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Method and apparatus for passive detection of near-surface human-scale underground anomalies using earth field measurements

  • US 10,156,134 B2
  • Filed: 08/01/2017
  • Issued: 12/18/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method for detecting a subsurface anomaly at a near-surface depth, comprising the steps of:

  • positioning an electromagnetic sensor that is configured to measure a component of a planetary electromagnetic field such that the electromagnetic sensor is suspended just above a ground-air barrier and does not contact a ground surface;

    selecting an electromagnetic frequency by calculating, with a computing device, a function of properties of the ground that include relative permittivity, relative permeability, and resistivity;

    moving the electromagnetic sensor over the surface of the ground;

    repeatedly measuring intensity of the component of the planetary electromagnetic field at the frequency to obtain a set of measurements; and

    comparing, with the computing device, at least a first measurement in the set of measurements to at least a second measurement in the set of measurements to identify a change in the intensity of the component of the planetary electromagnetic field that is indicative of a presence of a subsurface anomaly.

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