Identifying subterranean structures using amorphous metal markers
AssigneeEnergy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
InventorChristopher Lee Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for identifying non-metallic subterranean structures using amorphous metal markers associated with the structures. Some examples will include the amorphous metal in the form of one or more sections of an amorphous metal foil within a protective enclosure sufficient to physically isolate the amorphous metal foil from the surrounding Earth. The amorphous metal foil and enclosure may be in the form of a tape which either will be secured to, or placed proximate the subterranean structure, which may be, for example, a pipe or conduit, or other non-metallic structure.
Claims21
A subterranean installation, comprising:
- a non-metallic structure beneath the Earth's surface;
- and
- a marking tape disposed in proximity to the non-metallic structure and in a generally vertical orientation, the marking tape comprising,
- an amorphous metal foil layer, the amorphous metal foil having a magnetic relative permeability greater than 50,000, wherein the amorphous metal is metal alloy solids that lack a crystalline atom structure, and
- a protective covering preventing direct contact between the amorphous metal foil layer and the surrounding Earth.
A method of forming a subterranean installation, comprising:
- placing a non-metallic structure within a recess within the Earth;
- and
- placing a marking tape in proximity to the non-metallic structure and in a generally vertical orientation, the marking tape comprising,
- an amorphous metal foil layer, the amorphous metal foil having a magnetic relative permeability between 200,000 and 1,000,000, and wherein the amorphous metal comprises metal alloy solids that lack a crystalline atom structure, and
- a protective covering preventing direct contact between the amorphous metal foil layer and the surrounding Earth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.