Magnetic signature detector for detection of magnetic buried targets
First Claim
1. An apparatus for measuring and detecting a magnetic signature of a magnetically detectable object from a distance comprising:
- one portable sensor group for detecting the magnetic signature, the portable sensor group consisting of three gradient sensors, each of the three gradient sensors adapted to independently measure both a magnitude and a direction of the magnetic signature, a first of said gradient sensors measuring an axial gradient in the vertical direction, a second of said gradient sensors measuring a first horizontal gradient in the vertical direction, and a third of said gradient sensors measuring a second horizontal gradient in the vertical direction; and
a signal output device connected to each of the three gradient sensors.
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Abstract
An apparatus for measuring and detecting a magnetic signature of a magnetically detectable object from a distance includes a portable sensor group for detecting the magnetic signature. The portable sensor group includes three gradient sensors, each of the three gradient sensors adapted to independently measure both a magnitude and a direction of the magnetic signature, a first of said gradient sensors measuring an axial gradient in the vertical direction, a second of said gradient sensors measuring a first horizontal gradient in the vertical direction, and a third of said gradient sensors measuring a second horizontal gradient in the vertical direction.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An apparatus for measuring and detecting a magnetic signature of a magnetically detectable object from a distance comprising:
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one portable sensor group for detecting the magnetic signature, the portable sensor group consisting of three gradient sensors, each of the three gradient sensors adapted to independently measure both a magnitude and a direction of the magnetic signature, a first of said gradient sensors measuring an axial gradient in the vertical direction, a second of said gradient sensors measuring a first horizontal gradient in the vertical direction, and a third of said gradient sensors measuring a second horizontal gradient in the vertical direction; and
a signal output device connected to each of the three gradient sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for measuring and detecting a magnetic signature of a magnetically detectable object from a distance comprising:
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a portable sensor wand for detecting the magnetic signature, said sensor wand comprising one sensor group consisting of three gradient sensors, each of the three gradient sensors adapted to independently measure both a magnitude and a direction of the magnetic signature;
each of the three gradient sensors comprising a first fluxgate sensor located at a first position along the sensor wand and a second fluxgate sensor located at a second position along the sensor wand;
a first of said gradient sensors measuring an axial gradient in the vertical direction, a second of said gradient sensors measuring a horizontal gradient in the vertical direction, and a third of said gradient sensors measuring a second horizontal gradient in the vertical direction; and
a signal output device electronically connected to each of the three gradient sensors.
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- 15. A method for locating buried magnetized plastic pipe within a search area comprising the step of measuring a magnitude and direction of a magnetic signature in an axial gradient in the vertical direction, in a first horizontal gradient in the vertical direction, and in a second horizontal gradient in the vertical direction using an apparatus having one sensor group consisting of three gradient sensors.
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19. An apparatus for measuring and detecting a magnetic signature of a magnetically detectable object from a distance comprising:
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a portable sensor wand for detecting the magnetic signature, said portable sensor wand comprising three gradient sensors, each of the three gradient sensors adapted to independently measure both a magnitude and a direction of the magnetic signature, an X axis sensor of said gradient sensors positioned along an axis of the portable sensor wand, a Y axis sensor of said gradient sensors positioned sideways relative to the axis of the portable sensor wand, and a Z axis sensor of said gradient sensors positioned forward relative to the axis of the portable sensor wand; and
a signal output device connected to each of the three gradient sensors.- View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
a bar graph mode wherein the signal output device displays a bar graph representing each signal generated by the three gradient sensors.
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22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the signal output device further comprises:
a flying spot mode wherein the signal output device displays a spot representing a direction of a measured field vector based upon signals generated by two of three gradient sensors.
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23. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising:
a mode selection switch positioned with respect to the signal output device, the mode selection switch for switching between at least two flying spot modes.
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24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the at least two flying spot modes include a first flying spot mode wherein the spot is positioned based upon signals generated by the X axis sensor and the Y axis sensor and a second flying spot mode wherein the spot is positioned based upon signals generated by the Y axis sensor and the Z axis sensor.
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25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein a size of the spot in the first flying spot mode is determined by a magnitude of a total magnetic field generated by the three gradient sensors.
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26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein a size of the spot in the second flying spot mode is determined by a magnitude of a magnetic field generated by the X axis sensor.
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27. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising:
a mode selection switch positioned with respect to the signal output device, the mode selection switch for switching between a flying spot mode and a bar graph mode.
Specification