® TensiTrak Pullback and ® Pressure Monitoring System Operator’s Manual DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED DCI Headquarters 19625 62nd Ave. S., Suite B-103 Kent, Washington 98032 USA Tel 425 251 0559 / 800 288 3610 Fax 253 395 2800 E-mail DCI@digital-control.com www.digitrak.com DCI Europe Kurmainzer Strasse 56 D-97836 Bischbrunn Germany Tel +49(0) 9394 990 990 Fax +49(0) 9394 990 999 DCI.Europe@digital-control.
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED 3-1400-00-D © 2004-2007 by Digital Control Incorporated. All rights reserved. January 2008 edition. Trademarks The DCI logo, CableLink®, DataLog®, DigiTrak®, Eclipse®, iGPS®, Intuitive®, look-ahead®, SST®, target-inthe-box®, Target Steering®, and TensiTrak® are U.S. registered trademarks and DucTrak™, FasTrak™, LT™, SuperCell™, and TeleLock™ are trademarks of Digital Control Incorporated.
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED Table of Contents SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS................................................................................................ 5 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................... 7 SYSTEM COMPONENTS............................................................................................................................. 9 Eclipse TensiTrak Unit.............
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED Table of Contents (Cont.) USING TENSITRAK SOFTWARE .............................................................................................................. 35 Starting TensiTrak Program ................................................................................................................. 35 Menu Bar........................................................................................................................................ 36 Job Information Field....
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED Safety Precautions and Warnings IMPORTANT NOTE: All operators must read and understand the following Safety Precautions and Warnings and must review this manual (the DigiTrak® Eclipse® TensiTrak® Pullback and Pressure Monitoring System Operator’s Manual), as well as the operator’s manual that came with your DigiTrak Eclipse system (the DigiTrak® Eclipse® inGround Positioning System Operator’s Manual), before using the TensiTrak system.
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED Safety Precautions and Warnings (Cont.) ¾ Interference can cause significant inaccuracies in the measurement of depth and the TensiTrak unit’s range capability. • • Sources of interference include but are not limited to traffic signal loops, invisible dog fences, cable TV, power lines, fiber-trace lines, metal structures, cathodic protection, transmission towers, cellular phones, telephone lines, conductive earth, salt water, rebar, and radio frequencies.
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED Introduction Eclipse TensiTrak System The DigiTrak® Eclipse® TensiTrak® Pullback and Pressure Monitoring System allows you to monitor and save live pullback data electronically. The TensiTrak unit is a self-contained wireless tool that measures and transmits real-time data related to the pull forces on a product and downhole mud pressures during horizontal directional drilling (HDD) installations. It is placed behind the reamer between a swivel and the product.
Introduction receiver to the computer; and for viewing, editing, and e-mailing the data. A Quick Start Guide is provided after the System Components section for users who already know how to operate the Eclipse locating equipment. Some terms and techniques used in this manual are considered basic to the Eclipse locating system.
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED System Components The Eclipse TensiTrak system has six main components: ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ Eclipse TensiTrak unit – A compact unit that contains a battery-powered transmitter with sensors that continuously measure and transmit the pull force, maximum pull force, downhole mud pressure, temperature, battery life, and depth/position signal. It also updates and saves the maximum pull force. Eclipse TensiTrak receiver – An Eclipse receiver with TensiTrak capability.
System Components Eclipse TensiTrak Receiver The Eclipse TensiTrak receiver monitors the pullback and mud pressure data in real time and sends the data to the Eclipse TensiTrak remote display on the drill rig. The receiver will save approximately 30 hours worth of data or approximately five runs before transferring to a computer is required.
System Components Eclipse TensiTrak Software is provided The Eclipse TensiTrak software on a single CD-ROM, which also contains this operator’s manual and sample data.
System Components Notes 12 Eclipse® TensiTrak® Operator’s Manual
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED Quick Start Guide This TensiTrak system quick start guide is intended for use by someone who is already familiar with the Eclipse locating equipment. Please review the DigiTrak Eclipse InGround Positioning System Operator’s Manual if you are not familiar. This guide does not explain how to access the various menus or modes or how to check depth or signal strength—it is assumed that you will already know how to do these things.
Quick Start Guide To power up the TensiTrak unit using the SuperCell lithium battery, insert it positive terminal first, followed by a spacer or dummy battery (positive terminal first), as shown below. You must use a spacer or a dummy battery behind the SuperCell battery to take up space and provide the necessary ground connection. Do not use a C-cell battery as a spacer or dummy battery.
Quick Start Guide Telemetry Channel Remote Display Screen Calibrating TensiTrak Unit to Receiver It is only necessary to calibrate the receiver to the TensiTrak unit if you will be tracking its depth during installation. Calibration should be completed in an interference-free environment. The calibration area should be free of passive and active interference sources. If you are only tracking the position (not depth) of the TensiTrak unit, then it is not necessary to calibrate.
Quick Start Guide 2. Select Tension from the receiver’s main menu screen to confirm that the TensiTrak unit is working— you should see the following values: Pull Force = 0–100, Max Force = 0–200, and Pressure = 0. Verify that the Job Number is correct; if not, change to the correct job number. 3. Exit Tension mode. 4. Select 1 Pt. Cal. from the Configure menu. 5. Follow the prompts to complete a high-frequency calibration.
Quick Start Guide Start/Stop Saving Data Start Saving Data (Optional – for Data to be Transferred to Computer) When you are ready to start the HDD installation, you will want to start the receiver’s saving mode. To do so, from Tension mode, toggle up and answer Y for yes in the Start Data Saving dialog box.
Quick Start Guide NOTE: If there is no live data being received from the TensiTrak unit or if the unit is out of range, the data point counter and the beeper will stop. SUGGESTION: Because the TensiTrak unit creates a time-based graph, it is recommended that you document corresponding site conditions for data points. For example, you might save information such as “data point 300 was 100 ft (30.5 m) into the pullback.
Quick Start Guide Stop Saving Data When the installation is completed or you want to temporarily stop saving data, push the toggle up and answer Y for yes in the Stop Data Saving dialog box. Stop Data Saving Dialog Box If you want to resume saving, go to the Tension menu, toggle up, and answer Y for yes. You should return to the last screen displayed before you stopped saving, unless you have changed the job number.
Quick Start Guide Notes 20 Eclipse® TensiTrak® Operator’s Manual
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED Using TensiTrak Menus on Receiver Your receiver has a set of TensiTrak menus for operating the TensiTrak system. To view the TensiTrak menu options, select the DataLog option from the Eclipse main menu (where the menu options are Locate, Power Off, Set US, Configure, High/Low Fre, Tension, and DataLog). Then select the Tension DataLog option to advance to the TensiTrak main menu screen, which is shown below and discussed further in this section.
Using Receiver Menus From Eclipse Main Menu DataLog Tension DataLog Job Number Send Tension Data Delete Tension Data List Saved Job Number Exit Eclipse Receiver TensiTrak Menus To use the TensiTrak menus, select a menu option using the toggle, then click the trigger. The available menu options and their functions are found by selecting DataLog from the Eclipse main menu and then selecting Tension DataLog.
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED Setting Up TensiTrak System and Saving Data Setting Up TensiTrak System Before saving TensiTrak data on the Eclipse receiver, you must set up the system properly. ¾ You must confirm that the mud pressure sensor and battery cap on the TensiTrak unit are free of damage and wear. ¾ You must power up the TensiTrak unit, the receiver, and the remote display.
Recording Data 1. Power Up TensiTrak Unit Using Three C-Cell Alkaline Batteries 1. Inspect and clean as necessary the mud pressure sensor area, battery cap, and O-ring for damage and wear. 2. Install three C-cell alkaline batteries into the battery compartment with the positive terminals first, and then tighten the battery cap until it seats completely.
Recording Data 2. Power Up Receiver & Confirm Tension and Mud Pressure Readings 1. Power up the receiver by placing a NiCad battery pack into the receiver’s battery compartment and then clicking the trigger. 2. Select Tension from the Eclipse main menu screen. 3. Verify that you see the pull force, maximum pull force, and mud pressure listed on the screen. 4. Verify that you have the correct job number. Receiver Display Screen 3. Power Up Remote Display & Confirm Tension, Mud Pressure Readings 1.
Recording Data 4. Confirm or Change Job Number (Receiver) You will need to use the Receiver’s Job Number command to assign a job number when you are starting a new run. To change the job number: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. From the Eclipse main menu, toggle right to select DataLog, then click the trigger. Select Tension DataLog, then click the trigger. Select Job Number, then click the trigger. The last job number that was used is displayed.
Recording Data 2. Select Tension from the receiver’s main menu screen to confirm that the TensiTrak unit is working—you should see the following values: Pull Force = 0–100, Max Force = 0–200, and Pressure = 0. Verify that the Job Number is correct; if not, change to the correct job number. 3. Exit Tension mode. 4. Select 1 Pt. Cal. from the Configure menu. 5. Follow the prompts to complete a high-frequency calibration.
Recording Data Saving Data (Receiver) 1. Start Receiver’s Data Saving Mode When you are ready for the installation to begin, you will start the receiver’s saving mode. First, be sure that the remote display is powered up. 1. Select Tension from the main menu screen. 2. Toggle up and select Y for yes at the Start Data Saving dialog box. NOTE: If it is not necessary to transfer the data to a computer, then you do not need to save the data. Start Data Saving Dialog Box 3.
Recording Data “S” indicates Saving Mode Data Point Number Tension Mode Receiver Display Screen NOTE: If there is no live data being received from the TensiTrak unit or if the unit is out of range, the data point counter and the beeper will stop. SUGGESTION: Because the TensiTrak unit creates a time-based graph, it is recommended that you document corresponding site conditions for data points. For example, you might save information such as “data point 300 was 100 ft (30.5 m) into the pullback.” 2.
Recording Data 3. Stop Saving Data After the installation is complete, you must tell the receiver to stop saving data. To do this: 1. Toggle up, and you will see the Stop Data Saving dialog box. Stop Data Saving Dialog Box 2. Toggle right to select Y for yes. 3. Click the trigger NOTE: The Eclipse receiver can be shut off and on and the battery changed without affecting the presaved data. Once the receiver is restarted and returned to Tension saving mode, it will append the data properly.
Recording Data Summary of Procedure for Setting Up System & Saving Data Setting Up TensiTrak System 1. Power Up TensiTrak Unit 2. Power Up Receiver and Confirm Tension and Mud Pressure Readings 3. Power Up Remote and Confirm Tension and Mud Pressure Readings 4. Confirm or Change Job Number (Receiver) 5. Calibrate Receiver to TensiTrak Unit 6. Monitor Used Memory and Battery Status of Receiver and TensiTrak Unit Saving Data (Receiver) 1. Start Receiver’s Data Saving Mode 2.
Recording Data Notes 32 Eclipse® TensiTrak® Operator’s Manual
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED Installing TensiTrak Software Computer System Requirements The Eclipse TensiTrak computer software is provided on a single CD-ROM, which also contains the operator’s manual and sample data.
Installing Software Notes 34 Eclipse® TensiTrak® Operator’s Manual
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED Using TensiTrak Software Starting TensiTrak Program There are three ways to start the Eclipse TensiTrak program: ¾ Double-click on the Eclipse TensiTrak icon ¾ Use the Start button (in lower left corner of computer screen) and select Start | All Programs | TensiTrak. ¾ From Windows Explorer, click on the Tensitrak.exe file in the C:\Program Files\Digital Control Incorporated\TensiTrak folder, or the folder you have designated for the storage location. on the desktop.
Using Software Menu Bar Under each menu on the menu bar (File, Edit, Port, and Help) are commands for running the Eclipse TensiTrak program. Many of the commands are similar to those used in other Windows programs. This is particularly true for the File and Help menu commands. The menu commands are summarized below. File Menu Commands ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ New – Creates a new blank project screen. Open – Opens an existing project. Save – Saves an opened project using the same file name.
Using Software Job Information Field The Job Information field displays some basic information about the job, including location, date, time, system, and design load. To enter or change the job information, select Job Info from the Edit menu. You will see the Job Information dialog box (see “Editing Job Information” in the Editing Data in Computer section).
Using Software If you want to enter the maximum pull force of the product so that it displays as a horizontal red line on the Force graph, then enter the value in the Design Load input box. A value of 4000 was entered as the design load in the example shown below. Design Load Pull Force Graph DATA Field The DATA field lists information about each data point (DP) in the specified job (Job#). Each of the data fields is described below. ¾ DP# – A sequential listing of each data point.
Using Software PLOT Button PLOT The PLOT button is used to replot the data in the Pull Force and Mud Pressure graphs if you have added a value to the Design Load field after the data has been transferred from the receiver to the computer. Pull Force Graph The Pull Force graph shows the amount of pull force (in pounds or kilo-Newtons) exerted on the TensiTrak unit at each data collection interval (3 seconds) from the moment you began saving data on the receiver.
Using Software Mud Pressure Graph The Mud Pressure graph shows the downhole mud pressure (in pounds-per-square-inch or kilo-Pascals) at each collection interval. 40 ¾ Pressure, psi – The Y-axis shows the value of the mud pressure. ¾ Data Points – The X-axis shows the number of data points; a data point is saved every 3 seconds. ¾ Cursor Coordinates – The cursor coordinates show the pull force and data point numbers of the mouse pointer as it is positioned on the graph.
Using Software Opening Project Files 1. To open an existing drill project from within the TensiTrak program, select Open from the File menu. You will see the Open dialog box and a list of available TensiTrak project files (with the file extension “ttd”) in the folder that was last used. If this is the first time the program is being used, however, the Open dialog box will show the Data folder under the Eclipse TensiTrak program file, which is the default location for saving project files (C:\Program Files\D
Using Software Printing and Previewing Project Reports 1. If you want to preview the printed pages before you send the file to print, select Print Preview from the File menu. 2. To print the project data, select Print from the File menu. A Report Size dialog box should appear. Input the range of data points that are pertinent and click OK. A Print dialog box should appear next. Make any adjustments needed in the Print dialog box, then click OK.
Using Software Saving Project Files 1. To save an open project file, select Save from the File menu. The file will automatically be saved under its current file name (shown on the left in the blue title bar at the top of the main application window) and location. If the project has not yet been saved and named, then the file will automatically save to the default file name Untitled.ttd. 2. To save a file with a different file name or location, select Save As from the File menu.
Using Software E-mailing Project Files You can send Eclipse TensiTrak files via e-mail. E-mailed files can be opened on any computer that has the same version of the Eclipse TensiTrak software as used on the originating computer. The Eclipse TensiTrak program generates three files for each drill run – one “*.ttd” project file and two “*.oc2” files, one for the Force data and one for the Pressure data. All three files are required to be in the same folder for the project data to display correctly.
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED Transferring Data from Receiver to Computer Transferring Data from Receiver to Computer DCI suggests that you transfer data to a computer following every TensiTrak job. DCI recommends that you use an AC power source when transferring data from the receiver to the computer. DCI does not recommend using an adapter with inverter. If AC power is not available, then use the laptop’s battery pack.
Transferring Data Transferring Hints If the data does not transfer, try another port. To do so, click on the Port Close button to close the current port. Then select a different port, click on the Port Open button, and try transferring again. To verify the available ports on your computer, select Start | Control Panel | System to open the System Properties dialog box.
Transferring Data COM Port Advanced Settings Dialog Box This shows all of the ports and which ones are in use. Click on COM port 1, 2, 3, or 4, whichever is available, and then click OK and close out all of the dialog boxes. If COM ports 1, 2, 3, and 4 are already in use, you may have to temporarily reassign one to free up a port for the TensiTrak program’s USB-to-Serial Adapter. Another remedy to try if the data does not transfer is to hold the IR cable 2 in.
Transferring Data Deleting Data from Receiver After Transfer After you have transferred the data for all of the runs saved in the receiver, you can delete the data from the receiver to make room for more runs. You can save up to 30 hours of data or five runs (check the receiver’s used memory) before you have to delete data from the receiver. Be sure you have transferred and saved the data on your computer before you delete the data from the receiver.
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED Editing Data in Computer You can edit the data in the computer after it has been transferred. Remember to transfer data for each run at least twice, and save each set of data with a different name, to ensure that you have a backup copy of the data. Editing Run Information 1. Select Job Info from the Edit menu. You will see the Run Information dialog box shown below. 2. Edit the information as needed, then click OK.
Editing Data Formatting Force and Pressure Graphs You can customize the look of your graphs by using the 2D Chart Control Properties dialog box. To access this dialog box, place your mouse in either the force or pressure graph area and click the right mouse button. The most useful tips for sizing the graphs are described below. 2D Chart Control Properties Dialog Box Showing X-Axis Scale Tab Adjusting Graphs to View Data Better 1. In the 2D Chart Control Properties dialog box, click on the Axes tab. 2.
Editing Data 6. To adjust the Y-axis scale, click on the Y in the Axes box in the top left area. 2D Chart Control Properties Dialog Box Showing Y-Axis Scale Tab 7. Under the Scale tab, type in values for the Max and Min boxes. The Max box adjusts the amount of white space above the X-axis; the Min box adjusts the amount of white space below the X-axis. 8. Click Apply or OK to adjust the graph.
Editing Data Notes 3-1400-00-D 52 Eclipse® TensiTrak® Operator’s Manual
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