Assembly and Method for Identifying a Ferrous Material
In one aspect of the present invention, a system assembly for identifying a ferrous material comprises a plurality of magnetometers spaced at varying distances from a ferrous material. Each of the plurality of magnetometers may comprise a sensor reading of a magnitude of an absolute magnetic field, which comprises a magnetic field created by the ferrous material and an ambient magnetic field. One of the plurality of magnetometers may be designated as a primary magnetometer. A distance to the ferrous material from the primary magnetometer may be determined by forming a ratio of the differences in the sensor reading of the primary magnetometer and the sensor readings of the other magnetometers set equal to a ratio of the differences in the distance to the ferrous material from the primary magnetometer inversely cubed and the distances to the ferrous material from the other magnetometers inversely cubed. The system assembly may also comprise a picture taking device that may provide an image of a surface viewable from above the ferrous material and a global positioning system device that may provide a map of a geographical region.
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/827,525 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA road milling machine may comprise a drum populated with a plurality of degradation assemblies, typically picks, which may degrade natural or man-made formations such as pavement, concrete, or asphalt when the drum is rotated while in contact with the man-made formation. It is not uncommon, however, to damage degradation assemblies when they hit hard materials buried underneath or located on the surface of the man-made formations. Such hard materials often comprise ferrous material. The prior art discloses apparatuses and methods for identifying subsurface ferrous materials.
One such apparatus and method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,626 to Russell et al., which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains. Russell et al. discloses an apparatus and method for collecting magnetometer data at the earth's surface in order to detect anomalies in the earth's magnetic field caused by buried ferromagnetic objects. A plurality of magnetometers are provided in a predetermined array on a mobile platform. A fixed station is also provided on the earth's surface, and navigational data from a global positioning system (GPS) is collected on the location of the fixed station and mobile platform in synchronization with a sync signal received from the GPS. While the mobile platform traverses an area on the earth's surface, magnetometer data is collected in synchronization with the sync signal. The apparatus and method provide a significant improvement in the amount of area which can be surveyed in a given time period and in the precision of the location and magnetic field intensity data collected.
Another such apparatus and method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,372,247 to Giusti et al., which is herein incorporated by reference for all that it contains. Giusti et al. discloses an apparatus and method to locate and mark the surface position of an underground utility while maneuvering along the path of the utility. The apparatus uses an underground utility detector that responds to the location of an underground utility to continually position a carriage proximate vertical of the utility. Marker systems are aligned with the carriage and apply either a unique paint symbol on pavement or a spike in the ground. The apparatus is configured to use an underground utility detector or positioning equipment that generate positional signals. The apparatus may be configured to mark utility positions at predetermined intervals and mark utility offset positions. The apparatus may be attached to a vehicle, towed by a vehicle, motorized or propelled by a person.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect of the present invention, a system assembly for identifying a ferrous material comprises a plurality of magnetometers spaced at varying distances from a ferrous material. Each of the plurality of magnetometers may comprise a sensor reading of a magnitude of an absolute magnetic field, which comprises a magnetic field created by the ferrous material and an ambient magnetic field. One of the plurality of magnetometers may be designated as a primary magnetometer. A distance to the ferrous material from the primary magnetometer may be determined by forming a ratio of the differences in the sensor reading of the primary magnetometer and the sensor readings of the other magnetometers set equal to a ratio of the differences in the distance to the ferrous material from the primary magnetometer inversely cubed and the distances to the ferrous material from the other magnetometers inversely cubed.
The system assembly may also comprise a picture taking device that may provide an image of a surface viewable from above the ferrous material and a global positioning system device that may provide a map of a geographical region.
The plurality of magnetometers may comprise at least three vertically spaced magnetometers and may be disposed in a horizontal array. Each magnetometer may provide a sensor reading and the differences in sensor readings of the plurality of magnetometers in the horizontal array may determine the size and shape of the ferrous material.
The system assembly may also comprise an information processor, an interface, a marking mechanism, a very low frequency metal detector, a pulse induction metal detector, or a ground penetrating radar system. The information processor may be in communication with the plurality of magnetometers, picture taking device and global positioning system device. The information processor may receive a signal from the plurality of magnetometers and then may send a signal to the picture taking device and the global positioning system in response to the received signal. The interface may display a representation of magnetic fields, the image of the surface, and the map of the surface. The marking mechanism may be a paintball gun or a paint sprayer which may apply a marker to the surface viewable from above the ferrous material. The very low frequency metal detector, pulse induction metal detector and ground penetrating radar system may all confirm the signal from the plurality of magnetometers.
The image from the picture taking device may comprise an infrared image.
The system assembly may be disposed on a milling machine or a utility vehicle by parallel linkages allowing for vertical movement.
In another aspect of the present invention a method of identifying a ferrous material comprises providing a plurality of magnetometers, a picture taking device, and a global positioning system device. The global positioning system device may provide a map of a geographical region comprising a ferrous material. The plurality of magnetometers, picture taking device and global positioning system device may pass over the geographical region and a ferrous material may be detected by the plurality of magnetometers. When a ferrous material is detected, an image of the surface viewable from above the ferrous material may be captured with the picture taking device, and a symbol may be positioned on the map at the location of the ferrous material.
The method of identifying a ferrous material may further comprise determining a distance to the ferrous material from the plurality of magnetometers and inputting an exact location of the plurality of magnetometers and picture taking device into the global positioning system device before passing the plurality of magnetometers, picture taking device, and global positioning system device over the geographical region. The distance, location, and image of the ferrous material may be uploaded to a database accessible to others not at the location of the ferrous material.
The step of detecting the ferrous material may comprise obtaining sensor reading from the plurality of magnetometers such that each magnetometer detects a magnetic field of the ferrous material at a different time interval.
Referring now to the figures,
The system assembly 102 may also comprise a plurality of wheels 202 to protect the system assembly 102. If the vehicle 101 traverses an uneven surface then the plurality of wheels 202 may keep the plurality of containers 105 from contacting the surface, thus, insulating the system assembly 102 from wear or impact. When the uneven surface comes into contact with the plurality of wheels 202, the uneven surface may raise and lower the system assembly 102.
In other embodiments, the parallel linkages 201 may physically adjust the vertical position of the plurality of containers 105. The parallel linkages 201 may comprise an electrical mechanism to raise and lower the system assembly 102 to a desired height.
The plurality of magnetometers 401 may comprise at least three vertically spaced magnetometers 411, 412, and 413 disposed in a horizontal array 402. It is believed that at least three magnetometers vertically spaced with respect to one another may determine the distance 403 from the plurality of magnetometers 401 to a ferrous material 103. A plurality of horizontal arrays 402 (not shown) may be positioned side by side and/or overlapping each other to allow for maximum detection of ferrous materials.
One of the at least three vertically spaced magnetometers 411, 412, and 413 may be designated as a primary magnetometer. By way of example only, magnetometer 413 may be designated as the primary magnetometer. Sensor readings for the primary magnetometer 413 and the other magnetometers 411 and 412 may be obtained. A first ratio of the differences in sensor readings of the primary magnetometer 413 to sensor readings of the other magnetometers 411 and 412 may be formed. The first ratio may be set equal to a second ratio of the differences in distance to the ferrous material from the primary magnetometer 413 inversely cubed to distances to the ferrous material from the other magnetometers 411 and 412 inversely cubed. By setting the first ratio equal to the second ratio, the distance 403 to the ferrous material from the plurality of magnetometers 401 may be determined. In the application of the present invention, the distance to the ferrous material 103 is most commonly the depth of the ferrous material 103.
During typical road milling operations, an operator may set the depth of penetration of the degradation assemblies of a milling machine. If the depth of the ferrous material is found to be deeper than the depth of penetration of the degradation assemblies then no action need be taken.
As the plurality of magnetometers 401 pass over the geographical region and individually detect the ferrous material 103, differences in sensor readings of variously spaced magnetometers of the plurality of magnetometers 401 may indicate the size and shape of the ferrous material 103. Knowing the size and shape of the ferrous material 103 may facilitate in choosing an appropriate course of action for dealing with the ferrous material 103.
In some embodiments, vertical spacing of the plurality of magnetometers 401 may not be required if determining the distance to the ferrous material 103 is unnecessary.
The picture taking device may capture an image of the surface viewable from above the ferrous material which may visually confirm the signal from the plurality of magnetometers. If no object is visible from the image, then a ferrous material may be buried beneath the formation and the location may be physically marked for later identification.
Before passing the system assembly over the geographical region, the global positioning system may need to be calibrated by inputting the exact location of the system assembly. For example, the exact location of a building or landmark may be inputted into the global positioning system device to adjust the reading of the global positioning system device to correspond with the exact location of the system assembly.
After determining a ferrous material's depth and location, the information processor may upload the depth, location, and image to a database that is remotely accessible. The database may be accessible to any construction or operations worker contracted to work the area with the ferrous material. Also, government employees may also access the database for determining repairs and long term planning Also, a centralized manager may communicate to crews working locally about the magnetic material.
Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
Claims
1. A system assembly for identifying a ferrous material comprising:
- a plurality of magnetometers spaced at varying distances from a ferrous material each comprising a sensor reading of a magnitude of an absolute magnetic field;
- wherein one of the plurality of magnetometers is designated as a primary magnetometer and a distance to the ferrous material from the primary magnetometer is given by a ratio of the differences in the sensor reading of the primary magnetometer and the sensor readings of the other magnetometers set equal to a ratio of the differences in the distance to the ferrous material from the primary magnetometer inversely cubed and the distances to the ferrous material from the other magnetometers inversely cubed;
- a picture taking device providing an image of a surface viewable from above the ferrous material; and
- a global positioning system device providing a map of a geographical region.
2. The system assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality magnetometers comprises at least three vertically spaced magnetometers.
3. The system assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of magnetometers comprises a horizontal array of magnetometers.
4. The system assembly of claim 3, wherein the differences in sensor readings of the horizontal array of magnetometers determines the size of the ferrous material.
5. The system assembly of claim 3, wherein the differences in sensor readings of the horizontal array of magnetometers determines the shape of the ferrous material.
6. The system assembly of claim 1, further comprising an information processor in communication with the plurality of magnetometers, picture taking device and global positioning system device wherein the information processor receives a signal from the plurality of magnetometers and sends a signal to the picture taking device and the global positioning system device.
7. The system assembly of claim 1, further comprising an interface wherein the interface displays a representation of magnetic fields, the image of the surface, and the map of the surface.
8. The system assembly of claim 1, further comprising a marking mechanism to apply a marker to the surface viewable from above the ferrous material.
9. The system assembly of claim 8, wherein the marking mechanism is a paintball gun or a paint sprayer.
10. The system assembly of claim 1, wherein the image comprises an infrared image.
11. The system assembly of claim 1, further comprising a very low frequency metal detector to confirm a signal from the plurality of magnetometers.
12. The system assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pulse induction metal detector to confirm a signal from the plurality of magnetometers.
13. The system assembly of claim 1, further comprising a ground penetrating radar system to confirm a signal from the plurality of magnetometers.
14. The system assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is disposed on a milling machine or utility vehicle by parallel linkages allowing for vertical movement.
15. A method for identifying a ferrous material, comprising:
- providing a plurality of magnetometers, a picture taking device, and a global positioning system device wherein the global positioning system device provides a map of a geographical region comprising a ferrous material;
- passing the plurality of magnetometers, picture taking device and global positioning system device over the geographical region;
- detecting the ferrous material from the plurality of magnetometers;
- capturing an image with the picture taking device of a surface viewable from above the ferrous material; and
- positioning a symbol on the map at a location of the ferrous material.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing an information processor and receiving a signal with the information processor from the plurality of magnetometers and sending with the information processor a signal to a picture taking device to capture an image and global positioning system device to position a symbol on the map in response to the received signal.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining a distance to the ferrous material from the plurality of magnetometers.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising uploading the distance, location, and image of the ferrous material to a database.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein detecting the ferrous material comprises obtaining sensor readings from the plurality of magnetometers such that each magnetometer detects a magnetic field of the ferrous material at a different time interval.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising inputting an exact location of the plurality of magnetometers and picture taking device into the global positioning system device before passing the plurality of magnetometers, picture taking device and global positioning system device over the geographical region.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 30, 2010
Publication Date: Jan 5, 2012
Inventors: David R. Hall (Provo, UT), David C. Wahlquist (Spanish Fork, UT), Davido L. Hyer (Springville, UT)
Application Number: 12/827,616