Ground Penetrating Radar Integrated with Excavator Bucket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current underground utility detection systems are inefficient and unreliable, particularly when excavating near dense underground utilities, as they require switching between ground penetrating radar and excavation equipment, leading to delays, increased costs, and reduced precision.
Innovation Solution
An underground utility detection system integrating a ground penetrating radar, Global Positioning System, processor, and wireless communication module, along with a switchable magnetic attachment for easy repositioning on heavy equipment, utilizing a machine learning algorithm to accurately detect underground objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ground penetrating radar implement is installed on an excavator arm to locate underground utilities, then detection capability is improved, but the bucket must be removed and replaced which causes time loss and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ground penetrating radar implement with the excavator bucket into a single integrated unit. The radar system is mounted on the bucket itself, allowing the operator to perform both excavation and underground utility detection simultaneously without removing or replacing components. This merging eliminates the time loss and additional costs associated with alternating between separate implements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the excavator alternates between using the bucket and the ground penetrating radar implement, then both excavation and detection functions are performed, but precision is reduced and delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the ground penetrating radar system directly onto the bucket, the patent enables continuous operation where detection and excavation occur simultaneously. The radar maintains constant contact with the ground during excavation, eliminating the interruptions and repositioning errors that occur when switching between separate implements. This ensures consistent measurement precision while maintaining operational versatility.
3Ease of operation
If current underground utility locating systems are used, then basic detection is provided, but the located utilities are not precise nor reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a display system that provides real-time feedback to the operator about underground utility locations detected by the radar. The system processes radar signals continuously and presents the information in an easily interpretable format, allowing the operator to see precise utility locations while maintaining simple operation. This feedback mechanism enhances both the precision and reliability of utility location without complicating the operating procedure.
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 enhances precision, reduces costs and delays, and improves safety by allowing concurrent use of the ground penetrating radar with excavation equipment, providing real-time presence indicators of underground utilities through a predictive model.
Implementation Method 1
The ground penetrating radar generates images of an underground area
Implementation Method 2
The switchable magnetic attachment comprises a receptacle for receiving the ground penetrating radar. The switchable magnetic attachment further comprises a switchable magnet adapted to attach to the ferromagnetic structure of the heavy equipment when actuated and to detach from the ferromagnetic structure of the heavy equipment when deactivated
Data Source
AI summary
The present provides an underground utility detection system comprising a ground penetrating radar, a Global Positioning System receiver, a processor, and a wireless communication module. The ground penetrating radar generates images of an underground area. The Global Positioning System receiver establishes a position of the ground penetrating radar. The processor collects the images generated by the ground penetrating radar and the position of the ground penetrating radar. The processor executes a machine learning algorithm determining at least one output based on inputs. The at least one output comprises a presence indicator indicating the presence or absence of an underground object. The inputs comprise the images collected. The wireless communication module wirelessly communicates the underground images to the processor.