Underground pipeline and cable detector and process
US4600356A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 1984 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE02F9/245
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An apparatus and process combining an excavation apparatus with a fully contained underground elongated conductive object detector capable of selectively detecting underground objects such as water pipes and electrical cables. The combination of this invention may be advantageously used in trenching to prevent damage to underground water pipes and electrical cables by detecting their presence before the digging implement damages them. An audible or visual signal may be activated and/or the excavation apparatus may be automatically shut down upon detection of an underground pipe or cable a few feet below the excavation. The detector may be incorporated in the digging shovel of a backhoe or maintained in position adjacent the digging implement by a boom extending from the excavation apparatus. Simple and sturdy time gated electronics is advantageously used to differentiate underground pipes and cables from other underground metal debris and to provide range and direction information.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.