Drill planning tool for topography characterization, system and associated methods

A planning tool as part of a system for horizontal directional drilling in which a drill rig advances a boring tool through the ground using a drill string that extends from the drill rig to the boring tool, said planning tool comprising:

• one or more wheels for rolling on a surface of the ground along a path responsive to movement by an operator;
• an encoder for generating an encoder output responsive to the rolling of one of the wheels;
• an accelerometer including at least one measurement axis for generating an accelerometer output during said rolling of the wheels that characterizes a pitch orientation of the planning tool;
• and a processor for generating an underground plan for the boring tool below the surface of the ground in relation to said path based on the encoder output and the accelerometer output.

A system for horizontal directional drilling, said system comprising:

• a boring tool for forming a borehole;
• a drill rig for moving the boring tool;
• and a planning tool comprising:
• one or more wheels for rolling on a surface of the ground responsive to movement by an operator along a path, an encoder for generating an encoder output responsive to the rolling of one of the wheels, an accelerometer including at least one measurement axis for generating an accelerometer output that characterizes a pitch orientation of the planning tool;
• and
• a processor for generating an underground plan for the boring tool below the surface of the ground relative to said path based on the encoder output and the accelerometer output.

A planning tool as part of a system for horizontal directional drilling in which a drill rig advances a boring tool through the ground in a forward direction using a drill string that extends from the drill rig to the boring tool, said planning tool comprising:

• one or more wheels for rolling on a surface of the ground along a path responsive to movement by an operator;
• an encoder for generating an encoder output responsive to the rolling of one of the wheels;
• an accelerometer including at least one measurement axis for generating an accelerometer output during said rolling that characterizes a pitch orientation of the planning tool;
• a user interface to accept operator input designating one or more positions along the path;
• and
• a processor for generating an underground plan for the boring tool below the surface of the ground in relation to said path based on the encoder output, the accelerometer output and the designated positions.