Remotely reconfigurable system for mapping subsurface geological anomalies

• US 20070299632A1
• Filed: 06/22/2006
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Earth Systems Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bryant Consultants Incorporated
• Inventors: Bryant, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,386,402 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/22 Transmitting seismic signals to recording or processing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/02 operating with propagation of electric current

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for receiving, detecting and transmitting geophysical data from a plurality of electrodes placed in the soil utilizing a dynamically reconfigurable wireless control unit that is located on each electrode. Data from the control units is transmitted by a wireless signal to a centralized data processor for analysis. Control data is provided from a central control processor to the control unit by wireless transmission. The control unit, which is positioned, includes a multi-channel radio frequency transmitter/receiver and a processor to actuate relays and record data returns from the measured substrate soil for transmission to the central data processor. The control unit incorporates a changeable code or address to unambiguously identify itself, and its spatial relationship to other electrodes, to the central data processor and the central control processor. The control units are equipped with a GPS positioning device to allow for automatic transmission of electrode location and for electrode placement without a manual survey being required.

Claims

1-12. -12. (canceled)

13. A system for collecting resistivity data from a subsurface media comprising:

a master controller;

a current control unit in data communication with the master controller and producing an injection current;

an upstream voltage control unit, connected to the current control unit and in data communication with the master controller and removably connected to a first electrode in the subsurface media;

a midstream voltage control unit, connected to the upstream voltage control unit and in data communication with the master controller and removably connected to a second electrode in the subsurface media;

a downstream voltage control unit, connected to the midstream voltage control unit and in data communication with the master controller and removably connected to a third electrode in the subsurface media; and

,

the upstream voltage control unit, midstream voltage control unit and downstream voltage control unit cooperating to reconfigurably distribute the injection current to the first electrode, the second electrode and the third electrode and to reconfigurably read the voltage between the first electrode, the second electrode and the third electrode.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the midstream voltage control unit further comprises:

a first slave controller in data communication with the master controller;

a volt meter, connected to the first slave controller and having a first measurement connection and a second measurement connection;

the first measurement connection connected to a first multiplexer;

the first multiplexer switchable between the second electrode, a downstream voltage connector and a third multiplexer;

a second measurement connection connected to a second multiplexer;

the second multiplexer switchable between the second electrode, the downstream voltage connector and the third multiplexer;

the third multiplexer connected to an upstream voltage connector, and switchable between the first and second multiplexer, the second electrode and the downstream voltage connector;

a first relay connected to a first upstream current connector and switchable between the second electrode and a first downstream current connector;

a second relay connected to a second upstream current connector and switchable between the second electrode and a second downstream current connector; and

,

the first multiplexer, second multiplexer, third multiplexer, first relay and second relay connected to the controller and adapted to receive a control signal from the first slave controller.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the midstream voltage control unit further comprises a reference connection between the volt meter and the first and second upstream current connectors.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the midstream voltage control unit includes a reconfigurable electronic address stored in a memory.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the midstream voltage control unit includes a reconfigurable mechanical address capable of being read by the first slave controller.

18. The system of claim 14 further comprising a GPS location circuit connected to the first slave controller and adapted to send data related to the position of the midstream voltage control unit to the first slave controller.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein the first slave controller is programmed to execute a system test.

20. The system of claim 14 wherein the first slave controller is programmed to accept and interpret a switch mask from the master controller and set the first multiplexer, the second multiplexer, the third multiplexer, the first relay and the second relay according to the switch mask.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the master controller is programmed to alter the switch mask according to a predetermined permutation.

22. The system of claim 14 wherein the first slave controller is programmed to access the volt meter and store a voltage data value from the volt meter.

23. The system of claim 14 wherein the first slave controller is connected to the master controller via a wireless data connection.

24. The system of claim 14 wherein the current control unit further comprises:

a current source;

an ammeter in series with the current source;

a reference volt meter connected to the current course;

a relay connected to the current source; and

,

a second slave controller for distributing current to a first and second upstream connector upon activation of the relay.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the second slave controller is connected to the master controller via a wireless connection.

26. The system of claim 14 wherein the upstream voltage control unit, the midstream voltage control unit and the downstream voltage control unit are of identical construction.

27. A method of collecting subsurface resistivity data from a subsurface media comprising the steps of:

providing an array of electrodes dispersed in a pattern in the subsurface media;

providing an array of sensors deployed among and connected to the array of electrodes;

providing a voltage measuring device in each sensor in the array of sensors;

providing a current source connected to the array of sensors;

providing a switch matrix in each sensor in the array of sensors; and

,

reconfigurably setting the switch matrix in at least one sensor in the array of sensors to distribute current to at least one electrode in the array of electrodes and take a voltage measurement from the voltage measuring devices from at least two electrodes in the array of electrodes.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the step of reconfigurably setting the switch matrix further comprises the step of reconfigurably setting the switch matrix according to a predefined permutation.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein the predefined permutation further comprises the steps of:

assigning a set of unique addresses to the array of sensors;

indexing current from the current source to the array of electrodes according to the set of unique addresses; and

,

indexing voltage measurements among the array of electrodes according to the set of unique addresses.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the step of assigning includes the further step of mechanically setting a switch in at least one sensor in an array of sensors.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the step of assigning includes the further step of electronically setting an address value in a memory of at least one sensor in the array of sensors.

32. The method of claim 29 further comprising the steps of:

replacing a first sensor in the array of sensors with a second sensor; and

,

assigning the second sensor the unique address of the first sensor.

33. The method of claim 27 comprising the further step of:

recognizing an error in at least one sensor in the array of sensors; and

,

resetting the switch matrix in at least one other sensor in the array of sensors to compensate for the error.

34. The method of claim 27 comprising the further steps of:

recognizing an error in at least one sensor in the array of sensors; and

,

replacing the at least one sensor in the array of sensors with at least one other sensor of identical construction.

35. The method of claim 27 comprising the further step of recognizing an error in at least one sensor in the array of sensors and initiating a visible indicator signal.

36. The method of claim 27 further comprising the steps of analyzing the distributed current and the voltage measurements to arrive at a set of field data related to the subsurface media.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the step of analyzing further comprises the steps of:

calculating an apparent resistivity field from the field data;

identifying a standard field data model;

performing a regression analysis on the apparent resistivity field and the standard field data model; and

,

preparing a new field data model from the regression analysis.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of assembling the new field data model into a moving picture of the field data.

39. The method of claim 27 comprising the further steps of orienting the array of sensors among the array of electrodes according to a predetermined set of locations by using a GPS signal associated with each sensor in the array of sensors.

40. The method of claim 27 wherein the step of reconfigurably setting comprises the further step of deriving a switch mask for controlling the switch matrix in at least one sensor in the array of sensors.

41. The method of claim 27 further comprising the steps of:

providing a wireless connection between each sensor in the array of sensors; and

,

using the wireless connection to reconfigurably set the switch matrix in at least one sensor in the array of sensors.

42. The method of claim 27 comprising the further step of orienting the array of sensors among the array of electrodes by sequentially activating the sensors in a pattern related to a position of the array of electrodes.