Buried line locator with integral position sensing

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for detecting and compensating for field distortion of an underground line by mapping the field strength of a field generated by an electric current buried in the line. Signals from subterranean structures can be mapped against the location of the device. From said graph, a distortion from the expected signal can be determined, indicating the presence of interference or errors of other structures in the position of the detected structure.

Description

technical field [0001] This disclosure relates to the field of electronics and, more specifically, to the application of devices that can be used to locate objects hidden or located underground. Background technique [0002] Line locators are used to locate buried lines such as gas pipes, water pipes, telephone and power cables, etc. A line locator typically includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter causes an electromagnetic field to radiate from the line to be located. The receiver locates the line by detecting the radiated field. The line locator can be operated in one of the following modes: direct connection mode and inductive mode. [0003] In direct connection mode, the transmitter is physically connected to the line to be located, typically at a point on the line above ground. The transmitter generates a voltage at one end of the line, causing current to flow along the conductive line. The current creates a magnetic field around the line that can be ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The problem with using GPS for this purpose is that the accuracy of GPS and even differential GPS (DGPS) is often not sufficient

Although some GPS embodiments provide an accuracy of less than 1 inch, these measurements cannot be made in real time because the locator's receiver moves spatially at a reasonable rate within the area of ​​interest

[0009] Another problem in the area of ​​locating underground lines is the need to keep track of the location of buried lines over periods of time lasting hours or days

The tape measure used in this method does not provide the required level of accuracy

In addition, the length of time required to obtain accurate position data for line locator measurements using a tape measure is often intolerable

Images