Utility Pothole Mapping for Ground-Truth Utility Line Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility locating and potholing systems lack ground truth certainty in detecting nonconductive utility lines and often fail to provide comprehensive mapping of utility potholes and associated utility lines, leading to potential damage during excavation.
Innovation Solution
A pothole mapping apparatus and utility locator device equipped with positioning, orientation, and distance measuring elements, along with imaging and processing capabilities, to accurately map and document utility lines, including nonconductive lines, using a combination of GPS, gyroscopic sensors, laser rangefinders, and cameras to generate detailed images and depth measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If utility locator devices are used to scan and map utility lines over greater distances, then scanning efficiency is improved, but ground truth certainty is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines utility locator devices with potholing operations into an integrated system. The utility locator scans utility lines over greater distances to improve productivity, while potholing provides ground truth verification at specific locations to maintain reliability. The system merges aerial scanning data with ground-based verification data to create a comprehensive utility map.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses potholing as an intermediary method to verify the accuracy of utility locator scans. The potholing process excavates test holes to visually confirm the presence and location of utility lines, serving as a mediator between the non-invasive locator device and the actual utility infrastructure.
2Reliability
If potholing operations are used to verify utility line locations, then ground truth certainty is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial potholing rather than exhaustive potholing across entire utility corridors. Utility locators perform preliminary scanning to identify potential utility lines, and potholing is then applied selectively only to verify specific locations where the locator detects utilities or where excavation is planned. This partial verification approach maintains ground truth certainty while preserving productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If utility locator devices are used to detect nonconductive utility lines, then detection capability is improved, but reliability for nonconductive lines deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses potholing as an intermediary verification method for detecting nonconductive utility lines. Utility locator devices with multiple sensing modalities attempt to detect nonconductive lines, and potholing provides ground truth verification by physically exposing the lines in test excavations, confirming their presence and location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs utility locator devices with multi-functional detection capabilities including electromagnetic sensing, ground-penetrating radar, and other non-invasive technologies to detect various types of utility lines including nonconductive ones. This universal detection approach improves adaptability while maintaining reliability through multi-method verification.
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
Enhances the accuracy and completeness of utility line mapping, providing reliable geolocation, orientation, and depth data, thereby reducing the risk of damage during excavation by ensuring precise identification of underground utility lines.
Implementation Method 1
a positioning element to determine position data describing the geolocation in the world frame of the pothole mapping apparatus
Implementation Method 2
an orientation element to determine orientation data describing the direction, tilt, and pose of the pothole mapping apparatus
Implementation Method 3
a distance measuring element to determine distance data describing the distance between the pothole mapping apparatus and one or more utility lines
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, and methods for mapping utility lines in utility potholing operations are disclosed. Pothole mapping apparatuses, systems, and methods may be employed in utility locator devices and utility locating systems to map potholed utility lines. Data generated via pothole mapping may be used to calibrate utility depth measurements in utility locator devices and systems. Further, information revealed about utility lines during potholing procedures may be used to train neural networks and utilize artificial intelligence in generating predictions regarding the positions and characteristics of utility lines.