Utility Locator Device Frequency Sweep and Spatial Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current utility locator devices are limited in their ability to detect and map buried utility lines due to their focus on measuring electromagnetic signals at a single or limited range of frequencies, leading to incomplete understanding of the presence and location of utility lines, which can result in costly damage and safety hazards during excavation.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that measure electromagnetic signals across a range of frequencies, filter out spatially moving signals, group signals based on linear patterns, and identify utility lines conforming to a cylindrical magnetic field model, using multiple antennas and processing elements to determine geolocation and map utility lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If utility locator devices measure electromagnetic signals at one or a limited few frequencies, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision and completeness of utility line location data deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by sweeping through multiple frequencies to detect electromagnetic signals from utility lines. The system varies the frequency parameter across a range (e.g., 50 Hz to 148 kHz) to identify signals at different frequencies, thereby improving measurement precision without significantly increasing operational complexity. This resolves the contradiction by enabling comprehensive detection while maintaining user-friendly operation through automated frequency sweeping.
2Measurement precision
If utility locator devices measure electromagnetic data across a large range of frequencies, then the measurement precision and completeness of utility line location data is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of processing the vast amount of data generated increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by filtering out spatially moving signals from the vast amount of electromagnetic data collected across multiple frequencies. The system identifies and extracts only those signals that remain stationary in the world frame, which correspond to actual utility lines. This extraction process reduces data complexity while preserving measurement precision by eliminating irrelevant moving signals from the analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system continuously refines its identification of utility lines by comparing signals across multiple measurement points and frequencies. The processing element uses feedback from spatial filtering and pattern recognition to iteratively improve the accuracy of utility line location data, thereby managing data complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Loss of information
If utility locator devices generate and process vast amounts of electromagnetic data across multiple frequencies with positional data, then the completeness of utility line mapping is improved, but the productivity and efficiency of locating utility lines deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing spatial filtering and signal classification before final utility line identification. The system pre-processes the vast electromagnetic data by filtering out moving signals and grouping stationary signals based on linear patterns across multiple measurement points. This preliminary processing reduces the data burden before final analysis, thereby improving productivity while maintaining complete information about utility line locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the vast electromagnetic data into distinct categories: spatially moving signals (filtered out), stationary signals (potential utility lines), and signals conforming to cylindrical magnetic field models (confirmed utility lines). This segmentation approach allows the system to process large datasets efficiently by handling each category through appropriate algorithms, thus improving productivity without losing critical information.
4Ease of operation
If utility locator devices are limited to one or few frequencies emitted by a singular utility line, then the ease of operation is improved and the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and safety of excavation operations deteriorates due to incomplete understanding of buried utility lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a utility locator device that can detect and identify multiple types of utility lines (electrical, communication, water, gas, etc.) across a broad frequency range. The system performs multiple functions: electromagnetic signal detection, spatial filtering, pattern recognition, and utility line identification. This multi-functional approach improves reliability by providing comprehensive detection of all buried utilities while maintaining ease of operation through integrated automated 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
This approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of buried utility lines, reducing the risk of damage and safety hazards by accurately locating and mapping utility lines, even when multiple lines are present, and allows for real-time or near real-time processing of data.
Implementation Method 1
measure electromagnetic signals across a range of frequencies from current coupled to an electrically conductive utility line via a transmitter device or from AC current inherently flowing through the utility
Implementation Method 2
identifying utility lines where electromagnetic signals fit a cylindrical magnetic field model
Data Source
AI summary
Various devices and methods are disclosed to efficiently determine and map the geolocations of utility lines. The devices and methods may, from measurements of electromagnetic signals of an area and the known geolocation of the utility locator device, map the geolocations of electromagnetic signals. Such maps may be generated from electromagnetic signal measurements at two or more measurement points and, in comparing the maps generated at two or more measurement points in space, determine the presence and geolocations of utility lines.