System and method for detecting an underground object using magnetic field sensing
First Claim
1. A power supply arrangement for use with the electronic components of an underground tool, the power supply comprising:
- a direct current power source;
a digital voltage regulator having an input connected to the power source and a positive output;
a positive voltage regulator having an input connected to the power source and a positive output;
a switched inverter having an input connected to the power source and a negative voltage output;
a negative voltage regulator having an input connected to the output of the inverter and a negative output.
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Abstract
A system and method use magnetic field sensing to detect underground objects for strike avoidance. The system detects magnetic field components for both passive distortions in the magnetic field indicative of a ferromagnetic object and active magnetic fields that are impressed on an object by a signal generator. A detection module has a magnetic sensor assembly that detects the magnetic field components. The magnetic field component data is transferred through a multiplexer to an analog/digital converter to a processor. Pitch angle data from a pitch sensor and roll angle data from a roll sensor also may be transferred to the processor. The data is processed by the processor to determine the orientation of the detection module with respect to the object. The detection module may be installed in an underground boring tool or a trenching assembly.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A power supply arrangement for use with the electronic components of an underground tool, the power supply comprising:
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a direct current power source; a digital voltage regulator having an input connected to the power source and a positive output; a positive voltage regulator having an input connected to the power source and a positive output; a switched inverter having an input connected to the power source and a negative voltage output; a negative voltage regulator having an input connected to the output of the inverter and a negative output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A power supply arrangement for use with the electronic components of an underground tool, the power supply comprising:
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a direct current power source; a digital voltage regulator having an input connected to the power source and a positive output; a positive voltage regulator having an input connected to the power source and a positive output; a switched inverter having an input connected to the power source and a negative voltage output; a negative voltage regulator having an input connected to the output of the inverter and a negative output, at least one digital component operatively connected to the voltage output of the digital voltage regulator; at least one analog component operatively connected to the positive output of the positive voltage regulator; and at least one analog component operatively connected to the negative output of the negative voltage regulator. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification