Electronic water line tracer

• US 6,541,977 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2001
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pulsar 2000, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pulsar 2000, Inc.
• Inventors: Fink, Rainer, Ochoa, James, Sneed, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Oda, Christine
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEROUX, ETIENNE PIERRE
• Application Number:
  US09/782,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20020153905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 324/67, 324/326, 324/329, 324/345, 324/557, 324/559, 324/327, 324/66
• US Class Current: 324/326
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/15 specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/30 Assessment of water resources

Abstract

A line tracer is disclosed comprising a transmitter for generating a signal in a target pipe, a cable set, a detector for amplifying the signal and filtering unwanted electronic noise, and a method for employing the line tracer. The transmitter further comprises a transmitter circuit board having a pulse generation circuit, a tone generation circuit and a transformer drive circuit. The transmitter circuit board is tuned to provide a pulse frequency of approximately 1.3 Hz and a tone rate of approximately 600 Hz. The detector further comprises a detector circuit board having a difference amplifier, a first high pass filter, a second high pass filter, a non-inverting amplifier, and a sensitivity meter. The detector circuit board is designed to amplify the detected signal and to achieve an attenuation of frequencies from 0 Hz to 400 Hz that is 80 dB/decade. The detector provides a visual indicator of signal strength.

Claims

1. A line tracer comprising:

a transmitter having a transmitter circuit board providing a pulse frequency of approximately 1.3 Hz and a tone rate of approximately 600 Hz;

at least two cables for connecting said transmitter to a target line, said target line being located beneath a surface;

a detector having a detector circuit board providing an attenuation of approximately 80 dB/decade in frequencies from 0 Hz to 400 Hz;

wherein said transmitter transmits an electrical signal through said target line and said detector detects said electrical signal in said target line; and

wherein the location of said target line is determined without penetrating said surface.

2. The line tracer of claim 1 wherein said transmitter circuit board further comprises a pulse generation circuit.

3. The line tracer of claim 1 wherein said transmitter circuit board further comprises a tone generation circuit.

4. The line tracer of claim 1 wherein said transmitter circuit board further comprises a transformer drive circuit.

5. The line tracer of claim 1 wherein said detector circuit board further comprises a difference amplifier means for producing a voltage gain of 2.

6. The line tracer of claim 1 wherein said detector circuit board further comprises a means for producing a cut off frequency of 400 Hz and an 80 db/decade attenuation of signals below 400 Hz.

7. The line tracer of claim 1 wherein said detector circuit board further comprises a non-inverting amplifier means for producing a voltage gain of 5.

8. The line tracer of claim 1 wherein said detector circuit board further comprises a sensitivity meter.

9. The line tracer of claim 1 further comprising a high/low switch connected to said transmitter circuit board.

10. The line tracer of claim 1 further comprising a tone/pulse switch connected to said transmitter circuit board.

11. The line tracer of claim 1 further comprising a transistor and a non-inverting CMOS driver connected to a transformer and to said transmitter circuit board.

12. The line tracer of claim 1 wherein the transmitter circuit board comprises:

a circuit voltage source;

means for providing an astable multi-vibrator; and

wherein said transmitter circuit board transmits an electrical signal through a line which may be detected by a detector having a detector circuit board providing an attenuation of approximately 80 dB/decade in frequencies from 0 Hz to 400 Hz.

13. The transmitter circuit board of claim 12 further comprising:

means for generating a pulse signal at 1.3 Hz with a 75% duty cycle; and

means for generating a tone signal at 600 Hz with a 50% duty cycle.

14. The transmitter circuit board of claim 12 further comprising a transistor means for controlling a transformer.

15. The improved transmitter circuit board of claim 12 further comprising a means for providing inductive flyback voltage protection.

16. The line tracer of claim 1 wherein the detector circuit board comprises:

a circuit voltage source;

a wound coil sensor

a means for amplifying an input signal;

a means for providing a low frequency cutoff of approximately 400 Hz;

a means for amplifying an output signal; and

wherein said detector circuit board, when coupled with a detector, is capable of detecting an electrical signal in a line.

17. The line tracer of claim 1 wherein said cables are removably connected to said target line and are removably connectable to a plurality of different said target lines.

18. The line tracer of claim 1 wherein said line tracer can distinguish said target line from at least one non-target line, wherein said non-target line is proximately located to said target line.

19. The line tracer of claim 1 wherein said target line is located using only one tone.

20. A method of determining the location of a hidden water pipe comprising:

using a line tracer, performing the following steps;

determining a line to be traced, said line being located under a surface;

choosing a connecting point on each end of said line;

connecting a transmitter output line to a first end of said line;

connecting a transmitter input line to a second end of said line;

transmitting a signal at a tone rate of approximately 600 Hz;

passing a detector back and forth over a search area;

responsive to receiving an audible tone from said detector, monitoring a gauge on said detector;

responsive to said gauge, determining the location of the highest amplitude of signal strength;

responsive to determining the location of the highest amplitude of signal strength, marking a point on the line;

wherein said transmitter transmits an electrical signal through said line and said detector detects said electrical signal in said line; and

wherein the location of said target line is determined without penetrating said surface.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

transmitting a pulse signal at a frequency of approximately 1.3 Hz.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein said input line and said output line are removably connected to said line and are removably connectable to a plurality of different said lines.

23. The method claim 20 wherein said line is a target line;

wherein said line tracer can distinguish said target line from at least one non-target line; and

wherein said non-target line is proximately located to said target line.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein said line tracer locates said target line using only one tone.