Underground utility detection system

• US 20040168358A1
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Stump, Greg
• Application Number:
  US10/795,624
• Publication Number:
  US 20040168358A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 37/348
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/06 with digging elements mounted on an endless chain E02F5/109 takes precedence; with digging elements mounted on an endless chain per se E02F3/08
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/145 control and indicating devices
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2029 Controlling the position of implements in function of its load, e.g. modifying the attitude of implements in accordance to vehicle speed control for hydraulic or pneumatic drives E02F9/2203, E02F9/2221 and E02F9/2253 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2045 Guiding machines along a predetermined path for graders E02F3/841; machines for construction of roads E01C19/004
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/262 with follow-up actions to control the work tool, e.g. controller
• CPC Class Codes: E21C 39/00 Devices for testing in situ the hardness or other properties of minerals, e.g. for giving information as to the selection of suitable mining tools
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/00 Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/876 Combination of several spaced transponders or reflectors of known location for determining the position of a receiver G01S13/874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/885 for ground probing prospecting or detecting using electromagnetic waves G01V3/12
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/41 Differential correction, e.g. DGPS [differential GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/48 by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/30 Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/00 Prospecting or detecting by methods combining techniques covered by two or more of main groups G01V1/00 - G01V9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/12 operating with electromagnetic waves operating with millimetre waves G01V8/005
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/17 operating with electromagnetic waves operating with millimetre waves G01V8/005

Abstract

Systems for locating an underground utility include means for generating detection data representative of an underground utility within a subsurface of the earth. Systems may also include means for generating geographic positioning data representative of a geographic position of the underground utility and means for storing the geographic positioning data and the detection data. Means are provided for associating the geographic positioning data with the detection data to generate location data representative of a location of the underground utility within the subsurface.

Claims

1. A system for locating an underground utility, comprising:

means for generating detection data representative of an underground utility within a subsurface of the earth;

means for generating geographic positioning data representative of a geographic position of the underground utility;

means for storing the geographic positioning data and the detection data; and

means for associating the geographic positioning data with the detection data to generate location data representative of a location of the underground utility within the subsurface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection data generating means comprises means for transmitting an electromagnetic source. signal directed at the subsurface and means for receiving an electromagnetic return signal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection data generating means comprises means for transmitting a seismic source signal directed at the subsurface and means for receiving a seismic return signal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the positioning data generating means comprises means for receiving a plurality of ground-based position signals.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein positioning data generating means comprises means for receiving a plurality of ground-based position signals and means for receiving at least one position signal from space.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for generating data representative of a two-dimensional location of the underground utility within the subsurface using the associated positioning and detection data.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for generating data representative of a three-dimensional location of the underground utility within the subsurface using the associated positioning and detection data.

8. A system for locating an underground utility, comprising:

means for generating location data representative of a location of the underground utility within a subsurface of earth;

means for storing utility mapping data comprising at least the location data representative of the location of the underground utility; and

means for facilitating user access to the utility mapping data.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the facilitating means comprises means for facilitating multiple user access to the utility mapping data.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the storing means comprises means for storing data representative of a two-dimensional location of the underground utility within the subsurface.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the storing means comprises means for storing data representative of a three-dimensional location of the underground utility within the subsurface.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the storing means further comprises means for storing as-built utility mapping data.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the storing means further comprises means for storing geographic positioning data representative of a geographic position of the underground utility.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the storing means further comprises means for storing detection data representative of one or both of the underground utility and the subsurface of the earth within which the underground utility is located.

15. The system of claim 8, further comprising means for displaying one or both of alphanumeric data and images associated with the underground utility.

16. A system, comprising:

means for transmitting, while moving a plurality of antennae, electromagnetic probe signals into the subsurface;

means for receiving, while moving the plurality of antennae, electromagnetic return signals from the subsurface;

means for generating positioning data associated with movement of the plurality of antennae; and

means for processing the return signals and positioning data to generate location data representative of a location of an underground object or feature within the subsurface.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processing means comprises means for generating a map of the subsurface over which the plurality of antennae is moved.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising means for acquiring one or more geophysical parameters associated with the subsurface.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of antennae comprise a plurality of transmit antennae and a plurality of receive antenna, further wherein at least two of the transmit antennae are oriented substantially orthogonal to one another and at least two of the receive antennae are oriented substantially orthogonal to one another.

20. The system of claim 16, further comprising means for displaying data developed from the return signals.