Electronic marker for metallic valve box covers
First Claim
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1. In a valve box comprising a metallic riser and a metallic lid covering a top opening of said metallic riser, the improvement comprising:
- an electromagnetic resonator coupled to a valve box interior facing side of said metallic lid, whereby upon generation of an eddy current in said metallic lid, a current is generated in said electromagnetic resonator.
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Abstract
A valve box having a metallic riser and a metallic lid covering a top of the metallic riser and an electromagnetic resonator coupled to the valve box interior facing side of the metallic lid, whereby, upon generation of an eddy current in the metallic lid, a current is generated in the electromagnetic resonator. This valve box, when buried, is readily locatable and identifiable by an above-ground interrogating device.
27 Citations
11 Claims
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1. In a valve box comprising a metallic riser and a metallic lid covering a top opening of said metallic riser, the improvement comprising:
an electromagnetic resonator coupled to a valve box interior facing side of said metallic lid, whereby upon generation of an eddy current in said metallic lid, a current is generated in said electromagnetic resonator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for identifying buried valve boxes used in gas and water distribution systems comprising the steps of:
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coupling an electromagnetic resonator to a valve box interior facing side of a valve box metallic lid such that, upon generation of an eddy current in said metallic lid, a current is generated in said metallic resonator;
generating an eddy current in said metallic lid by activating an above ground interrogating device, resulting in generation of said current in said electromagnetic resonator and storage of energy in said electromagnetic resonator;
deactivating said interrogating device, resulting in dissipation of said energy stored in said electromagnetic resonator in a form of radio waves; and
detecting said radio waves with an above ground receiver, whereby the identification and location of said buried valve box is determined. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification