Method and apparatus using acoustic sensor for sub-surface object detection and visualization
US6536553B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S181/401
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting an underground abject includes a container in contact with the ground surface; a medium disposed in the container; at least one acoustic sensor disposed in the medium in the container; and an output device connected to the acoustic sensor. A portion of the container in contact with the ground is substantially acoustically transparent and conforms to contours of the ground. The acoustic impedance of the medium in the container is substantially the same as the acoustic impedance of the ground. A method of detecting an underground object includes receiveing reflected acoustic noise with at least one acoustic sensor immersed in a medium, the mediukm being desposed in a container in contact with a ground surface; converting the reflected acoustic noise to electrical signals; and, using an output device, converting teh eletrical signals to a form that can be sensed by a human to determine if the undergroung object has been detected.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.