SOFT EXCAVATION POTHOLING METHOD AND APPARATUS
First Claim
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1. A method for exposing an underground object comprising:
- excavating soil using a soft excavation device in an area of the underground object;
transmitting an electromagnetic wave into the earth from the soft excavation device;
receiving electromagnetic waves reflected from the underground object;
processing at least one property of the reflected waves to determine a location of the underground object relative to the soft excavation device;
directing the soft excavation device to the underground object; and
excavating soil using the soft excavating device proximate the determined location;
wherein the determined location of the underground object comprises a distance and a direction to the object from the excavation head.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for locating an underground object. The apparatus comprises an excavation head, a wave emitter, a receiver, and a processor. The excavation head is adapted for soft excavation of soil. The excavation head may use mechanical means to dislodge soil, pressurized air or water, or a combination of methods. The wave emitter, located proximate the excavation head, transmits waves into the soil. The receiver receives waves reflected by underground objects. Information about the reflected waves is processed by the processor to determine the location of the underground object.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for exposing an underground object comprising:
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excavating soil using a soft excavation device in an area of the underground object; transmitting an electromagnetic wave into the earth from the soft excavation device; receiving electromagnetic waves reflected from the underground object; processing at least one property of the reflected waves to determine a location of the underground object relative to the soft excavation device; directing the soft excavation device to the underground object; and
excavating soil using the soft excavating device proximate the determined location;wherein the determined location of the underground object comprises a distance and a direction to the object from the excavation head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20)
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6. (canceled)
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9. An excavation apparatus comprising:
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an excavation head adapted for soft excavation of soil; a wave emitter, located proximate the excavation head, adapted to transmit electromagnetic waves; a receiver, adapted to receive waves reflected by at least one underground object; and a processor, adapted to process a property of the received waves to determine a location of the underground object relative to the excavation head and to direct the excavation apparatus to the location of the underground object, the location of the underground object comprising a distance and a direction to the object from the excavation head. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification