Buried Conductor Transmitter Feedback for Stable Signal Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transmitters for detecting buried conductors face inefficiencies in power consumption and react poorly to load changes, leading to potential damage and difficulty in distinguishing target conductors from ambient signals.
Innovation Solution
The transmitter employs a narrowband filter for in-phase and quadrature components, an H-bridge D-class amplifier, and a bridge tied linear amplifier, modulated using delta-sigma and pulse width modulation schemes, with a proportional-integral-derivative controller and variable power supply, to efficiently generate and control the test signal, while sampling feedback voltage and current above the Nyquist frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high power signal is used to induce test signal in buried conductor, then detection range is improved, but battery consumption increases and signal couples to unwanted lines
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter dynamically adjusts signal parameters including frequency (ranging from low frequency for long distance tracing to high frequency for high resistance lines), power level, and waveform type based on detection requirements and ambient conditions, optimizing the balance between detection range and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic feedback control that continuously monitors load conditions and ambient signals, adjusting the test signal parameters in real-time to maintain optimal detection performance while minimizing power consumption and avoiding coupling to unwanted lines
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 transmitter implements a sophisticated feedback control system that monitors output signals and load conditions, using this information to dynamically adjust operating parameters and maintain signal stability while quickly responding to load changes such as sudden disconnections
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of load conditions and prepares adjustment strategies in advance, allowing it to respond more quickly to anticipated load changes before they cause damage
3Measurement precision
If feedback loop processes ambient signals, then signal detection capability is improved, but amplifier efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback system selectively extracts and processes only the relevant test signal components from the combined ambient and test signals, ignoring unrelated ambient interference while maintaining detection capability for the target conductor
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
This configuration minimizes power consumption, stabilizes signal output, and quickly adapts to load changes, ensuring accurate detection of buried conductors with reduced interference from ambient signals, thereby extending battery life and improving detection accuracy.
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
a clamp can be used to apply the transmitter test signal to the conductor. The clamp is typically comprised of a split toroidal magnetic core which carries a primary winding magnetising the core with the alternating transmitter signal. An alternating signal flowing in the winding produces an electromagnetic signal in the conductor similar in operation to a transformer
Implementation Method 3
Current carrying conductors emit electromagnetic radiation which can be detected by an electrical antenna
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A system 1 for detecting a buried conductor 7 comprises a transmitter 3 for generating a test signal in the buried conductor 7 and a detector 5 for detecting an electromagnetic signal 11 resulting from the test signal flowing in the buried conductor 7. The transmitter 3 comprises a waveform generator 41 for generating a drive waveform signal 47, a power supply 25, an amplifier 45, 51 connected to the power supply 25 and the waveform generator 41 for producing an output drive signal based on the drive waveform signal 47 and an output circuit 33 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 45, 51.