Reconfigurable portable locator employing multiple sensor array having flexible nested orthogonal antennas
US7518374B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 2008 |
| Grant date | Apr 14, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V3/165
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.