FERROMAGNETIC DETECTION ENHANCER

• US 20090167307A1
• Filed: 01/27/2009
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keith Kopp
• Original Assignee: Keith Kopp
• Inventors: Kopp, Keith
• Granted Patent: US 8,148,989 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/322
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/08 operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices with electromagnetic waves G01V3/12

Abstract

An apparatus for increasing the ability to detect ferromagnetic objects by increasing the magnetization of the objects. The apparatus includes at least one coil to generate a magnetic field positioned in the area of the object to be detected. The apparatus includes an electrical energy storage capacitor bank capable of quickly releasing stored energy. The apparatus includes a high speed, high current electronic switch capable of quickly transferring the stored energy from the capacitor bank to the coil thereby producing in the coil a short duration, single polarity magnetic field pulse. The apparatus includes a sample and hold circuit capable of acquiring magnetic field sensor data during periods when the pulsed magnetic field is not present. The apparatus includes a microprocessor controller to control timing and sequence of the magnetic pulse generation and the sensor data sample and hold process. The apparatus may be for portal handheld or head mounted applications.

Claims

1. An apparatus for increasing the ability to detect ferromagnetic objects for magnetic fields produced by those objects by increasing the magnetization of the objects but while not exposing the personnel associated with these objects, passing through a portal, to unsafe levels of magnetic fields, the apparatus including:

at least one coil to generate a magnetic field positioned in the area of the object to be detected;

an electrical energy storage capacitor bank capable of quickly releasing stored energy;

a high speed, high current electronic switch capable of quickly transferring the stored energy from the capacitor bank to the coil thereby producing in the coil a short duration, single polarity magnetic field pulse;

a sample and hold circuit capable of acquiring magnetic field sensor data during periods when the pulsed magnetic field is not present; and

a microprocessor controller to control the timing and sequence of the magnetic pulse generation and the sensor data sample and hold process.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one coil includes a pair of coils, each coil produces a magnetic field which reinforces the magnetic field of the other coil in the area between the pair of coils.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one coil includes a plurality of coil pairs that are configured to allow the generation of a magnetic field from more than one direction.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one coil is included in structure defining the portal.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one coil is separate from structure defining the portal and is positioned in an approached path to the portal.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one coil includes a plurality of coils, the apparatus includes a plurality of capacitor banks and a plurality of electronic switches, with each coil being provided with an independent capacitor bank and an independent electronic switch to allow each coil to produce an independently timed magnetic field pulse in the portal.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one coil includes a plurality of coil pairs, the apparatus includes a plurality of capacitor banks and a plurality of electronic switches, with each coil pair being provided with an independent capacitor bank and an independent electronic switch to allow each coil pair to produce an independently timed magnetic field pulse in the portal.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a motion detector for triggering the magnetic pulse sequence.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a position detector for triggering the magnetic pulse sequence.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic pulse sequence is produced continuously at a preprogrammed rate.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is for increasing the ability to detect ferromagnetic objects passing under a hand-held detector.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a head mounted apparatus.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one coil includes a pair of coils for location on opposite sides of the head, each coil produces a magnetic field that reinforces the magnetic field of the other coil in the area between the pair of coils.

14. An apparatus for increasing the ability to detect ferromagnetic objects passing under a hand-held detector for magnetic fields produced by those objects by increasing the magnetization of the objects while not exposing the personnel associated with these objects to unsafe levels of magnetic fields, the apparatus including:

at least one coil to generate a magnetic field positioned in the area of the object to be detected;

an electrical energy storage capacitor bank capable of quickly releasing stored energy;

a high speed, high current electronic switch capable of quickly transferring the stored energy from the capacitor bank to the coil thereby producing in the coil a short duration, single polarity magnetic field pulse;

a sample and hold circuit capable of acquiring magnetic field sensor data during periods when the pulsed magnetic field is not present; and

a microprocessor controller to control the timing and sequence of the magnetic pulse generation and the sensor data sample and hold process.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one coil includes a plurality of coils, each coil generates a magnetic field that has lines of force at different angles the other coils thereby producing diverse magnetization lines of force pattern.

16. A head mounted apparatus which increases the ability to detect ferromagnetic objects for magnetic fields produced by those objects by increasing the magnetization of the objects but while not exposing the personnel associated with these objects existing in the orbit of the eye, to unsafe levels of magnetic fields, the apparatus including:

at least one coil to generate a magnetic field positioned in the area of the object to be detected;

an electrical energy storage capacitor bank capable of quickly releasing the stored energy;

a high speed, high current electronic switch capable of quickly transferring the stored energy from the capacitor bank to the coil thereby producing in the coil a short duration, single polarity magnetic field pulse;

a sample and hold circuit capable of acquiring magnetic field sensor data during periods when the pulsed magnetic field is not present; and

a microprocessor controller to control the timing and sequence of the magnetic pulse generation and the sensor data sample and hold process.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one coil includes a pair of coils for location on opposite sides of the head, each coil produces a magnetic field that reinforces the magnetic field of the other coil in the area between the pair of coils.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one coil includes multiple pairs of coils, for each pair of coils the coils being located on opposite sides of the head and produces a magnetic field which reinforces the magnetic field of the other coil of the pair in the area between the coils.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein there are three pairs of coils, and each pair of coils is oriented orthogonally to the other pairs of coils.