Dipole locator using multiple measurement points
First Claim
1. A tracking system for identifying a location of a moveable magnetic field source, the tracking system comprising:
- a frame defining a horizontal plane;
a first antenna arrangement supported on the frame in the horizontal plane to detect a magnetic field from the moveable magnetic field source in three dimensions;
a second antenna arrangement supported on the frame in the horizontal plane to detect the magnetic field from the movable magnetic field source in three dimensions;
wherein the first antenna arrangement and second antenna arrangement are horizontally spaced apart a known distance on the frame;
a computer processor supported on the frame; and
wherein the location of the moveable magnetic field source is determined without movement of the frame towards the moveable magnetic field source.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
29 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A tracking system for identifying a location of a moveable magnetic field source, the tracking system comprising:
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a frame defining a horizontal plane; a first antenna arrangement supported on the frame in the horizontal plane to detect a magnetic field from the moveable magnetic field source in three dimensions; a second antenna arrangement supported on the frame in the horizontal plane to detect the magnetic field from the movable magnetic field source in three dimensions; wherein the first antenna arrangement and second antenna arrangement are horizontally spaced apart a known distance on the frame; a computer processor supported on the frame; and wherein the location of the moveable magnetic field source is determined without movement of the frame towards the moveable magnetic field source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for tracking a moveable magnetic field source, the method comprising:
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holding a receiver assembly comprising a frame and defining a horizontal plane in a horizontal position; simultaneously detecting in three dimensions a magnetic field from the moveable magnetic field source at a first antenna arrangement disposed on the frame within the horizontal plane and at a second antenna arrangement disposed on the frame within the horizontal plane a known distance from the first antenna arrangement; determining a set of detected field values based on the magnetic field detected by both the first antenna arrangement and the second antenna arrangement; and using a computer processor supported on the frame to determine a location of the moveable magnetic field source relative to the receiver assembly using the detected field values without movement of the receiver assembly towards the magnetic field source. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A tracking system for identifying a location of a moveable magnetic field source, the tracking system comprising:
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a frame defining a substantially horizontal plane; a first antenna arrangement supported by the frame on the substantially horizontal plane to detect a magnetic field from the moveable magnetic field source in three dimensions; a second antenna arrangement supported by the frame on the substantially horizontal plane to detect the magnetic field from the moveable magnetic field source in three dimensions; wherein the first antenna arrangement and the second antenna arrangement are substantially horizontally spaced apart a known distance on the frame; a computer processor supported on the frame; and wherein the location of the moveable magnetic field source is determined without movement of the frame towards the moveable magnetic field source. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification