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Remotely reconfigurable system for mapping subsurface geological anomalies

  • US 7,788,049 B2
  • Filed: 11/01/2007
  • Issued: 08/31/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for collecting resistivity data from a subsurface media comprising:

  • a power distribution unit distributing an injection current, an operating power source and an operating ground to a set of interconnected voltage control units;

    the power distribution unit further comprising a high voltage source, and a high voltage sink;

    a reference electrode in contact with the geological surface, connected to the power distribution unit for defining a high voltage reference;

    a current source connected to the power distribution unit;

    a data collection unit connected to the power distribution unit;

    an array of electrodes in contact with a geological surface, having at least a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode;

    the set of interconnected voltage control units connected to the array of electrodes and in in data communication with the power distribution unit,the set of interconnected voltage control units programmed to dispense the injection current into the array of electrodes in a predetermined pattern;

    the set of interconnected voltage control units programmed to measure the voltages between the array of electrodes and the reference electrode and to send a first signal to the power distribution unit related to the measured voltages;

    the set of interconnected voltage control units wherein each voltage control unit further comprises;

    a microcontroller;

    volatile memory connected to the microcontroller;

    non-volatile memory connected to the microcontroller;

    an analog to digital converter connected to the microcontroller, attached to at least one electrode of the array of electrodes; and

    attached to the high voltage reference so as to make a measurement of a voltage at the at least one electrode;

    the microcontroller programmed to store the measurement in the volatile memory;

    an upstream communications port and a downstream communications port;

    a bi-directional transceiver connected to the upstream communications port and the downstream communications port and to the microcontroller;

    a first solid state switch connected to the at least one electrode and the high voltage source, the first solid state switch being connected to and controlled by the microcontroller so as to operationally connect the high voltage source to the at least one electrode;

    a second solid state switch connected to the at least one electrode and to the high voltage sink, the first solid state switch being connected to and controlled by the microcontroller so as to operationally connect the high voltage sink to the at least one electrode; and

    a capacitor connected to the operating power source for storing and supplying energy to the microcontroller, the voltage meter, the nonvolatile memory, the analog to digital converter, the bi-directional transceiver, the first solid state switch and the second solid state switch when the operational power source is disconnected.

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