Single and multi-trace omnidirectional sonde and line locators and transmitter used therewith

A method of locating a plurality of buried objects by sensing a plurality of different electromagnetic signals emitted by the objects, comprising the steps of:

• traversing a topside area beneath which a plurality of objects emitting a plurality of different electromagnetic signals are buried with at least one antenna array;
• sensing the electromagnetic signals emitted from the buried objects with the one array;
• and
• simultaneously determining a plurality of different locations of the buried object based on the sensed electromagnetic signals and simultaneously indicating the different locations to a user.

An omnidirectional manually portable system for locating a plurality of buried objects by sensing a plurality of different electromagnetic signals emitted by the objects, comprising:

• a first antenna array including three substantially mutually orthogonal antennas in the form of a first plurality of coils sharing a first common center point;
• a second antenna array including three substantially mutually orthogonal antennas in the form of a second plurality of coils sharing a second common center point;
• a portable housing including a handle portion;
• an elongate member connecting the first and second antenna arrays to the housing and extending through the first and second common center points and supporting the first and second antenna arrays in spaced apart relation;
• and
• circuit means at least partially mounted in the housing and connected to the antennas in the first and second antenna arrays for sensing electromagnetic signals in a plurality of different bands emitted by a plurality of different buried objects and determining a location and a depth of each of the plurality of buried objects by measuring signal strength and field angles in three dimensions for each buried object utilizing the first and second antenna arrays, the circuit means including means for simultaneously providing visual and/or audible indications of the location and depth of each of the plurality of buried objects.

A transmitter for use with a line locator, comprising:

• a portable housing having at least a pair of outwardly opening pockets;
• a control panel mounted on the housing for receiving manually inputted commands;
• an electronic circuit mounted in the housing for receiving the commands from the control panel and generating a predetermined electrical output signal in response to the commands;
• at least a pair of electrical cords each stowable in a corresponding one of the pockets, the electrical cords each having an inner end electrically connected to the electronic circuit, and
• means electrically connected to an outer end of each of the electrical cords for coupling the predetermined electrical signal across a selected utility line.

A transmitter for use with a line locator, comprising:

• a portable housing;
• a control panel mounted on the housing for receiving manually inputted commands;
• an electronic circuit mounted in the housing for receiving the commands from the control panel and generating a predetermined electrical output signal in response to the commands, including means for selecting one of a plurality of different frequency bands and means for selecting a channel frequency within the selected one of the bands that is uniquely associated with one of a plurality of different types of utilities;
• and
• means for coupling the predetermined electrical output signal across a selected utility line.