Patent ID: 7331409
Filing Date: 2008-02-19
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A horizontal directional drilling system comprising: a horizontal directional drilling machine; a drill string operatively connected to the horizontal directional drilling machine; a downhole tool assembly supported on the drill string; a transmitting assembly comprising a transmitter adapted to transmit at least an operation instruction signal; and a beacon assembly supported by the downhole tool assembly comprising at least a configurable operation parameter, the beacon assembly further comprising: wherein the processor is adapted to predetermine a calibration factor indicative of the actual orientation of the beacon assembly relative to a known downhole tool assembly orientation in response to the detected operation instruction signal from the receiver, to process the detected operation instruction signal according to the predetermined calibration factor, and to determine an actual orientation of the downhole tool assembly using the actual orientation of the beacon assembly and the calibration factor.