Magneto-inductive seismic fence

• US 5,969,608 A
• Filed: 02/23/1998
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Garcia, Felipe, Woodall, Robert, Sojdehei, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LA, ANH V
• Application Number:
  US09/030,517
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 340/541, 340/551, 340/539, 340/689, 340/690, 340/665, 340/531, 340/854.8, 340/854.6, 455/40, 455/41, 73/DIG. 1
• US Class Current: 340/551
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1663 using seismic sensing means

Abstract

An intrusion detector has buried sensor modules arranged along a perimetero sense seismic vibrations caused by intrusions within the area defined by the perimeter. The sensor modules transmit data representative of the intrusions via magneto-inductive signals in the ELF to VLF range through ground, air, and/or water to at least one buried relay module within the area. The relay modules transmit RF signals representative of the intrusion data via a camouflaged RF antenna to mobil or fixed stations for appropriate action. Transmission of magneto-inductive signals in the ELF to VLF range is clandestine and reliable, and locations of buried sensor modules and relay modules are not revealed to intruders to reduce the possibility of evasion or tampering. The sensor modules may have sensor elements sensitive to humans, vehicles, and low flying aircraft to give enforcement officers the opportunity to better utilize their resources where the intrusions are occurring. In addition, this system could be placed along many well-used passageways, such as highways, roads, trails, air corridors, etc. to gather information regarding use of facilities and resources to help governmental officials and planners make intelligent decisions.

Claims

1. A seismic detector system comprising:

at least one sensor module fully buried in one of a ground environment and a water environment to sense seismic vibrations, to generate signals representative of said seismic vibrations and to transmit said representative signals through said one of a ground environment and a water environment via magneto-inductive signals in the ELF to VLF range not to exceed approximately 4000 Hz; and

at least one relay module to receive said magneto-inductive signals in said one of a ground environment and a water environment, to demodulate said representative signals from said magneto-inductive signals, and to broadcast through the air RF signals representative of said demodulated signals.

2. A seismic detector system according to claim 1 further comprising:

at least one station to receive said RF signals.

3. A seismic detector system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor module comprises:

a plurality of sensor modules fully buried in said one of a ground environment and a water environment and arranged to define a perimeter, each of said plurality of sensor modules having overlapping sensitivities with adjacent ones of said plurality of sensor modules along said perimeter.

4. A seismic detector system according to claim 1 wherein each said sensor module includes a sensor section to sense said seismic vibrations and generate said representative signals and a transmitter section coupled to said sensor section to convey said representative signals through said one of a around environment and a water environment via magneto-inductive signals in the ELF to VLF range, and each said relay module includes a receiver section fully buried in said one of a ground environment and a water environment for receiving said magneto-inductive signals and demodulating said representative signals therefrom to form demodulated signals and an RF relay transmitter and RF antenna coupled to said receiver section to broadcast RF signals representative of said demodulated signals.

5. A seismic detector system according to claim 4, wherein each said sensor section has a plurality of seismic sensor elements to detect different sources of said seismic vibrations.

6. A seismic detector system according to claim 1 wherein each said sensor module includes at least one of the group of sensors for sensing magnetic influences, acoustic waves, infrared emissions, and heat fluctuations.

7. A method for detecting seismic vibrations in a ground environment or a water environment, comprising the steps of:

fully burying at least one sensor module in one of a ground environment and a water environment;

sensing seismic vibrations in said one of a ground environment and a water environment using said at least one sensor module;

generating signals representative of said seismic vibrations using said at least one sensor module;

transmitting said representative signals from said at least one sensor module through said one of a ground environment and a water environment via magneto-inductive signals in the ELF to VLF range not to exceed 4000 Hz.

8. A method according to claim 7 further comprising the steps of:

receiving said magneto-inductive signals in said one of a ground environment and a water environment via at least one relay module;

demodulating said representative signals from said magneto-inductive signals to form demodulated signals; and

broadcasting through the air RF signals representative of said demodulated signals.

9. A method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of:

receiving said RF signals at a remote monitoring station.

10. A method according to claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

arranging a plurality of said sensor modules to define a perimeter, said sensor modules having overlapping sensitivities with adjacent ones of said plurality of sensor modules along said perimeter; and

receiving signals representative of said seismic vibrations along said perimeter by said at least one relay module.

11. A method according to claim 7 wherein said at least one sensor module includes at least one of the group of sensors for sensing magnetic influences, acoustic waves, infrared emissions, and heat fluctuations.

12. An intrusion detector system comprising:

first means fully buried in one of a ground environment and a water environment for sensing vibrations caused by intruders and for generating intrusion signals representative of said vibrations;

second means fully buried in said one of a ground environment and a water environment and coupled to said first means for transmitting said intrusion signals through said one of a ground environment and a water environment via magneto-inductive signals in the ELF to VLF range not to exceed approximately 4000 Hz;

third means fully buried in said one of a around environment and a water environment for receiving said magnet-inductive signals and for demodulating said intrusion signals therefrom to form demodulated signals; and

fourth means coupled to said demodulating means for broadcasting through the air RF signals representative of said demodulated signals.

13. The intrusion detector system according to claim 12 further comprising:

fifth means disposed a distance from said fourth means for receiving said RF signals.

14. The intrusion detector system according to claim 12 wherein said first means are arranged to define a perimeter around which said vibrations can be sensed.

15. The intrusion detector system according to claim 12 wherein said first means includes at least one of the group of sensors for sensing magnetic influences, acoustic waves, infrared emissions, and heat fluctuations.