Apparatus and method for detecting a location and an orientation of an underground boring tool

An apparatus for use with an underground boring tool and an above-ground probe and detection unit for detecting a location and an orientation of the underground boring tool, the apparatus comprising:

• a signal generator provided at the boring tool that produces a signature signal in response to a probe signal received from the above-ground probe and detection unit;
• an orientation sensor provided at the boring tool that produces an orientation signal indicative of the orientation of the boring tool;
• and
• an encoder coupled to the signature signal generator and the orientation sensor that encodes the orientation signal on the signature signal to produce an encoded signature signal;
• whereby the encoded signature signal is used by the above-ground probe and detection unit to determine the location and orientation of the underground boring tool.

An apparatus for use with an underground boring tool and an above-ground probe and detection unit for detecting a location and a pitch of the underground boring tool having a longitudinal axis and an outer periphery, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of signature signal generating devices provided about the periphery of the boring tool, each of the signature signal generating devices generating a unique signature signal during boring tool rotation in response to the probe signal;
• a pitch sensor provided on the boring tool that senses a change in pitch with respect to the longitudinal axis of the boring tool and produces a pitch signal indicative of the change in boring tool pitch;
• and
• an encoder that encodes the pitch signal on the signature signal to produce an encoded signature signal;
• whereby the above-ground probe and detection unit uses the encoded signature signal to detect the location and the pitch of the boring tool.

A system for detecting a location and an orientation of an underground boring tool, comprising:

• a driving apparatus that drives the boring tool so as to produce an underground path;
• a probe signal generator, separate from the boring tool, that generates a probe signal directed at the boring tool;
• a signature signal generator, mounted to the boring tool, that produces a signature signal at the boring tool in response to the probe signal;
• an orientation apparatus, mounted to the boring tool, that produces an orientation signal indicative of an orientation of the boring tool;
• an encoding device, coupled to the orientation apparatus and the signature signal generator, that encodes the orientation signal on the signature signal;
• a detector that detects the location and the orientation of the boring tool using the encoded signature signal;
• and
• a control apparatus, coupled to the driving apparatus, that controls the drive rate and direction of the boring tool in response to the detected boring tool location and orientation.

A method for detecting a location and an orientation of an underground boring tool using a probe signal generated from an above-ground probe and detection unit separate from the boring tool, the method including the steps of:

• generating a signature signal at the boring tool in response to the probe signal;
• producing an orientation signal at the boring tool indicative of an orientation of the boring tool;
• and
• transmitting the signature signal and the orientation signal;
• whereby the signature and orientation signals transmitted from the boring tool are received and used by the above-ground probe and detection unit to detect the location and orientation of the boring tool.

A method for controlling an underground boring tool, comprising:

• driving the boring tool so as to produce an underground path;
• producing a probe signal;
• generating a signature signal at the boring tool in response to the probe signal;
• producing an orientation signal at the boring tool indicative of an orientation of the boring tool;
• transmitting the signature signal and the orientation signal;
• detecting a location and the orientation of the boring tool using the signature and orientation signals transmitted from the boring tool;
• and
• controlling the drive rate and direction of the boring tool in response to the detected signature and orientation signals.