Technique to verify underground targets utilizing virtual reality imaging and controlled excavation

Abstract

A system and method for locating and verifying a position of an underground target utilizes a virtual reality display to guide a cutting probe to the target. Initial coordinates of the target may be obtained from prior survey data and a vertical access borehole is excavated at the initial coordinates in a first attempt to verify the target position. If the target it not encountered at the initial coordinates, a lateral sensor is positioned within the vertical access borehole to determine three-dimensional coordinates of the target. A second borehole is then excavated by a cutting head that is guided to the three-dimensional target coordinates with the assistance of a virtual reality display that shows both the target coordinates and a real time position of the cutting head. A down-hole camera or other sensor positioned within the second borehole may verify the presence or condition of the target.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure generally relates to locating and verifying the position of underground targets utilizing real time virtual reality imaging and data acquisition including Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), where controlled drilling apparatuses are used to excavate material, such as dirt, rock, or sand. More particularly, the disclosure relates to providing a visual display from 3D modeling in virtual space in addition to excavating stealth boreholes by monitoring, controlling, and recording drilling process information, including the cutting head location within the formation. Drilling process information includes the temperature and pressure of drilling fluids, including fluids and soil composition within an excavation chamber of a drilling apparatus.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Location and verification of utilities and other underground targets begins with the location and recording of the target position on the ground surface above the buried ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020]In a further embodiment, a method of locating and verifying a position of an underground target includes excavating a vertical access borehole at initial coordinates representing a surface point positioned above the underground target. If the vertical access borehole engages the underground target, then the three-dimensional position of the underground target is verified. If the vertical access borehole does not engage the underground target, then a lateral sensor is lowered into the vertical access borehole to locate and determine three-dimensional coordinates of the underground target. A second borehole is then excavated from a second surface point and is directed into engagement with the underground target to its position. Preferably, a virtual reality display is used to show both the determined three-dimensional coordinates of the underground target as well as the real-time position of the second borehole to help guide a probe cutting head forming the second borehole to the underground target.

Problems solved by technology

In one embodiment, data acquisition begins with a ground surface low frequency GPR scan which locates a target but with relatively poor resolution.

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