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US 12,105,244 B1Granted
Phase-synchronized buried object transmitter and locator methods and apparatus
AssigneeSeescan, Inc.
InventorsMark S. Olsson, Ray Merewether, Inho Shin, Jan Soukup, Stephanie M. Bench, David A. Cox
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Buried object locator systems including transmitters and associated buried object locators using phase-synchronized signals are disclosed. A transmitter may generate output current signals that are phase-synchronized with a timing reference for detection by a corresponding buried utility locator that is phase-synchronized with a second timing reference.
Claims15
A method for use in a buried object locator system, comprising:
- receiving a transmitted radiofrequency signal at a receiver module disposed in or coupled to a buried object locator system transmitter, wherein the transmitted signal includes information for determining a timing reference;
- generating a timing reference from the received information for determining a timing reference at the buried object locator system transmitter;
- generating, in the buried object locator system transmitter, a phase-synchronized output current signal having a phase determined at least in part by the determined timing reference;
- providing the phase-synchronized output current signal to a coupling device for coupling to the buried object for the coupled current signal to generate a magnetic field output signal for detection by a corresponding buried utility locator;
- receiving the magnetic field output signal from the buried object at the buried utility locator;
- receiving another transmitted radiofrequency signal at a receiver module disposed in or coupled to the buried utility locator, wherein the another transmitted signal includes other information for determining a timing reference;
- generating a second timing reference from the other received information for determining a second timing reference at the buried utility locator;
- determining a second timing reference from the second timing information;
- and
- determining information related to the current in the buried object based at least in part on the received magnetic field signal and the second timing reference based at least in part on a time difference determined from the phase of the received magnetic field signal and the second timing reference.
7 more elements
A buried object locator system, comprising:
- a buried object locator including:
- one or more antennas and electronics for receiving an electromagnetic field signal emitted from a buried object, wherein the electromagnetic field signal emitted from the buried object is generated from a current signal synchronized to a first timing reference generated in a corresponding buried utility locator transmitter;
- a receiver module disposed in or coupled to the buried object locator for receiving a transmitted radiofrequency signal, wherein the transmitted radiofrequency signal includes information for determining a second timing reference;
- generating the second timing reference from the received information for determining a second timing reference;
- and
- determining information about the buried object based in part on the electromagnetic field signal emitted from the buried object and the second timing reference based at least in part on a time difference determined from a phase of the received electromagnetic field signal and the second timing reference.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.