Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for locating buried conductors using ambient electromagnetic signals, such as AM or other broadcast signals, are described. A buried utility locator may include a plurality of spatially separated antenna arrays, a receiver circuit coupled thereto, and a processing element programmed to process measurements of ambient electromagnetic signals and associated electromagnetic signals radiated from current induced in the buried conductor from the ambient signals to determine information about the buried conductor.

Abstract: Lights with features for underwater use that provide tailored beam-width and/or other tailored light patterns are disclosed. One embodiment includes a housing having a front end with a port and a back end, a port window having a plurality of lens features positioned at the front end of the housing within or behind the port, and a circuit element, including a plurality of LED lighting elements, positioned behind the window.

Abstract: Environmental lighting assemblies are disclosed that may include a structural element, which may be a tubular J-shaped element or other shape or structure, as well as a driver module and an LED lighting engine assembly with a removable locking assembly for generating output light to streets, the ground, trees, or other surfaces, objects, or structures.

Abstract: Self-leveling inspection system methods and devices for use in inspecting buried pipes or other cavities are disclosed. A camera head may include an image sensor, an orientation sensing module, and an image processing module with programming to adjust an image or video provided from the image sensor, based at least in part on information provided from the orientation sensor.

Abstract: Antenna systems for receiving transmitted signals comprising at least a first tuned antenna disposed in a known relationship spatially with a second antenna, with the first tuned antenna electrically connected to the second antenna, are disclosed. The antenna system may be configured to allow the antennas to reliably discriminate between left-hand and right-hand polarized circular signals.

Abstract: A camera controller platform for use with a pipe inspection system is disclosed. The platform is configured for the rapid mounting and connection of an electronic computing device such as a laptop computer for providing display and/or virtual control interface functions in conjunction with an electronics module. An additional user interface, which may include a manual user interface device, may be coupled to the electronics module. Alternatively, a plurality of virtual controls may be supported by a software application on the electronic computing device, which may be connected to the camera controller platform by a USB or other interface bus.

Abstract: A marking paint applicator for a portable electronic locator that locates buried cables and pipes via electromagnetic emissions is disclosed. The marking paint application may include an elongated support structure and a trigger mechanism, along with a bracket assembly, a receptacle for holding paint, and an actuating mechanism for selectively controlling release of the paint in response to operator actuation of the trigger mechanism.

Abstract: A transmitter system for providing current to a utility when performing a locate operation is disclosed. The transmitter system may include a tray apparatus, a transmitter module for generating an output current for provision to the utility so as to generate a magnetic field for detection by a utility locator disposed on or in the tray apparatus, and a sonde antenna node, a satellite antenna node, or a combined satellite navigation and sonde antenna node.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for uniquely identifying buried utilities in a multi-utility region. The system and methods may include sensing magnetic fields upon moving a magnetic field sensing locating device over a multi-utility region comprising a plurality of buried utilities. The sensed magnetic fields may be used to identify a plurality of location data points each indicative of location information pertaining to one or more buried utilities. Based on these location data points, a plurality of clusters may be generated where each cluster may include a set of location data points sharing common characteristics. The generated clusters may exhibit one or more patterns which may be identified and subsequently utilized for classifying the clusters to uniquely identify the buried utilities.

Abstract: Flexible magnetic cores for generating magnetic fields in a utility locator system sonde are disclosed. The flexible core includes an elongate resiliently deformable rod and a flexible elongate structure of a high permeability ferromagnetic material disposed around the elongate resiliently deformable rod, with the resiliently deformable rod comprising fiberglass rod or similar resilient materials, and the flexible elongate structure comprising a plurality of bundles of wires of a high permeability/low loss ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: Magnetic field cancelling audio speakers and associated devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a utility locator includes an audio speaker device with two loudspeaker drivers positioned and electrically connected to reduce emitted magnetic fields over a range of frequencies corresponding with locator sensing frequencies.

Abstract: A high-Q human-portable, battery-powered self-correcting tunable transmitter apparatus for inducing alternating currents in buried conductors to facilitate their location is disclosed.

Abstract: Various finger tip controlled manual interface devices that can be used as inputs to personal computers, electromechanical systems and video game consoles utilize concentrically arranged magnets. The polarities of the magnets are oriented to provide restoration forces on a one of the magnets to bias it toward a neutral position. A magnetic sensor including a plurality of sensing elements such as Hall effect devices generates output signals representative of direction and amount of movement of the magnet that is biased to the neutral position.

Abstract: Apparatus for magnetically sensing, computing, and displaying cable distance, as well as computing and displaying other user-selectable information in a pipe inspection system or other system is disclosed. Two or more permanent magnets may be mounted in spaced apart fashion, on either a frame or a rotatable member supported on the frame for rotation about an axis. A magnetic sensor may be mounted on the other one of the rotatable member or frame on which the magnets are not mounted, so that either the magnets rotate around the magnetic sensor or the magnetic sensor rotates between the permanent magnets. The magnetic sensor may generate output signals representing changes in at least two axes in a composite magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets.

Abstract: A user interface device including a floating actuator sub-assembly and a base assembly flexibly coupled to the floating actuator assembly is disclosed. The floating actuator assembly may include a magnet array assembly with a plurality of magnets fixed relative to each other.

Abstract: Antenna systems for receiving transmitted signals comprising at least a first tuned antenna disposed in a known relationship spatially with a second antenna, with the first tuned antenna electrically connected to the second antenna, are disclosed. The antenna system may be configured to allow the antennas to reliably discriminate between left-hand and right-hand circular signals.

Abstract: User interface devices with electromagnetic dipole arrays and associated magnetic sensors, control circuits, and processing elements for determining user actuation of the device are disclosed. In one embodiment a user interface device includes an electromagnetic dipole array coupled to an actuator, along with a three-axis magnetic sensor and control and processing elements for controlling driving currents to the dipole array and sensing and processing received magnetic field signals to determine movement or displacement of the actuator.

Abstract: Camera head apparatus, systems, and methods for providing wide angle/panoramic images and/or video of the interior of pipes or other cavities using multiple imaging and illumination modules are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating buried utilities in conjunction with associated electromagnetic marker devices are disclosed. A marker device may include a marker device antenna and an electronic circuit operatively coupled to the marker device antenna. The electronic circuit may include at least two resonant circuits, including a first resonant circuit formed in combination with the marker device antenna for receiving an excitation signal at a first frequency from a marker excitation device. The received excitation signal may be converted into a power supply by a power circuit for powering the electronic circuit. Responsive to the received excitation signal, a processing element provided in the electronic circuit may generate an output signal at a second frequency, which is substantially different from the first frequency. The generated output signal may be tuned by a second resonant circuit and provided to the marker device antenna.

Abstract: Push-cables and associated apparatus and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a push-cable assembly for use with a pipe inspection system may include a push-cable element having a proximal end and a distal end, with a spring assembly having varying flexibility coupled to or near the distal end. The spring assembly may include an outer coiled spring having a proximal and a distal end, and an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring. A camera head and/or other elements such as a cutting or jetting apparatus may be coupled at or near the distal end.