Airborne Locator Of An Underground Object
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- a signal transmitter;
an underground line comprising a first end and a length extending from the first end, wherein the signal transmitter is coupled to the underground line at the first end to generate a magnetic field about the length of the underground line; and
a self-propelled autonomous receiver comprising;
an antenna assembly to detect the magnetic field and generate an antenna signal;
a processor programmed to receive the antenna signal and generate a command signal; and
a propulsion system to receive the command signal and move the receiver to a position above the underground line.
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Abstract
A system for locating an underground line. The system uses a self-propelled autonomous antenna, processor and propulsion system. The antenna detects a magnetic field from an underground line and generates an antenna signal. The processor is programmed to receive the antenna signal and generate a command signal. The propulsion system receives the command signal and moves the antenna along a length of the underground line, allowing the processor to map the same.
13 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a signal transmitter; an underground line comprising a first end and a length extending from the first end, wherein the signal transmitter is coupled to the underground line at the first end to generate a magnetic field about the length of the underground line; and a self-propelled autonomous receiver comprising; an antenna assembly to detect the magnetic field and generate an antenna signal; a processor programmed to receive the antenna signal and generate a command signal; and a propulsion system to receive the command signal and move the receiver to a position above the underground line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8)
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7. The system of claim 7 further comprising an altimeter to determine an altitude of the receiver above ground level, wherein the processor determines a depth of the underground line below ground using the altitude of the receiver and the distance between the receiver and the underground line.
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9. A device for determining the location of an underground line that transmits a magnetic field, the device comprising:
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a frame having a top and a bottom; an antenna assembly attached to the bottom of the frame; and a propulsion system supported by the frame; wherein the propulsion system moves the frame to a position directly above the underground line in response to signal strength and magnetic field orientation measurements taken by the antenna assembly.
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- 10. The device of claim 10 further comprising a processor programmed to determine a distance between the antenna assembly and the underground line based on the signal strength and magnetic field orientation measurements taken by the antenna assembly.
- 11. The device of claim 11 wherein the processor is further programmed to transmit a command signal to the propulsion system, wherein the command signal engages the propulsion system to move the frame above an above-ground path of the underground line.
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13. The device of claim 13 wherein the altimeter comprises an ultrasonic sensor.
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16. A method comprising:
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providing an antenna assembly and a propulsion system capable of lifting the antenna assembly off the ground; transmitting a magnetic field along an underground line; engaging the propulsion system to lift the antenna assembly into the air; detecting, the magnetic field using the antenna assembly; moving the receiver with the propulsion system to a position above the underground line; and measuring the signal strength of the magnetic field and the orientation of the magnetic field using the antenna assembly to determine a depth of the underground line.
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17. The method of claim 17 further comprising:
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moving the antenna assembly along a length of the underground line; and mapping the underground line in three dimensions.
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Specification