SENSOR HEAD

• US 20130113648A1
• Filed: 08/24/2012
• Published: 05/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: L-3 Communications Security & Detection Systems, Inc. (Leidos Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: L-3 Communications CyTerra Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Duvoisin, Herbert III, Carlson, Douglas O., Holman, Glen A., Johnson, Kevin L., Scott, Waymond, Sentelle, Christopher Gary, Solomon, Geoffrey, Torres-Rosario, Juan Antonio, Trishaun, Marquette, Tabony, Joshua L.
• Application Number:
  US13/593,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20130113648A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/22
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/347 using more than one modulation frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/885 for ground probing prospecting or detecting using electromagnetic waves G01V3/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/887 for detection of concealed objects, e.g. contraband or weapons
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/027 Constructional details of housings, e.g. form, type, material or ruggedness
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/354 Extracting wanted echo-signals Doppler systems G01S13/50
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/10 using induction coils
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/17 operating with electromagnetic waves operating with millimetre waves G01V8/005
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/27 Spiral antennas

Abstract

Detection systems for scanning regions are disclosed. The detection systems may be used to detect various objects that are, for example, buried in the ground or obscured by being hidden on the body of a person. The detection systems include a sensor head having a continuous wave metal detector (CWMD) coil, radar antennas, and a transceiver electrically connected to a radar. The radar includes a transmit antenna configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation, and a receive antenna configured to sense electromagnetic radiation.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a sensor head comprising;

a continuous wave metal detector having a transmit coil and a receive coil, and

a radar having one or more transmit antennas configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation, and one or more receive antennas configured to sense electromagnetic radiation, a transceiver operatively coupled to the radar, the transceiver being enclosed in a housing,

wherein the continuous wave metal detector is configured to transmit and receive radiation in the frequency band between 300 Hz and 180 kHz, and

the radar is configured to transmit and receive radiation in the frequency band between 100 MHz and 8 GHz.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wand coupled to the sensor head.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmit coil is positioned concentric with the receive coil in a dipole configuration.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more transmit antennas and the one or more receive antennas are encircled by the transmit coil and the receive coil.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmit coil and the receive coil are arranged in a quadrapole configuration.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the continuous wave metal detector transmits and receives radiation on at least six different frequencies and up to forty-two different frequencies.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radar comprises one transmit antenna and two or more receive antennas.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radar comprises two or more transmit antennas and two or more receive antennas.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radar is a ground penetrating radar.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wand is comprised of plastic or carbon fiber.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a support structure that receives the radar and the transceiver, the support structure comprising a plastic grid; and

a cover configured to enclose at least a portion of the transceiver, the radar and the continuous wave metal detector coils, the cover being comprised of plastic.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing enclosing the transceiver is coupled to the wand.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing enclosing the transceiver is located inside a sensor head.

14. A kit comprising:

a wand;

a first sensor head configured to attach to the wand, the first sensor head comprising;

a continuous wave metal detector having a transmit coil and a receive coil,

a radar having one or more transmit antennas configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation, and one or more receive antennas configured to sense electromagnetic radiation,

a transceiver operatively coupled to the radar, the transceiver being enclosed in a housing;

a second sensor head comprising a non-continuous wave metal detector, the second sensor head being configured to attach to the wand;

a processor configured to be operatively coupled to one or more of the first sensor head and the second sensor head;

a first memory configured to be operatively coupled to the first sensor head, the first memory including instructions that when executed cause the processor to;

access data from the continuous wave metal detector and data from the radar, and

determine a signature of an object detected by one or more of the continuous wave metal detector or the radar based on the accessed data; and

a second memory configured to be operatively coupled to the second sensor head, the second memory including instructions that when executed cause the processor to;

access data from the non-continuous wave metal detector, and

determine a signature of an object detected by the non-continuous wave metal detector.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein the transmit coil and the receive coil are arranged in a quadrapole configuration.

16. The kit of claim 14, wherein the transmit coil is positioned concentric with the receive coil in a dipole configuration.

17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the one or more transmit antennas and the one or more receive antennas are encircled by the transmit coil and the receive coil.

18. The kit of claim 14, wherein the non-continuous wave metal detector of the second sensor head is a pulsed metal detector.

19. The kit of claim 14, wherein the continuous wave metal detector transmits and receives radiation on at least six different frequencies and up to forty-two different frequencies.

20. The kit of claim 14, wherein the continuous wave metal detector transmits and receives radiation in the frequency band between 300 Hz and 180 kHz.

21. The kit of claim 14, wherein the radar comprises one transmit antenna and two or more receive antennas.

22. The kit of claim 14, wherein the radar comprises two or more transmit antennas and two or more receive antennas.

23. The kit of claim 14, wherein the radar is a ground penetrating radar configured to transmit and receive radiation in the frequency band between 100 MHz and 8 GHz.

24. The kit of claim 14, wherein the wand is comprised of plastic or carbon fiber.

25. The kit of claim 14, further comprising:

a support structure configured to receive the radar and the transceiver, the support structure comprising a plastic grid; and

a cover configured to enclose at least a portion of the transceiver, the radar and the continuous wave metal detector,

the cover being comprised of plastic.

26. The kit of claim 14, wherein the housing enclosing the transceiver is coupled to the wand.

27. The kit of claim 14, wherein the housing enclosing the transceiver is located inside the first sensor head.