System and method for guided boring obstacle detection
US6679120B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/106
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and system for detecting an underground obstacle in which a plurality of acoustic signal sensors are deployed in a predetermined pattern on an area of ground defined by a guided drill path. A drill head of a drill is inserted into the ground and a borehole is drilled in the ground along the guided drill path. The noise signal generated by the drill head is detected at at least two of the acoustic signal sensors and the difference in arrival time of the noise signal at the two acoustic signal sensors is determined. This difference in arrival time of noise signal is analyzed, whereby the presence or absence of an underground obstacle is determined.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.