Dipole locator using multiple measurement points
First Claim
1. An antenna assembly comprising:
- a support member comprising a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, a fourth channel, a fifth channel, and a sixth channel;
wherein the first channel and the fourth channel are disposed in a first axis, the second channel and the fifth channel are disposed in a second axis, and the third channel and the sixth channel are disposed in a third axis;
a first winding supported in the first channel;
a fourth winding supported in the fourth channel and wound opposite the first winding;
a second winding supported in the second channel;
a fifth winding supported in the fifth channel and wound opposite the second winding;
a third winding supported in the third channel;
a sixth winding supported in the sixth channel and wound opposite the third winding;
wherein the first winding and the fourth winding define an aperture area, the second winding and the fifth winding define an aperture area, the third winding and the sixth winding define an aperture area;
wherein the aperture area of each winding is the same; and
wherein each of the windings have a common center point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A receiver and tracking system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of tri-axial antennas are positioned at three distinct points on a receiver frame. Each antenna detects a magnetic field from a source and a processor is used to determine a location of the source relative to the frame using the antenna signals. Each tri-axial antenna comprises three windings in each of three channels defined by a support structure. The windings each define an aperture area. The windings have substantially identical aperture areas and have a common center point. The receiver may to display to the operator the relative location of the field source or may direct the operator to a spot directly above the field source.
15 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An antenna assembly comprising:
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a support member comprising a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, a fourth channel, a fifth channel, and a sixth channel; wherein the first channel and the fourth channel are disposed in a first axis, the second channel and the fifth channel are disposed in a second axis, and the third channel and the sixth channel are disposed in a third axis; a first winding supported in the first channel; a fourth winding supported in the fourth channel and wound opposite the first winding; a second winding supported in the second channel; a fifth winding supported in the fifth channel and wound opposite the second winding; a third winding supported in the third channel; a sixth winding supported in the sixth channel and wound opposite the third winding; wherein the first winding and the fourth winding define an aperture area, the second winding and the fifth winding define an aperture area, the third winding and the sixth winding define an aperture area; wherein the aperture area of each winding is the same; and wherein each of the windings have a common center point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A tracking system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source, the tracking system comprising:
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a frame; an antenna assembly supported by the frame, the antenna assembly comprising; a support structure; a first antenna coil supported by the support structure and a fourth antenna coil supported by the support structure and wound opposite the first antenna coil, the first antenna coil and fourth antenna coil disposed in a first axis and defining an aperture area; a second antenna coil supported by the support structure and a fifth antenna coil supported by the support structure and wound opposite the second antenna coil, the second antenna coil and fifth antenna coil disposed in a second axis and defining an aperture area; a third antenna coil supported by the support structure and a sixth antenna coil supported by the support structure and wound opposite the third antenna coil, the third antenna coil and sixth antenna coil disposed in a third axis and defining an aperture area; wherein the aperture areas of each of the antenna coils are equal; and wherein each of the antenna coils have a common center point; a processor adapted to receive an antenna signal from each antenna coil and to determine a location of the magnetic field source relative to the frame using the antenna signals from each antenna coil. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification