Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080224704 | Apparatus and method for detecting and identifying ferrous and non-ferrous metals - A metal detector using a linear current ramp followed by an abrupt current transition to energize the transmitter coil. The constant emf imposed on the target during the current ramp permits separation of transient voltages generated in response to eddy currents in the target and its environment from the voltages arising as a result of an inductive imbalance of the coil system The temporal separation of the various voltages makes reliable differentiation between ferrous and non-ferrous targets possible. | 09-18-2008 |
20080246481 | Locating Arrangement and Method Using Boring Tool and Cable Locating Signals - An arrangement and an associated method are described in which a boring tool is moved through the ground within a given region along a path in which region a cable is buried. The boring tool and the cable transmit a boring tool locating signal and a cable locating signal, respectively. Intensities of the boring tool locating signal and the cable locating signal are measured along with a pitch orientation of the boring tool. Using the measured intensities and established pitch orientation, a positional relationship is determined to relative scale including at least the boring tool and the cable in the region. The positional relationship is displayed to scale in one view. The positional relationship may be determined and displayed including the forward locate point in scaled relation to the boring tool and the cable. Cable depth determination techniques are described including a two-point ground depth determination method. | 10-09-2008 |
20080246482 | Distinguishing False Signals in Cable Locating - Discriminating between a cable locating signal and a false cable locating signal is described. A reference signal, which contains a locating signal frequency impressed on it, is transmitted in a way which provides for detection of a phase shift between the locating signal and the false locating signal. Based on the phase shift, a receiver is used to distinguish the locating signal from the false locating signal. | 10-09-2008 |
20080297158 | Gradiometric Directional Metal Detector - An implementation of a direction finding and magnetic nulling metal detector is provided. Some embodiments of the present invention provide for a metal detector having multiple resonant circuits and associated coils for transmitting a primary transmit signal, transmitting a magnetic nulling signal, and receiving a receive signal. A controller includes logic to process the generate the transmit signals and to process the received signal in order to determine a gradient vector along one or two dimensions, a depth and whether or not a metal object is ferrous. | 12-04-2008 |
20080309344 | Systems and methods useful for detecting presence and / or location of various materials - The present invention provides systems and methods which can be employed to locate or detect presence of various materials, including nonferrous metals. These systems include new and useful sensors, circuits, systems and devices which power and/or interoperate with the sensors, and methods of making, operating and using such systems. Any or all of the systems, devices or processes can be combined with other systems, devices or processes disclosed. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309345 | Tracking Positions of Personnel, Vehicles, and Inanimate Objects - A device rotates at least one static magnetic field about an axis, producing a rotating magnetic dipole field, and is movable in relation to the surface of the ground. The field is periodically sensed using a receiver to produce a receiver output responsive to the field. A positional relationship between the receiver and the device is monitored using the output. In one aspect, changing the positional relationship, by moving the device nearer to a boring tool which supports the receiver, causes an increase in accuracy of depth determination. In another aspect, determination of an actual overhead position of the boring tool, and its application, are described. Use of a plurality of measurements over at least one-half revolution of each magnet is disclosed. Establishing a surface radial direction toward a boring tool and resolution of multi-valued parameters is described. Calibration techniques, as well as a three transmitter configuration are also described. | 12-18-2008 |
20090027055 | Locating Technique and Apparatus Using an Approximated Dipole Signal - Location determination is performed using a transmitter including an elongated generally planar loop antenna defining an elongation axis. The elongation axis is positioned along at least a portion of a path. A magnetic field is then generated which approximates a dipole field. Certain characteristics of the magnetic field are then determined at a receiving position radially displaced from the antenna elongation axis. Using the determined certain characteristics, at least one orientation parameter is established which characterizes a positional relationship between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The magnetic field may be transmitted as a monotone single phase signal. The orientation parameter may be a radial offset and/or an angular orientation between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The antenna of the transmitter may be inserted into a first borehole to transmit the magnetic field to a receiver inserted into a second borehole. | 01-29-2009 |
20090079433 | Ground control unit for cable locating - A system and method for selectively grounding each of a plurality of short-haul buried utility conveyances coupled to a common long-haul buried utility conveyance to enable a conveyance locating signal transmitted through the long-haul conveyance to travel from the long-haul utility conveyance to a selected short-haul utility conveyance. The system includes a first optical switch for selecting each of the plurality of short-haul utility conveyances to be grounded, where the first optical switch is adapted to receive an optical signal and selectively output the optical signal on one of a plurality of optical fibers; and a second optical switch coupled to each of the plurality of optical fibers for grounding each short-haul utility conveyance in response to the optical signal on a corresponding optical fiber. | 03-26-2009 |
20090128156 | ENHANCED PRECISE LOCATION - A method for determining the location of underground cables and pipes is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes measuring a set of electromagnetic field magnitudes and phases at a plurality of positions while traversing a target line parallelly using 3D electromagnetic coil sensors, the 3D electromagnetic coil sensors being orthogonally oriented to the target line, modeling a set of expected complex electromagnetic field magnitudes of a single underground conductor at each of the positions to form a set of values corresponding to a set of individual models for the target line, determining which of the set of individuals models is a best model, determining confidence information at each of the positions based on a comparison between the measured set of complex electromagnetic magnitudes and phases and the best model, and determining parameters at each of positions related to the target line from the best model. | 05-21-2009 |
20090167308 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING AN UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC CABLE - In a method and system for monitoring an underground cable in a site of interest, multiple samples of magnetic field data and corresponding location data are collected periodically over a sampling period of extended time. The magnetic field data samples and corresponding location data are processed to determine respective topologies of one or more current-carrying conductors in the site and for each of the conductors respective magnetic field data relating to each sampled point are integrated with respect to a predetermined parameter of the respective conductor so as compute an integrated contribution of each sampled span along the respective conductor. The data relating to different conductors in the site are output in a manner that allows determination of a conductor for which the parameter changes during the sampling period. | 07-02-2009 |
20090201023 | Pre-Amplifier and Mixer Circuitry for a Locator Antenna - A pre-amplifier circuit for connection to an antenna of a human-portable locator includes a differential amplifier/mixer pair and means for allowing a common-mode “phantom” signal to modulate a transfer function of the differential amplifier/mixer pair. The common-mode phantom signal modulates the transfer function of the differential pre-amplifier “onboard” the antenna without the usual requirement for onboard power supply and signal oscillator. This technique uses the same electronic components to provide both pre-amplification and mixing functions, thereby improving circuit performance-to-cost ratio, reducing mixer power consumption, situating the necessary signal oscillator remotely from the mixer, and greatly improving the available system bandwidth by limiting spectral transmission demands to the mixed signal bandwidth alone. | 08-13-2009 |
20090219027 | MULTI-SENSOR SYSTEM FOR THE DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE - To fully characterize the inductive response of an isolated conductive object, such as buried unexploded ordinance, one needs to measure its response to stimulation by primary magnetic fields in three linearly independent (e.g., approximately orthogonal) directions. In one embodiment this is achieved by measuring the response to magnetic fields of three independent transmitters arranged to have magnetic fields that are linearly independent. According to the apparatus and methods employing the system of this invention, multiple transmitters and receivers of known relative position and orientation on a single platform are used. In a preferred embodiment, matched sets of receiver pairs connected in gradient mode are positioned adjacent to closely spaced pairs of transmitting coils, such that a minor displacement of one or both of the receiver coil pairs relative to the paired transmitting coils will not affect the detected secondary signals emitted by a buried metallic object. | 09-03-2009 |
20090243615 | INDUCTIVE PROXIMITY SWITCH AND METHOD FOR ITS OPERATION - The invention relates to an inductive proximity switch which has a resonant circuit (L | 10-01-2009 |
20090289634 | Distinguishing False Signals in Cable Locating - Discriminating between a cable locating signal and a false cable locating signal is described. A reference signal, which contains a locating signal frequency impressed on it, is transmitted in a way which provides for detection of a phase shift between the locating signal and the false locating signal. Based on the phase shift, a receiver is used to distinguish the locating signal from the false locating signal. | 11-26-2009 |
20100001731 | Transmitter of a System for Detecting a Buried Conductor - A system for detecting a buried conductor comprises a transmitter for generating a test signal in the buried conductor and a detector for detecting an electromagnetic signal resulting from the test signal flowing in the buried conductor. The transmitter comprises a waveform generator for generating a drive waveform signal, a power supply, an amplifier, connected to the power supply and the waveform generator for producing an output drive signal based on the drive waveform signal and an output circuit for acting on the output drive signal to generate an output signal having a current and a voltage. In-phase and quadrature components of the current and voltage of the output signal are fed back for controlling the amplifier. | 01-07-2010 |
20100001732 | Detector for Calculating a Depth of a Buried Conductor - A detector for calculating a depth of a buried conductor comprises three parallel antennas B, M, T. The second antenna M is spaced a distance s from the first antenna B and the third antenna T is a distance 2s from the first antenna B and a distance s from the second antenna M. The outputs of the first and second antennas B, M are compared and the outputs from the second and third antennas M, T are compared. The depth of the buried conductor is calculated based on the first and second compared values. | 01-07-2010 |
20100045294 | Locating Arrangement and Method using Boring Tool and Cable Locating Signals - An arrangement and an associated method are described in which a boring tool is moved through the ground within a given region along a path in which region a cable is buried. The boring tool and the cable transmit a boring tool locating signal and a cable locating signal, respectively. Intensities of the boring tool locating signal and the cable locating signal are measured along with a pitch orientation of the boring tool. Using the measured intensities and established pitch orientation, a positional relationship is determined to relative scale including at least the boring tool and the cable in the region. The positional relationship is displayed to scale in one view. The positional relationship may be determined and displayed including the forward locate point in scaled relation to the boring tool and the cable. Cable depth determination techniques are described including a two-point ground depth determination method. | 02-25-2010 |
20100052684 | LOCALIZATION SYSTEM FOR AN EARTHMOVING MACHINE - The invention relates to a localization system for localizing an underground object for an earthmoving machine comprising a working part. Said localization system comprises a fastening component and a detector component. The fastening component can be arranged on the working part for example by means of magnets. The detector component is adapted to detect the object using an electromagnetic field that can be associated with the object and is arranged on the fastening component so as to swing like a pendulum, thereby effecting an alignment of the detector component under the effect of gravity. Optionally, the localization system comprises an arithmetic component for deriving a distance information of the object from the detected value. The localization system also comprises a display component for displaying and/or forwarding the detected value and/or the distance information. | 03-04-2010 |
20100060285 | Detector for Detecting a Current Carrying Conductor and a Method of Validating Operation of the Detector - A detector for detecting a buried conductor comprises a plurality of antennas B, T. Each antenna B, T has a winding wound around the antenna, the winding being connected to a current source for providing a predefined current in the winding. When the predefined current is applied to the winding an electromagnetic field is generated at the antenna which induces a test current in the antenna. The test current is compared to calibration data stored in the detector to validate the correct operation of the detector. | 03-11-2010 |
20100085054 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING ELECTRONIC RECORDS OF LOCATE AND MARKING OPERATIONS - Systems and methods for generating electronic records of locate operations and marking operations are described. Exemplary systems and methods include marking devices that generate, store and/or transmit electronic records of marking information, locate devices that generate, store and/or transmit electronic records of locate information, and locate devices and marking devices that communicate with each other (and optionally with other devices or systems) to share/exchange locate information and/or marking information. An exemplary method for analyzing and processing locate information and marking information includes a computer-implemented method for visually rendering (e.g., in a display field of a display device) various aspects of locate and marking operations. | 04-08-2010 |
20100097064 | Flux Plane Locating in an Underground Drilling System - A portable locator and method for establishing the location of the cable line in a region which includes at least one generally straight electrically conductive cable line extending across the region from which cable line a locating signal includes a first arrangement for measuring a local flux intensity of the locating signal at a first above ground point within the region with the portable locator in a particular orientation at the first above ground point. A second arrangement uses the local flux intensity to establish a cable line angular orientation which limits the possible directions to the cable line relative to the particular orientation of the portable locator at the above ground point. A third arrangement uses the measured local flux intensity to establish an actual direction of the cable line that is selected from the possible directions based on certain characteristics of the locating signal. | 04-22-2010 |
20100109670 | DETECTION SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR IDENTIFYING AND TRACKING BURIED PIPES OR OTHER BODIES BURIED IN THE GROUND OR EMBEDDED IN CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS - The invention relates to a detection system suitable for identifying and tracking buried pipes or other bodies buried the ground or embedded in civil engineering works, which comprises: a coding device affixed to or integrated into the objects ( | 05-06-2010 |
20100117654 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING AN ELECTRONIC RENDERING OF A LOCATE AND/OR MARKING OPERATION USING DISPLAY LAYERS - Locate information, marking information, and/or landmark information relating to a locate operation and/or a marking operation to detect and/or mark a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility is categorized into a plurality of display layers for electronic rendering. At least some of the display layers may be independently enabled or disabled for display such that only enabled display layers are displayed in a display field of a display device. Alternate enabling and disabling of one or more display layers facilitates comparative viewing of the layers. A layer directory or layer legend pane may be displayed to allow for selective enabling/disabling of one or more layers. One or more layers further may be categorized into sub-layers, and respective sub-layers of a given layer similarly may be independently enabled or disabled for display. | 05-13-2010 |
20100201366 | Multi-Frequency Boring Tool Locating System and Method - Arrangements, apparatus and associated methods are described for use in a multi-frequency boring tool locating system. The boring tool includes a transmitter for transmitting a locating signal at two or more selectable frequencies. One set of above ground procedures may be applied to the transmitter in order to change the frequency of the boring tool transmitter. Another set of procedures is applicable for changing the frequency during below ground drilling operations, for example, by subjecting the boring tool to a predetermined roll orientation sequence. An enhanced portable locator operates in a manual or automatic mode to receive locating frequency information transmitted from the boring tool transmitter including frequency updates. Boring tool transmitter, as well as above ground locator shutdown/restart procedures are described relating to multi-frequency operation. A tone detector is described which implements one or more digital match filters. | 08-12-2010 |
20100207633 | LOCALIZATION SYSTEM FOR AN EARTH MOVING MACHINE - The invention relates to a localization system for localizing an underground object for an earthmoving machine comprising a working part. Said localization system comprises a fastening component and a detector component. The fastening component can be arranged on the working part for example by means of magnets. The detector component is adapted to detect the object using an electromagnetic field that can be associated with the object and is arranged on the fastening component so as to swing like a pendulum, thereby effecting an alignment of the detector component under the effect of gravity. Optionally, the localization system comprises an arithmetic component for deriving a distance information of the object from the detected value. The localization system also comprises a display component for displaying and/or forwarding the detected value and/or the distance information. | 08-19-2010 |
20100259265 | Flux Plane Locating in an Underground Drilling System - A portable locator and method for establishing the location of the cable line in a region which includes at least one generally straight electrically conductive cable line extending across the region from which cable line a locating signal includes a first arrangement for measuring a local flux intensity of the locating signal at a first above ground point within the region with the portable locator in a particular orientation at the first above ground point. A second arrangement uses the local flux intensity to establish a cable line angular orientation which limits the possible directions to the cable line relative to the particular orientation of the portable locator at the above ground point. A third arrangement uses the measured local flux intensity to establish an actual direction of the cable line that is selected from the possible directions based on certain characteristics of the locating signal. | 10-14-2010 |
20100283467 | METAL DETECTOR WITH IMPROVED MAGNETIC RESPONSE APPLICATION - This invention discloses a low cost metal detector which suppresses signals arising from signals induced in a receive inductor from a rate of change of environmental static fields. The metal detector processes a signal due to a rate of change of environmental static fields to produce a first signal, and processes a signal due to the transmitted magnetic field to produce a second signal, the second signal includes a proportion of the first signal. Signal processing includes the subtraction of an estimation of the proportion of the first signal from the second signal to produce a third signal, such that the third signal is substantially independent of the first signal; and the receive electronics further processes the third signal to produce an indicator output signal, the indicator output signal includes a signal indicative of the presence of a metallic target and is substantially unaffected by the signal due to a rate of change of environmental static fields. | 11-11-2010 |
20100301866 | Capacitive Detection System - An apparatus for detecting and avoiding an underground object during a horizontal directional drilling operation. The apparatus comprises a boring tool with a capacitive detection system. The boring tool is operatively connected to a drill string and advanced through the earth to create a borehole. The capacitive detection system includes a capacitive assembly and a processor. The capacitive assembly has first and second capacitive plates separated a known distance from an excitation plate. The capacitive plates detect a change in capacitance when the underground object is approached by the boring tool. The processor determines the distance to or location of the underground object from capacitance information sensed by the capacitive detection system. The distance and location information is transmitted to a machine operator. | 12-02-2010 |
20110006772 | Tri-Pod Buried Locator System - A portable self-standing electromagnetic (EM) field sensing locator system with attachments for finding and mapping buried objects such as utilities and with intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) displays. Accessories include a ground penetrating radar (GPR) system with a rotating Tx/Rx antenna assembly, a leak detection system, a multi-probe voltage mapping system, a man-portable laser-range finder system with embedded dipole beacon and other detachable accessory sensor systems are accepted for attachment to the locator system for simultaneous operation in cooperation with the basic locator system. The integration of the locator system with one or more additional devices, such as fault-finding, geophones and conductance sensors, facilitates the rapid detection and localization of many different types of buried objects. | 01-13-2011 |
20110012600 | ELECTROMAGNETIC ANTENNA AND METHOD OF USE FOR DETECTING OBJECTS - Disclosed herein are systems and methods of detecting objects. In particular, a transmitter antenna is disclosed comprising one or more coils. Alternating current may be run through the one or more coils of the antenna to create an electro-magnetic field (“EMF”) which will, in turn, induce an alternating current in objects near the EMF(s). As a result of the induced alternating current in the hidden object, a second EMF is generated around the hidden object which may be detected by a receiver, indicating the location of the hidden object. The transmitter antenna may be elongated and flexible to permit deploying the antenna in a configuration facilitating location of all utilities in an area of investigation with little or no relocation of the antenna. | 01-20-2011 |
20110018542 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCATING WELL CASINGS FROM AN ADJACENT WELLBORE - A wellbore tool for locating a target wellbore containing a conductive member from a second wellbore and directing the trajectory of the second wellbore relative to the target wellbore includes an electric current driver having an insulated gap; a three-axis magnetometer positioned within a non-magnetic housing that is disposed within a non-magnetic tubular, the three-axis magnetometer positioned below the electric current driver; a drill bit positioned below the three-axis magnetometer; a hollow tubular connected between the electric current driver and the three-axis magnetometer; and a measurement-while-drilling tool. The current driver generates an electric current across the gap to the portion of the tool below the insulated gap. In a method a current is generated across the insulated gap to the portion of the tool below the insulated gap to the conductive material in the target wellbore returning to a portion of the bottom hole assembly above the insulated gap thereby producing a target magnetic field. Measuring the target magnetic field at the bottom hole assembly and the earth's magnetic field; and determining the position of the second wellbore relative to the target wellbore. Then steering the bottom hole assembly to drill the second wellbore along a trajectory relative to the target wellbore. | 01-27-2011 |
20110025334 | Locating Arrangement and Method Using Boring Tool and Cable Locating Signals - An arrangement and an associated method are described in which a boring tool is moved through the ground within a given region along a path in which region a cable is buried. The boring tool and the cable transmit a boring tool locating signal and a cable locating signal, respectively. Intensities of the boring tool locating signal and the cable locating signal are measured along with a pitch orientation of the boring tool. Using the measured intensities and established pitch orientation, a positional relationship is determined to relative scale including at least the boring tool and the cable in the region. The positional relationship is displayed to scale in one view. The positional relationship may be determined and displayed including the forward locate point in scaled relation to the boring tool and the cable. Cable depth determination techniques are described including a two-point ground depth determination method. | 02-03-2011 |
20110037472 | Omnidirectional Sonde and Line Locator - At least one antenna array including three mutually orthogonal antennas each sharing a common center point senses an electromagnetic signal emitted by a buried object such as a utility line, pipe or sonde. A circuit at least partially mounted in a housing is connected to the array and determines a location of the buried object by measuring signal strength and field angles in three dimensions without having to align the antenna array relative to the buried object while eliminating nulls and false peaks. A graphical user interface (GUI) has user-friendly icons, symbols, menus, numbers and graphical and auditory representation of signal strength. A SEARCH view indicates signal strength by showing a rotating strength indicator, a trace mode MAP view in which line location is shown by a line that moves side-to-side, and a sonde mode MAP view in which sonde location is shown by a moving line, pole and equator. | 02-17-2011 |
20110062959 | TRACKING POSITIONS OF PERSONNEL, VEHICLES, AND INANIMATE OBJECTS - A device rotates at least one static magnetic field about an axis, producing a rotating magnetic dipole field, and is movable in relation to the surface of the ground. The field is periodically sensed using a receiver to produce a receiver output responsive to the field. A positional relationship between the receiver and the device is monitored using the output. In one aspect, changing the positional relationship, by moving the device nearer to a boring tool which supports the receiver, causes an increase in accuracy of depth determination. In another aspect, determination of an actual overhead position of the boring tool, and its application, are described. Use of a plurality of measurements over at least one-half revolution of each magnet is disclosed. Establishing a surface radial direction toward a boring tool and resolution of multi-valued parameters is described. Calibration techniques, as well as a three transmitter configuration are also described. | 03-17-2011 |
20110068795 | CONTINUOUS WAVE METAL DETECTOR - A training set including a target object set and a clutter object set is accessed. It is determined that the training set includes multiple types of targets or multiple types of clutter. The target feature value of a type of target is compared with the clutter feature value. The type of target is associated with the non-target object based on the comparison. A classifier is trained using the target feature value and the clutter feature value of the associated type of target and the non-clutter object. A feature value associated with an unknown object is applied to multiple classifiers to generate a set of metrics for the unknown object. The metrics are aggregated into an overall metric. Whether the unknown object is included in the target set is determined based on the overall metric. | 03-24-2011 |
20110101984 | DISTINGUISHING FALSE SIGNALS IN CABLE LOCATING - Discriminating between a cable locating signal and a false cable locating signal is described. A reference signal, which contains a locating signal frequency impressed on it, is transmitted in a way which provides for detection of a phase shift between the locating signal and the false locating signal. Based on the phase shift, a receiver is used to distinguish the locating signal from the false locating signal. | 05-05-2011 |
20110101985 | TRACKING THE POSITIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A BORING TOOL AND ONE OR MORE BURIED LINES USING A COMPOSITE MAGNETIC SIGNAL - A boring tool is moved through the ground in a region which includes at least one electrically conductive in-ground line and which is subject to static magnetic fields including the magnetic field of the earth. Tracking a positional relationship between the boring tool and the line, as well as a directional heading of the boring tool within the region are provided by: (i) generating a time varying magnetic field from the line; (ii) at the boring tool, detecting a composite magnetic signal which includes one component affected by the static magnetic fields and another component affected by the time varying magnetic field such that the static magnetic field component varies as a function of the directional heading and the time varying component varies as a function of the positional relationship; and (iii) processing the composite magnetic signal to separate the static magnetic field component and the time varying magnetic field component from the composite magnetic signal for use in determining the directional heading and the positional relationship. In one feature, the static magnetic field component is used to determine the directional heading of the boring tool and the time varying magnetic field component is used to determine the positional relationship. | 05-05-2011 |
20110181288 | Trace explosives personnel screening system - A detector system with a portal including a plurality of output ports that direct a plurality of output airstreams in an essentially horizontal direction, and a plurality of intake ports that pull in air. The system also includes at least one concentrator coupled to at least one of the intake ports, and a detector coupled to the concentrator. The horizontally oriented output airstreams and multiple intake ports provide a system that can rapidly screen multiple people for explosives and other substances. | 07-28-2011 |
20110181289 | LOCATOR ASSEMBLY FOR DETECTING, LOCATING AND IDENTIFYING BURIED OBJECTS AND METHOD OF USE - A locator assembly for the detection, location and identification of a buried object is provided comprising a sensor portion adapted to detect and measure the magnetic field strength of a buried object. A control assembly is connected to the sensor portion, wherein the control assembly is adapted to receive and analyze the magnetic field strength provided by the sensor portion to ascertain the location of a buried object. An identification portion is connected to the control assembly and operates independent of the sensor portion, wherein the identification portion is adapted to communicate with the buried object to ascertain the identity of the buried object. A method for the detection, location and identification of a buried object is also provided. | 07-28-2011 |
20110199087 | FLUX PLANE LOCATING IN AN UNDERGROUND DRILLING SYSTEM - A portable locator and method for establishing the location of the cable line in a region which includes at least one generally straight electrically conductive cable line extending across the region from which cable line a locating signal includes a first arrangement for measuring a local flux intensity of the locating signal at a first above ground point within the region with the portable locator in a particular orientation at the first above ground point. A second arrangement uses the local flux intensity to establish a cable line angular orientation which limits the possible directions to the cable line relative to the particular orientation of the portable locator at the above ground point. A third arrangement uses the measured local flux intensity to establish an actual direction of the cable line that is selected from the possible directions based on certain characteristics of the locating signal. | 08-18-2011 |
20110204895 | TRACKING POSITIONS OF PERSONNEL, VEHICLES, AND INANIMATE OBJECTS - A device rotates at least one static magnetic field about an axis, producing a rotating magnetic dipole field, and is movable in relation to the surface of the ground. The field is periodically sensed using a receiver to produce a receiver output responsive to the field. A positional relationship between the receiver and the device is monitored using the output. In one aspect, changing the positional relationship, by moving the device nearer to a boring tool which supports the receiver, causes an increase in accuracy of depth determination. In another aspect, determination of an actual overhead position of the boring tool, and its application, are described. Use of a plurality of measurements over at least one-half revolution of each magnet is disclosed. Establishing a surface radial direction toward a boring tool and resolution of multi-valued parameters is described. Calibration techniques, as well as a three transmitter configuration are also described. | 08-25-2011 |
20110215808 | PASSIVE UNDERGROUND ELECTRONIC MARKER FOR USE IN ANY ORIENTATION - A passive electronic marker comprising a single tuned LC circuit, having an inductance and one capacitance element, that respond substantially uniformly to a marker locating instrument irrespective of the orientation the marker was installed in. The inductance is split among more than one electrically contiguous coils; each of the coils is oriented in different axes along the three dimensional space to achieve the substantially uniform response to a marker locating instrument. The tuned circuit is enclosed in a protective housing that may or may not help in the orientation of the marker during burying. The passive marker is of a type that is buried relative to portions of an object for use in locating such objects when necessary. | 09-08-2011 |
20110227575 | Receiver System For Determining The Location Of A Magnetic Field Source - A method and receiver system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source using two horizontally displaced tri-axial antennas. In a preferred embodiment two tri-axial antennas are positioned at opposite ends of a receiver frame. Each antenna detects in three dimensions a magnetic field from a source or transmitter. The receiver is maintained in a horizontal plane and the receiver is moved in the horizontal plane until a flux angle measured at each of the two points is zero so that the receiver is in the vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of the source. The depth and location of the source in three dimensions relative to the receiver is determined using the detected field values. The receiver is moved in a direction defined by a line containing the two points of the receiver until a magnitude of the magnetic field detected at each of the two points is substantially the same so that the receiver is positioned above the source. | 09-22-2011 |
20110267063 | LOCATING ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD USING BORING TOOL AND CABLE LOCATING SIGNALS - An arrangement and an associated method are described in which a boring tool is moved through the ground within a given region along a path in which region a cable is buried. The boring tool and the cable transmit a boring tool locating signal and a cable locating signal, respectively. Intensities of the boring tool locating signal and the cable locating signal are measured along with a pitch orientation of the boring tool. Using the measured intensities and established pitch orientation, a positional relationship is determined to relative scale including at least the boring tool and the cable in the region. The positional relationship is displayed to scale in one view. The positional relationship may be determined and displayed including the forward locate point in scaled relation to the boring tool and the cable. Cable depth determination techniques are described including a two-point ground depth determination method. | 11-03-2011 |
20110267064 | MULTI-FREQUENCY BORING TOOL LOCATING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Arrangements, apparatus and associated methods are described for use in a multi-frequency boring tool locating system. The boring tool includes a transmitter for transmitting a locating signal at two or more selectable frequencies. One set of above ground procedures may be applied to the transmitter in order to change the frequency of the boring tool transmitter. Another set of procedures is applicable for changing the frequency during below ground drilling operations, for example, by subjecting the boring tool to a predetermined roll orientation sequence. An enhanced portable locator operates in a manual or automatic mode to receive locating frequency information transmitted from the boring tool transmitter including frequency updates. Boring tool transmitter, as well as above ground locator shutdown/restart procedures are described relating to multi-frequency operation. A tone detector is described which implements one or more digital match filters. | 11-03-2011 |
20110273178 | DEVICE FOR MARKING OUT BURIED OBJECTS - A method and apparatus for marking the location of a buried object in which the location of the buried object is determined and a barhole driver or plunger bar having a detachable plug element and a marking material for marking the location of the buried object is driven into the ground proximate the location of the buried object. The detachable plug element detaches from the plunger bar as the plunger bar is removed from the ground, leaving a substantially continuous path of the marking material in the ground extending substantially continuously from proximate the detachable plug element to the ground surface. | 11-10-2011 |
20110285398 | DETECTION OF TOOL IN PIPE - Methods and systems for determining whether a tool has been deployed below a drill pipe are provided. A downhole tool can measure various characteristics, which then can be analyzed to determine the likelihood of a tool having been deployed below the drill pipe. For example, density and porosity measurements can be affected by the presence of casing or drill pipe, and thus such measurements can provide an indication of whether the tool has been deployed below the drill pipe. | 11-24-2011 |
20110304336 | Device and Method For Locating A Conduit - A system and method of locating a conduit, such as an underground conduit is provided. The system includes a tracing device that is adapted to be coupled to a valve. The tracing device includes a bypass member that is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the bypass member extends through the valve when in the second position. A tracing member is sealingly coupled to the tracing device and extends through the bypass member. An electrical signal is applied to the tracing member and a monitoring device is used to locate an electrical field created by the electrical signal. | 12-15-2011 |
20110316541 | Hybrid Induction Balance/Pulse Induction Metal Detector - A new hybrid metal detector combines induction balance and pulse induction technologies. Target signals are generated from a transmitted wave that has both induction balance and pulse current inducing characteristics and uses pertinent sampling of the receive data. Combining the two data sources provides eddy current target identification while excluding ground permeability and remanence obscuration. | 12-29-2011 |
20120062234 | DISTINGUISHING FALSE SIGNALS IN CABLE LOCATING - Discriminating between a cable locating signal and a false cable locating signal is described. A reference signal, which contains a locating signal frequency impressed on it, is transmitted in a way which provides for detection of a phase shift between the locating signal and the false locating signal. Based on the phase shift, a receiver is used to distinguish the locating signal from the false locating signal. | 03-15-2012 |
20120086455 | METHOD FOR OPERATING OF A METAL DETECTION SYSTEM AND METAL DETECTION SYSTEM - A method for operating of a metal detection system may comprise a balanced coil system with a transmitter coil that is connected to a transmitter unit, which generates transmitter signals having a transmitter frequency that is selected from a group of at least two transmitter frequencies, and with a first and a second receiver coil that provide output signals to a signal input of at least one amplifier unit included in a receiver unit, wherein the output signals compensate each other so that the system is in balance. A system adapted to operate according to an exemplary method is also provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a control unit generates a control signal according to the transmitter frequency of the transmitter unit and that is provided to the control input of at least one controllable impedance unit, which is coupled to the signal input of the at least one amplifier unit, wherein the control signal is adapted to control the impedance value of the at least one controllable impedance unit in such a way that the impedance value is increased or lowered when the transmitter frequency is increased or lowered. | 04-12-2012 |
20120212226 | PRE-AMPLIFIER AND MIXER CIRCUITRY FOR A LOCATOR ANTENNA - A pre-amplifier circuit for connection to an antenna of a human-portable locator includes a differential amplifier/mixer pair and means for allowing a common-mode “phantom” signal to modulate a transfer function of the differential amplifier/mixer pair. The common-mode phantom signal modulates the transfer function of the differential pre-amplifier “onboard” the antenna without the usual requirement for onboard power supply and signal oscillator. This technique uses the same electronic components to provide both pre-amplification and mixing functions, thereby improving circuit performance-to-cost ratio, reducing mixer power consumption, situating the necessary signal oscillator remotely from the mixer, and greatly improving the available system bandwidth by limiting spectral transmission demands to the mixed signal bandwidth alone. | 08-23-2012 |
20120212227 | METAL DETECTOR TARGET DISCRIMINATION IN MINERALIZED SOILS - This invention relates to receive electronics of a metal detector for processing a received signal from a target in a soil, the receive electronics including: processing electronics for synchronous demodulating or sampling the received signal to produce at least two substantially ground balanced signals; processing electronics for processing the at least two substantially ground balanced signals to produce at least two substantially ground balanced processed signals, a first substantially ground balanced processed signal being more indicative of a spread of a time constant density spectrum of the received signal than a second substantially ground balanced processed signal, and the second substantially ground balanced processed signal being more indicative of an average time constant of the received signal than the first substantially ground balanced processed signal; and processing electronics for processing the at least two substantially ground balanced processed signals to produce an output signal indicative of at least the spread of the time constant density spectrum. | 08-23-2012 |
20120242341 | Buried locators systems and methods - Portable self-standing electromagnetic (EM) field sensing locator systems with attachments for finding and mapping buried objects such as utilities and with intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) displays are described. Accessories may include a ground penetrating radar (GPR) system with a rotating Tx/Rx antenna assembly, a leak detection system, a multi-probe voltage mapping system, a man-portable laser-range finder system with embedded dipole beacon, and other detachable accessory sensor systems are accepted for attachment to the locator system for simultaneous operation in cooperation with the basic locator system. The integration of the locator system with one or more additional devices, such as fault-finding, geophones and conductance sensors, may be used to facilitate the rapid detection and localization of many different types of buried objects. | 09-27-2012 |
20120286789 | TRACKING THE POSITIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A BORING TOOL AND ONE OR MORE BURIED LINES USING A COMPOSITE MAGNETIC SIGNAL - An apparatus monitors a positional relationship between a boring tool and an inground line and includes a transmitter to generate a magnetic locating field from one of either the boring tool or at least an underground length of the line. A receiver can be carried by the boring tool if the field is generated from the line, or connected to the line if the field is generated from the boring tool, to detect an intensity of the magnetic locating field to produce a signal indicative of the magnetic field intensity with the signal being responsive to the positional relationship between the boring tool and the line. A remote display produces an indication responsive to the signal and based on the detected intensity of the magnetic locating field. | 11-15-2012 |
20120319691 | LOCATING TECHNIQUE AND APPARATUS USING AN APPROXIMATED DIPOLE SIGNAL - Location determination is performed using a transmitter including an elongated generally planar loop antenna defining an elongation axis. The elongation axis is positioned along at least a portion of a path. A magnetic field is then generated which approximates a dipole field. Certain characteristics of the magnetic field are then determined at a receiving position radially displaced from the antenna elongation axis. Using the determined certain characteristics, at least one orientation parameter is established which characterizes a positional relationship between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The magnetic field may be transmitted as a monotone single phase signal. The orientation parameter may be a radial offset and/or an angular orientation between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The antenna of the transmitter may be inserted into a first borehole to transmit the magnetic field to a receiver inserted into a second borehole. | 12-20-2012 |
20130002255 | INDICATING SYSTEM FOR A DOWNHOLE APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR LOCATING A DOWNHOLE APPARATUS - A system for locating a downhole apparatus comprises a wellbore having an interior pressure cavity, wherein the apparatus is disposed in the pressure cavity, a magnetic device for generating a magnetic field in the pressure cavity, and a magnetic field indicator disposed external to the pressure cavity, the magnetic field indicator responsive to the magnetic field in the pressure cavity, wherein the magnetic field is indicative of a position of the apparatus in the pressure cavity. | 01-03-2013 |
20130002256 | ELECTROMAGNETIC PROXIMITY DETECTION METHOD AND UNIT - Electromagnetic proximity detection method for a buried structure executed with a mobile detection device, including sensing an electromagnetic field emitted from the structure as an analog electrical signal and digitalizing the analog electrical signal as a digital signal, performed after or while filtering the analog and/or digital signal. The proximity of the buried structure is determined by analyzing the digital signal, wherein the detection method can be alternatively executed in at least two of the following modes of detection: Power-Mode of detection, Radio-Mode of detection or Active-Mode of detection. An additional Switching-Mode of operation includes a repeated sequential detection in at least two of the mentioned modes of detection and is done by automatic subsequent alternating of the mode of detection with a minimum rate of alternation that an area of detection is coverable by the at least two modes of detection in a single execution of the detection method. | 01-03-2013 |
20130049757 | Device and Method for Detecting an Underground Power Line - A device for detecting an underground power line includes, for example, a sensor unit that has a magnetic field sensor element that is configured for receiving a received signal depending on the features of the power line and the underground, a control and evaluation unit configured for controlling the sensor unit and for evaluating the received signal, and a display unit for displaying the received signal evaluated by the control and evaluation unit. The sensor unit includes, for example, at least one additional magnetic field sensor element configured to receive a received signal depending on the features of the power line and the underground, wherein the magnetic field sensor elements can be independently controlled by the control and evaluation unit. | 02-28-2013 |
20130099790 | MULTI-AXIS MARKER LOCATOR - A portable locator for locating an obscured marker. The locator includes a portable locator housing, a first antenna disposed within the housing, a second antenna disposed orthogonally to the antenna within the housing; and a processor. The processor is configured to interact with each of the first and second antennas, such that each of the first and second antennas is configured to transmit and receive signals. The locator may include more than two antennas, and may include multiple sets of antennas. | 04-25-2013 |
20130119992 | Automatic Locator Antenna Tuning System - A tuning system for a receiver of magnetic field signals. The system utilizes a stable magnetic source of known frequency, and detects a strength of the magnetic field at an antenna assembly. The strength of the magnetic field is recorded by a processor, and a control signal is adjusted to change the center frequency of the antenna assembly. Further, two or more antennas in an antenna assembly may be balanced through the same method. A variable reactance means in communication with the processor is utilized to change the center frequency of individual antennas and the antenna assembly as a whole to tune the antenna and optimize a signal to noise ratio at the receiver. | 05-16-2013 |
20130127470 | BURIED OBJECT LOCATOR APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS - Buried object locators including various antenna configurations and safety features are disclosed. In one embodiment a locator includes a body, one or more antenna nodes coupled to the body, and a safety light assembly disposed on or within the body. The locator may further include a surface light assembly and camera and/or one or more GPS and/or ISM antennas and receiver/sensor modules. The antenna nodes may be gradient and/or dodecahedral antenna nodes. | 05-23-2013 |
20130200901 | PHASE SYNCHRONIZED BURIED OBJECT LOCATOR APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - Buried object locator systems including transmitters and associated buried object locators using phase-synchronized signals are disclosed. A transmitter may generate output current signals that are phase-synchronized such that an associated locator may receive magnetic field signals from the output current signal and determine information about the current flow based on independent phase-synchronization timing information. | 08-08-2013 |
20130234716 | METHOD FOR DISPLAYING METAL DETECTION INFORMATION - A method for detecting an electrically conductive target in a soil using a metal detector, including: generating a transmit magnetic field for transmission into the soil based on a transmit signal; receiving a receive magnetic field; providing a receive signal induced by the receive magnetic field; processing the receive signal to produce a processed signal; processing a duration of the receive signal, the duration begins after a time the processed signal exceeds a threshold value and ends after a time the processed signal no longer exceeds the threshold value, to produce more than one estimations indicative of a presence of the electrically conductive target when the target is within an influence of the transmit magnetic field; and presenting graphically the more than one estimations. | 09-12-2013 |
20130257434 | ASSET DETECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD - Embodiments of the present invention provide a resonant assembly ( | 10-03-2013 |
20130320983 | Method and Apparatus for Target-Guided Localizing of a Cable Fault - A method and an apparatus provide targeted guidance for a user to locate and trace-out the path of a buried electrical cable, and to locate a cable fault along the cable. A current pulse is applied to the cable, whereby a magnetic field is generated around the cable and an acoustic signal is emitted from the cable fault. The apparatus detects and measures magnetic field information to locate the cable. The apparatus measures a time delay between detecting the magnetic signal and detecting the acoustic signal. By comparing successive time delays at successive measuring positions, a relative proximity to the cable fault is determined. The cable location information and the cable fault distance information are combined to produce a direction indication for the user. Tracing the cable layout and determining the cable fault location can be carried out in a single procedure using a single apparatus. | 12-05-2013 |
20140035586 | NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE LOGGING TOOL HAVING AN ARRAY OF ANTENNAS - An improved system and method for ranging while drilling, in effect, induces a dynamic hot spot on the casing of a nearby well. The induced hot spot acts as a magnetic source that can be reliably detected from within the drillstring and in such a manner as to infer the relative position and orientation of the casing to the drillstring. At least some disclosed method embodiments employ one or more rotating magnets in the drillstring, an array of at least two magnetometers in the drillstring and one or more phase-locked loops that are used to enhance the signal to noise ratio of the magnetic signal scattered off of the casing from the rotating magnetic field. The rotating magnet or magnets may be magnetic dipoles or magnetic multipoles, and may be modulated to enable the use of multiple magnetic field sources. | 02-06-2014 |
20140055141 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SENSING A PIPE COUPLER WITHIN AN OIL WELL STRUCTURE - A system for sensing a pipe joint within a well structure bore comprises a body connectable in line with the well structure. The body has a central bore therethrough and includes a plurality of blind bores extending radially inwards from the outer surface. The system further includes at least one sleeve being locatable within one of the plurality of blind bores wherein each of the sleeves has a magnet located at an end thereof at least one sensor being locatable within one of the at least one sleeves. The at least one sensor is operable to output a signal representing the width of a metallic object located within the central bore. The system may further include a display operable to receive the output signal from the at least one sensor and to display an output to a user indicating the width of the metallic object within the central bore. | 02-27-2014 |
20140062488 | NOISE REDUCTION CIRCUITRY FOR A METAL DETECTOR - A method for detecting a change of an impedance of a magnetic field receiver of a metal detector, including: having a first network of passive components, including the impedance of the magnetic field receiver; having a second network of passive components, excluding the impedance of the magnetic field receiver; and processing a first measurement signal from a first node of the first network with a second measurement signal from a second node of the second network to detect the change in the impedance of the magnetic field receiver; wherein the first network, the second network, the first node, the second node is configured such that in an absence of an external influence which affects the impedance of the magnetic field receiver, the first measurement signal is substantially the same with the second measurement signal; and in a presence of the external influence, the first measurement signal is different from the second measurement signal. | 03-06-2014 |
20140132269 | MULTI-FREQUENCY LOCATING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Multi-frequency buried object location system transmitters and locators are disclosed. A transmitter may generate and provide output signals to a buried object at a plurality of frequencies, which may be selected based on a connection type. Corresponding locators may simultaneously receive a plurality of magnetic field signals emitted from the buried object and generate visual and/or audible output information based at least in part on the plurality of received magnetic field signals. The visual and/or audible output may be further based on signals received from a quad-gradient antenna array. | 05-15-2014 |
20140152311 | Flux Plane Locating in an Underground Drilling System - A portable locator and method for establishing the location of the cable line in a region which includes at least one generally straight electrically conductive cable line extending across the region from which cable line a locating signal includes a first arrangement for measuring a local flux intensity of the locating signal at a first above ground point within the region with the portable locator in a particular orientation at the first above ground point. A second arrangement uses the local flux intensity to establish a cable line angular orientation which limits the possible directions to the cable line relative to the particular orientation of the portable locator at the above ground point. A third arrangement uses the measured local flux intensity to establish an actual direction of the cable line that is selected from the possible directions based on certain characteristics of the locating signal. | 06-05-2014 |
20140159729 | OMNI-INDUCER TRANSMITTING DEVICES AND METHODS - Omnidirectional electromagnetic signal inducer (omni-inducer) devices are disclosed. The omni-inducer device may include a housing, which may include a conductive base for coupling signals to ground, and an omnidirectional antenna node including a plurality of antenna coil assemblies, where the node may be disposed on or within the housing. The omni-inducer device may further include one or more transmitter modules for generating ones of a plurality of output signals, which may be generated at ones of a plurality of different frequencies, and one or more control circuits configured to control the transmitters and/or other circuits to selectively switch the ones of the plurality of output signals between ones of the plurality of antenna coil assemblies. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159730 | TRACKING POSITIONS OF PERSONNEL, VEHICLES, AND INANIMATE OBJECTS - A device rotates at least one static magnetic field about an axis, producing a rotating magnetic dipole field, and is movable in relation to the surface of the ground. The field is periodically sensed using a receiver to produce a receiver output responsive to the field. A positional relationship between the receiver and the device is monitored using the output. In one aspect, changing the positional relationship, by moving the device nearer to a boring tool which supports the receiver, causes an increase in accuracy of depth determination. In another aspect, determination of an actual overhead position of the boring tool, and its application, are described. Use of a plurality of measurements over at least one-half revolution of each magnet is disclosed. Establishing a surface radial direction toward a boring tool and resolution of multi-valued parameters is described. Calibration techniques, as well as a three transmitter configuration are also described. | 06-12-2014 |
20140167763 | TRACER WIRE CONNECTOR DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USE - Devices for and methods of connecting a buried tracer wire to a buried utility pipe are described. The devices and methods include providing a tracer wire connector connected to a clamp, attaching the clamp to a metal portion of the buried utility pipe, and placing an end of the buried tracer wire in the tracer wire connector so that a conductor in the tracer wire is in electrical communication with the buried utility pipe. A sacrificial anode may be conductively attached to the tracer wire connector. | 06-19-2014 |
20140167764 | LOCATING TECHNIQUE AND APPARATUS USING AN APPROXIMATED DIPOLE SIGNAL - Location determination is performed using a transmitter including an elongated generally planar loop antenna defining an elongation axis. The elongation axis is positioned along at least a portion of a path. A magnetic field is then generated which approximates a dipole field. Certain characteristics of the magnetic field are then determined at a receiving position radially displaced from the antenna elongation axis. Using the determined certain characteristics, at least one orientation parameter is established which characterizes a positional relationship between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The magnetic field may be transmitted as a monotone single phase signal. The orientation parameter may be a radial offset and/or an angular orientation between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The antenna of the transmitter may be inserted into a first borehole to transmit the magnetic field to a receiver inserted into a second borehole. | 06-19-2014 |
20140210477 | DISTINGUISHING FALSE SIGNALS IN CABLE LOCATING - Discriminating between a cable locating signal and a false cable locating signal is described. A reference signal, which contains a locating signal frequency impressed on it, is transmitted in a way which provides for detection of a phase shift between the locating signal and the false locating signal. Based on the phase shift, a receiver is used to distinguish the locating signal from the false locating signal. | 07-31-2014 |
20140247051 | SERVICE TEE MARKER FIXTURE - A service tee marker fixture comprises a disk marker and a cylindrical attachment sleeve fastened concentrically to the disk marker and constructed of a flexible material which provides a releasable friction fit with a service tee cap. For certain sleeve materials a stiffener plate is used to secure an end portion of sleeve adjacent to the disk marker. Detents are formed inside the attachment sleeve to grip matching ribs on the cap. An integrally formed inwardly-extending annular flange at an open end of the sleeve helps retain the sleeve on the cap. When installed the wire coil is horizontal and the marker shields the tee, and is further centered over a centerline of the main pipe. A novel method is also disclosed for using the service tee marker fixtures to survey and locate service line end points. | 09-04-2014 |
20140266211 | Method and Apparatus for Passive Detection of Near-Surface Human-Scale Underground Anomalies Using Earth Field Measurements - Methods and apparatus are provided for passively detecting the presence of near-surface human-scale underground anomalies using earth field measurements. A sensor is used to measure at least one electric or magnetic component of the Earth's electromagnetic field at a frequency of 5 kHz or greater in proximity to the Earth's surface for a given area. The measured intensities are used to identify variations indicative of the presence of a near-surface human-scale underground anomaly. Measuring the intensity of at least one component of the electromagnetic field at a plurality of frequencies of 5 kHz or greater can be used to determine the depth and characteristic of a near-surface human-scale underground anomaly. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266212 | MULTI-FREQUENCY BORING TOOL LOCATING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Arrangements, apparatus and associated methods are described for use in a multi-frequency boring tool locating system. The boring tool includes a transmitter for transmitting a locating signal at two or more selectable frequencies. One set of above ground procedures may be applied to the transmitter in order to change the frequency of the boring tool transmitter. Another set of procedures is applicable for changing the frequency during below ground drilling operations, for example, by subjecting the boring tool to a predetermined roll orientation sequence. An enhanced portable locator operates in a manual or automatic mode to receive locating frequency information transmitted from the boring tool transmitter including frequency updates. Boring tool transmitter, as well as above ground locator shutdown/restart procedures are described relating to multi-frequency operation. A tone detector is described which implements one or more digital match filters. | 09-18-2014 |
20140285203 | GROUND-TRACKING SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS - A ground tracking system including a ground follower assembly for use with a locator or other device for determining position, motion, and/or orientation information is disclosed. The ground follower assembly may include a wheel assembly coupled to a locator and configured to swivel and/or pivot relative to an antenna node of the locator to generate signals for use in determining position information during a locate operation, such as from a sonde array. | 09-25-2014 |
20140312903 | MULTI-FREQUENCY LOCATING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Multi-frequency buried object location system transmitters and locators are disclosed. A transmitter may generate and provide output signals to a buried object at a plurality of frequencies, which may be selected based on a connection type. Corresponding locators may simultaneously receive a plurality of magnetic field signals emitted from the buried object and generate visual and/or audible output information based at least in part on the plurality of received magnetic field signals. The visual and/or audible output may be further based on signals received from a quad-gradient antenna array. | 10-23-2014 |
20140312904 | METHOD OF LOCATING THE POSITION OF LINEAR OBJECTS - A method of locating a position of a linear object, including arranging a first and a second reactor around a measuring point, the first reactor generating an induced voltage corresponding to an X-direction component of a magnetic field, the X direction perpendicular to a running direction of the object, and the second reactor generating an induced voltage corresponding to a Y-direction component of the field, the Y direction perpendicular to the X-direction and the running direction; obtaining a first reactor induced voltage and a second reactor induced voltage; setting an X-distance as a first distance from the point to the object center, and setting the Y-distance as a second distance; and estimating a direction in which the linear object is located as viewed from the point, by regarding an X-distance to Y-distance ratio as equal to a ratio of the first voltage to the second voltage multiplied by a coefficient. | 10-23-2014 |
20140327443 | OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHODOLOGY - A technique facilitates detection of an object passing along a conduit, such as a wellbore conduit. The object is released into an internal passage of the conduit, and the conduit is monitored at a given location or locations along the conduit. Movement of the object past the location or locations is detected by a sensor, such as a sensor positioned externally with respect to the internal passage of the conduit. Passage of the object is monitored via detection of a unique electro-magnetic signature as the object moves along the interior of the conduit and past the location. | 11-06-2014 |
20140333309 | Electronic Marker Locator Systems and Methods - A locator for determining the depth of a buried electromagnetic marker includes a transmission antenna and two reception antennas. The locator has a major axis and is configured. The transmission antenna is configured to generate an oscillatory magnetic field parallel to the major axis. The first reception antenna of the two reception antennas is configured to couple with an oscillatory magnetic field parallel to the major axis emitted by the electromagnetic marker and to generate a first detected signal. The second reception antenna is displaced along the major axis from the first antenna and configured to couple with an oscillatory magnetic field parallel to the major axis emitted by the electromagnetic marker and to generate a second detected signal. The locator includes analogue to digital converters and a processor which is configured to calculate the depth of the electromagnetic marker. | 11-13-2014 |
20140340086 | USER INTERFACES FOR UTILITY LOCATORS - The present disclosure relates to user interfaces for enhanced utility locators. Such enhanced utility locators may include a myriad of sensors and other such technologies for determining information regarding the buried or otherwise inaccessible utility line. Such information may be displayed in a myriad of ways to convey relative characteristics among multiple utilities, or to convey relative characteristics of one or more utilities with respect to a locator. | 11-20-2014 |
20140340087 | HYDRANT - This hydrant ( | 11-20-2014 |
20140340088 | Metal Sensor - A metal sensor includes a primary coil arranged in a first plane, a first compensation coil arranged in a second plane, a second compensation coil arranged in a third plane, and a magnetic field sensor arranged in a fourth plane. The first plane, the second plane, the third plane and the fourth plane are oriented parallel to one another and perpendicular to a common z-direction in each case. | 11-20-2014 |
20150042343 | OBJECT FINDER - A device for detecting an object includes a coil for generating a magnetic field in the region of the coil, a first electrode for generating an electrical field in the region of the electrode, and an evaluating device for detecting the object on the basis of an influence of the magnetic field or the electrical field. The device also includes a separating device configured to suppress a current flow through the coil so as to use the coil as an electrode. | 02-12-2015 |
20150077120 | UTILITY LOCATOR TRANSMITTER DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS WITH DOCKABLE APPARATUS - Buried utility transmitters and associated locator devices, systems, and methods used for locating utility lines, pipes, and/or other conductors that are obscured from view are disclosed. In one embodiment a buried utility transmitter includes a module generating an output current for provision to the utility so as to generate a magnetic field for detection by a utility locator, with the output current signal having modulated signaling. The transmitter system may include a tray apparatus configured to be removably dockable to the transmitter module or element or a body or frame of the transmitter system. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077121 | BURIED SERVICE DETECTION - The invention concerns a method, device and system for detecting buried services by electromagnetic means with introducing an artificially generated electrical detection signal indirectly via soil to the buried service, detecting an electromagnetic field originating from the introduced underground detection signal, which is preferably following along the buried services, by a mobile detection unit above ground, and determining the proximity of the structure to the detection unit according to the detected electromagnetic field of the detection signal. Therein, the soil conducted detection signal is supplied via a mains socket. | 03-19-2015 |
20150091577 | DOWNHOLE GRADIOMETRIC RANGING FOR T-INTERSECTION AND WELL AVOIDANCE UTILIZING TRANSMITTERS & RECEIVERS HAVING MAGNETIC DIPOLES - A ranging system utilizes gradiometric data to determine the direction to and distance between a first and second well without any knowledge or involvement of the borehole or formation characteristics in order to intersect and/or avoid the second well. In general, this is achieved by deploying a downhole assembly comprising transmitters and receivers having magnetic dipoles, along with bucking receivers positioned between the transmitters and receivers. | 04-02-2015 |
20150097567 | Dual-radiation non-ferrous metal prospecting system - Methods and apparatus for a Dual Emission Non-Ferrous Metal Prospecting System are disclosed. One embodiment comprises methods and apparatus for finding metal deposits in the Earth, and then determining whether these metal deposits are ferrous or non-ferrous. One embodiment includes an Electromagnetic Quartz Penetrator. The Electromagnetic Quartz Penetrator includes a transmitter, a receiver, antennas and a first signal processor. One embodiment also includes an Omni-Directional H Field Metal Exciter and Sensor. The Omni-Directional H field exciter produces an output which has a spatial dissipation rate proportional to a factor of 1/r | 04-09-2015 |
20150097568 | DETECTION OF BURIED ASSETS USING CURRENT LOCATION AND KNOWN BUFFER ZONES - A method on a mobile computing device for locating electromagnetic signals radiating from a buried asset is disclosed. The method includes receiving buried asset data points corresponding to a buried asset, reading a predefined value, generating, based on the buried asset data points, a two dimensional area comprising a buffer zone at an above-surface location, wherein a width of the buffer zone corresponds to the predefined value, and wherein the buffer zone corresponds to the buried asset, and iteratively executing the following four steps: a) calculating an above-surface location, b) determining whether the above-surface location is located within the two dimensional area, c) if the above-surface location is not located within the two dimensional area, displaying a first graphic in a display, and d) if the above-surface location is located within the two dimensional area, displaying a second graphic. | 04-09-2015 |
20150115964 | Dipole Locator Using Multiple Measurement Points - A receiver and tracking system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of tri-axial antennas are positioned at three distinct points on a receiver frame. Each antenna detects a magnetic field from a source and a processor is used to determine a location of the source relative to the frame using the antenna signals. Each tri-axial antenna comprises three windings in each of three channels defined by a support structure. The windings each define an aperture area. The windings have substantially identical aperture areas and have a common center point. The receiver may to display to the operator the relative location of the field source or may direct the operator to a spot directly above the field source. | 04-30-2015 |
20150123664 | ELECTRONIC MARKER DEVICES AND SYSTEMS - Integrated buried utility locator systems, including a locator including a marker device excitation transmitter a buried utility locator along with one or more marker devices, are disclosed. In operation a marker device excitation signal is sent from the locator at least partially simultaneously to receiving and processing a buried utility signal. | 05-07-2015 |
20150301215 | APPARATUS AND METHODS TO FIND A POSITION IN AN UNDERGROUND FORMATION - Various embodiments include apparatus and methods related to finding a position in an underground formation. Apparatus and methods can include receiving signals from a receiver in an underground formation in response to signals generated from transmitting sources, each of the transmitting sources located at a known position; and processing the received signals, based on the signals generated from the transmitting sources, to determine the position of the receiver. A number of techniques can be applied to processing the received signal. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 10-22-2015 |
20150323696 | Dipole Locator Using Multiple Measurement Points - A receiver and tracking system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of tri-axial antennas are positioned at three distinct points on a receiver frame. Each antenna detects a magnetic field from a source and a processor is used to determine a location of the source relative to the frame using the antenna signals. Each tri-axial antenna comprises three windings in each of three channels defined by a support structure. The windings each define an aperture area. The windings have substantially identical aperture areas and have a common center point. The receiver may to display to the operator the relative location of the field source or may direct the operator to a spot directly above the field source. | 11-12-2015 |
20150338539 | ECONOMICAL MAGNETIC LOCATOR APPARATUS AND METHODS - Magnetic locators for detection of buried objects, such as ferromagnetic objects, are disclosed. Outputs provided from two or more magnetic sensors, such as three three-axis magnetic sensors, as well as optionally from other sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopic sensors, may be used to determine magnetic field distortion indicative of ferromagnetic objects and/or provide output information corresponding to the detected objects based on the sensor outputs. | 11-26-2015 |
20150355364 | Underground Utility Line Locator And Method For Use - A locator for determining the location of a buried utility line from an offset position. The locator has a top peak antenna, a bottom peak antenna, and a null antenna. The locator is tilted until the null antenna is pointed directly at the utility line with the top and bottom peak antennas disposed in a locating plane that is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the line. The tilt angle of the locator and the direct distance between the locator and the utility is measured. The tilt angle and direct distance are used by the processor to determine the vertical and horizontal distances between the locator and the utility. | 12-10-2015 |
20150369942 | LINE LOCATOR WITH A METAL DETECTOR - A line locator system that includes a metal detector is disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the line locator system includes a digital signal processor in a housing; a line locator portion mounted in the housing and coupled to the digital signal processor; and an active metal detector mounted in the housing and coupled to the digital signal processor. | 12-24-2015 |
20150369953 | Noise Measurement In A Locating Receiver - A method for choosing a frequency to locate an underground object. A locating receiver is provided with a display. The locating receiver scans multiple pre-selected frequencies to determine a noise level, or a signal-to-noise ratio. The locating receiver transmits the chosen frequency to a transmitter, which places the chosen frequency on the underground object to provide an optimal locating frequency. | 12-24-2015 |
20160003961 | UTILITY LOCATOR APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - Man-portable locator systems for locating buried or otherwise inaccessible pipes, conduits, cables, wires and inserted transmitters using detector arrays and stochastic signal processing and similar techniques to analyze and display multiple target objects at differing frequencies in a layered user interface (UI) are disclosed. | 01-07-2016 |
20160047228 | Magnetic Tool Position Determination in a Wellbore - A magnetic system for determining an operating position of a downhole tool. The system includes an array of magnets operable to produce a magnetic field that is operably associated with a stationary component of the downhole tool. A moveable component of the downhole tool has at least first and second positions relative to the stationary component. In the first position, the moveable component has a first degree of interference with the magnetic field. In the second position, the moveable component has a second degree of interference with the magnetic field. A magnetic field detector is operable to be run into the wellbore and moved relative to the downhole tool such that the position of the moveable component relative to the stationary component is determined by detection of a magnetic signature produced by the moveable component and the array of magnets. | 02-18-2016 |
20160097873 | DUAL ORIENTATION BURIED ASSET LOCATOR DEVICE - A locator device for generating buried asset data is disclosed. The device includes at least two sensing units pivotally attached to a central unit, each sensing unit comprising an elongated housing accommodating at least one sensor, wherein each sensor is for reading a plurality of analog signals from a buried asset, and wherein the sensing units can be pivoted from a first position to a second position. The locator further includes a position sensing device for sensing a position of the locator device, and a processor configured for applying a position filtering process to the analog signals based on the position of the device, converting the analog signals into a plurality of digital signals comprising buried asset data and a display unit for displaying the buried asset data in a graphical user interface. | 04-07-2016 |
20160178781 | DETECTION AND IMAGING OF SUBSURFACE HIGH IMPEDANCE CONTRAST OBJECTS | 06-23-2016 |
20160178783 | FLUX PLANE LOCATING IN AN UNDERGROUND DRILLING SYSTEM | 06-23-2016 |
20160187522 | Buried Object Locator Apparatus and Systems - Buried object locators including various antenna configurations and safety features are disclosed. In one embodiment a locator includes a body, one or more antenna nodes coupled to the body, and a safety light assembly disposed on or within the body. The locator may further include a surface light assembly and camera and/or one or more GPS and/or ISM antennas and receiver/sensor modules. The antenna nodes may be gradient and/or dodecahedral antenna nodes. | 06-30-2016 |
20160377760 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATING UNDERGROUND LINES USING MOTION BASED RESPONSIVENESS - A system and method of for underground line location using motion based responsiveness includes an underground line locator. The underground line locator includes a receiver generating raw measurement data based on a location of an underground line relative to the receiver, a motion sensor generating motion data based on a state of motion of the underground line locator, a processor coupled to the receiver and the motion sensor, and a display coupled to the processor. The processor determines a measurement signal based on the raw measurement data. A responsiveness of the measurement signal to the raw measurement data is based on the motion data. The display shows a representation of the measurement signal. In one or more embodiments, the measurement signal may be determined using a primary signal detector that adaptively filters the raw measurement data using an adaptive band-pass filter. | 12-29-2016 |
20160379390 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATING UNDERGROUND LINES USING A VIEW-IN-THE-GROUND INDICATOR - A system and method of for underground line location using a view-in-the-ground indicator includes a display. The display includes a view-in-the-ground indicator configured to indicate left-right position information and orientation information associated with a plurality of underground lines using a corresponding plurality of needles. The plurality of needles are concurrently displayed and are distinguishable from one another. Each of the plurality of needles has a variable horizontal position that indicates the left-right position information and a variable orientation that indicates the orientation information. In some embodiments, the plurality of needles are distinguishable from one another based on a color coding scheme. In some embodiments, the color coding scheme of the plurality of needles matches a color coding scheme of a plurality of feeder cables coupled to the plurality of underground lines. | 12-29-2016 |
20170235010 | OMNI-INDUCER TRANSMITTING DEVICES AND METHODS | 08-17-2017 |