Concealed structure locating and surveying translator apparatus
First Claim
1. A translator means for locating a concealed structure which intercepts alternating current electromagnetic field lines reradiating from the concealed structure, where-in the electromagnetic field lines have been introduced into the structure directly or inductively by a separate exciter means and furthermore where-in the structure is a buried or otherwise concealed pipe, cable, or like conductive object, and thereby produces in the said translator a sensory indication of the relative proximity of the said translator to the said concealed structure, including in combination:
- a. a directional inducer which produces a minute alternating current voltage from the said electromagnetic field lines re-radiated from the concealed structure;
b. an A.C. amplifier means coupled to said directional inducer which increases the magnitude of the said minute signal voltage;
c. a rectifier means coupled to said A.C. amplifier means, said rectifier means operative to establish the threshold of rectification of the amplified A.C. voltage signal;
d. a modulator means coupled to said A.C. amplifier operative to cause the gain amplification of said A.C. amplifier to be cyclically varied from a point of maximum gain to a point of decreased gain wherein said point of maximum gain is sufficient to produce a significant electronic-noise output from the A.C. amplifier, said variation is gain being at a slow periodic rate independent of the signal being amplified, and furthermore that in the absence of an incoming signal the magnitude of the said cyclical variation causes the output of the A.C. amplifier to vary between a level of high-noise content and lesser noise;
e. a direct current amplifier means coupled to said rectifier which includes means for purifying the D.C. output signal voltage to be free from noise fluctuations arriving from said A.C. amplifier and rectified by said rectifier means;
f. a pulse oscillator means coupled to said D.C. amplifier purified output and being operative to produce pulses essentially constant in duration but with various pulse-to-pulse periods generally proportional to the magnitude of the output voltage from the said D.C. amplifier;
g. a current switch amplifier means coupled to said pulse oscillator means which follows the said pulse oscillator and causes higher magnitude current pulses to be outputed;
h. a sensory indicating means coupled to said current switch amplifier;
i. a source of direct current power including a disconnect means so arranged as to provide operating voltage and current to each of the functional circuit groups comprising the translator.
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Abstract
My invention relates to improved method and means for a portable concealed structure locating and surveying apparatus, and more particularly, to a portable device which provides separate operating conditions to best initially locate, then subsequently trace or survey a hidden structure or extended object with a minimum of operator interpretive skill. My invention includes an inductive exciter which couples by indirect connection alternating current energy into the structure which isusually obscured in a covert medium. My invention includes also a portable translator which is, in the locating or spotting mode of operation, operating with gain modulation at a slow periodic rate to enable the use of the full, noise limited, gain capablity of the electronic amplification means. I have further conceived a novel way that the noise thus resulting is used as an aid in the initial locating of the indeterminate structure lay. Subsequently after the structure is located, the translator operates in the surveying mode where-in an indication is provided to the operator indicating the relative position of the unexposed structure by audible or visual means.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A translator means for locating a concealed structure which intercepts alternating current electromagnetic field lines reradiating from the concealed structure, where-in the electromagnetic field lines have been introduced into the structure directly or inductively by a separate exciter means and furthermore where-in the structure is a buried or otherwise concealed pipe, cable, or like conductive object, and thereby produces in the said translator a sensory indication of the relative proximity of the said translator to the said concealed structure, including in combination:
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a. a directional inducer which produces a minute alternating current voltage from the said electromagnetic field lines re-radiated from the concealed structure; b. an A.C. amplifier means coupled to said directional inducer which increases the magnitude of the said minute signal voltage; c. a rectifier means coupled to said A.C. amplifier means, said rectifier means operative to establish the threshold of rectification of the amplified A.C. voltage signal; d. a modulator means coupled to said A.C. amplifier operative to cause the gain amplification of said A.C. amplifier to be cyclically varied from a point of maximum gain to a point of decreased gain wherein said point of maximum gain is sufficient to produce a significant electronic-noise output from the A.C. amplifier, said variation is gain being at a slow periodic rate independent of the signal being amplified, and furthermore that in the absence of an incoming signal the magnitude of the said cyclical variation causes the output of the A.C. amplifier to vary between a level of high-noise content and lesser noise; e. a direct current amplifier means coupled to said rectifier which includes means for purifying the D.C. output signal voltage to be free from noise fluctuations arriving from said A.C. amplifier and rectified by said rectifier means; f. a pulse oscillator means coupled to said D.C. amplifier purified output and being operative to produce pulses essentially constant in duration but with various pulse-to-pulse periods generally proportional to the magnitude of the output voltage from the said D.C. amplifier; g. a current switch amplifier means coupled to said pulse oscillator means which follows the said pulse oscillator and causes higher magnitude current pulses to be outputed; h. a sensory indicating means coupled to said current switch amplifier; i. a source of direct current power including a disconnect means so arranged as to provide operating voltage and current to each of the functional circuit groups comprising the translator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification