Buried Utility Mapping With Integrated Imaging and EM Locating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in accurately mapping and locating buried or inaccessible pipes and conduits, as existing technologies struggle to provide precise underground infrastructure documentation before they are covered, especially in high-density urban areas.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic sensing antenna system integrated with a display, processor, and data storage, along with imaging capabilities, captures and processes signals to generate positional data and composite images, correlating underground utility locations with surface imagery using GPS, inertial sensors, and other sensors, enabling a composite view of sub-surface structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional electromagnetic sensing alone is used to locate buried utilities, then the locating function is achieved, but mapping precision and visualization capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electromagnetic sensing capabilities with imaging capabilities into a single integrated locating system. The electromagnetic antenna array detects utility signals while the image sensor captures visual data of the same area, merging subsurface detection with surface visualization to provide complete mapping information.
Solution Approach 2:
The locating system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it detects electromagnetic signals from buried utilities, captures images of the surface area, determines GPS location, and generates composite maps. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate locating and mapping operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate systems (electromagnetic sensing, imaging, GPS) are used independently, then each function works well, but system complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates electromagnetic sensing, imaging, GPS, and processing functions into a single unified locating system. All components share common processing circuitry and memory, reducing the need for separate systems while maintaining full functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locating system is designed as a multi-functional device that performs electromagnetic detection, image capture, GPS location tracking, and composite map generation within a single integrated platform, reducing system complexity through consolidation.
3Productivity
If only electromagnetic signal detection is performed, then locating speed is maintained, but documentation accuracy and as-built record quality are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously captures both electromagnetic signals and images simultaneously during the locating process, ensuring that documentation is generated in real-time without interrupting the locating workflow. This continuous dual-mode operation maintains speed while improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures images and electromagnetic data simultaneously before the utilities are covered, creating accurate as-built documentation at the moment of installation. This preliminary capture ensures documentation accuracy is achieved before any potential changes or obstructions occur.
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 system provides enhanced accuracy in mapping and locating buried utilities by integrating imaging and mapping data, allowing for precise underground infrastructure documentation and reducing the risk of damage during excavation.
Implementation Method 1
Sonde and line locators for detecting electromagnetic signals
Data Source
AI summary
Locator systems are disclosed for locating buried utilities such as conduits, cables, pipes. or wires. The locator system may include image-capturing and position and orientation measuring devices such as magnetic compass, accelerometers, gyros, GPS, and DGPS. The system may associate images captured during the locate process with buried utility position data and the other sensor data. These data and images may be further associated with terrain images from satellites or aerial photography to provide a highly precision map and database of buried utility locations and visual images of the burial site. Information so obtained may be transferred to a hand-held personal communication device, such as a smart phone to show the location of buried utilities in combination with photo-images and/or terrain maps.