recording database 154.
In accordance with another embodiment, the geographic position data associated with a predetermined underground boring route is acquired prior to the boring operation. The predetermined route is calculated from a survey performed prior to the boring operation. The prior survey includes GPR sensing and geophysical data in order to estimate the type of ground through which the boring operation will take place, and to determine whether any other utilities or buried hazards are located on a proposed boring pathway. The result of the pre-bore survey is a predetermined route data set which is stored in a planned route database 156. The predetermined route data set is uploaded from the planned route database 156 into the control unit 32 during the boring operation to provide autopilot-like directional control of the boring tool 24 as it cuts its underground path. In yet another embodiment, the position data acquired by the GRS 150 is preferably communicated to a route mapping database 158 which adds the boring pathway data to an existing database while the boring operation takes place. The route mapping database 158 covers a given boring site, such as a grid of city streets or a golf course under which various utility, communication, plumbing and other conduits may be buried. The data stored in the route mapping database 158 may be subsequently used to produce a survey map that accurately specifies the location and depth of various utility conduits buried in a specific site. The data stored in the route mapping database 158 also includes information on boring conditions, ground characteristics, and prior boring operation productivity, so that reference may be made by the operator to all prior boring operational data associated with a specific site.
An important feature of the novel system for locating the boring tool 24 concerns the acquisition and use of geophysical data along the boring path. A logically separate Geophysical Data Acquisition Unit 160 (GDAU), which may or may not be physically separate from the PDU 28, may provide for independent geophysical surveying and analysis. The GDAU 160 preferably includes a number of geophysical instruments which provide a physical characterization of the geology for a particular boring site. A seismic mapping module 162 includes an electronic device consisting of multiple geophysical pressure sensors. A network of these sensors is arranged in a specific orientation with respect to the trenchless underground boring system 12, with each sensor being situated so as to make direct contact with the ground. The network of sensors measures ground pressure waves produced by the boring tool 24 or some other acoustic source. Analysis of ground pressure waves received by the network of sensors provides a basis for determining the physical characteristics of the subsurface at the boring site and also for locating the boring tool 24. These data are processed by the GDAU 160 prior to sending analyzed data to the central processor 152.
A point load tester 164 may be employed to determine the geophysical characteristics of the subsurface at the boring site. The point load tester 164 employs a plurality of conical bits for the loading points which, in turn, are brought into contact with the ground to test the degree to which a particular subsurface can resist a calibrated level of loading. The data acquired by the point load tester 164 provide information corresponding to the geophysical mechanics of the soil under test. These data may also be transmitted to the GDAU 160.
The GDAU 160 may also include a Schmidt hammer 166 which is a geophysical instrument that measures the rebound hardness characteristics of a sampled subsurface geology. Other geophysical instruments may also be employed to measure the relative energy absorption characteristics of a rock mass, abrasivity, rock volume, rock quality, and other physical characteristics that together provide information regarding the relative difficulty associated with boring through a given geology. The data acquired by the Schmidt hammer 166 are also stored in the GDAU 160.
In the embodiment illustrated in
The civilian GPS band, however, can be used indirectly in relatively high-accuracy applications by using one or more GPS signals in combination with one or more ground-based reference signal sources. By employing various known signal processing techniques, generally referred to as differential global positioning system (DGPS) signal processing techniques, positional accuracies on the order of centimeters are now achievable. As shown in
In another embodiment, a ground-based positioning system may be employed using a range radar system 180. The range radar system 180 includes a plurality of base radio frequency (RF) transponders 182 and a mobile transponder 184 mounted on the PDU 28. The base transponders 182 emit RF signals which are received by the mobile transponder 184. The mobile transponder 184 includes a computer which calculates the range of the mobile transponder 184 relative to each of the base transponders 182 through various known radar techniques, and then calculates its position relative to all base transponders 182. The position data set gathered by the range radar system 180 is transmitted to the GRS 150 for storing in route recording database 154 or the route mapping system 158.
In yet another embodiment, an ultrasonic positioning system 190 may be employed together with base transponders 192 and a mobile transponder 194 coupled to the PDU 28. The base transponder 192 emits signals having a known clock timebase which are received by the mobile transponder 194. The mobile transponder 194 includes a computer which calculates the range of the mobile transponder 194 relative to each of the base transponders 192 by referencing the clock speed of the source ultrasonic waves. The computer of the mobile transponder 194 also calculates the position of the mobile transponder 194 relative to all of the base transponders 192. It is to be understood that various other known ground-based and satellite-based positioning systems and techniques may be employed to accurately determine the path of the boring tool 24 along an underground path.
As the boring tool 24 progresses along the predetermined boring route, actual positioning data are collected by the geographic recording system 150 and stored in the route mapping database 158. Any intentional deviation from the predetermined route stored in the planned path database 156 is accurately recorded in the route mapping database 158. Unintentional deviations are corrected so as to maintain the boring tool 24 along the predetermined underground path. Upon completion of a boring operation, the data stored in the route mapping database 158 may be downloaded to a personal computer (not shown) to construct an "as is" underground map of the boring site. Accordingly, an accurate map of utility or other conduits installed along the boring route may be constructed from the route mapping data and subsequently referenced by those desiring to gain access to, or avoid, such buried conduits.
Still referring to
In another embodiment, a ground-based range radar system 180 includes three base transponders 600, 602, and 604 and mobile transponders 610 and 616 coupled to the control unit 32 and PDU 28, respectively. It is noted that a third ground-based transponder 604 may be provided as a backup transponder for a system employing GPS satellite signals 606 and 608 in cases where GPS satellite signal 606 and 608 transmission is temporarily terminated, either purposefully or unintentionally. Position is data for the control unit 32 are processed and stored by the GRS 150 using the three reference signals 612, 614, and 622 received from the ground-based transponders 600, 602, and 604, respectively. Position data for the PDU 28, obtained using the three reference signals 618, 620, and 624 received respectively from the ground-based transponders 600, 602, and 604, are processed and stored by the local position locator 616 coupled to the PDU 28 and then sent to the control unit 32 via a data transmission link 34. An embodiment employing an ultrasonic positioning system 190 would similarly employ three base transponders 600, 602, and 604, together with mobile transponders 610 and 616 coupled to the control unit 32 and PDU 28, respectively.
Referring now to
Initially, as shown in
The acquired data are then downloaded to the control unit 32, which may be a personal computer, at step 316. The control unit 32, at step 318, then calculates an optimum pre-determined path for the boring operation, and does so as to avoid obstacles and other structures. If it is judged that the pre-determined route is satisfactory, as is tested at step 320, the route is then loaded into the planned path database 156 at step 322, and the pre-bore survey process is halted at step 324. If, however, it is determined that the planned route is unsatisfactory, as is tested at step 320 because, for example, the survey revealed that the boring tool 24 would hit a rock obstacle or that there were buried utilities which could be damaged during a subsequent boring operation, then the PDU 28 can be repositioned, at step 326, at the beginning of the survey route and a new route surveyed by repeating steps 304-318. After a satisfactory route has been established, the pre-bore survey process is halted at step 324.
In another embodiment, the pre-bore survey process includes the collection of geological data along the survey path, concurrently with position location and PDU data collection. This collection activity is illustrated in
In a third embodiment, the survey data are compared with previously acquired data stored in the route mapping database 158 in order to provide estimates of the boring operation productivity and cost. In this embodiment, historical data from the route mapping database are loaded into the control processor 152 at step 332 after the survey data have been downloaded to the control unit 32 in step 316. The data downloaded from the route mapping database 158 include records of prior surveys and boring operations, such as GPR and geological characterization measurements and associated productivity data. The pre-planned route is calculated at step 334 in a manner similar to the calculation of the route indicated at step 318. By correlating the current ground characterization, resulting from the PDU 28 and GDAU 160 data, with prior characterization measurements and making reference to associated prior productivity results, it is possible to estimate, at step 336, productivity data for the planned boring operation. Using the estimated production data of step 336, it is then possible to produce a cost estimate of the boring process at step 338. In the following step 320, a determination is made regarding whether or not the pre-planned route is satisfactory. This determination can be made using not only the subsurface features as in the first embodiment, but can be made using other criteria, such as the estimated duration of the boring process or the estimated cost.
Referring now to
In an alternative embodiment, the central processor 152 also receives input data from the sensors 230 located at the boring tool 24 through the sensor input processor 232. In another embodiment, the central processor 152 loads data corresponding to a predetermined path from the planned path database 156 and compares the measured boring tool position with the planned position. The position of the boring tool 24 is calculated by the central processor 152 from data supplied by the PDU input processor 234 which accepts the data received from the PDU 28. In an alternative embodiment, the central processor 152 also employs data on the position of the PDU 28, supplied by the Geographic Recording System 150, in order to produce a more accurate estimate of the boring tool location.
Corrections in the path of the boring tool 24 during a boring operation can be calculated and implemented to return the boring tool 24 to a predetermined position or path. The central processor 152 controls various aspects of the boring tool operation by use of a trenchless ground boring system control (GBSC) 236. The GBSC 236 sends control signals to boring control units which control the movement of the boring tool 24. These boring control units include the rotation control 238, which controls the rotating motor 19 for rotating the drill string 22, the thrust/pullback control 242, which controls the thrust/pullback pump 20 used to drive the drill string 22 longitudinally into the borehole, and the direction control 246, which controls the direction activator mechanism 248 which steers the boring tool 24 in a desired direction. The PDU input processor 234 may also identify buried features, such as utilities, from data produced by the PDU 28. The central processor 152 calculates a path for the boring tool 24 which avoids any possibility of a collision with, and subsequent damage to, such buried features.
The central processor 152 then compares the measured position of the boring tool 24 with the expected position, at step 368, as given in the planned path database 156 and calculates whether or not a correction is required to the boring tool direction, at step 370, and provides a correction at step 372, if necessary. The trenchless underground boring system 12 continues to bore through the ground at step 374 until the boring operation is completed as indicated at steps 376 and 378. If, however, the boring operation is not complete, the central processor 152 decides, at step 380, whether or not the PDU 28 should be moved in order to improve the image of the boring tool 24. The PDU 28 is then moved if necessary at step 382 and the probing and GRS data reception steps 358 and 362 recommence. The operation is halted after the boring tool 24 has reached a final destination.
In an alternative embodiment, shown in dashed lines in
It will, of course, be understood that various modifications and additions can be made to the preferred embodiments discussed hereinabove without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the particular embodiments described above, but should be defined only by the claims set forth below and equivalents thereof.
|Cited Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|22 Jan 1963
|27 Dec 1966
|Leyman Corp
|Automated well drilling apparatus
|23 Oct 1969
|7 Dec 1971
|Aquitaine Petrole
|Method and apparatus for measuring lithological characteristics of rocks
|6 Jul 1970
|27 Feb 1973
|Goldak Co Inc
|Boring bit locator
|30 Jun 1972
|25 Dec 1973
|Rca Corp
|Harmonic radar detecting and ranging system for automotive vehicles
|17 Dec 1969
|20 Aug 1974
|Massachusetts Inst Technology
|Ground radar system
|19 Sep 1974
|17 Aug 1976
|Mccullough Lester E
|Discharge pipe line locator
|3 Jun 1974
|7 Sep 1976
|Daniel Silverman
|Seismic method for determining the position of the bottom of a long pipe in a deep borehole
|3 Jun 1974
|11 Jan 1977
|Senturion Sciences, Inc.
|Continuous bit positioning system
|28 Dec 1973
|12 Apr 1977
|Trunkline Gas Company
|Method and apparatus for indicating the position of one well bore with respect to a second well bore
|6 Feb 1975
|16 Aug 1977
|Sheldon Loren B
|Automated pipe handling system
|15 Mar 1977
|5 Feb 1980
|B. J. Hughes Inc.
|Computer-controlled oil drilling rig having drawworks motor and brake control arrangement
|24 Oct 1979
|27 Oct 1981
|Ensco, Inc.
|Radar drill guidance system
|23 Mar 1981
|22 May 1984
|Cooper Industries, Inc.
|Automatic drill string section changer
|5 Oct 1984
|22 Jul 1986
|Atlantic Richfield Company
|Method for drilling drainholes within producing zone
|4 Oct 1985
|5 Aug 1986
|Gomelskoe Spetsialnoe Konstruktorsko-Tekhnologicheskoe Bjuro Seismicheskoi Tekhniki S Opytnym Proizvodstvom
|Automated apparatus for handling elongated well elements such as pipes
|12 Apr 1985
|24 Feb 1987
|Gas Research Institute
|Control for guiding a boring tool
|23 Oct 1985
|5 May 1987
|Nl Industries, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for bottom hole measurement
|10 Jul 1985
|6 Oct 1987
|Alongi Anthony V
|Subsurface inspection radar
|23 Jul 1982
|1 Dec 1987
|Method and apparatus employing received independent magnetic field components of a transmitted alternating magnetic field for determining location
|13 Jul 1987
|1 Mar 1988
|British Gas Corporation
|Microwave reflection survey technique for determining depth and orientation of buried objects
|30 Jan 1986
|31 May 1988
|Nl Industries, Inc.
|Method determining formation dip
|18 Apr 1988
|29 Nov 1988
|Flowmole Corporation
|Method and apparatus for installment of underground utilities
|22 May 1986
|21 Feb 1989
|Flow Industries, Inc.
|An above-ground arrangement for and method of locating a discrete in ground boring device
|28 Sep 1987
|21 Mar 1989
|The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy
|Downhole pulse radar
|12 Jan 1987
|27 Jun 1989
|Gjessing Dag K T
|System for marine seismic exploration
|20 Jul 1988
|17 Oct 1989
|Tensor, Inc.
|System and method for locating an underground probe having orthogonally oriented magnetometers
|2 Oct 1986
|14 Nov 1989
|Flowmole Corporation
|Homing technique for an in-ground boring device
|4 Nov 1987
|27 Feb 1990
|Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
|Radar type underground searching apparatus
|27 May 1987
|6 Mar 1990
|Institut Francais Du Petrole
|Process and device for guiding a drilling tool through geological formations
|29 Sep 1988
|13 Mar 1990
|Gas Research Institute
|Percussive mole boring device with electronic transmitter
|30 Oct 1987
|27 Mar 1990
|Institute For Industrial Research And Standards
|Position sensing apparatus
|30 Dec 1988
|12 Jun 1990
|Vector Magnetics
|Apparatus for locating an elongated conductive body by electromagnetic measurement while drilling
|27 Jun 1988
|4 Sep 1990
|The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
|Method of and apparatus for drilling a horizontal controlled borehole in the earth
|30 Jul 1987
|8 Jan 1991
|Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
|Apparatus for controlling underground excavator
|29 Aug 1989
|26 Mar 1991
|British Gas Plc
|Moling system
|3 Apr 1987
|30 Apr 1991
|Lockheed Corporation
|Radar absorption material thickness testing device
|18 Jun 1990
|12 Nov 1991
|The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
|System for locating concealed underground objects using digital filtering
|12 Sep 1989
|3 Dec 1991
|Flowmole Corporation
|Device for locating a boring machine
|10 Apr 1990
|3 Mar 1992
|Bryan Jr John F
|Stratum boundary sensor for continuous excavators
|15 Jan 1991
|7 Apr 1992
|Marc Smet
|Steerable ground drilling devices
|1 Mar 1991
|13 Oct 1992
|John Mercer
|Position and orientation locator/monitor
|8 Jun 1990
|26 Jan 1993
|British Gas Plc
|Moling system including transmitter-carrying mole for detecting and displaying the roll angle of the mole
|22 Dec 1989
|22 Jun 1993
|Patton Consulting, Inc.
|System for controlled drilling of boreholes along planned profile
|14 Jun 1991
|27 Jul 1993
|Baker Hughes Incorporated
|Method for drilling directional wells
|24 Jun 1991
|31 Aug 1993
|Schlumberger Technology Corporation
|Method for controlling directional drilling in response to horns detected by electromagnetic energy propagation resistivity measurements
|30 Jun 1992
|7 Sep 1993
|Union Oil Company Of California
|Guided oscillatory well path drilling by seismic imaging
|18 Jun 1990
|23 Nov 1993
|The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
|System transmitting and receiving digital and analog information for use in locating concealed conductors
|14 Jul 1992
|28 Jun 1994
|The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy
|Stepped frequency ground penetrating radar
|12 May 1993
|5 Jul 1994
|Baker Hughes Incorporated
|Steerable motor system with integrated formation evaluation logging capacity
|9 Oct 1992
|9 Aug 1994
|Mercer John E
|Locator device for continuously locating a dipole magnetic field transmitter and its method of operation
|8 Apr 1993
|16 Aug 1994
|Coleman Research Corporation
|Earth-penetrating synthetic image radar
|19 Mar 1993
|18 Oct 1994
|Vermeer Manufacturing Company
|Mounting apparatus for a rotational drive unit
|27 Aug 1993
|24 Jan 1995
|The Texas A&M Univeristy System
|System identification and analysis of subsurface radar signals
|10 Nov 1993
|5 Sep 1995
|Schlumberger Technology Corporation
|Method of and apparatus for making near-bit measurements while drilling
|14 Mar 1994
|10 Oct 1995
|Baker Hughes Incorporated
|Modular measurement while drilling sensor assembly
|10 Nov 1993
|21 Nov 1995
|Schlumberger Technology Corporation
|Method for directionally drilling a borehole
|11 Jul 1994
|21 Nov 1995
|Mclaughlin Manufacturing Company, Inc.
|Wireless remote boring apparatus guidance system
|21 Jan 1994
|12 Dec 1995
|Atlantic Richfield Company
|Sensor in bit for measuring formation properties while drilling including a drilling fluid ejection nozzle for ejecting a uniform layer of fluid over the sensor
|30 Aug 1993
|27 Feb 1996
|Baroid Technology, Inc.
|Method and apparatus for detecting boundary stratum and adjusting the direction of drilling to maintain the drill string within a bed of interest
|28 Apr 1994
|12 Mar 1996
|Eg&G Energy Measurements, Inc.
|Wide band stepped frequency ground penetrating radar
|26 May 1994
|21 May 1996
|Schlumberger Technology Corporation
|Methods and devices for real-time formation imaging through measurement while drilling telemetry
|26 May 1995
|17 Dec 1996
|Utilx Corporation
|Electronic guidance system and method for locating a discrete in-ground boring device
|24 Feb 1995
|8 Jul 1997
|Halliburton Company
|System and method for indirectly determining inclination at the bit
|18 Oct 1995
|21 Oct 1997
|Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
|Acoustic logging while drilling tool to determine bed boundaries
|28 Mar 1996
|23 Nov 1999
|Hansen; James
|Automated oil rig servicing system
|17 Oct 1996
|28 Dec 1999
|Baker Hughes Incorporated
|Method and apparatus for simultaneous coring and formation evaluation
|21 Oct 1987
|27 Apr 1988
|Maritime Hydraulics A.S.
|Pipe handling apparatus
|Title not available
|29 May 1990
|13 Dec 1990
|Miros A/S
|A system for detection, localization and classification of target objects
|13 Jul 1992
|18 Mar 1993
|W-N Apache Corporation
|Automatic sequencing system for earth drilling machine
|16 Nov 1994
|1 Jun 1995
|Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S
|Transducer arrangement
|Chemrad Tennessee Corporation, USRADS Series 2100, Brochure.
|Fenning, et al., Geophysical Methods for the Location of Underground Storage Tanks, Article.
|Geophysical Survey Systems Inc., Radanô-Radar Data Analyzer, Production Information Sheet, Jan. 1993.
|Geophysical Survey Systems Inc., SIR(R) System Antennas, Brochure.
|Geophysical Survey Systems Inc., SIR(R) System-10A Subsurface Interface Radar, Brochure.
|Geophysical Survey Systems Inc., SIR(R) System-2 Subsurface Interface Radar, Brochure.
|Geophysical Survey Systems Inc., Subsurface Detection Problems, Brochure.
|Geophysical Survey Systems Inc., Subsurface Solutions, Winter 1995.
|Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc., Model 3200MLF, Multiple, Low-Frequency, Bistatic Antenna, Brochure.
|GeoRadar, Inc., Model 1000B, Stepped-FM Ground Penetrating Radar, Brochure.
|Guenther, M. and Kathage, A. F., Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Ground Penetrating Radar, The Geophysical Investigation of Drilling Obstacles for Microtunnelling Projects by Means of GPR, vol. 3 of 3, Jun. 1994, pp. 1151-1165.
|Kathage, A.F., Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Ground Penetrating Radar, Geological Survey of Finland, A Challenge: GPR in Advance of Horizontal Drilling, Special Paper 16, Jun. 1992, pp. 119-124.
|Pollution Engineering, Peering Beneath the Surface, Article, Oct., 1992.
|Sensors & Software, Inc., Pulse Ekkoô 100 Case Studies, pp. 80-83, 87-94, 98, 100, 129, 131.
|Sensors & Software, Inc., Pulse Ekkoô 100, Features, Brochure.
|Sensors & Software, Inc., Pulse Ekkoô 100, Ground Penetrating Radar Technology, Brochure.
|Sensors & Software, Inc., Pulse Ekkoô, Environment, Feb. 1994.
|Weil et al., Investigations of Hazardous Waste Sites Using Thermal IR and Ground Penetrating Radar, Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, vol. 60, No. 8, Aug. 1994, pp. 999-1005.
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|18 Dec 2006
|1 Apr 2008
|The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
|System and method for tracking and communicating with a boring tool
|12 Jan 2006
|21 Jul 2009
|Vermeer Manufacturing Company
|Rod transfer mechanism synchronizer apparatus and method
|1 Feb 2008
|1 Dec 2009
|The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
|Configurable beacon and method
|12 Jul 2007
|13 Apr 2010
|Vermeer Manufacturing Company
|Apparatus and method of loading a rod box for a horizontal directional drill
|27 Mar 2007
|12 Oct 2010
|Underground Imaging Technologies, Inc.
|Seismic source/receiver probe for shallow seismic surveying
|15 Jul 2008
|19 Apr 2011
|Vermeer Manufacturing Company
|Utility mapping and data distribution system and method
|17 Nov 2006
|23 Aug 2011
|Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab
|Mobile electronic device equipped with radar
|16 May 2007
|3 Jan 2012
|Underground Imaging Technologies, Inc.
|Sensor cart positioning system and method
|19 Apr 2011
|2 Oct 2012
|Underground Imaging Technologies
|Utility mapping and data distribution system and method
|27 Feb 2013
|24 Dec 2013
|Herzog Railroad Services, Inc.
|Automated track surveying and ditching
|14 Sep 2012
|8 Jul 2014
|Vermeer Manufacturing Company
|Utility mapping and data distribution system and method
|3 Jan 2012
|15 Jul 2014
|Underground Imaging Technologies, Inc.
|Sensor cart positioning system and method
|16 Jul 2010
|12 Aug 2014
|Underground Imaging Technologies, Inc.
|Seismic source/receiver probe for shallow seismic surveying
|21 Jun 2012
|29 Dec 2015
|Diamond Innovations, Inc.
|Cutter tool insert having sensing device
|17 Mar 2011
|22 Mar 2016
|Baker Hughes Incorporated
|Downhole rebound hardness measurement while drilling or wireline logging
|12 Mar 2013
|24 May 2016
|Vermeer Manufacturing Company
|Offset frequency homodyne ground penetrating radar
|8 Jul 2014
|7 Jun 2016
|Vermeer Corporation
|Utility mapping and data distribution system and method
|15 Jul 2014
|18 Oct 2016
|Underground Imaging Technologies, Inc.
|Sensor cart positioning system and method
|21 Jun 2012
|4 Apr 2017
|Vermeer Manufacturing Company
|Horizontal directional drilling system including sonde position detection using global positioning systems
|16 May 2007
|9 May 2017
|Underground Imaging Technologies, Inc.
|System and method for visualizing multiple-sensor subsurface imaging data
|15 Mar 2013
|22 Aug 2017
|Vermeer Corporation
|Imaging underground objects using spatial sampling customization
|12 Jan 2006
|12 Jul 2007
|Vermeer Manufacturing Company
|Rod transfer mechanism synchronizer apparatus and method
|27 Mar 2007
|11 Oct 2007
|Peter Krumhansl
|Seismic source/receiver probe for shallow seismic surveying
|16 May 2007
|3 Apr 2008
|David Hanson
|System and method for visualizing multiple-sensor subsurface imaging data
|17 Nov 2006
|22 May 2008
|Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab
|Mobile electronic device equipped with radar
|1 Feb 2008
|29 May 2008
|The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
|Configurable Beacon And Method
|15 Jul 2008
|22 Jan 2009
|Gary Neal Young
|Utility mapping and data distribution system and method
|16 May 2007
|14 Oct 2010
|Ross Peter Jones
|Sensor cart positioning system and method
|16 Jul 2010
|5 May 2011
|Peter Krumhansl
|Seismic Source/Receiver Probe for Shallow Seismic Surveying
|19 Apr 2011
|1 Sep 2011
|Gary Neal Young
|Utility Mapping and Data Distribution System and Method
|21 Jun 2012
|27 Dec 2012
|Vermeer Manufacturing Company
|Horizontal directional drilling system including sonde position detection using global positioning systems
|U.S. Classification
|175/61, 340/853.4, 340/853.6
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|18 Sep 2008
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|4 Oct 2012
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8
|9 Dec 2016
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|3 May 2017
|Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
|20 Jun 2017
|Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 20170503


text: This is one of the best places I've stayed in Thailand We stayed there for 2 weeks in June 2010 The owners are really sweet, friendly, interesting to talk to and comfortable to be around. Great atmosphear. There is a small bar on the beach. They serve tasty food, barbecues, drinks.. Laid back. (and restaurant - hang out - with... More

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Isn't she? This is the first I've noticed her, yet she's physically flawless, model-wise. She has the stuff to be a possible supermodel.Originally Posted by CrossingGuard;3849685;
Carrie was my favorite though. I liked her personality, honesty, and ethics. She was supportive of others whether or not it was in her 'best interest' unlike that one who I thought would never leave (Jesse's model.)
I also thought it a shame that she likely hears how 'fat' she is simply for having a violin shape instead of a pipe cleaner shape. I hope she continues to work and never has to hear that again.
Hope they might do a follow up show or even segment, on what's happening with the models now. Maybe for the PR website, end of season?


text:
Taken from Classic Elite Booklet #6906- Atlantis: A simple yet sleeveless top with a cable panel on the center front and rib detail at the center back.
We provide endless possibilities for you including yarn, knitting gifts, needles, kits, sale yarn, free knitting patterns, and more! Jimmy Beans Wool is Your Local Yarn Store... Online!


text:
Notre Dame's stadium project complete BNP Paribas' pullout shuts down Showdown Most-watched matches on ESPN, CBS Sportsmanship taking a beating First Look podcast: The state of ESPN Gatorade's NBA D-League a boon for R&D Intersport Bob McNair on ... Snickers renews WrestleMania deal Fanatics-UA to field MLB jerseys in 2020
Upcoming Conferences and Events
Nov 29
Dec 6-7
Apr 17-18
Apr 18
May 23
SBJ/November 17 - 23, 2003/Media
'Playmakers' might tame plots
Published November 17, 2003
The fate of the ESPN drama "Playmakers" could involve a second season with fewer controversial plotlines, according to a network official.
The show, which depicts a fictional pro football team, scored a 1.9 average cable rating, nearly quadrupling what the Tuesday 9 p.m. ET time slot averaged before. A DVD release of the first season is already planned for next fall, and the show succeeded in bringing new viewers and casual sports fans to the network, said Ron Semiao, senior vice president of ESPN Original Entertainment.
But "Playmakers" drew the ire of NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, the NFLPA and club owners because of plotlines they said portrayed NFL players in a negative light. All expressed some variation of the point that it made no sense for a network paying the league an average of $600 million a year in rights fees to turn around and produce a show that trashed professional football.
A DVD release of the first season of "Playmakers" is due out next fall.
"We find it really offensive," said New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft at the NFL owners' meetings earlier this month. "I am surprised they would put it on. They are devaluing the sports fee by putting on a show creating an image that is not accurate. I am surprised a partner would do that."
That sentiment has left ESPN with a choice of dropping the highest-rated series ever launched through its Original Entertainment division, or continuing to anger the league that provides its most valuable programming.
Semiao said ESPN won't decide whether to renew "Playmakers" any time soon, and he conceded that the NFL's displeasure will be a major consideration.
But one possibility he discussed is that the show could return next year in similar form, save some of the characters' outlandish behavior.
"We're talking about it," he said. "Do I think the show could have attracted viewers without some of the more edgy elements? The answer I think is yes. That really comes down to the quality of the writing and the storylines."
Although "Playmakers" was generally well received by critics and was often compared to award-winning HBO dramas, almost every episode depicted some sort of boorish or criminal acts by the characters. They ranged from a wide receiver buying cocaine in the stadium parking lot during halftime — in full pads — to the team owner ordering a running back to lie to prosecutors to cover up domestic violence.
Semiao noted, however, that it stopped showing drug use among players and started revealing more redeeming qualities in them about midway through the 11-episode season. And ratings held steady. The final episode last Tuesday actually attracted the second-most viewers of any, with a 2.2 household rating, or 1.65 million viewers.
Regardless of whether the show returns, ESPN can claim to have developed a bona fide cable hit in a genre where it never ventured before. It averaged a 2.2 rating in the all-important men 18 to 34 demographic. Although only 29 percent the show's viewers were women — just slightly above ESPN's breakdown for all programming — the show did well among women age 18 to 34 and was the third-highest-rated show on cable during its time slot for that group.
ESPN has another scripted drama in the works, one being developed by filmmaker Spike Lee and set at Brooklyn, N.Y., basketball powerhouse Lincoln High School. Lee is currently writing scripts for the show, loosely based on the Lee film "He Got Game" that was also set at the school, but no time frame has been established for when it will air.
Semiao said Lee's show will not affect whether "Playmakers" is renewed, but the ESPN schedule cannot accommodate more than one scripted show at a time. ESPN's 25th anniversary programming, to run from May through September next year, also limits the openings for a scripted drama.
Staff writer Daniel Kaplan contributed to this report.


text:
How's it been for you? Have the words flowed Quicker than the Eye, or has A Sound of Thunder gotten in the way?
Here's your chance to tell everybody about it, whether you're a weekly or monthly(or anything in between) W1S1 participant.
Also, remember to note your paid publications ($) for our Published Work$ page -- stories published from W1S1 2011 or 2012, and don't forget to post the link! While W1S1 continues to encourage all avenues for publication, we want to especially highlight those stories and markets that help to put peanut butter on a writer's toast.
Successes and failures, triumphs and disasters, brilliant ideas and insane dreams: we want to read all about them.


text:
Our mission is to provide a safe and caring place where students can socialize, participate in games, special recreation, and educational activities, study and receive tutoring – all in an adult supervised environment. The Youth Club's vision is vast. While continuing to offer the same quality of service we have provided for youth in preceding years, we will continue to serve an estimated 50-100 youth during more hours per week.
The Youth Club of Marshall County offers a safe place for youth to socialize and relax.
Lucinda Nicholson, Director
The Youth Club of Marshall County
PO Box 109
Moundsville, WV 26041
County: Marshall
Phone: 304-843-1174
Phone: 304-639-3659
County: Marshall
Site Supervisor Lucinda Nicholson
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
John Marshall High School
AmeriCorps Promise VISTA:
Privacy, Security and Accessibility | WV.gov | USA.gov | © 2017 State of West Virginia


text:
Sticking line
This sticking line is designed to save on labor costs by streamlining the production line. It can be used in conjunction with an Ellegard machine or flat filler. The top-level conveyor is removable, allowing for the bottom level to be used as a manual transplant line. It includes an integrated-accumulation dibbler conveyor. The gate system is intended to maintain flow of trays to the crew while they work at the stainless steel tables placing finished trays on the bottom-level conveyor. Customized systems are available.from Rapid Automated Systems, Inc.


text:
Changing community attitudes and behaviours towards domestic and family violence is an important element of the Queensland Government's program of work in response to the Not Now, Not Ever report.
The first in a series of communication campaigns to raise awareness and prevent domestic and family violence has now commenced.
The youth campaign, 'Stop the Hurting – End Domestic Violence' has been developed in collaboration with those it has been designed to reach. Research has shown that early adulthood is a life stage involving particular vulnerability to violence for both young men and women and is a time during which prospects for prevention are particularly strong.
This campaign is designed to bring domestic and family violence out from behind closed doors and reach young Queenslanders using language and methods that resonates with them.
Illy, one of Australia's leading hip hop artists, has recorded a domestic violence themed song, which is featured in the campaign. Queensland youth will have an opportunity to make their voice heard through writing their own lyrics and the chance to record those lyrics with Illy.
For more information visit the Stop The Hurting campaign website.


text:
What's Included
About This Organizer
Brad Patterson, PGA has been recognized as one of the premier golf instructors available in the game today. Where PGA instruction can easily run hundreds to even thousands of dollars per hour, Brad has taken price out of the equation with affordable and easy to understand instruction for students of all age levels.
2011 CNY PGA Teacher of the Year and 2011 President's Plaque recipient, along with 2012 Top 50 in the US Growth of the Game Teaching Professionals are just some of the accolades he possesses. As a 30 year PGA Instructor, Brad's mantra is to keep the game fun and simple to learn. No more having a head full of tips and band aids. Brad breaks it down into an easy to understand and implement routine for immediate improvement.
Whether it be Private Instruction, Junior Golf Camp, Adult Clinic, or Get Golf Ready, students can expect to be thoroughly entertained, have fun while learning, and likely enjoy immediate results like never before!
Do you have a slice? Brad developed a simple 2 minute drill that will have the golfer hitting it straight or a draw in 3 balls or less that sports a 100% success rate across several thousand students. Yes, he is that good! He even teaches each student how to teach themselves away from the lesson tee for faster scoring development.
Why continue to guess and wonder? Sign up with Brad today and you'll be on your way to playing your best golf ever!
Organizer Info
Brad Patterson PGA


text:
Surviving in Southern California, One Stem at a Time
California's cut flower growers are in the middle of a crisis. Out-of-control natural gas prices, partly the result of flawed electricity deregulation, are putting the squeeze on many growers, forcing some operations Ð many of whom use natural gas to heat greenhouses Ð to cut production or cut corners, to curb costs.
"The skyrocketing cost of natural gas is equivalent to a major natural disaster for our industry," said Lee Murphy, president of the California Cut Flower Commission.
California's $300 million-a-year cut flower industry, which produces more than 60 percent of the fresh flowers and 15 percent of the roses grown in the United States, experienced a 15 percent drop in the Valentine's Day crop this past year. Increasing competition from south of the border Ð namely Mexico, Ecuador and Columbia Ð is only adding to growers' woes.
And with natural gas prices likely to stay at least double last year's prices, future flower crops may be impacted more severely, said Murphy.
"Without some form of relief, the future looks very bleak for California's cut flower industry," he said.
So someone should tell that to the people at Mellano & Co.
The third generation family-owned and operated flower grower is still going strong, as committed to service and quality today as it was when it was founded in 1925. And the company makes no apologies for trying to raise the bar for all California growers.
"We want to educate brokers, buyers and even the competition that the worst grower represents all of California," said Phil Kenney, director of sales for Mellano. "If we want to survive, we've all got to start competing on quality."
Kenney likens the experience of buying flowers to buying a bottle of wine. "You are buying the quality of California. And if you don't enjoy the experience Ð from the purchase to the last sip Ð you simply won't buy from California again."
Quality is, and has been, the highest priority for San Luis Rey, Calif.-based Mellano. The company survives in spite of spiraling electricity and gas prices and heightened competition from South America simply because people count on the consistent quality of Mellano products.
"We're not competing on price," said Kenney. "You can buy the same varieties cheaper from someone else, but you simply don't get the same quality or service that you get from us."
Mellano harvests more than 5 million bunches of fresh cut flowers and foliage from its fields each year. In addition to 400+ acres ç in San Luis Rey and 75 acres in Carlsbad, the company also has locations in Los Angeles and in Las Vegas, Nev. While much of Mellano's cut flower and foliage crop is shipped fresh, a portion is dried or preserved in the company's facilities. Because Mellano ships its dry products around the world and its wholesale flowers across the United States, the company has expanded its operation to include products not only from its farms in California but also from selected growers in Holland, Australia, Italy and other countries around the world.
Making Lemonade
"We've really taken advantage of the innovations out there right now," said Kenney. "We simply stepped up to the plate to see where we could save time, money and labor."
Rather than cutting corners and taking a chance on decreased quality, Mellano turned the energy crisis into an opportunity to identify areas of the operation that could be enhanced or streamlined.
"We never concentrated on how we could cut down on gas or electricity," said Kenney. "Instead we looked at the big picture and tried to pinpoint areas where we could save money over the long run."
Mellano and Co. may have spent money at a time when other growers were doing all they could to save, but the company is now reaping the benefits of increased productivity and lower costs.
A new mechanical conveyor system allowed Mellano to save thousands of dollars over the two years since it was implemented. The once two-man job is now a one-man operation, requiring much less manual labor.
Technology from Holland along with special trucks now allow employees to get freshly cut field flowers into the cooler quicker.
"We're no longer handling the flowers three or four times," said Kenney. "We load the flowers onto special carts that are strapped into the truck. The truck then goes straight to the cooler. It's better for us and better for the flowers."
Another machine helps employees efficiently grade, cut, tie and sleeve bunches that are then put into buckets.
Mellano also made the decision to tap a new well rather than continue to use municipal water. The new well provides 600 gallons of water per minute.
"We decided to spend the money and dig, and we found good quality water," said Kenney. "In the long run, the decision paid for itself."
One of Mellano and Co.'s most innovative implementations is its labor tracking system. The system uses a "time card button" for each employee. Time is tracked for each task and downloaded at the end of each day. The system helps calculate productivity and allocate labor in specific areas.
"We've had the system for two years, and it basically paid for itself in the first six months. It not only helped us save money but it has increased productivity as well," said Kenney.
Quality, Quality, Quality
Even though Mellano has implemented cost cutting measures, the company has never relaxed its dedication to quality.
Sticklers for grading and standards, Mellano demands consistency in size and stem length above the standards put in place by the floral industry. Crops are cut at the same stage of growth and at the same length.
To maintain flower quality, all crops are brought directly from the field into Mellano's 13,000 sq. ft. computer-monitored cooler. Just prior to shipping, product is boxed and sent to the pre-cooler to ensure consistent temperature throughout each box. Mellano's pre-cooler can process more than 350 boxes of flowers per hour, allowing the company to pack each truck with flowers at the right temperature.
Mellano has its own fleet of refrigerated trucks that make shipments six days a week. The company also delivers daily to Los Angeles Airport and has daily pick-ups from UPS and FedEx, helping to ensure that customers receive Mellano flowers when they're fresh.
Mellano Marketing Muscle
What's the use of maintaining high standards of quality and service if no one knows about them?
Mellano takes full advantage of its marketing muscle to spread the word about its product line. Daily product sheets and special announcements are faxed to customers to keep them informed of new products and availability. Ads in trade publications and special direct mail pieces also tout Mellano's talents.
"We have a story to tell," said Kenney. "We use advertising and other creative avenues to show people our products and what goes into them."
Perhaps the most unique advertising venue used by Mellano is the Flower Fields in Carlsbad. This tourist attraction features 50 acres of ranunculus that bloom every March and April. Since 1993, Mellano & Co. and CB Ranch Enterprises/Cartlas have worked together in the development of The Flowers Fields at Carlsbad Ranch.
No detail is overlooked when it comes to marketing the Mellano name.
Mellano sends a mailer 30 days prior to a crop cycle to get customers to start thinking about placing orders. Mellano's semi trucks feature the company name and a tag line to get people thinking about flowers. Each of the twist ties that hold Mellano flower bunches feature the company name.
"We get the word out any way we can," said Kenney.
The company also built a comprehensive Web site that features a live "Web cam." The camera sends a live picture of the boxing and shipping area to a visitor's computer.
"The Web cam gives confidence to our customers," said Kenney. "It's another way of letting people know we're proud of what goes on behind the scenes and we're not afraid to show it."
Weathering the Storm
Many cut flower growers will continue to struggle with rising energy costs, and many will be forced to close their doors. Mellano and Co. will rely on its tradition of quality and service and the Mellanos will rely on one another.
"We've got our issues just like everyone else," said Kenney. "The difference is, we're family. We're a good group that works together as a team, and we'll continue to do that. In good times and bad, we'll get through it with each other."


text:
International Search Summit Agenda May 2010
Here's what's in store at the International Search Summit on 13th May
9.00 Welcome and Introduction
Andy Atkins-Krüger - WebCertain
Andy Atkins-Krüger starts the day with an introduction to international search
9.20 How to Run a Global SEM Business
Steve Capone - Nokia
This session will focus on the operational aspects of global SEM advertising. Essentially, there are many complexities in managing global search engine marketing campaigns. Everything from resource setup, strategy communication, execution, and optimisation, are all different when running global SEM business, in comparison to domestic. I will discuss a few different models for running global SEM business and the pros/cons for each.
9.50 Case Study: Turning a UK SME into an International Brand
Mark Neal - Armagard
Armagaud, a provider of PC and printer enclosures, relies solely on internet marketing to gain new business and has taken its English only websites - Armaguard.co.uk and pcguard.co.uk - and developed them in French, German, Spanish, Italian and Polish, as well as creating a separate site for the US market. In this session, Mark Neal, Managing Director of Armagard will discuss how this UK based SME grew its business via the internet into a successful international brand.
10.50 International Domain Names and their Impact on SEO
Andy Atkins-Krüger - WebCertain
One of the biggest changes to international SEO in recent months is the introduction of Non-Latin Domain names. This session will look at how these changes will impact marketers running international websites.
11.20 Website Usability: The Scent of Information
Shari Thurow - Omni Marketing Interactive
Every website has a scent of information which communicates to the user where they are on the site, where they should go next and how they can get there. With words, images and colours having different meanings in different countries, international marketers face a tough challenge in ensuring that their information scent is relevant and appealing to users in each target market.
this session, Shari will examine the
challenges of creating an effective information scent on global websites, using
real-life examples from her international research.
11.50 The State of Search in India
Gillian Muessig - SEOmoz
India is poised to crash into
the mobile search space with the power of their 1.2 billion-strong market. Even
the smallest hamlets are becoming connected at the rate of more than 1 million
new mobile accounts per month. Gillian is on the board of directors for several
search marketing companies in India
and will draw on her experience working in the country to consider some of the
cultural, technical and political issues facing marketers targeting this
powerful market.
1.30 Broadcasting your Brand Across the World: Blast off with the International Power of YouTube
Bruce Daisley - YouTube
According to Comscore there are as many videos viewed globally as there are searches. But are these trends really in opposition to each other? How can the skills of the search marketer be transposed to the world of video. What tips can YouTube provide about how to navigate this complicated space. Which international advertisers have achieved the best results in this space?
2.00 Video Optimisation and YouTube Marketing
Greg Jarboe - SEO-PR
Online video marketing is crucial in today's marketplace. More than 18.5 million Brits watch 2.4 billion YouTube videos each month -- and average of 130 videos per month. That's more viewers than will watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This presentation by the author of "YouTube and Video Marketing: An Hour a Day" will provide you with proven, practical guidelines for developing and implementing video marketing for your organisation.
2.30 International Video Optimisation
Andy Atkins-Krüger - WebCertain
This session will examine the techniques available for optimising videos for an international audience - taking into account the language and cultural implications - to ensure you increase the reach of your message and engage with audiences around the world.
2.50 Tips and Trends on Mobile in Europe
Bas van den Beld - State of Search
In this session, Bas van den Beld will look at how mobile is impacting search in Europe and how marketers should react to it. He will look at everything from mobile optimisation to mobile apps and offer advice on how to make mobile work for you.
3.45 Universal Search
Jon Myers - MediaVest
Universal Search has been around for a while in the US and the UK, but is only just starting to take off in some markets. This session will look at techniques and tactics for optimising all your international assets and increase your global visibility.
4.10 Twitter - An International Strategy
Oscar Carreras - Hotels.com
Twitter is undoubtedly one of the biggest success stories of the past few years, with organisations large and small evangelising about its benefits as a marketing channel. However, challenges such as balancing automation and manual activity, finding the most appropriate applications and maintaining credibility cause businesses problems, especially when they are targeting multiple markets and languages. Oscar Carreras will share Hotels.com's experience of implementing and managing multilingual Twitter campaigns and give practical tips on making Twitter a profitable and effective marketing tool.
4.35 Innovations Round-Up
Anne Kennedy - Beyond Ink
The internet is constantly changing and developing, with new innovations appearing daily. But of all the recent innovations, is there one which stands out as the most significant? Anne Kennedy will finish off the day by comparing the key innovations and determining which one will have the greatest impact on both international marketers and internet users.
5.00 Networking Drinks