Magnetic sensor system and method for installing magnetic sensors
AssigneeSensonix, Inc.
InventorsRobert T. Fayfield, Charles R. Dolezalek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A magnetic sensor system and a method for installing magnetic sensors for detecting metal objects that allows ease of manipulation, control and access. A carrier conduit is used to position a magnetic sensor in an outer conduit. The outer conduit may be disposed beneath a surface where objects to be detected may be positioned. Alternatively, a conduit having multiple channels may be placed in a pathway. Magnetic sensors may be placed in the channels and a top placed over the conduit. Multiple embodiments for orienting the magnetic sensor systems are provided.
Claims39
A magnetic sensor system, comprising:
- a semi-rigid, elongated first conduit having a predetermined length;
- and
- a magnetic sensor disposed at a desired position in the semi-rigid, elongated first conduit.
A magnetic sensor system, comprising:
- a plurality of semi-rigid, elongated first conduits having a predetermined length;
- at least one magnetic sensor disposed at a desired position in at least one of the plurality of semi-rigid, elongated first conduits;
- and
- a second conduit for providing a pathway for guiding the plurality of semi-rigid, elongated first conduits.
A magnetic sensor system, comprising:
- at least one magnetic sensor;
- and
- a conduit including at least one channel for channeling the at least one magnetic sensor.
A method for forming a magnetic sensor system, comprising:
- providing a semi-rigid conduit of a desired length;
- threading a magnetic sensor and cable through the semi-rigid conduit;
- and
- orienting and seating the magnetic sensor in the semi-rigid conduit.
A method for forming a magnetic sensor system, comprising:
- providing a first conduit for providing a pathway;
- and
- routing through the first conduit a magnetic sensor system comprising a magnetic sensor disposed at a desired position in a semi-rigid, elongated conduit.
A method for forming a magnetic sensor system, comprising:
- providing an first conduit for providing a pathway, the first conduit comprising a plurality of channels;
- and
- installing at least one magnetic sensor in at least one of the plurality of channels at a desired position.
A method for orienting a magnetic sensor system within an outer conduit, the magnetic sensor including a carrier conduit and a magnetic sensor disposed at a desired position therein, the method comprising aligning a mark disposed along the carrier conduit in a predetermined orientation relative to the outer conduit.
A method for orienting a magnetic sensor system, the magnetic sensor system including a semi-rigid carrier conduit and a magnetic sensor disposed at a desired position therein, the carrier conduit further being torsionally rigid, the method comprising:
- installing the magnetic sensor system with a first axis orientated substantially parallel to earth's surface;
- imposing a magnetic field proximate to the magnetic sensor system in a known position relative to the magnetic sensor;
- polling output values of the magnetic sensor representing the second and third axes that are orthogonal to the first axis;
- and
- rotating the magnetic sensor until an output value of the sensor for the second or third axis achieves a desired relationship to the imposed magnetic field based on the known position of the imposed magnetic field relative to the magnetic sensor.
A method for orienting a magnetic sensor system, the magnetic sensor including a semi-rigid carrier conduit and a magnetic sensor disposed at a desired position therein, the method comprising:
- storing a known magnetic field measurement in memory of a magnetic sensor system;
- installing the magnetic sensor system with a first axis orientated substantially parallel to earth's surface;
- polling output values of the magnetic sensor representing the second and third axes that are orthogonal to the first axis;
- mathematically rotating the output values of the magnetic sensor representing the second and third axes until an output value of the sensor for the second or third axis is equal to the known magnetic field stored in memory;
- determining the angle when either the output value of the magnetic sensor for the second or third axis is substantially equal to the known magnetic field stored in memory;
- and
- mathematically rotating output values of the magnetic sensor representing the second and third axis by the determined angle to produce calibrated outputs for the sensors for the second and third axes.
A method for orienting a magnetic sensor system, the magnetic sensor system including a semi-rigid carrier conduit and a magnetic sensor disposed at a desired position therein, the carrier conduit further being torsionally rigid, the method comprising:
- installing the magnetic sensor system with a first axis orientated substantially parallel to earth's surface;
- generating tilt readings from an accelerometer included with the magnetic sensor to determine a vertical axis;
- and
- rotating a second and third axis that is orthogonal to the first axis until the second or third axis coincides with the determined vertical axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.