U.S. patent application number 15/451252 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-22 for mining drill with gradient sensing.
This patent application is currently assigned to Elwha LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Elwha LLC. Invention is credited to Michael H. Baym, Terry Briggs, Clark J. Gilbert, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Conor L. Myhrvold, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood.
Application Number | 20170175510 15/451252 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50384153 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170175510 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baym; Michael H. ; et
al. |
June 22, 2017 |
MINING DRILL WITH GRADIENT SENSING
Abstract
A drill for excavating a bore in the earth includes a steerable
boring tool configured to excavate a bore and sensors coupled to
the boring tool. The sensors are spaced apart from one another at
multiple azimuthal locations around the steerable boring tool and
the sensors are configured to detect a mineral property in the
earth adjacent the steerable boring tool.
Inventors: |
Baym; Michael H.;
(Cambridge, MA) ; Briggs; Terry; (Lone Tree,
CO) ; Gilbert; Clark J.; (Denver, CO) ;
Hillis; W. Daniel; (Cambridge, MA) ; Hyde; Roderick
A.; (Redmond, WA) ; Ishikawa; Muriel Y.;
(Livermore, CA) ; Kare; Jordin T.; (San Jose,
CA) ; Myhrvold; Conor L.; (Bellevue, WA) ;
Myhrvold; Nathan P.; (Bellevue, WA) ; Pan; Tony
S.; (Bellevue, WA) ; Tegreene; Clarence T.;
(Mercer Island, WA) ; Whitmer; Charles; (North
Bend, WA) ; Wood, JR.; Lowell L.; (Bellevue, WA)
; Wood; Victoria Y.H.; (Livermore, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Elwha LLC |
Bellevue |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Elwha LLC
Bellevue
WA
|
Family ID: |
50384153 |
Appl. No.: |
15/451252 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14500560 |
Sep 29, 2014 |
9587482 |
|
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15451252 |
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|
13631601 |
Sep 28, 2012 |
8857539 |
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14500560 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01V 11/00 20130101;
E21B 49/00 20130101; E21B 7/06 20130101; E21B 47/00 20130101; E21B
47/022 20130101; E21B 47/12 20130101; E21B 44/00 20130101; E21B
49/06 20130101; E21B 7/04 20130101; E21B 47/026 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 44/00 20060101
E21B044/00; E21B 49/00 20060101 E21B049/00; G01V 11/00 20060101
G01V011/00; E21B 7/06 20060101 E21B007/06 |
Claims
1. A drill for excavating a bore in the earth, the drill
comprising: a boring tool configured to excavate a bore; a
plurality of sensors configured to detect a mineral property in the
earth adjacent the boring tool; and a controller configured to
determine a sensor value-function associated with each of the
plurality of sensors where each sensor value-function includes the
mineral property detected by the associated sensor as an input,
compare the sensor value-functions, determine a locally preferred
drilling direction in response to the comparison, and provide an
output indicative of the locally preferred drilling direction to
the boring tool to steer the boring tool in the locally preferred
drilling direction.
2. The drill of claim 1, wherein each sensor value-function further
includes a negative factor as an input.
3. The drill of claim 2, wherein the negative factor is a cost of
recovering the mineral.
4. The drill of claim 2, wherein the negative factor is a
concentration or presence of a harmful material.
5. The drill of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured to compensate for noise in the mineral property detected
by each sensor in determining each sensor value-function.
6. The drill of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured to determine the locally preferred drilling direction as
the direction having the greatest sensor value-function.
7. The drill of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured to determine the locally preferred drilling direction as
toward the sensor associated with the greatest sensor
value-function.
8. The drill of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured to determine the locally preferred drilling direction as
a direction in which the sensor value-function is above a threshold
value.
9. The drill of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured to determine the locally preferred drilling direction as
toward a detected targeted feature.
10. The drill of claim 1, wherein the targeted feature is an edge
of a mineral deposit.
11. The drill of claim 9, wherein the targeted feature is a
fracture zone.
12. The drill of claim 1, wherein the mineral property is a
concentration or presence of a mineral.
13. The drill of claim 1, wherein the mineral property is a
concentration or presence of a mineral indicator.
14. The drill of claim 1, wherein the mineral property is a
characteristic of a background material.
15. The drill of claim 1, wherein the sensors are configured to
detect the mineral property with an elemental measurement.
16. The drill of claim 1, wherein the sensors are configured to
detect the mineral property with a chemical measurement.
17. The drill of claim 1, wherein the sensors are configured to
detect the mineral property with a fluorescent measurement.
18. The drill of claim 1, wherein the sensors are configured to
detect the mineral property with a spectroscopic measurement.
19. The drill of claim 1, wherein the sensors are configured to
detect the mineral property with a magnetic measurement.
20. The drill of claim 1, wherein the sensors are configured to
detect the mineral property with a density measurement.
21. The drill of claim 1, wherein the sensors are configured to
detect the mineral property with a sound speed measurement.
22. The drill of claim 1, wherein the sensors are configured to
detect the mineral property with a resistance measurement.
23. The drill of claim 1, wherein the sensors are configured to
detect the mineral property with x-rays or gamma rays.
24. The drill of claim 1, wherein the sensors are spaced apart from
one another at equal azimuthal distances.
25. The drill of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of second
sensors configured to detect a second mineral property in the earth
adjacent the boring tool.
26. A drill for excavating a bore in the earth, the drill
comprising: a boring tool configured to excavate a bore; a sensor
configured to detect a mineral property in the earth adjacent the
boring tool at a plurality of azimuthal positions about the boring
tool; a controller configured to determine an azimuthal position
value-function associated with each of the azimuthal positions
where each azimuthal position value-function includes the mineral
property detected by the sensor at the associated azimuthal
position as an input, compare the azimuthal position
value-functions and determine a locally preferred drilling
direction in response to the comparison, and provide an output
indicative of the locally preferred drilling direction to the
boring tool to direct the boring tool in the locally preferred
drilling direction.
27. The drill of claim 26, wherein the sensor is further configured
to be rotatable relative to the boring tool.
28. The drill of claim 26, wherein the sensor is attached to the
boring tool for rotation with the boring tool.
29. The drill of claim 26, further comprising a second sensor
configured to be rotatable among the plurality of azimuthal
positions relative to the boring tool to detect a second mineral
property in the earth adjacent the steerable boring tool at each of
the azimuthal positions.
30. A method of steering a boring tool to follow a mineral deposit,
the method comprising: detecting a mineral property in the earth
adjacent a boring tool at a plurality of positions; determining an
azimuthal position value-function associated with each of the
plurality of positions, wherein each azimuthal position
value-function includes the mineral property detected at the
associated position as an input; comparing the azimuthal position
value-functions; determining a laterally dependent value-function
in response to the comparison; determining a preferred drilling
direction in response to the laterally dependent value-function;
and steering the boring tool in the preferred drilling direction.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/500,560, filed Sep. 29, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,587,482),
which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/631,601,
filed Sep. 28, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,857,539), the entire
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Mining drills can be used to determine the location of
valuable mineral deposits in the earth. There is a need for
improved mining drills that are steerable to follow a mineral
deposit.
SUMMARY
[0003] One exemplary embodiment relates to a drill for excavating a
bore in the earth. The drill includes a steerable boring tool
configured to excavate a bore and sensors coupled to the boring
tool. The sensors are spaced apart from one another at multiple
azimuthal locations around the steerable boring tool and the
sensors are configured to detect a mineral property in the earth
adjacent the steerable boring tool.
[0004] Another exemplary embodiment relates to a drill for
excavating a primary bore in the earth and for drilling multiple
side bores in the earth. The drill includes a steerable primary
boring tool configured to excavate a primary bore, a secondary
boring tool configured to excavate multiple side bores, wherein the
side bores extend outward from the primary bore at multiple
azimuthal locations around the primary bore, and a sensor
configured to detect a mineral property in the earth adjacent each
of the side bores.
[0005] Another exemplary embodiment relates to a drill for
excavating a bore in the earth. The drill includes a steerable
boring tool configured to excavate a bore, and a sensor coupled to
the boring tool, the sensor configured to be rotatable among
multiple azimuthal positions relative to the steerable boring tool
to detect a mineral property in the earth adjacent the steerable
boring tool at each of the azimuthal positions.
[0006] Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of steering
a boring tool to follow a mineral deposit. The method includes the
steps of detecting a mineral property in the earth adjacent a
boring tool at multiple azimuthal positions about the boring tool,
determining an azimuthal position value-function associated with
each of the azimuthal positions, wherein each azimuthal position
value-function includes the mineral property detected at the
associated azimuthal position as an input, comparing the azimuthal
position value-functions, determining a laterally dependent
value-function in response to the comparison of the azimuthal
position value-functions, determining a preferred drilling
direction in response to the laterally dependent value-function,
and steering the boring tool in the preferred drilling
direction.
[0007] Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of steering
a primary boring tool to follow a mineral deposit. The method
includes the steps of excavating a primary bore with a primary
boring tool, excavating multiple side bores with a secondary boring
tool, wherein the side bores extend outward from the primary bore
at multiple azimuthal locations around the primary bore, detecting
a mineral property in the earth adjacent each of the side bores,
determining an azimuthal position value-function associated with
each of the side bores, wherein each azimuthal position
value-function includes the detected mineral property from the
associated side bore as an input, comparing the azimuthal position
value-functions, determining a laterally dependent value-function
in response to the comparison of the azimuthal position
value-functions, determining a preferred drilling direction in
response to the laterally dependent value-function, and steering
the primary boring tool in the preferred drilling direction.
[0008] The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced or being carried out in various ways. Alternative
exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of
features as may be generally recited in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0009] The invention will become more fully understood from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a drill, shown according to
an exemplary embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the drill of FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the drill of FIG.
1 overlayed on a plot showing concentration of a mineral
property;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the drill of FIG. 1 at a
different drilling position;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of steering the drill of
FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a drill, shown according to
an exemplary embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a drill, shown according to
an exemplary embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the drill of FIG. 7;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the drill of FIG. 7;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method of steering the drill of
FIG. 7;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a drill, shown according
to an exemplary embodiment; and
[0021] FIG. 12 is a section view of a portion of the drill of FIG.
11.
[0022] The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings
primarily are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to
limit the scope of the inventive subject matter described
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the
exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the
application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth
in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be
understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description
only and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a steerable drill 100 is shown,
according to an exemplary embodiment. The drill 100 includes a
steerable boring tool 105, multiple sensors 110, a controller 115,
and a support structure 120. The boring tool 105 is configured to
excavate or drill a bore 125 in the earth 130. As shown in FIGS. 1
and 4, a mineral deposit 135 is found in the earth 130. The bore
125 may be vertical, horizontal, or inclined; it may follow a
straight path or a curved one, which may or may not lie in a plane.
Boring tool 105 is steerable so that a user or controller 115 can
control the direction in which boring tool 105 drills. The verb
"drill" is not intended to require the boring tool 105 to operate
via rotational drilling, any method of forming or excavating a bore
hole (such as using a rotational drill, a ram, a water jet, a
laser, an explosively emplaced penetrator) is encompassed by the
verb "drill".
[0025] As best shown in FIGS. 2-3, four sensors 110 are coupled at
evenly spaced azimuthal locations around boring tool 105.
Alternatively, more or fewer sensors 110 can be used. Sensors 110
are configured to detect a mineral property in earth 130 adjacent
the steerable boring tool 105. The mineral property is indicative
of a target mineral that the user of drill 100 wishes to mine. The
mineral property can be the presence of the target mineral, a
concentration of the target mineral, the presence of a mineral
indicator (i.e., a material that indicates the presence of the
target mineral), or a concentration of a mineral indicator. For
example, gold may be the target mineral, and sulfide content,
arsenic, carbon, or antimony are possible mineral indicators for
gold. The mineral property can also be a characteristic of a
background material. Background material is something other than
the target mineral.
[0026] Sensors 110 may be selected from many types of borehole
logging sensors, including elemental, chemical, fluorescent,
spectroscopic, magnetic, density, sound speed, or resistance
sensors. Additionally, sensors that make use of various forms of
radiation (e.g., x-ray, gamma ray, acoustic, electromagnetic
radiation) to detect the mineral property can be used. For example,
sensors such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,650,937 and
United States Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0020390 can
be used. Both U.S. Pat. No. 7,650,937 and United States Patent
Application Publication No. 2006/0020390 are herein incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
[0027] An elemental sensor indicates the presence or concentration
of the mineral. One version of an elemental sensor emits x-rays
toward a mineral sample and detects returning x-rays from the
sample that are distinctive of elements included in the minerals
found in the sample.
[0028] A chemical sensor may perform a chemical test on a mineral
sample to determine which mineral or minerals are present in the
sample. The chemical sensor may be able to determine chemical
compounds (e.g., volatiles, gangue, water) present in a mineral
sample in addition to the individual minerals.
[0029] A fluorescent sensor emits a light toward a mineral sample
and detects the spectrum of any returned fluorescent light. The
spectrum is indicative of the minerals found in the sample.
[0030] A spectroscopic sensor emits a light toward a mineral sample
and detects the spectrum of light reflected by or transmitted
through the sample. The spectrum is indicative of the minerals
found in the sample.
[0031] A magnetic sensor detects if a mineral sample is magnetic.
It can detect ferromagnetic or paramagnetic materials, as well as
properties such as permeability, hysteresis values, or magnetic
resonances. Some target minerals and mineral indicators are
magnetic.
[0032] A density sensor determines the density of a mineral sample.
In some cases, the density sensor is used to identify the density
of a background material or compound and not the density of the
target mineral itself. For example, in a certain mine or geographic
area, the target mineral may be known to likely be found in a
background material of a known density. Identifying the location of
background material having the known density should lead to the
target mineral.
[0033] A sound speed sensor determines the speed of sound though a
mineral sample. A sound speed sensor can be used in a manner
similar to a density measurement sensor to identify a mineral
itself, or detect a background material or compound having a known
speed of sound and known to likely to contain the target mineral.
The sound speed sensor is a specific embodiment of more general
acoustic sensors, which can be used with this boring tool to detect
acoustic scattering (at audible or ultrasonic frequencies) thereby
detecting material interfaces, grain boundaries or grain sizes,
porosity, or other configurational aspects of the materials.
[0034] A resistance sensor determines the electrical resistance or
conductivity of a mineral sample. A resistance sensor can be used
to identify a background material or compound having a known
resistance or conductivity and known to likely contain the target
mineral.
[0035] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, a controller
or processing circuit 115 is coupled to sensors 110. Controller 115
is configured receive inputs from sensors 110 and other sources,
perform calculations or make other determinations, and produce
outputs to control drill 100 or other functions. A processing
circuit can include a processor and memory device. Processor can be
implemented as a general purpose processor, an application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate
arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable
electronic processing components. Memory device (e.g., memory,
memory unit, storage device, etc.) is one or more devices (e.g.,
RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.) for storing data
and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various
processes, layers and modules described in the present application.
Memory device may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile
memory. Memory device may include database components, object code
components, script components, or any other type of information
structure for supporting the various activities and information
structures described in the present application. According to an
exemplary embodiment, memory device is communicably connected to
processor via processing circuit and includes computer code for
executing (e.g., by processing circuit and/or processor) one or
more processes described herein.
[0036] Support structure 120 couples boring tool 105 to a drilling
rig or other structure (not shown).
[0037] Referring to FIG. 5, in a method according to an exemplary
embodiment, boring tool 105 is steered to follow a mineral deposit
135 in response to a laterally dependent value function (e.g., an
azimuthal or lateral gradient) of the mineral property determined
by controller 115 in response to sensor value-functions determined
by controller 115 using inputs provided by the sensors 110. First,
each sensor 110 detects the mineral property found in the target
section of earth 130 proximate that sensor 110 (step 145). Sensors
110 can be configured to detect the mineral property in the target
section of earth 130 adjacent or immediately next to boring tool
105. Alternatively, sensors 110 can be configured to detect the
mineral property in a target section of earth 130 distant from
boring tool 105 (e.g., in a side bore, which will be explained in
more detail in reference to drill 300 discussed below). Controller
115 receives an input from each of sensors 110 indicating the
appropriate measurement of the mineral property (e.g., presence,
property value, or concentration) found in the associated target
section of earth 130.
[0038] Further referring to FIG. 5, controller 115 determines a
sensor value-function associated with each of sensors 110 (step
150) and then determines a laterally dependent value-function in
response to a comparison of sensor value-functions (step 155). In
some embodiments, each sensor value-function uses only the detected
mineral properties from associated sensor 110 for its input. The
sensor value-function may be the sensed mineral property itself, or
it may be a function of the property (e.g., a proportionality, a
linear function, a monotonic function, a nonlinear function, an
asymptotic function, a logarithmic function, or any other specified
function). In some embodiments, the laterally dependent
value-function can represent variation among sensor value-functions
with respect to an azimuthal angle or can represent variation among
the sensor value-functions along a specified lateral direction. The
specified lateral direction can be along an axis orthogonal to that
of the bore hole (i.e., x or y if the bore axis is z), can be along
a vertical axis, can be along a horizontal axis, can be towards a
targeted geological feature, or along other desired directions; the
specified lateral direction need not be completely orthogonal to
the bore axis. The laterally dependent value-function can represent
azimuthal variation of sensor value-functions by analytically
interpolating between azimuth values corresponding to sensor
measurements. This interpolation can be discontinuous or
continuous. It can match the sensor value-functions at their
azimuth angles (e.g., linearly interpolating between pairs of
azimuths corresponding to sensor measurements). Alternatively, the
laterally dependent value-function can involve an azimuthal curve
fit (e.g., a smoothing, a spline fit, a Fourier filtration, etc.)
to the sensor value-functions, which may or may not precisely match
sensor value-functions at corresponding azimuths. An example of a
laterally dependent value function of the mineral property in
mineral deposit 135 at the drilling position shown in FIG. 1 is
illustrated in FIG. 3 with boring tool 105 and sensors 110A-D shown
over a plot showing the concentration of the target mineral (e.g.,
gold) detected by each of the sensors 110A-D. In the example shown
in FIG. 3, sensors 110A and 110B detected the lowest concentration
of gold, sensor 110C detected an intermediate concentration of
gold, and sensor 110D detected the highest concentration of
gold.
[0039] Alternatively, each sensor value-function includes one or
more additional inputs. These additional inputs include negative
factors such as a cost of recovering the mineral or a concentration
or presence of a harmful material or toxin. For example, the
targeted mineral may be more expensive to recover from a certain
type of background material. The sensor value-function may include
an input indicative of the background material and output a lower
value when the cost of recovering the mineral is relatively high.
Similarly, the sensor value-function may include an input
indicative of a harmful material or toxin that could harm personnel
or equipment and discount the output of the sensor value-function
accordingly. In some embodiments, the sensor value function is
determined by comparing the detected mineral property to a
reference (e.g., a threshold where a detected mineral property
above or below the threshold indicates the presence of the targeted
mineral). Optionally, a second mineral property is detected at a
plurality of azimuthal locations around the boring tool 105 (step
160). This second mineral property can be indicative of a negative
factor. The second mineral property can be detected by a second set
of sensors, such as those described below with respect to drill
200.
[0040] Referring still to FIG. 5, controller 115 or a user
determines a preferred drilling direction in response to the
laterally dependent value-function (step 165). Controller 115
provides an output indicative of the preferred drilling direction.
In some embodiments, the preferred drilling direction can be in the
direction of sensor 110 associated with the greatest sensor
value-function, in the direction of sensor 110 associated with the
highest concentration of the mineral property, in the direction of
sensor 110 associated with a concentration of the mineral property
above a threshold value, or in the direction of sensor 110 that
detected a targeted feature. Examples of targeted features include
an edge of a mineral deposit and a fracture zone. Sensors 110 can
be configured to detect targeted features. In some embodiments,
controller 115 compares the sensor value-functions from sensors 110
to determine the preferred drilling direction or otherwise
determines the preferred drilling direction in response to the
laterally dependent value-function. The comparison of the
sensor-value functions can include an average, a weighted average,
a nonlinear function, a filter and can also include constraints
such as difficulty in changing the direction of boring tool 105,
remaining within a specified region, or remaining along an overall
direction.
[0041] In some embodiments, controller 115 compensates for noise in
the value-functions before determining the preferred drilling
direction. In some embodiments, controller 115 smoothes or filters
the sensor value-functions and/or the laterally dependent value
functions. One way to do so is to compare laterally dependent
value-functions at different drilling positions of the boring tool
along the bore hole when determining the preferred drilling
direction. In some embodiments, the sensor value-function
associated with each sensor 110 is considered cumulatively across
multiple drilling positions (e.g. different depths) along the bore
125 formed by the boring tool 105. In other embodiments, a locally
preferred drilling direction is determined at each drilling
position and a preferred overall drilling direction can be
determined based on laterally dependent value-functions at
different drilling positions and/or based on sensor value-functions
at different drilling positions. This can function to smooth or
filter out outliers or other potentially erroneous results of the
sensor value-functions and/or the laterally dependent value
functions. In some embodiments, the overall preferred drilling
direction is selected from amongst a group of locally preferred
drilling directions. In some embodiments, locally preferred
drilling directions are transformed into a common coordinate system
(e.g., to compensate for rotation of the boring tool 105 relative
to the main bore 125 or to compensate for curvature of the main
bore 125).
[0042] Still referring to FIG. 5, boring tool 105 is then steered
in the preferred drilling direction and drilling of bore 125
continues (step 170). As shown in FIG. 4, boring tool 105 has been
steered to follow mineral deposit 135 in earth 130. Step 145 is
then returned to as needed. In this way, drill 100 prospects by
following a preferred path (which may include a most valuable path)
of the mineral property through earth 130.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 6, a drill 200 including multiple second
sensors 205 is shown according to another exemplary embodiment.
Except as explained below, drill 200 functions similarly to drill
100 described above. Second sensors 205 are configured to detect a
different mineral property than first sensors 110. Each second
sensor 205 is associated with one of first sensors 110 so that each
sensor value-function is determined by inputs provided by one of
first sensors 110 and one of second sensors 205. Alternatively, a
second sensor value function is determined independent of the first
sensor value function and uses the mineral property detected by the
second sensor as an input.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 7-9, a drill 300 configured to make
measurements in side bores 305 is illustrated. Except as explained
below, the drill 300 functions similarly to drill 100 described
above. Drill 300 includes one or more secondary boring tools 310 in
addition to primary boring tool 105. Secondary boring tool 310 is
used to excavate or drill side bores 305 in earth 130. Side bores
305 extend outward from primary bore 125. One or more side bores
305 are drilled at different azimuthal locations relative to the
primary bore 125. The outwardly-extending side bores 305 can
include a radial component, a longitudinal component, and/or a
azimuthal component relative to the primary bore 125. After or
while drilling a side bore 305, a sensor 110 aligned with side bore
305 detects the mineral property in earth 130 adjacent side bore
305. In this way, the mineral property is detected at a distance
from primary boring tool 105, which provides for mineral property
detection across a wider diameter than when detecting the mineral
property adjacent primary boring tool 105. Secondary boring tool
310 can be a drill, a ram, a water jet, a laser, or an explosive
emplaced penetrator (e.g., a solid projectile or an explosively
shaped projectile), among other material penetration tools, i.e.,
it functions to excavate the side bore 305, and may or may not do
so via a rotational drilling action.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, a sensor 110 is coupled to secondary
boring tool 310 and is inserted into side bore 305 with secondary
boring tool 310. As shown in FIG. 8, sensor 110 is inserted into
side bore 305 after side bore 305 has been drilled by secondary
boring tool 310. By inserting sensor 110 into side bore 305 either
with secondary boring tool 310 or alone, sensor 100 can take
readings for the mineral property at various locations alongside
bore 305. As illustrated in FIG. 9, sensor 110 includes a source of
radiation 315 and a receiver 320 configured to detect the radiation
given off by the source of radiation 315. The radiation can be
x-ray, gamma ray, acoustic, magnetic, or electric radiation. In
use, source of radiation 315 is positioned in a side bore 305 and
receiver 320 is coupled to primary boring tool 105 or positioned in
a different side bore 305. Alternatively, receiver 320 is
positioned in a side bore 305 and source 315 is coupled to primary
boring tool 105. In some embodiments, sensor 110 is coupled to
primary boring tool 105 and is aligned with side bore 305 to detect
the mineral property in side bore 305. In a further alternative,
drill 300 can include sensors 110 configured to detect different
mineral properties, similar to drill 200 described above.
[0046] Controller 115 determines a side bore value-function
including the mineral property detected by sensor 110 in the earth
130 proximate the associated side bore 305 for each of the side
bores 305. The side bore value-function is similar to the sensor
value function discussed above.
[0047] The laterally dependent value-function is determined by a
comparison of side bore value-functions. In some embodiments, the
laterally dependent value-function can be determined based on side
bore value-functions associated multiple side bores 305 drilled at
the same drilling position or depth along the primary bore 125
formed by the primary boring tool 105. For example, a drill 300
including multiple secondary boring tools 310 can drill sets of two
or more side bores at multiple drilling positions. Alternatively,
drill 300 can drill a single side bore 305 at a first drilling
position and a second side bore 305 at a second drilling position
and determine the laterally dependent value-function based on side
bore value-functions associated with different drilling positions.
For example, a drill 300 with a single secondary boring tool 310
and a single sensor 110 can be used in this way to determine
laterally dependent value functions.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 10, in a method according to one exemplary
embodiment, drill 300 is used to follow a mineral deposit 135 in
earth 130. First, a primary bore 125 is drilled with primary boring
tool 105 (step 325). Then, a plurality of side bores 305 are
drilled at different azimuthal locations around primary bore 125
(step 330). Side bores 305 can be drilled singly at different
drilling positions along the bore hole or in sets of multiple side
bores 305 at different drilling positions. A mineral property in
earth 130 adjacent each of side bores 305 is then detected by a
sensor 110 (step 335). Controller 115 then determines a side bore
value-function associated with each of side bores 305 (step 340).
Each side bore value-function includes the mineral property
detected adjacent the associated side bore 305 as an input.
Controller 115 determines a laterally dependent value function
based on the side bore value-functions (step 345). Controller 115
or user then determines a preferred drilling direction in response
to the azimuthal gradient (step 350). Primary boring tool 105 is
then steered in the preferred drilling direction (step 355) before
returning to step 325 as needed.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 11-12, a steerable drill 400 is shown,
according to an exemplary embodiment. Except as explained below,
the drill 400 functions similarly to drill 100 described above.
Drill 400 includes a single sensor 110 configured to detect mineral
property in the earth 130 adjacent the steerable boring tool 105.
Sensor 110 is rotatable among a plurality of azimuthal positions
relative to the bore 125 so that sensor 110 detects the mineral
property in the earth 130 adjacent steerable boring tool 105 at
each of the azimuthal positions. The sensor may be rotationally
mounted, so as to rotate relative to the boring tool 105 to desired
azimuths, or it may be non-rotationally mounted on or attached to
the boring tool 105, but utilize rotation of the boring tool 105
within the bore 125 to reach desired azimuthal positions. For
example, in FIG. 12, sensor 110 is shown in a first azimuthal
position in solid lines and in a second azimuthal position in
dashed lines. For each azimuthal position, controller 115
determines an azimuthal position value function including the
detected mineral property at the associated azimuthal position as
an input. Azimuthal position value-functions are similar to sensor
value-functions and side bore value-functions described above. The
tem "azimuthal position value-function" can be used to refer any or
all of sensor value-function, side bore value-function, and the
just-described azimuthal position value-function. Laterally
dependent value functions are determined based on azimuthal
position value functions in manners similar to those described
above. In some embodiments, steerable drill 400 also includes a
second rotatable sensor configured to detect a second mineral
property in the earth adjacent the steerable boring tool 105 at a
plurality of azimuthal positions relative to the steerable boring
tool 105.
[0050] The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods
as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative
only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail
in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g.,
variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions
of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting
arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For
example, some elements shown as integrally formed may be
constructed from multiple parts or elements, the position of
elements may be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or
number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied.
Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included
within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence
of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced
according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions,
modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design,
operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0051] The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and
program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing
various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may
be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special
purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated
for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments
within the scope of the present disclosure include program products
comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having
machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon.
Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be
accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other
machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable
media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical
disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage
devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store
desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions
or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose
or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When
information is transferred or provided over a network or another
communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a
combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine
properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus,
any such connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium.
Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of
machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include,
for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose
computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing
machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.
[0052] Although the figures may show or the description may provide
a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ
from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may be performed
concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will
depend on various factors, including software and hardware systems
chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the
scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could
be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule
based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection
steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps. It
should be understood that the present application is not limited to
the details or methodology set forth in the description or
illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the
terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not
be regarded as limiting.
* * * * *