Abstract: Omnidirectional electromagnetic signal inducer (“omni-inducer”) devices are disclosed for generating utility locating current signals, at one or more frequencies in on or more time intervals.

Abstract: Nulling utility locators including a transmitter element, a sensing element, and an electronic circuit for processing signals from the transmitting element to at least partially cancel each other and determine information associated with a buried utility are disclosed.

Abstract: Buried object locator systems including transmitters and associated buried object locators using phase-synchronized signals are disclosed. A transmitter may generate output current signals that are phase-synchronized with a corresponding locator for improved utility locating.

Abstract: Inductive clamps for use in utility locate operations are disclosed. In one embodiment, an inductive clamp includes a head assembly including a base element and a plurality of arm elements coupled to the base element, a handle assembly including a utility selector element coupled to the head assembly, and a magnetic core subassembly for generating a magnetic field for coupling to a targeted utility, the magnetic core subassembly including a plurality of ferrite elements and wire winding wrapped about one or more of the ferrite elements.

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: Omnidirectional electromagnetic signal inducer (omni-inducer) devices are disclosed. The omni-inducer device may include a housing, which may include a conductive base for coupling signals to ground, and an omnidirectional antenna node including a plurality of antenna coil assemblies, where the node may be disposed on or within the housing. The omni-inducer device may further include one or more transmitter modules for generating ones of a plurality of output signals, which may be generated at ones of a plurality of different frequencies, and one or more control circuits configured to control the transmitters and/or other circuits to selectively switch the ones of the plurality of output signals between ones of the plurality of antenna coil assemblies.

Abstract: Buried object locator systems including transmitters and associated buried object locators using phase-synchronized signals are disclosed. A transmitter may generate output current signals that are phase-synchronized such that an associated locator may receive magnetic field signals from the output current signal and determine information about the current flow based on independent phase-synchronization timing information.

Abstract: A high-Q human-portable, battery-powered self-correcting tunable resonator in a transmitter apparatus for inducing alternating currents of high quality in buried conductors to facilitate their location is disclosed. The transmitter apparatus may employ an FET-driven capacitive tuning circuit and a coil design that achieves high precision, high-quality transmission signals, and which may be equipped with a high-voltage booster for facilitating fault-localization applications.

Abstract: Inductive clamps for use in utility locate operations are disclosed. In one embodiment, an inductive clamp includes a head assembly including a base element and a plurality of arm elements coupled to the base element, a handle assembly including a utility selector element coupled to the head assembly, and a magnetic core subassembly for generating a magnetic field for coupling to a targeted utility, the magnetic core subassembly including a plurality of ferrite elements and wire winding wrapped about one or more of the ferrite elements.

Abstract: Integrated buried utility locator systems, including a locator including a marker device excitation transmitter a buried utility locator along with one or more marker devices, are disclosed. In operation a marker device excitation signal is sent from the locator at least partially simultaneously to receiving and processing a buried utility signal.

Abstract: Buried utility transmitters and associated locator devices, systems, and methods used for locating utility lines, pipes, and/or other conductors that are obscured from view are disclosed. In one embodiment a buried utility transmitter includes a module generating an output current for provision to the utility so as to generate a magnetic field for detection by a utility locator, with the output current signal having modulated signaling. The transmitter system may include a tray apparatus configured to be removably dockable to the transmitter module or element or a body or frame of the transmitter system.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for magnetically sensing and computing and displaying cable distance, and computing and displaying other user-selectable information in a pipe inspection system. At least two permanent magnets are 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 is 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 generates signals representing changes in at least two axes in a composite magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets.

Abstract: Sonde devices for providing magnetic field signals for use with utility locators or other devices are disclosed. In one embodiment a sonde device includes a housing, a core comprising a plurality of core sections, and one or more support structures, which may include windings. Circuit and/or power supply elements may be disposed fully or partially within the core to control generation of predefined magnetic field frequencies and waveforms.

Abstract: Multi-frequency buried object location system transmitters and locators are disclosed. A transmitter may generate and provide output signals to a buried object at a plurality of frequencies, which may be selected based on a connection type. Corresponding locators may simultaneously receive a plurality of magnetic field signals emitted from the buried object and generate visual and/or audible output information based at least in part on the plurality of received magnetic field signals. The visual and/or audible output may be further based on signals received from a quad-gradient antenna array.

Abstract: Omnidirectional electromagnetic signal inducer (omni-inducer) devices are disclosed. The omni-inducer device may include a housing, which may include a conductive base for coupling signals to ground, and an omnidirectional antenna node including a plurality of antenna coil assemblies, where the node may be disposed on or within the housing. The omni-inducer device may further include one or more transmitter modules for generating ones of a plurality of output signals, which may be generated at ones of a plurality of different frequencies, and one or more control circuits configured to control the transmitters and/or other circuits to selectively switch the ones of the plurality of output signals between ones of the plurality of antenna coil assemblies.

Abstract: Multi-frequency buried object location system transmitters and locators are disclosed. A transmitter may generate and provide output signals to a buried object at a plurality of frequencies, which may be selected based on a connection type. Corresponding locators may simultaneously receive a plurality of magnetic field signals emitted from the buried object and generate visual and/or audible output information based at least in part on the plurality of received magnetic field signals. The visual and/or audible output may be further based on signals received from a quad-gradient antenna array.

Abstract: Sonde devices for providing magnetic field signals for use with utility locators or other devices are disclosed. In one embodiment a sonde device includes a housing, a core comprising a plurality of core sections, and one or more support structures, which may include windings. Circuit and/or power supply elements may be disposed fully or partially within the core to control generation of predefined magnetic field frequencies and waveforms.

Abstract: Omnidirectional electromagnetic signal inducer (omni-inducer) devices are disclosed. The omni-inducer device may include a housing, which may include a conductive base for coupling signals to ground, and an omnidirectional antenna node including a plurality of antenna coil assemblies, where the node may be disposed on or within the housing. The omni-inducer device may further include one or more transmitter modules for generating ones of a plurality of output signals, which may be generated at ones of a plurality of different frequencies, and one or more control circuits configured to control the transmitters and/or other circuits to selectively switch the ones of the plurality of output signals between ones of the plurality of antenna coil assemblies.

Abstract: Multi-frequency buried object location system transmitters and locators are disclosed. A transmitter may generate and provide output signals to a buried object at a plurality of frequencies, which may be selected based on a connection type. Corresponding locators may simultaneously receive a plurality of magnetic field signals emitted from the buried object and generate visual and/or audible output information based at least in part on the plurality of received magnetic field signals. The visual and/or audible output may be further based on signals received from a quad-gradient antenna array.

Abstract: A high-Q human-portable, battery-powered self-correcting tunable resonator in a transmitter apparatus for inducing alternating currents of high quality in buried conductors to facilitate their location is disclosed. The transmitter apparatus may employ an FET-driven capacitive tuning circuit and a coil design that achieves high precision, high-quality transmission signals, and which may be equipped with a high-voltage booster for facilitating fault-localization applications.