公开(公告)号：US20110043211A1

公开(公告)日：2011-02-24

申请号：US12916886

申请日：2010-11-01

申请人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Jeffrey Prsha ,  Dawn Shaffer ,  Ray Merewether ,  Michael J. Martin ,  Bradley D. Barnicoat ,  David A. Cox ,  Thomas R. Kolb

发明人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Jeffrey Prsha ,  Dawn Shaffer ,  Ray Merewether ,  Michael J. Martin ,  Bradley D. Barnicoat ,  David A. Cox ,  Thomas R. Kolb

IPC分类号： G01V3/08

CPC分类号： G01V3/08 ,  G01S7/03 ,  G01S13/88 ,  G01S13/885 ,  G01V3/15 ,  G06F3/016 ,  G06F3/0346

摘要： At least one antenna array including three mutually orthogonal antennas each sharing a common center point senses an electromagnetic signal emitted by a buried object such as a utility line, pipe or sonde. A circuit at least partially mounted in a housing is connected to the array and determines a location of the buried object by measuring signal strength and field angles in three dimensions without having to align the antenna array relative to the buried object while eliminating nulls and false peaks. A graphical user interface (GUI) has user-friendly icons, symbols, menus, numbers and graphical and auditory representation of signal strength. A plurality of different underground objects can be simultaneously detected and their different locations can be simultaneously indicated to a user via audible sounds and/or visual images on a display.

摘要翻译： 每个共享公共中心点的包括三个相互正交的天线的至少一个天线阵列感测由诸如公用事业线，管道或探测器的掩埋物体发射的电磁信号。 至少部分地安装在壳体中的电路连接到阵列并且通过在三维中测量信号强度和场角来确定掩埋物体的位置，而不必相对于掩埋物体对准天线阵列，同时消除零峰和假峰 。 图形用户界面（GUI）具有用户友好的图标，符号，菜单，数字以及信号强度的图形和听觉表示。 可以同时检测多个不同的地下物体，并且可以通过显示器上的可听见的声音和/或视觉图像同时向用户指示其不同的位置。

公开(公告)号：US20110037472A1

公开(公告)日：2011-02-17

申请号：US12902551

申请日：2010-10-12

申请人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Ray Merewether ,  David A. Cox ,  Michael J. Martin ,  Bradley D. Barnicoat ,  Thomas R. Kolb ,  Randall P. Hilton

发明人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Ray Merewether ,  David A. Cox ,  Michael J. Martin ,  Bradley D. Barnicoat ,  Thomas R. Kolb ,  Randall P. Hilton

IPC分类号： G01V3/08

CPC分类号： G01V3/15

摘要： At least one antenna array including three mutually orthogonal antennas each sharing a common center point senses an electromagnetic signal emitted by a buried object such as a utility line, pipe or sonde. A circuit at least partially mounted in a housing is connected to the array and determines a location of the buried object by measuring signal strength and field angles in three dimensions without having to align the antenna array relative to the buried object while eliminating nulls and false peaks. A graphical user interface (GUI) has user-friendly icons, symbols, menus, numbers and graphical and auditory representation of signal strength. A SEARCH view indicates signal strength by showing a rotating strength indicator, a trace mode MAP view in which line location is shown by a line that moves side-to-side, and a sonde mode MAP view in which sonde location is shown by a moving line, pole and equator.

摘要翻译： 每个共享公共中心点的包括三个相互正交的天线的至少一个天线阵列感测由诸如公用事业线，管道或探测器的掩埋物体发射的电磁信号。 至少部分地安装在壳体中的电路连接到阵列并且通过在三维中测量信号强度和场角来确定掩埋物体的位置，而不必相对于掩埋物体对准天线阵列，同时消除零峰和假峰 。 图形用户界面（GUI）具有用户友好的图标，符号，菜单，数字以及信号强度的图形和听觉表示。 SEARCH视图通过显示旋转强度指示器，跟踪模式MAP视图来指示信号强度，其中线路位置由侧向移动的线示出，以及探空模式MAP视图，其中探测器位置由移动 线，极和赤道。

公开(公告)号：US20100208056A1

公开(公告)日：2010-08-19

申请号：US12704808

申请日：2010-02-12

申请人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Eric M. Chapman ,  Dawn E. Shaffer ,  Loni M. Canepa ,  James F. Kleyn ,  Lisa E. Latimer

发明人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Eric M. Chapman ,  Dawn E. Shaffer ,  Loni M. Canepa ,  James F. Kleyn ,  Lisa E. Latimer

IPC分类号： H04N7/18

CPC分类号： H04N7/185 ,  G01D11/30 ,  H04N5/2253 ,  H04N7/183 ,  H04N2005/2255

摘要： A pipe inspection system includes a cable storage drum and a housing configured to removably receive and rotatably support the cable storage drum. A push-cable with a plurality of conductors is stored in the cable storage drum. A camera head is connected to a distal end of the push-cable. A slip-ring assembly has first and second mating portions that when mated provide conductive paths between the plurality of conductors at a proximal end of the push-capable and a display device. The first portion of the slip-ring assembly is mounted on the housing and the second portion of the slip-ring assembly is mounted on the removable cable storage drum. The system connection cable joining the inspection system with a display unit is removable and may be replaced with cables compatible with various alternate image display systems.

摘要翻译： 管道检查系统包括电缆存储鼓和壳体，其构造成可移除地容纳并可旋转地支撑电缆存储鼓。 具有多个导体的推拉电缆存储在电缆存储滚筒中。 相机头连接到推缆的远端。 滑环组件具有第一和第二配合部分，当配合时在多个导体之间提供导电路径，该导电路径在可推式的近端处和显示装置。 滑环组件的第一部分安装在壳体上，并且滑环组件的第二部分安装在可移除的电缆存储滚筒上。 将检查系统与显示单元连接的系统连接电缆是可移除的，并且可以用与各种替代图像显示系统兼容的电缆替换。

公开(公告)号：US07557559B1

公开(公告)日：2009-07-07

申请号：US11455563

申请日：2006-06-19

申请人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Priscilla S. McLaughlin ,  Jan Soukup

发明人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Priscilla S. McLaughlin ,  Jan Soukup

IPC分类号： G01R19/00 ,  G01V3/08

CPC分类号： G01V3/081

摘要： A compact line illuminator for applying an oscillating signal to buried or otherwise inaccessible pipes, cables and conductors so that their location can be traced by detecting an electromagnetic signal emitted by these buried objects. The illuminator includes a circuit for generating a signal suitable for tracing a buried conductor and a holder for a portable power source that can energize the circuit. First and second leads each have a first end connected to the circuit and a second end connected to a corresponding mechanism such as an alligator clip for attaching to a buried conductor. A case encloses the circuit and the portable power source holder and is configured for having the first and second leads wrapped around an exterior of the case. Mechanisms are provided for holding the leads wrapped around the exterior of the case.

摘要翻译： 一种紧凑型线照明器，用于将振荡信号施加到掩埋或其他不可接近的管道，电缆和导体，使得它们的位置可以通过检测由这些被埋物体发射的电磁信号来跟踪。 照明器包括用于产生适于跟踪掩埋导体的信号的电路和用于为电路通电的便携式电源的保持器。 第一和第二引线各自具有连接到电路的第一端和连接到相应机构的第二端，例如用于连接到掩埋导体的鳄鱼夹。 壳体包围电路和便携式电源支架，并且被配置为使第一和第二引线缠绕在外壳的外部。 提供用于保持围绕外壳外部缠绕的引线的机构。

公开(公告)号：US07518374B1

公开(公告)日：2009-04-14

申请号：US12016870

申请日：2008-01-18

申请人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Paul G. Stuart ,  David A. Cox ,  Ray Merewether ,  Dawn E. Shaffer ,  Ryan B. Levin ,  Michael J. Martin

发明人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Paul G. Stuart ,  David A. Cox ,  Ray Merewether ,  Dawn E. Shaffer ,  Ryan B. Levin ,  Michael J. Martin

IPC分类号： G01V3/11 ,  G01V3/08

CPC分类号： G01V11/00 ,  G01V3/15 ,  G01V3/165

摘要： A portable locator for detecting a buried object characterized by an electromagnetic (EM) field emission employing three-dimensional (3D) sensor arrays each having three substantially-identical EM field sensors disposed on a flexible annular wall having a radial centroid defining a sensing axis. The flexible annular sensors are retained in substantial concentricity with the corresponding sensing axes disposed in substantial mutual orthogonality. A pair of 3D sensor arrays disposed on a first axis substantially orthogonal to a second axis defined by another pair of EM field sensors each having a sensing axis disposed along the second axis. The locator introduces a user-reconfigurable user interface (UI) employing a “sticky” ratcheting audio UI and a hollow hinge assembly for redisposing the sensor assembly from an operating to a storage disposition.

摘要翻译： 一种用于检测掩埋物体的便携式定位器，其特征在于使用三维（3D）传感器阵列的电磁（EM）场发射，每个三维（3D）传感器阵列具有三个基本上相同的EM场传感器，其设置在具有限定感测轴的径向质心的柔性环形壁上。 柔性环形传感器与基本上相互正交地布置的对应感测轴基本同心地保持。 一对3D传感器阵列，其布置在基本上正交于由另一对EM场传感器限定的第二轴线的第一轴上，每个EM场传感器具有沿着第二轴线设置的感测轴。 定位器引入使用“粘性”棘轮音频UI的用户可重新配置的用户界面（UI）和用于将传感器组件从操作重新喷射到存储配置的中空铰链组件。

公开(公告)号：US07498816B1

公开(公告)日：2009-03-03

申请号：US11932205

申请日：2007-10-31

申请人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Ray Merewether ,  David A. Cox ,  Michael J. Martin ,  Bradley D. Barnicoat ,  Thomas R. Kolb ,  Randall P. Hilton

发明人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Ray Merewether ,  David A. Cox ,  Michael J. Martin ,  Bradley D. Barnicoat ,  Thomas R. Kolb ,  Randall P. Hilton

IPC分类号： G01V3/11

CPC分类号： G01V3/15

摘要： At least one antenna array including three mutually orthogonal antennas each sharing a common center point senses an electromagnetic signal emitted by a buried object such as a utility line, pipe or sonde. A circuit at least partially mounted in a housing is connected to the array and determines a location of the buried object by measuring signal strength and field angles in three dimensions without having to align the antenna array relative to the buried object while eliminating nulls and false peaks. A graphical user interface (GUI) has user-friendly icons, symbols, menus, numbers and graphical and auditory representation of signal strength. A SEARCH view indicates signal strength by showing a rotating strength indicator, a trace mode MAP view in which line location is shown by a line that moves side-to-side, and a sonde mode MAP view in which sonde location is shown by a moving line, pole and equator.

摘要翻译： 每个共享公共中心点的包括三个相互正交的天线的至少一个天线阵列感测由诸如公用事业线，管道或探测器的掩埋物体发射的电磁信号。 至少部分地安装在壳体中的电路连接到阵列并且通过在三维中测量信号强度和场角来确定掩埋物体的位置，而不必相对于掩埋物体对准天线阵列，同时消除零峰和假峰 。 图形用户界面（GUI）具有用户友好的图标，符号，菜单，数字以及信号强度的图形和听觉表示。 SEARCH视图通过显示旋转强度指示器，跟踪模式MAP视图来指示信号强度，其中线路位置由侧向移动的线示出，以及探空模式MAP视图，其中探测器位置由移动 线，极和赤道。

公开(公告)号：US07332901B2

公开(公告)日：2008-02-19

申请号：US11106894

申请日：2005-04-15

申请人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Michael J. Martin ,  Christoph H. Maier ,  Paul G. Stuart

发明人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Michael J. Martin ,  Christoph H. Maier ,  Paul G. Stuart

IPC分类号： G01V3/08 ,  G01V3/12

CPC分类号： G01R29/0871 ,  G01R29/0878 ,  G01V3/15

摘要： A human-portable utility locator system for locating and tracing a buried utility line characterized by an electromagnetic field emission. The locator may include a horizontal spaced sensor pair for detecting the horizontal field asymmetry of the emitted field in one or more independent frequency bands, which is employed to assist in determining an accurate “virtual depth” measurement for producing detection events. An event detector may be disposed to detect events corresponding to extremum in the B-field gradient with respect to time and a user interface (UI) coupled to the event detector signals the detected event to a user. In a preferred embodiment, one pair of spaced-apart 3D magnetic sensor arrays is disposed substantially orthogonal to another intermediate spaced-apart pair of sensors.

摘要翻译： 一种人造便携式实用定位系统，用于定位和跟踪以电磁场发射为特征的埋地公用事业线。 定位器可以包括用于检测一个或多个独立频带中的发射场的水平场不对称性的水平间隔传感器对，其用于帮助确定用于产生检测事件的精确“虚拟深度”测量。 可以设置事件检测器以相对于时间检测对应于B场梯度中的极值的事件，并且耦合到事件检测器的用户界面（UI）将检测到的事件发信号给用户。 在优选实施例中，一对间隔开的3D磁传感器阵列基本上与另一中间间隔开的传感器对正交设置。

公开(公告)号：US08400154B1

公开(公告)日：2013-03-19

申请号：US12367254

申请日：2009-02-06

申请人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Stephen M. Bench ,  Ryan B. Levin ,  Ray Merewether

发明人： Mark S. Olsson ,  Stephen M. Bench ,  Ryan B. Levin ,  Ray Merewether

IPC分类号： G01V3/08

CPC分类号： G01V15/00

摘要： An antenna useful in an antenna array of a man-portable buried utility locator includes a flexible bobbin made of copper foil. The bobbin has a plurality of axially spaced grooves and an axially extending gap formed therein. A layer of insulation surrounds an outer surface of the bobbin. A conductive wire is disposed in the grooves and wound around the bobbin over the layer of insulation to form a plurality of axially spaced sub-coils. A layer of copper-foil tape having an insulating backing is wound about the conductive wire and has a second gap aligned with the gap in the bobbin. A layer of a low dielectric material is wound about the copper-foil tape. The antenna provides more antenna wire surface for an equivalent coil cross-sectional area, compared to prior art antennas, thus yielding greater sensitivity. The construction of the antenna provides a series of Faraday-shielded sub-coils, which yield a greater useful antenna bandwidth by moving the inherent resonance of each coil to a higher frequency. The construction of the antenna also reduces inherent winding capacitance and provides a self-shielding effect that further improves sensitivity.

摘要翻译： 用于便携式埋地式实用定位器的天线阵列中的天线包括由铜箔制成的柔性线轴。 线轴具有多个轴向隔开的槽和在其中形成的轴向延伸间隙。 绝缘层围绕线轴的外表面。 导线布置在沟槽中并围绕线轴缠绕在绝缘层上以形成多个轴向隔开的子线圈。 具有绝缘背衬的一层铜箔带卷绕在导线上，并且具有与线轴中的间隙对准的第二间隙。 一层低介电材料缠绕在铜箔带上。 与现有技术的天线相比，天线为等效线圈横截面积提供更多的天线导线表面，从而产生更高的灵敏度。 天线的结构提供了一系列法拉第屏蔽子线圈，通过将每个线圈的固有谐振移动到更高的频率，产生更大的有用的天线带宽。 天线的结构也降低固有的绕组电容，并提供进一步提高灵敏度的自屏蔽效果。

公开(公告)号：US20120287032A1

公开(公告)日：2012-11-15

申请号：US13292038

申请日：2011-11-08

申请人： Mark S. Olssen

发明人： Mark S. Olssen

IPC分类号： G06F3/01

CPC分类号： G06F3/017 ,  G01D5/14 ,  G05G9/047 ,  G05G2009/04755 ,  G06F1/169 ,  G06F3/0338 ,  G06F3/0346

摘要： Slim profile magnetic user interface devices (slim UIDs) are disclosed. A slim UID may include a slim profile housing, a movable actuator assembly having user contact surfaces on opposite sides, along with a magnet, magnetic sensor, restoration element, and processing element. User mechanical interaction with the actuator element may be sensed by the magnetic sensor and processed to generate output signals usable by a coupled electronic computing system.

摘要翻译： 公开了超薄型磁用户接口设备（超薄UID）。 细长UID可以包括超薄型材外壳，具有相对侧上的用户接触表面的可移动致动器组件，以及磁体，磁性传感器，恢复元件和处理元件。 与致动器元件的用户机械相互作用可以由磁传感器感测并被处理以产生可由耦合的电子计算系统使用的输出信号。

公开(公告)号：US20120215475A1

公开(公告)日：2012-08-23

申请号：US13214209

申请日：2011-08-21

申请人： Austin Rutledge ,  Ray Merewether ,  Michael J. Martin ,  Mark S. Olssson

发明人： Austin Rutledge ,  Ray Merewether ,  Michael J. Martin ,  Mark S. Olssson

IPC分类号： G01B7/14 ,  G06F19/00 ,  G01B7/24

CPC分类号： H01H25/041 ,  G05G9/047 ,  G06F3/0338 ,  H01H2239/024

摘要： Methods for processing signals from a magnetic user interface device having a manual actuator are disclosed. Movements of the actuator may cause relative movement between one or more magnets and one or more corresponding sensors that may each generate signals representing independent magnetic field components detected within each sensor. A field model may be used in the magnetic user interface device to translate magnetic sensor readings during operation to position information, which may then be converted to output signals for transmission to an electronic computing system representing displacement and/or deformation of the actuator. The output signals may be generated in a predetermined format, such as USB format or other computer-interface formats, that can be interpreted by the electronic computing system.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种用于处理来自具有手动致动器的磁用户界面装置的信号的方法。 致动器的运动可能导致一个或多个磁体与一个或多个相应的传感器之间的相对运动，每个相应的传感器可以产生表示在每个传感器内检测到的独立磁场分量的信号。 在磁用户界面设备中可以使用现场模型来将操作期间的磁传感器读数转换为位置信息，然后将位置信息转换为输出信号以传输到表示致动器的位移和/或变形的电子计算系统。 输出信号可以以可由电子计算系统解释的预定格式（例如USB格式或其他计算机接口格式）生成。