Non-Coplanar Magnetic Sensor Array for Underground Structure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic field measurement technologies struggle to differentiate between geomagnetic and artificial structure magnetic fields, especially when scanning underground structures, leading to inaccurate measurements and safety risks during construction projects like road excavation.
Innovation Solution
A scanning apparatus with non-coplanar configured magnetic field sensors, which measures magnetic fields using multiple sensors and calculates magnetic field variations to isolate the artificial structure's magnetic field distribution, allowing for precise identification of underground structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high precision magnetic field measuring instrument is used to accurately measure the magnetic field, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the magnetic field measurement task into multiple components by using four separate magnetic field sensors instead of one complex high-precision instrument. Each sensor measures the magnetic field from a different direction, and the individual measurements are combined through calculation to achieve accurate detection of underground structures while using simpler, more affordable components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines measurements from four different magnetic field sensors to achieve the measurement capability. By integrating data from multiple sensors positioned at different locations and orientations, the system reconstructs the three-dimensional magnetic field distribution, enabling accurate detection without requiring a single high-precision instrument
2Measurement precision
If a precision magnetic field measuring instrument is suspended from a helicopter to avoid interference from artificial structures, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical measurement (suspended below helicopter) to horizontal measurement by placing sensors on the ground surface. This dimensional change allows the system to measure magnetic field variations in the horizontal plane, which is sufficient for detecting underground structures while avoiding the complexity of aerial suspension operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple simpler magnetic field sensors positioned at different locations to collectively capture the magnetic field information, replacing the need for a single complex high-precision instrument. The combined data from these simpler sensors achieves the measurement objective without requiring aerial deployment
3Productivity
If the magnetic field measurement is performed close to the ground to detect underground structures, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference from artificial structure magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the magnetic field measurement into multiple directional components by using four sensors positioned at different orientations. This segmentation allows the system to separate the artificial structure magnetic field signals from the geomagnetic field signals through mathematical processing, achieving both ground-level detection capability and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mathematical calculation and data processing as an intermediary between the raw magnetic field measurements and the final detection results. By processing the combined measurements from four sensors, the system extracts the artificial structure magnetic field components and eliminates interference, enabling precise detection at ground level
4Device complexity
If conventional magnetic field measurement is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to differentiate between geomagnetic and artificial structure magnetic fields deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the magnetic field measurement into multiple independent measurements from four different sensors positioned at different locations and orientations. This segmentation provides sufficient data to separate and identify the artificial structure magnetic field components from the geomagnetic field components through mathematical processing, preserving full information differentiation capability while using simple sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines measurements from four simple magnetic field sensors to achieve the information differentiation capability that would otherwise require complex instrumentation. By merging the data from multiple sensors and applying mathematical processing, the system successfully distinguishes between geomagnetic and artificial structure magnetic fields
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
Enables accurate detection of underground artificial structures by isolating the artificial structure's magnetic field from the geomagnetic field, enhancing safety and reducing costs associated with high-precision equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the artificial structure on the ground generates an artificial structure magnetic field BArtificial (vector field) due to induction
Data Source
AI summary
A method for scanning artificial structure, wherein a scanning artificial structure apparatus comprises four magnetic-field sensors, the four magnetic-field sensors are non-coplanar configured, the method comprises following steps of: moving the scanning artificial structure apparatus along a scanning path within a to-be-tested area, in the meantime, measuring magnetic field by the four magnetic-field sensors, and recording a position sequence when measuring magnetic field, wherein four magnetic-field measurement sequences are measured by the four magnetic-field sensors; and calculating a magnetic-field variation distribution from the four magnetic-field measurement sequences and the position sequence, wherein the magnetic-field variation distribution is corresponding to at least one artificial structure distribution.