Abstract: A method of land surveying that electronically registers together multi-layer underground and surface images of a surface volume with buried utilities and other infrastructures. Such method further comprises assembling and presenting the combination to a device in the field that visually guides crews in their safe digging of the ground nearby. The orienting, scaling, and registering of a first image layer is to a standardized orientation and scaling on a map of a photograph of a land surface from a zenith point in space above. Then the orienting, scaling, and registering of a second image layer is made to the standardized orientation and scaling on the map. This layer is a result of a ground penetrating radar investigation of buried objects point-by-point in an immediate search area of a corresponding ground surface. Underground buried objects and utilities are thereby located to make safe digging nearby.

Abstract: A method of land surveying that electronically registers together multi-layer underground and surface images of a surface volume with buried utilities and other infrastructures. Such method further comprises assembling and presenting the combition to a device in the field that visually guides crews in their safe digging of the ground nearby. The orienting, scaling, and registering of a first image layer is to a standardized orientation and scaling on a map of a photograph of a land surface from a zenith point in space above. Then the orienting, scaling, and registering of a second image layer is made to the standardized orientation and scaling on the map. This layer is a result of an ground penetrating radar investigation of buried objects point-by-point in an immediate search area of a corresponding ground surface. Underground buried objects and utilities are thereby located to make safe digging nearby.

Abstract: A non-invasive method of buried-utility-mapping includes using a long wavelength gradiometric ground penetrating radar to “see” patches of conductive material below ground and buried pipes and electrical conductors that are all constantly radio-illuminated by local AM radio broadcasts. The underground infrastructure of entire cities can be surveyed this way, point-by-point over time. A short wavelength part of the gradiometric ground penetrating radar operates shoulder-to-shoulder with the magnetic part and is able to improve shallow object resolution, map moisture build-ups under roads, and spot contaminated soils. Two gradiometric ground penetrating radar technologies, cameras, and navigation receivers can be mounted on city vehicles and a daily collection of their data batch transformed by digital processing algorithms into detailed and automatically updating false-color maps of the underground utilities of the whole city and other buried infrastructures.

Abstract: An underground mine communications upgrade comprises an independent VHF-UHF band to MF band repeater-transceiver translator (RTT) and loop antenna added to a conventional miner's cap-lamp and helmet. VHF/UHF band communications with nearby conventional handsets are translated to medium frequency (MF band) communications that couple mine-wide to copper-core life-lines in all the entries. Such life-lines also do well supporting ultra low frequency (ULF), through-the-earth (TTE) communications with the surface above. Roof mounted borehole MF band ULF RTT's are coupled to the dual-frequency life-lines and bridge the MF band communications on the life-lines with the ULF communications on the life-lines. The MF band radio traffic primarily consists of digital packetswitch communications.

Abstract: A non-invasive method of buried-utility-mapping includes using a long wavelength gradiometric ground penetrating radar to “see” patches of conductive material below ground and buried pipes and electrical conductors that are all constantly radio-illuminated by local AM radio broadcasts. The underground infrastructure of entire cities can be surveyed this way, point-by-point over time. A short wavelength part of the gradiometric ground penetrating radar operates shoulder-to-shoulder with the magnetic part and is able to improve shallow object resolution, map moisture build-ups under roads, and spot contaminated soils. Two gradiometric ground penetrating radar technologies, cameras, and navigation receivers can be mounted on city vehicles and a daily collection of their data batch transformed by digital processing algorithms into detailed and automatically updating false-color maps of the underground utilities of the whole city and other buried infrastructures.

Abstract: A method of operating coal mine machinery that protects and maintains machine operators' health and well-being removes the machine operators to a clean, low-noise environment inside a refuge chamber. Inside, are controls, cameras, audio, and informational displays needed to run continuous mining machines nearby and communicate mine-wide with other personnel. Cameras fitted to the mining machines provide straight-ahead views, ground penetrating radars fitted to the cutting drums measure the coal depths in the ceilings above, the floors below, and the coal face ahead. Guidance data is presented on informational displays, and the data from the ceilings and floors is used to drive computer graphics special effects to graphically represent the coal ceilings and coal floors overlaying boundary rock. Audio pickups on the mining machine allow the operator to hear and feel how the machine is functioning, just as operators have always employed their other senses.

Abstract: A multi-modal ground penetrating radar includes a radar set configured to launch predistorted double-sideband (DSB) suppressed-carrier modulated continuous waves (CW) to illuminate and penetrate a ground surface. A variable frequency modulator is connected to modulate a continuous wave (CW) carrier frequency generator within the radar set to yield a double-sideband suppressed carrier output. A lateral single-file array of antennas is configured to be flown closely over the surface of the ground. A multiplexing switch is connected to the array of antennas and configured to selectively switch individual ones of the antennas to the radar set. Any early arriving signals returned from geologic clutter and surface reflections are suppressed in synchronous detection in relation to signals received by the array of antennas from less shallow depths. Interesting objects below the ground surface are detected and located by the late arriving signal reflections.

Abstract: An underground mine communications upgrade comprises an independent VHF-UHF band to MF band repeater-transceiver translator (RTT) and loop antenna added to a conventional miner's cap-lamp and helmet. VHF/UHF band communications with nearby conventional handsets are translated to medium frequency (MF band) communications that couple mine-wide to copper-core life-lines in all the entries. Such life-lines also do well supporting ultra low frequency (ULF), through-the-earth (TTE) communications with the surface above. Roof mounted borehole MF band ULF RTT's are coupled to the dual-frequency life-lines and bridge the MF band communications on the life-lines with the ULF communications on the life-lines. The MF band radio traffic primarily consists of digital packetswitch communications.

Abstract: An automatic frequency control is used to keep a continuous wave (CW) transmission tuned to the resonant frequency of a resonant microwave patch antenna (RMPA). Changes in loading and the bulk dielectric constant of the mixed media in front of the RMPA will affect its resonant frequency and input impedance. A significant shift in the measured input impedance is interpreted as an object moving nearby, and the phase angle of the measured input impedance is used to estimate the direction of an object's movement.

Abstract: An automatic frequency control is used to keep a continuous wave (CW) transmission tuned to the resonant frequency of a resonant microwave patch antenna (RMPA). Changes in loading and the bulk dielectric constant of the mixed media in front of the RMPA will affect its resonant frequency and input impedance. A significant shift in the measured input impedance is interpreted as an object moving nearby, and the phase angle of the measured input impedance is used to estimate the direction of an object's movement.

Abstract: An unsynchronized acoustic or radio-frequency (RF) computed tomography (CT) imaging system with matched, but independent, continuous wave (CW) transmitters and receivers configured to radiate acoustic or RF transmissions in a plurality of vector paths through solid geologic material. A computer calculates and displays tomographic images constructed from individual acoustic or RF path signal travel time or attenuation measurements logged from registered locations from the CW transmitters and receivers after their being shuttled amongst a number of different transmitter and receiver perspectives available around said geologic material to generate data necessary for computed tomography. Each of the transmitters and receivers include independent unsynchronized crystal oscillators rated at 10-ppm or better frequency uncertainty to produce and to detect CW radio frequency (RF) transmissions.

Abstract: A multi-modal ground penetrating radar includes a radar set configured to launch predistorted double-sideband (DSB) suppressed-carrier modulated continuous waves (CW) to illuminate and penetrate a ground surface. A variable frequency modulator is connected to modulate a continuous wave (CW) carrier frequency generator within the radar set to yield a double-sideband suppressed carrier output. A lateral single-file array of antennas is configured to be flown closely over the surface of the ground. A multiplexing switch is connected to the array of antennas and configured to selectively switch individual ones of the antennas to the radar set. Any early arriving signals returned from geologic clutter and surface reflections are suppressed in synchronous detection in relation to signals received by the array of antennas from less shallow depths. Interesting objects below the ground surface are detected and located by the late arriving signal reflections.

Abstract: A ground-penetrating tunnel-detecting active sonar launches two different monotonic acoustic beams down into the ground from the surface. If the two separate monotonic acoustic waves arrive at a stress field, they will mix and produce a frequency difference heterodyne due to the inherent pressure nonlinearities in the solid medias. Any sonar returns are bandpass filtered so only an acoustic frequency difference heterodyne can pass through. The existence of a tunnel is revealed by the return of acoustic frequency difference heterodynes all coming from a more-or-less horizontal line of phase-delayed sources and directions. These phase differences can be derived from the vector values provided by the acoustic vector sensor. Three or more acoustic vector sensors on the surface can be used effectively to provide triangulations down to the tunnel to better estimate the tunnel track.

Abstract: An automated coal mining system outfits rotating cutterhead drums with bit blocks and replaceable bit picks according to a lacing pattern. A set of strain gauges are configured to measure the mechanical forces experienced by the bit picks during coal cutting. Measurements are taken that can be processed for indications that the replaceable bit picks have encountered a boundary layer of rock during coal cutting operations, or they are working harder than necessary to cleave coal, or that a better lacing pattern is possible. A resonant microwave patch antenna is mounted on a top surface shoulder of the bit blocks to take impedance measurements of the coal face. The impedance measurements are calibrated according to indications that the replaceable bit picks have encountered a boundary layer of rock. The rotating drum sensor data is wirelessly transmitted back to the machine for analysis and control purposes.

Abstract: Acoustic heterodyne radars use accurately surveyed or otherwise known locations to repetitively launch at least two, intense acoustic tone soundwaves (F1, F2) into an underground area of search. An acoustic receiver is tuned to receive either the sum (F1+F2) or difference (|F1?F2|) heterodynes and is configured to measure and log the overall relative attenuation and roundtrip travel times of the soundwaves, like a typical radar. Any acoustic heterodynes received are assumed to be the work of non-linearities and stresses in the search area. A full-waveform three dimensional tomography algorithm is applied by a graphics processor to the collected and logged data to generate maps and profiles of objects beneath the ground which are interpreted to have produced the acoustic heterodynes.

Abstract: An underground radio communications and personnel tracking system uses a cap-lamp worn by a miner when underground in a mine. A cap-lamp transceiver provides voice and text communication on ultra-low frequency (ULF) to ultra-high frequency (UHF) carrier frequencies and modulation adapted by programming of a software defined radio to making selective and agile radio contacts via through-the-earth, conductor/lifeline, coal seam, tunnel, and ionosphere/earth-surface waveguides for transmission of electromagnetic waves. These waveguides comprise layered earth coal and mineral deposits, and manmade mining complex infrastructures which serendipitously form efficient waveguides. Ultra-Low Frequency F1/F1 repeaters are placed underground in the mine, and providing for extended range of communication of the cap-lamp transceiver with radios and tracking devices above ground of the mine.

Abstract: An underground radio communications and personnel tracking system uses a cap-lamp worn by a miner when underground in a mine. A cap-lamp transceiver provides voice and text communication on ultra-low frequency (ULF) to ultra-high frequency (UHF) carrier frequencies and modulation adapted by programming of a software defined radio to making selective and agile radio contacts via through-the-earth, conductor/lifeline, coal seam, tunnel, and ionosphere/earth-surface waveguides for transmission of electromagnetic waves. These waveguides comprise layered earth coal and mineral deposits, and manmade mining complex infrastructures which serendipitously form efficient waveguides. Ultra-Low Frequency F1/F1 repeaters are placed underground in the mine, and providing for extended range of communication of the cap-lamp transceiver with radios and tracking devices above ground of the mine.

Abstract: An underground tunnel detection system does not employ radar. Instead, an automatic frequency control is used to keep a continuous wave (CW) transmission tuned to the resonant frequency of a resonant microwave patch antenna (RMPA). Changes in loading and the bulk dielectric constant of the mixed media in front of the RMPA will affect its resonant frequency and input impedance. A significant shift in the measured input impedance is interpreted as a possible tunnel, and the phase angle of the measured input impedance tends to indicate a slightly forward or aft position relative to the detection system rolling over it on the ground surface.

Abstract: An unsynchronized acoustic or radio-frequency (RF) computed tomography (CT) imaging system with matched, but independent, continuous wave (CW) transmitters and receivers configured to radiate acoustic or RF transmissions in a plurality of vector paths through solid geologic material. A computer calculates and displays tomographic images constructed from individual acoustic or RF path signal travel time or attenuation measurements logged from registered locations from the CW transmitters and receivers after their being shuttled amongst a number of different transmitter and receiver perspectives available around said geologic material to generate data necessary for computed tomography. Each of the transmitters and receivers include independent unsynchronized crystal oscillators rated at 10-ppm or better frequency uncertainty to produce and to detect CW radio frequency (RF) transmissions.

Abstract: An underground radio communications and personnel tracking system uses a portable communications device worn by a miner when underground in a mine. A cap-lamp transceiver provides voice and text communication on ultra-low frequency (ULF) to ultra-high frequency (UHF) carrier frequencies and modulation adapted by programming of a software defined radio to making selective and agile radio contacts via through-the-earth, conductor/lifeline, coal seam, tunnel, and ionosphere/earth-surface waveguides for transmission of electromagnetic waves. These waveguides comprise layered earth coal and mineral deposits, and manmade mining complex infrastructures which serendipitously form efficient waveguides. Ultra-Low Frequency F1/F1 repeaters are placed underground in the mine, and providing for extended range of communication of the cap-lamp transceiver with radios and tracking devices above ground of the mine.