Standoff geophysical anomaly detection system and method
First Claim
1. A method of measuring the complex resistivity of underground materials using capacitively-coupled resistivity (CCR) sensing over the frequency range from about 1 kHz to about 1 MHz comprising:
- positioning at least one source element in proximity to the ground to capacitively induce current into the ground at a predetermined frequency in the range of about 1 kHz to about 1 MHz;
positioning at least one sensor in proximity to the ground to capacitively receive current from the ground;
receiving the current transmitted through at least a portion of the ground at the at least one sensor;
making measurements of complex resistivity at the predetermined frequency; and
processing the complex resistivity based upon the measurements taken to determine the ground content.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for measuring the complex resistivity of a ground section. One embodiment utilizes stand-off capacity-coupled resistivity (CCR) sensing to inject current into the ground at a frequency within the range of 1 Khz to 1 MHz. A sensor detects the voltage which is used to determine the complex resistively of the ground and, thus, ground content. The system and method permits surveys to be conducted at speeds of 10-20 mph or more. Alternatively, current is injected into the ground along a plasma channel that is enabled with a high energy laser. Alternatively, an alpha particle generator may be used to inject the current. Multiple frequencies may be used within the range of 1 KHz to 1 MHz to produce an impedivity spectroscopy to thereby determine and/or display a map of ground content.
16 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of measuring the complex resistivity of underground materials using capacitively-coupled resistivity (CCR) sensing over the frequency range from about 1 kHz to about 1 MHz comprising:
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positioning at least one source element in proximity to the ground to capacitively induce current into the ground at a predetermined frequency in the range of about 1 kHz to about 1 MHz; positioning at least one sensor in proximity to the ground to capacitively receive current from the ground; receiving the current transmitted through at least a portion of the ground at the at least one sensor; making measurements of complex resistivity at the predetermined frequency; and processing the complex resistivity based upon the measurements taken to determine the ground content. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for measuring the complex resistivity and providing a representational image of a portion of the ground comprising:
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a current generator for generating alternating current at a frequency within the frequency range of about 1 kHz to about 1 MHz; at least one source member operatively connected to the current generator for inducing the generated electric current into the ground; at least one sensor for sensing the electrical potential of the electric field in the ground created by the electric current; a receiver for receiving the measurements of the electrical potential of the ground; a processor for calculating the complex resistivity and creating a representative display of ground content based upon the complex resistivity; and a display operatively connected to the processor for mapping the portion of the ground in which current was induced. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of determining the location of underground materials and/or objects comprising:
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delivering an alternating current to the ground through a source element configured to induce current into the ground in a non-contacting manner; measuring an electrical potential associated with the current with at least one sensor in a non-contacting manner; recording the electrical potential with a resistivity meter coupled to the at least one sensor electrode to thereby determine the complex resistivity; and rendering a map of the ground from the electrical potential recorded by the resistivity meter. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification