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US 12,625,294 B1Granted
Buried utility marker devices, systems, and methods
AssigneeSeescan, Inc.
InventorsStephanie M. Bench, Mark S. Olsson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for locating buried utilities in conjunction with associated electromagnetic marker devices are disclosed.
Claims16
A marker device embedded utility pipe, comprising:
- an elongate pipe or tube;
- and
- a plurality of marker devices disposed along or within the length of the pipe or tube, each marker device comprising:
- a marker device antenna;
- and
- an electronic circuit operatively coupled to the marker device antenna, the electronic circuit including:
- a first resonant circuit formed with the marker device antenna for receiving an excitation signal at a frequency from a marker excitation device;
- a power circuit for converting the excitation signal to a power supply for powering the electronic circuit;
- a processing element for generating an output signal responsive to the excitation signal;
- and
- a second resonant circuit for providing the output signal to the marker device antenna;
- wherein the output signal is generated at one or more frequencies different from the frequency of the excitation signal.
9 more elements
A buried utility, comprising:
- an elongate hollow pipe or tube;
- and
- a plurality of marker devices disposed along the pipe or tube, each marker device comprising:
- a marker device antenna;
- and
- an electronic circuit operatively coupled to the marker device antenna, the electronic circuit including:
- a first resonant circuit formed with the marker device antenna for receiving an excitation signal at a frequency from a marker excitation device;
- a power circuit for converting the excitation signal to a power supply for powering the electronic circuit;
- and
- a processing element for generating an output signal responsive to the excitation signal, and a second resonance circuit for providing the output signal to the marker device antenna;
- wherein the output signal is generated at one or more frequencies different from the frequency of the excitation signal.
8 more elements
A ground stake marker device, comprising:
- a housing shaped in the form of a stake;
- a marker device antenna, disposed in the housing, comprising a plurality of turns;
- and
- one or more electronic circuits operatively coupled to one or more sections of the marker device antenna, the electronic circuits including:
- a first resonant circuit formed with the marker device antenna section for receiving an excitation signal at a first frequency from a marker excitation device;
- a power circuit for converting the excitation signal to a power supply for powering the electronic circuit;
- a processing element for generating an output signal responsive to the excitation signal;
- and
- a second resonant circuit for providing the output signal to the marker device antenna;
- wherein the output signal is generated at a second frequency different from the first frequency.
7 more elements
A pipe sleeve marker device, comprising:
- one or more pipes or tubes;
- a housing shaped to fit at least partially around the pipe or tube;
- and
- a plurality of marker devices disposed in the housing, each comprising:
- a marker device antenna;
- an electronic circuit operatively coupled to the marker device antenna, the electronic circuit including:
- a first resonant circuit formed with the marker device antenna for receiving an excitation signal at a first frequency from a marker excitation device;
- a power circuit for converting the excitation signal to a power supply for powering the electronic circuit;
- and
- a processing element for generating an output signal responsive to the excitation signal, and a second resonant circuit for providing the output signal to the marker device antenna;
- wherein the output signal is generated at a second frequency different from the first frequency.
8 more elements
A buried utility marker device, comprising:
- a circular shaped hollow housing;
- a marker device loop antenna, including at least one turn of a high conductivity material, positioned within the housing and environmentally sealed by the housing;
- and
- an electronic circuit positioned within the housing and operatively coupled to the marker device antenna, the electronic circuit including:
- a first resonant circuit formed with the marker device antenna for receiving an excitation signal at a first frequency from a marker excitation device;
- a power circuit for converting the excitation signal to a power supply for powering the electronic circuit;
- a processing element for generating an output signal responsive to the excitation signal;
- and
- a second resonant circuit for providing the output signal to the marker device antenna for transmission therefrom.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.