Underground Locate Device with Environmental Sensor Logging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locate operations face challenges due to inaccurate detection and marking of underground facilities, leading to potential physical damage, property damage, and legal liabilities, with existing techniques relying on rudimentary GPS capabilities and iterative detection methods that result in redundant and incomplete geographic location data.
Innovation Solution
The development of enhanced locate devices equipped with environmental and operational sensors, which collect comprehensive information during operations, create electronic records, and provide real-time feedback, improving detection accuracy and reducing uncertainties through advanced data acquisition and processing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional locate operations use rudimentary GPS capabilities and iterative detection methods, then the basic detection function is maintained, but the accuracy and completeness of geographic location data deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection methods (electromagnetic field detection, acoustic detection, ground penetrating radar) and multiple data sources (GPS, environmental sensors, operational sensors) into a single integrated locate device. This merging allows the device to overcome the limitations of individual methods and provide both accurate detection and complete geographic location data simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The locate device is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating various detection technologies and sensor types within a single device. This universal approach enables the device to perform multiple detection functions and collect comprehensive data, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and data completeness.
2Reliability
If comprehensive environmental and operational information is collected during locate operations, then the completeness and accuracy of detection data is improved, but the device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locate device automatically collects and logs environmental and operational information in real-time during the locate operation, before the operation concludes. This preliminary action ensures that all relevant data is captured and stored in electronic records, improving reliability without requiring complex post-processing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-monitoring and self-recording of its operational parameters and environmental conditions. This self-service capability allows the device to generate comprehensive electronic records autonomously, reducing the need for external data processing infrastructure while maintaining high reliability.
3Reliability
If real-time feedback and electronic record creation are implemented during locate operations, then the reduction of uncertainties and risks is improved, but the use of energy and computational resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locate device implements real-time feedback by continuously monitoring detection signals, environmental conditions, and operational parameters, then immediately processing and displaying this information to the operator. This feedback mechanism reduces uncertainties in real-time without requiring excessive energy consumption, as it processes data incrementally rather than performing intensive batch processing.
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
The enhanced locate devices improve the accuracy and completeness of underground facility detection, reduce uncertainties, and facilitate the creation of robust electronic records, thereby minimizing the risk of damage and liability during excavation operations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one receiver antenna to detect a magnetic field from the at least one underground facility
Data Source
AI summary
In a locate operation to detect a presence or absence of at least one underground facility using a locate device, an applied signal is transmitted to the at least one underground facility, and/or a magnetic field emitted from the at least one underground facility is detected. Based on the indication of the location provided by a location tracking system, environmental information is obtained regarding at least one environmental condition of an environment in which the locate device is used, and logged into local memory of the locate device.