System and method for detecting an underground object using magnetic field sensing
First Claim
1. A detection system for use in boring or trenching to detect an object in an area of the boring or trenching having a detection module comprising:
- a magnetic sensor assembly adapted to detect magnetic field components from a passive magnetic field distortion caused by the object and to transmit the magnetic field components; and
a processor adapted to receive the magnetic field components that are detected by the magnetic sensor assembly, to process the magnetic field components to determine the total magnetic field of the passive magnetic field distortion, and to compare the total magnetic field to a setpoint to determine if the total magnetic field varies from the setpoint by more than a designated tolerance to determine if the passive magnetic field distortion is within a designated distance of the detection module, thereby determining if the object is within the designated distance of the detection module.
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Abstract
A system and method use magnetic field sensing to detect underground objects for strike avoidance. The system detects magnetic field components for both passive distortions in the magnetic field indicative of a ferromagnetic object and active magnetic fields that are impressed on an object by a signal generator. A detection module has a magnetic sensor assembly that detects the magnetic field components. The magnetic field component data is transferred through a multiplexer to an analog/digital converter to a processor. Pitch angle data from a pitch sensor and roll angle data from a roll sensor also may be transferred to the processor. The data is processed by the processor to determine the orientation of the detection module with respect to the object. The detection module may be installed in an underground boring tool or a trenching assembly.
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Citations
1 Claim
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1. A detection system for use in boring or trenching to detect an object in an area of the boring or trenching having a detection module comprising:
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a magnetic sensor assembly adapted to detect magnetic field components from a passive magnetic field distortion caused by the object and to transmit the magnetic field components; and
a processor adapted to receive the magnetic field components that are detected by the magnetic sensor assembly, to process the magnetic field components to determine the total magnetic field of the passive magnetic field distortion, and to compare the total magnetic field to a setpoint to determine if the total magnetic field varies from the setpoint by more than a designated tolerance to determine if the passive magnetic field distortion is within a designated distance of the detection module, thereby determining if the object is within the designated distance of the detection module.
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Specification