Single and multi-trace omnidirectional sonde and line locators and transmitter used therewith
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
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 plurality of different underground objects can be simultaneously detected and their different locations can be simultaneously indicated to a user via audible sounds and/or visual images on a display.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A transmitter for use with an underground utilities locator, comprising:
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a portable housing having at least a pair of outwardly opening pockets;
a control panel mounted on the housing for receiving manually inputted commands;
an electronic circuit mounted in the housing for receiving the commands from the control panel and generating a predetermined electrical output signal in response to the commands;
at least a pair of electrical cords each stowable in a corresponding one of the pockets, the electrical cords each having an inner end electrically connected to the electronic circuit; and
means electrically connected to an outer end of each of the electrical cords for coupling the predetermined electrical signal across a selected underground utility. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A transmitter for use with an underground utilities locator, comprising:
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a portable housing;
a control panel mounted on the housing for receiving manually inputted commands;
an electronic circuit mounted in the housing for receiving the commands from the control panel and generating a predetermined electrical output signal in response to the commands, including means for selecting one of a plurality of different frequency bands and means for selecting a channel frequency within the selected one of the bands that is uniquely associated with one of a plurality of different types of utilities; and
means for coupling the predetermined electrical output signal across a selected underground utility. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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36-40. -40. (canceled)
Specification