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Method of prioritizing anomalies in a buried linear conductor

  • US 7,881,890 B2
  • Filed: 05/05/2009
  • Issued: 02/01/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of prioritizing anomalies in a linear conductor buried under a ground surface, comprising the steps of:

  • obtaining prioritization values for a plurality of anomalies along a linear conductor, wherein, for each anomaly, a prioritization value is obtained using a method comprising the steps of;

    locating an anomaly;

    determining a current along the linear conductor at the anomaly, a depth of cover of the linear conductor, and a voltage gradient, the voltage gradient being determined using a first voltage probe at a first position and a second voltage probe at a second position, the first and second voltage probes taking a voltage reading and being separated by a probe spacing;

    using the depth of cover and the voltage gradient, calculating an effective probe spacing of the first and second voltage probes relative to the anomaly on the conductor; and

    determining the prioritization value of the anomaly based on a linear relationship between the voltage gradient and the product of the current and the effective probe spacing; and

    ranking the prioritization values according to magnitude.

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