Reflective Cable for Geophysical Survey Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Locating and determining the precise position of cables in geophysical surveys is challenging due to remote and difficult environments, requiring expensive and specialized equipment with limited accuracy, especially in low light conditions or with obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A reflective cable system with a conductive wire surrounded by an electrically insulating sheath and reflective material that reflects light back to the source, allowing for easier detection using photogrammetry or lidar, and a cable locator device that captures images with varying light conditions to distinguish the cable from other objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized equipment is used to locate cables in remote environments, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is equipped with reflective material that causes it to appear brightly illuminated when light is projected onto it, creating a visual contrast that makes the cable easily distinguishable from its surroundings. This optical property allows standard imaging devices to detect the cable's location with high precision without requiring specialized detection equipment.
2Illumination intensity
If images are captured in low light conditions, then visibility is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A light projector serves as an intermediary device that actively illuminates the cable with projected light. The reflective material on the cable reflects this light back toward the imaging sensor, creating a strong signal that enables precise cable location even in low light conditions. This active illumination system overcomes the limitations of passive imaging in dark environments.
3Ease of operation
If reflective material is added to the cable, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective material is integrated into the cable's exterior surface, modifying the optical parameters of the cable without changing its electrical or mechanical properties. This allows the cable to maintain its original manufacturing processes while gaining enhanced detectability through the added reflective layer, which can be applied as a coating or wrap during standard cable production.
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 and efficient location and positioning of cables in geophysical surveys, reducing deployment time and improving the accuracy of geophysical models by enhancing visibility in low light conditions and improving detection with photogrammetry and lidar techniques.
Implementation Method 1
The reflective cable includes reflective material that is on or visible through the exterior surface and that is configured to reflect a complete spectrum of light provided by a light source back to the light source
Data Source
AI summary
A reflective cable system for a geophysical survey system includes a reflective cable that includes a conductive wire surrounded by an electrically insulating sheath and an exterior surface. The reflective cable includes reflective material that is on or visible through the exterior surface and that is configured to reflect a complete spectrum of light provided by a light source back to the light source. The reflective cable system also includes a connector electrically coupled to at least one end of the reflective cable and configured to couple to a geophysical survey system. The reflective cable may be used to locate the reflective cable in a physical environment and used to determine a position of the reflective cable using lidar or photogrammetry for generating geophysical survey models.