System and method for locating an underground utility
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for locating an underground utility that emits an electromagnetic field generally coaxially about the underground utility within a signal range thereabout, the system comprising:
- a communication link;
a first housing that is in communication with the communication link and has an antenna secured by the first housing and configured so that the electromagnetic field induces a signal in the antenna that varies in a predetermined manner depending on a spatial relationship between the antenna and the utility, wherein the antenna is in communication with the communication link so that the antenna outputs to the communication link a measurement signal corresponding to the induced signal;
a second housing separate from the first housing and in communication with the communication link, the second housing having a display and circuitry in communication with the communication link and the display so that the second housing circuitry receives the measurement signal from the communication link and drives the display to present a human detectable presentation corresponding to a characteristic of the measurement signal that varies with variation in the spatial relationship; and
a suspension attached to the first housing and supporting the first housing over a vertical distance of at least about a foot,wherein the second housing has a plurality of antennas, each second housing antenna secured by the second housing and being configured so that the electromagnetic field induces a signal in the second housing antenna that varies in a predetermined manner depending on a spatial relationship between the second housing antenna and the utility, and wherein the second housing circuitry is in communication with the plurality of antennas so that the second housing circuitry receives respective said signals induced on the plurality of antennas and drives the display to present a human detectable presentation corresponding to a characteristic of one or more said signals induced on respective one or more of the plurality of antennas.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for locating an underground utility that emits an electromagnetic signal comprises first and second receivers. The first receiver has electronics that respond to a spatial position of the first receiver with respect to the electromagnetic signal and therefore the utility. The second receiver is adapted for communication with the first receiver. The first receiver is configured for disposition within an underground excavation proximate to the utility.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for locating an underground utility that emits an electromagnetic field generally coaxially about the underground utility within a signal range thereabout, the system comprising:
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a communication link; a first housing that is in communication with the communication link and has an antenna secured by the first housing and configured so that the electromagnetic field induces a signal in the antenna that varies in a predetermined manner depending on a spatial relationship between the antenna and the utility, wherein the antenna is in communication with the communication link so that the antenna outputs to the communication link a measurement signal corresponding to the induced signal; a second housing separate from the first housing and in communication with the communication link, the second housing having a display and circuitry in communication with the communication link and the display so that the second housing circuitry receives the measurement signal from the communication link and drives the display to present a human detectable presentation corresponding to a characteristic of the measurement signal that varies with variation in the spatial relationship; and a suspension attached to the first housing and supporting the first housing over a vertical distance of at least about a foot, wherein the second housing has a plurality of antennas, each second housing antenna secured by the second housing and being configured so that the electromagnetic field induces a signal in the second housing antenna that varies in a predetermined manner depending on a spatial relationship between the second housing antenna and the utility, and wherein the second housing circuitry is in communication with the plurality of antennas so that the second housing circuitry receives respective said signals induced on the plurality of antennas and drives the display to present a human detectable presentation corresponding to a characteristic of one or more said signals induced on respective one or more of the plurality of antennas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for locating an underground utility that emits an electromagnetic field generally coaxially about the underground utility within a signal range thereabout, the system comprising:
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a communication link; a first housing that is in communication with the communication link and has an antenna secured by the first housing and configured so that the electromagnetic field induces a signal in the antenna that varies in a predetermined manner depending on a spatial relationship between the antenna and the utility, wherein the antenna is in communication with the communication link so that the antenna outputs to the communication link a measurement signal corresponding to the induced signal; a second housing separate from the first housing and in communication with the communication link, the second housing having a display and circuitry in communication with the communication link and the display so that the second housing circuitry receives the measurement signal from the communication link and drives the display to present a human detectable presentation corresponding to a characteristic of the measurement signal that varies with variation in the spatial relationship; and a flexible cable attached to the first housing and supporting the first housing over a vertical distance of at least about a foot.
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14. A method for locating an underground utility that emits an electromagnetic field generally coaxially about the underground utility within a signal range thereabout, from an excavation proximate the utility, the method comprising:
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providing a locating system comprising a communication link, a first housing that is in communication with the communication link and has an antenna secured by the first housing and configured so that the electromagnetic field induces a signal in the antenna that varies in a predetermined manner depending on a spatial relationship between the antenna and the utility, wherein the antenna is in communication with the communication link so that the antenna outputs to the communication link a measurement signal corresponding to the induced signal, and a second housing separate from the first housing and in communication with the communication link, the second housing having a display and circuitry in communication with the communication link and the display so that the second housing circuitry receives the measurement signal from the communication link and drives the display to present a human detectable presentation corresponding to a characteristic of the measurement signal that varies with variation in the spatial relationship; lowering the first housing into the excavation with the first housing antenna disposed in a predetermined orientation, until the display presentation indicates the first housing antenna is at a predetermined spatial relationship with respect to the underground utility. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification