Electromagnetic target discriminator sensor system and method for detecting and identifying metal targets
US6853194B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06V10/255
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A time-domain electromagnetic target discriminator (ETD) sensor system and method are provided capable of measuring a metal target's time decay response based on the physical parameters of the metal target and its environment and for identifying the metal target. The ETD sensor system includes a pulse transmitter connected to a receiver via a data acquisition and control system. The transmitter and receiver include coil configurations for placement in proximity to a visually obscured, e.g., buried, metal target (or underground void) for inducing eddy currents within the metal target. The ETD sensor system measures the eddy current time decay response of the metal target in order to perform target recognition and classification. The identification process entails comparing the metal target's (or, underground void or other object's) time decay response with a library of normalized object signatures, e.g., time decay responses and other characteristics.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.