Controlled power source for underground line location
First Claim
1. A transmitter of a line locator system, comprising:
- a generator that can be coupled to an underground line;
an output controller coupled to the generator;
wherein the transmitter of the line locator system provides a constant output signal within the underground line over a range of impedance values of the underground line so that a receiver of the line locator system can detect the approximate location of the underground line.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A transmitter for a line locator system that controls the electrical current, voltage or power applied to the target line is disclosed. Control of the electrical output of the transmitter can be achieved passively or by means of a feedback control system. A transmitter connected directly to a line can include an operator control and monitoring of current being supplied to a line to be located. Some transmitters include a current regulating circuit that controls current supplied to a line. In some transmitters, feedback controllers and feedback loops are used to regulate output current, voltage or power. Some control loops are based on monitoring currents in circuits; some control loops monitor power output from an inductive mode transmitter antenna. An inductively coupled transmitter with power output control is also disclosed.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A transmitter of a line locator system, comprising:
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a generator that can be coupled to an underground line; an output controller coupled to the generator; wherein the transmitter of the line locator system provides a constant output signal within the underground line over a range of impedance values of the underground line so that a receiver of the line locator system can detect the approximate location of the underground line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A line locator transmitter of a line locator system comprising:
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a current source comprising a control input and a current output, wherein said current source is capable of producing an output current at said current output responsive to a signal at said control input; a current controller, capable of sending a control signal to the control input of said current source to maintain said output current at a constant level; and an interface, coupled with said current output, wherein said interface is capable of connecting to an external line, wherein a receiver of the line locator system can receive a signal from the external line that is related to the output current. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A line-locator transmitter of a line locator system comprising:
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transmitting electronics comprising an output and a control input, wherein said transmitting electronics direct power to said output, responsive to a signal at said control input, wherein the output can be sent through the underground line so that a receiver of the line locator system can locate the underground line; an output sampling interface coupled to said output, producing an output signal in response to a sampling of said power directed to said output; and a feedback controller, coupled to said output sampling interface and said control input, wherein said feedback controller sends a signal to said control input, responsive to said output signal. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A line locator system comprising:
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a transmitter of the line locator system, said transmitter comprising; signal generating circuits having a control input, the signal generating circuits being capable of generating a transmitted signal; an antenna, coupled to said signal generating circuits for radiating said transmitted signal as an electromagnetic field, capable of causing a line to be located to re-radiate an induced electromagnetic field; and a feedback controller coupled to said control input comprising a means to generate a control signal, responsive to power directed to said antenna, thereby to regulate power radiated by said antenna; and a receiver of the line locator system, capable of detecting said induced electromagnetic field radiated by said line to be located. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A method for producing a desired electromagnetic field around a line to be located, comprising:
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coupling a current source to a portion of said line to be located; and controlling an amount of current transmitted by said current source through said line to be located to be roughly independent of an impedance of said line, wherein a receiver of a line locator system can locate the line based on the transmitted current through the line. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification