Buried Conductor Transmitter Control for Load-Adaptive Signal Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional signal transmitters for detecting buried conductors face inefficiencies in power consumption and react poorly to changes in load, leading to potential damage and difficulty in detecting target conductors due to ambient signal interference.
Innovation Solution
A transmitter system with a drive waveform generator, power supply, amplifier, and feedback mechanism that includes in-phase and quadrature components, filtered through a narrowband sinc filter, and using H-bridge D-class and bridge tied linear amplifiers, modulated by delta-sigma and pulse width modulation schemes, to efficiently generate and control the output signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high power signal is used to ensure reliable detection of buried conductor, then detection reliability is improved, but battery consumption increases and signal spreads to unwanted lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the output signal characteristics and adjusting the transmitter power accordingly. The system continuously measures the signal strength and load conditions, then modifies the drive waveform amplitude to maintain optimal detection levels while minimizing power consumption and preventing signal spread to adjacent lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter employs dynamic power adjustment where the signal amplitude and frequency are adaptively changed based on real-time detection of load conditions and signal quality. This allows the system to use higher power only when necessary for reliable detection while using lower power during normal operation, directly addressing the battery consumption issue.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional feedback loop is used to stabilize signal output, then signal stability is improved, but response to load changes is slow and transmitter may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of load conditions and anticipates changes before they fully manifest. By detecting early signs of load variations through continuous impedance monitoring and adaptive threshold adjustment, the transmitter can prepare and respond to load changes more quickly than conventional systems, preventing damage while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements enhanced feedback control with multiple monitoring points and adaptive response mechanisms. The system continuously monitors output current, voltage, and impedance, and adjusts the drive waveform in real-time to maintain stability during normal operation while rapidly responding to abnormal load conditions, thus preventing transmitter damage.
3Measurement precision
If amplifier power is increased to overcome ambient signal interference, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but power consumption increases and detection precision may deteriorate due to signal spread
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by using narrowband filtering and frequency-selective amplification. Instead of uniformly increasing power across all frequencies, the system concentrates amplification only at the specific detection frequency where the signal is present, improving signal-to-noise ratio without the power consumption and signal spread issues associated with broad-spectrum high power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes signal parameters including frequency, amplitude, and modulation depth based on ambient noise conditions and detection requirements. By adapting these parameters in real-time, the transmitter achieves optimal signal-to-noise ratio with minimal power consumption, avoiding the need for continuously high power output that would cause signal spread to adjacent lines.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves efficient power usage, stable output, and quick adaptation to load changes, minimizing damage and improving detection accuracy by effectively filtering out ambient signals and maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
the signal transmitter produces an alternating electromagnetic field by use of a strong induction loop. If the transmitter is placed near to the buried conductor then the electromagnetic field induces a current in a nearby buried conductor.
Implementation Method 2
Current carrying conductors emit electromagnetic radiation which can be detected by an electrical antenna.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting a buried conductor comprises a transmitter for generating a test signal in the buried conductor and a detector for detecting an electromagnetic signal resulting from the test signal flowing in the buried conductor. The transmitter comprises a waveform generator for generating a drive waveform signal, a power supply, an amplifier, connected to the power supply and the waveform generator for producing an output drive signal based on the drive waveform signal and an output circuit for acting on the output drive signal to generate an output signal having a current and a voltage. In-phase and quadrature components of the current and voltage of the output signal are fed back for controlling the amplifier.