Abstract: The present invention is a technique for locating and identifying a failed filter/arrester in an underground conveyance such as a fiber optic cable. A sensor is installed in the filter/arrester housing to sense grounding of a cable locating frequency. The sensor will monitor the cable locating signal that is normally on the cable and blocked by the filter arrester to ground. A small radio frequency oscillator (85 to 88 Hz), also installed inside the filter housing, is activated by the sensor. The RF signal is detected above ground with standard cable locating equipment. A warning indicator such as an indicator light may also be installed on the outside of the filter housing. The indicator is also activated by the sensor. In that way, the particular failed filter can be identified if multiple filters are installed at that location. The power that will be required to operate the RF transmitter and indicator will be obtained from the voltage passing through the cable.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a buried utility conveyance, such as an undersea cable, beneath a body of water. The apparatus generally comprises a submersible housing that contains a variable ballast system for selectively controlling the buoyancy of the apparatus, operator-controlled maneuvering apparatus, and a detector assembly for locating the conveyance. The detector assembly includes first and second signal generators and first and second signal detectors for vectoring the location of the conveyance. An operator guides the detector relative to a target search location through cables attached to the housing and the variable ballast system. A camera generates images of the target search location for use by the operator to control the apparatus through an umbilical cable connected to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is a technique for locating and identifying a failed filter/arrester in an underground conveyance such as a fiber optic cable. A sensor is installed in the filter/arrester housing to sense grounding of a cable locating frequency. The sensor will monitor the cable locating signal that is normally on the cable and blocked by the filter arrester to ground. A small radio frequency oscillator (85 to 88 Hz), also installed inside the filter housing, is activated by the sensor. The RF signal is detected above ground with standard cable locating equipment. A warning indicator such as an indicator light may also be installed on the outside of the filter housing. The indicator is also activated by the sensor. In that way, the particular failed filter can be identified if multiple filters are installed at that location. The power that will be required to operate the RF transmitter and indicator will be obtained from the voltage passing through the cable.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a buried utility conveyance, such as an undersea cable, beneath a body of water. The apparatus generally comprises a submersible housing that contains a variable ballast system for selectively controlling the buoyancy of the apparatus, and a detector assembly for locating the conveyance. The detector assembly includes first and second signal generators and first and second signal detectors vectoring the location of the conveyance. An operator guides the detector relative to a target search location through cables attached to the housing and the variable ballast system. A camera generates images of the target search location for use by the operator to control the apparatus through an umbilical cable connected to the housing.

Abstract: A system for transmitting operational control messages to a plurality of remotely-disposed cable-locating transmitters uses a spare communication line associated with each transmitter to carry the control messages from unit to unit. In the case of a fiber optic cable, the control message is transferred from an incoming telephone line associated with a first cable-locating transmitter to a spare optical fiber. The control message then propagates down the fiber to the next transmitter (where this transmitter does not otherwise have accessibility to a telephone line). This transmitter converts the optical signal to an electrical signal and either uses the control message (if indeed destined for that particular transmitter), or re-converts it to optical form and sends it further along the spare fiber to the next remote cable-locating transmitter further down the line.