Apparatus and method for microwave imaging and excavation of objects

• US 6,377,872 B1
• Filed: 07/02/1999
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Incorporated (BAE Systems Plc)
• Inventors: Struckman, Keith A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THU V
• Application Number:
  US09/346,591
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 700/245, 700/247, 700/258, 700/259, 342/450-453, 342/457-460, 373/94--98, 374/11, 374/15, 374/20--21, 374/43--44
• US Class Current: 700/258
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/205 Remotely operated machines, e.g. unmanned vehicles E02F3/8866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/88 Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/885 for ground probing prospecting or detecting using electromagnetic waves G01V3/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3233 particular used as part of a sensor or in a security system, e.g. for automotive radar, navigation systems

Abstract

A microwave imaging excavator for the detection, imaging and excavation of objects on or buried beneath the surface of the ground, such as metallic and dielectric land mines. A continuous wave stepped frequency ground penetrating radar signal is transmitted into the ground from a waveguide antenna mounted in one spade of a double spade auger. Direct breakthrough energy, signals reflected from the surface and the buried objects are received by an identical waveguide antenna mounted in the opposite spade. The spectra reflected from different buried objects become more distinct when the spectrum radiated spans the natural electromagnetic resonance of those objects. These signals are recorded as the twin-spaded auger is mechanically scanned over the ground in two mechanical rotational states of polarization. When the auger spades are on either side of a buried mine they are closed to grasp the mine which is then removed from the ground.

Claims

1. Movable imaging and excavating apparatus for locating and removing objects on the surface or in the ground, said apparatus comprising:

a remotely controlled unit with movable arm;

an auger movably attached to said arm, said auger having a first spade and a second spade;

a first antenna mounted on said first spade, said first antenna for transmitting electromagnetic energy into the ground;

a second antenna mounted on said second spade, said second antenna for receiving said electromagnetic energy reflected from objects on the surface or in the ground beneath said auger; and

wherein as said apparatus moves said arm above the ground in a scanning pattern said reflected electromagnetic energy is received by said second antenna indicating the presence of a first of said objects beneath said auger, and

wherein said arm is moved to position said auger over said first of said objects, said auger is inserted into the ground around said first object, and said first and said second spades are moved toward each other to grasp said first object and said auger is then moved to withdraw said first object from the ground.

2. The invention in accordance claim 1 wherein said auger has a first position and a second position in which it can be oriented, and said auger is initially in said first position to transmit said electromagnetic energy with a first polarity, and after said apparatus moves said arm above the ground in a scanning pattern with said auger in said first position to locate said first object, said apparatus rotates said auger to said second position and said imaging and excavating apparatus again moves said arm above the ground in said scanning pattern with said transmitted electromagnetic energy now having a second polarity.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said imaging and excavating apparatus further comprises means for rotating said auger and thereby rotate said first and said second antennas mounted thereon to transmit said electromagnetic energy at said first polarization and then at said second polarization.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 further comprising means for analyzing said received electromagnetic energy from said first and said second polarization to determine the existence of said first object beneath said auger.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4 further comprising means for storing signals representative of each of a plurality of said objects.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 5 further comprising means for comparing said received electromagnetic energy of said first and said second polarity with said signals stored in said storing means to identify said first object.