Capacitive Detection System
First Claim
1. An apparatus for locating an underground object comprising:
- a drill string having a first end;
a boring tool, operatively connected to the first end of the drill string, the boring tool having a longitudinal axis;
a capacitive assembly disposed proximate the boring tool and adapted to detect a capacitance change; and
a processor adapted to detect the underground object using a capacitance change detected by the capacitive assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting and avoiding an underground object during a horizontal directional drilling operation. The apparatus comprises a boring tool with a capacitive detection system. The boring tool is operatively connected to a drill string and advanced through the earth to create a borehole. The capacitive detection system includes a capacitive assembly and a processor. The capacitive assembly has first and second capacitive plates separated a known distance from an excitation plate. The capacitive plates detect a change in capacitance when the underground object is approached by the boring tool. The processor determines the distance to or location of the underground object from capacitance information sensed by the capacitive detection system. The distance and location information is transmitted to a machine operator.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An apparatus for locating an underground object comprising:
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a drill string having a first end; a boring tool, operatively connected to the first end of the drill string, the boring tool having a longitudinal axis; a capacitive assembly disposed proximate the boring tool and adapted to detect a capacitance change; and a processor adapted to detect the underground object using a capacitance change detected by the capacitive assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for locating an underground object comprising:
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a drill string having a first end; a boring tool, operatively connected to the first end of the drill string, the boring tool having a longitudinal axis; a capacitive assembly disposed proximate the boring tool, the capacitive assembly comprising; a back plane comprised of copper; a first capacitive plate and a second capacitive plate, the first plate secured to a first end of the back plane and the second plated secured to a second end of the back plane; and an excitation plate; and a processor adapted to detect the underground object using a capacitance change detected by the capacitive assembly; wherein the first plate and the second plate are disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boring tool. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A boring tool for use in horizontal direction drilling, the tool comprising:
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a boring tool body having a longitudinal axis, the body connectable to a drill string; a capacitive assembly comprising; a back plane comprised of copper; a first capacitive plate and a second capacitive plate, the first plate secured to a first end of the back plane and the second plated secured to a second end of the back plane; and an excitation plate; and a processor adapted to detect the underground object using a capacitance change detected by the capacitive assembly. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification