U.S. patent application number 09/947961 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-17 for method for detecting the metal type of a buried metal target.
Invention is credited to Ott, Ellen, Ott, James H..
Application Number | 20020005720 09/947961 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23444601 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020005720 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ott, Ellen ; et al. |
January 17, 2002 |
Method for detecting the metal type of a buried metal target
Abstract
A hand tool has a handgrip attached to a ground-piercing probe,
which is manually insertable in the soil. The probe has a chamber
in which at least one inductor is positioned and connected to metal
detection circuitry. The preferred circuitry has a pulse generator
applying current pulses to an inductor for inducing eddy currents
in a buried target object. After the pulse terminates, the decaying
coil voltage is sampled at different times to detect both the
presence and range of the object, as well as the type of metal in
the object. An asymmetric magnetic field pattern about the probe is
aligned with a direction pointing indicium on the handgrip and
provides directional sensitivity. The coil voltage samples are
applied to signaling circuitry, which provides an audible signal
which is a series of bursts of an audio tone. The pitch of the
audio tone signals the presence, range and bearing of the buried
metal object, while the pulse rate of the bursts signals the metal
type.
Inventors: |
Ott, Ellen; (Akron, OH)
; Ott, James H.; (Akron, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KREMBLAS, FOSTER, PHILLIPS & POLLICK
7632 SLATE RIDGE BOULEVARD
REYNOLDSBURG
OH
43068
US
|
Family ID: |
23444601 |
Appl. No.: |
09/947961 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09947961 |
Sep 6, 2001 |
|
|
|
09366805 |
Aug 4, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
324/327 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01V 3/15 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
324/327 |
International
Class: |
G01V 003/08; G01V
003/10 |
Claims
1. An improved hand tool for detecting buried objects, the tool
having a hand grip attached to a ground piercing probe which is
manually insertable into soil to displace the soil radially
outwardly from the probe, wherein the improvement comprises: the
probe having a chamber and at least one inductor positioned in the
chamber and connected to a metal detection circuit.
2. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the inductor is
asymmetrically shaped to provide a radially asymmetric field
pattern about the probe, the field pattern having a major lobe to
provide angular sensitivity.
3. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the inductor is
positioned radially asymmetrically in the chamber to provide a
radially asymmetric field pattern about the probe, the field
pattern having a major lobe to provide angular sensitivity.
4. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the circuit is a pulse
induction metal detection circuit.
5. A tool in accordance with claim 4 wherein the inductor is a coil
having a ferrite core.
6. A tool in accordance with claim 5 wherein the ferrite core is
asymmetric about a central axis of the coil for distorting a time
changing magnetic field generated by the coil into a field pattern
which is radially asymmetric about the probe, said pattern having a
major lobe to provide angular sensitivity.
7. A tool in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein
the circuit is an induction balance detection circuit.
8. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the probe comprises a
nonferromagnetic, high resistivity metal.
9. A tool in accordance with claim 8 wherein the probe is stainless
steel.
10. A tool in accordance with claim 9 wherein the probe is #304
stainless steel.
11. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein a portion of the
probe laterally adjacent the inductor is a dielectric material and
a resistance is connected in shunt across the inductor.
12. A tool in accordance with claim 11 wherein the dielectric
material is a ceramic.
13. A tool in accordance with claim 12 wherein the ceramic is a
zirconia probe tip.
14. A tool in accordance with claim 11 wherein the dielectric
material is a metal oxide.
15. A tool in accordance with claim 14 wherein the metal oxide is
sapphire.
16. A tool in accordance with claim 11 wherein the dielectric
material is a glass.
17. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the hand grip extends
in opposite directions from an end of the probe to provide a
T-shaped hand tool.
18. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein length graduations
are formed along the probe.
19. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the metal detection
circuit includes a wireless communication link including a
transmitter mounted to the hand tool and a sound transducer
connected to a receiver.
20. A tool in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a
ferromagnetic body mounted to the probe for distorting a time
changing magnetic field generated by the inductor into a field
pattern which is radially asymmetric about the probe, said pattern
having a major lobe to provide angular sensitivity.
21. A tool in accordance with claim 20 wherein a direction pointing
indicium is formed on the handgrip indicating the direction of said
major lobe.
22. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the circuit is a
pulse induction metal detection circuit, the inductor is a coil
having a ferrite core and the probe is stainless steel.
23. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the circuit is a
pulse induction metal detection circuit, the inductor is a coil
having a ferrite core and the probe tip is titanium.
24. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the circuit is a
pulse induction metal detection circuit, the inductor is a coil
having a ferrite core and a resistance connected in shunt across
the coil and the probe laterally adjacent to the coil is a
dielectric material.
25. A tool in accordance with claim 22 or 23 or 24 wherein the
ferrite core is asymmetric about a central ax is of the coil for
distorting a time changing magnetic field generated by the coil
into a field pattern which is radially asymmetric about the probe,
said pattern having a major lobe to provide angular
sensitivity.
26. A tool in accordance with claim 25 wherein a direction pointing
indicium is formed on the handgrip indicating the direction of said
major lobe.
27. A tool in accordance with claim 26 wherein the metal detection
circuit includes a wireless communication link including a
transmitter mounted to the hand tool and a sound transducer
connected to a receiver.
28. A tool in accordance with claim 27 wherein length graduations
are formed along the probe.
29. A tool in accordance with claim 28 wherein the hand grip
extends in opposite directions from an end of the probe to provide
a T-shaped hand tool.
30. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tool further
comprises a double throw switch and a headset connector connected
to an output of the switch, the switch having an input connected to
said metal detection circuit and an input connected to a second
connector for connection to a second, above ground metal detector,
the switch alternatively connecting the headset to the hand tool
metal detection circuit and the second metal detector.
31. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein the probe has a
diameter less than 3/8 inch.
32. A tool in accordance with claim 31 wherein the coil has a
diameter not exceeding substantially 1/4 inch.
33. A hand tool in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising:
(a) an inductance detector connected to the inductor for detecting
a signal which varies as a function of changes in the apparent
inductance of the inductor; and (b) a signaling circuit connected
to the inductance detector for signaling the direction and
magnitude of change in the apparent inductance of the inductor as
the probe is moved.
34. A method for detecting the location of a metal target object
buried below the surface of a soil, the method comprising: (a)
plunging a probe, having a chamber, a distance into the soil to
displace the soil outwardly from the probe and position the chamber
below the surface of the soil; (b) inducing eddy currents in the
target object by generating a time changing magnetic field from a
coil located in the chamber; and (c) detecting the current induced
in a coil in the chamber by the eddy currents.
35. A method in accordance with claim 34 wherein the magnetic field
is generated from and the current is detected through the same
coil, the coil being energized by a pulse and connected to a
detector circuit.
36. A method in accordance with claim 34 further comprising
generating said magnetic field asymmetrically about the
longitudinal axis of the probe, the field having a major lobe to
provide directional sensitivity, and wherein the probe is rotated
about the axis to detect the angular direction of the target
object.
37. A method in accordance with claim 36 further comprising
vertically adjusting the probe position in the soil to a metal
detecting signal maximum for detecting the depth of the target
object and the probe is rotated to a signal maximum for detecting
the angular direction of the target object.
38. A method in accordance with claim 34 wherein the magnetic field
is generated by a first coil in the chamber and the eddy current in
the target object is detected at a second coil in the chamber.
39. A metal detection circuit for detecting the metal type of a
metal target object, the circuit comprising: (a) a pulse generator;
(b) a transmitting coil connected to the pulse generator for
generating a time changing magnetic field in response to electrical
pulses applied to the coil; (c) a resistive energy damper coupled
to a receiving coil for attenuating the energy in the magnetic
field; (d) a sampling and storing circuit connected to the
receiving coil for sampling a signal representing the magnitude of
the coil current at a sampling time within a time interval
beginning after termination of a pulse and ending before the time
at which inductor current in the presence of a high conductivity
metal target object decays to a current which exceeds the current
to which the inductor current decays in the absence of a metal
target object; and (e) a signaling circuit connected to the
sampling and storing circuit for signaling changes in the detected
coil current at the sampling time as the coil is moved.
40. A metal detection circuit in accordance with claim 39 wherein
the signaling circuit is a voltage controlled oscillator.
41. A metal detection circuit in accordance with claim 39 wherein
the transmitting coil connected to the pulse generator and the
receiving coil are the same coil.
42. A metal detection circuit in accordance with claim 39 wherein
the damper is a resistance connected across the transmitting
coil.
43. A metal detection circuit in accordance with claim 39 wherein
the damper is a non-ferromagnetic, high resistivity probe having
the coil mounted in a chamber formed in the probe.
44. A metal detection circuit in accordance with claim 39 wherein
the sampling circuit includes a first timing circuit having an
input connected to the pulse generator and having timing components
for sampling within said time interval for detecting a metal type
sample representing the type of metal in the metal target object
and a second timing circuit having an input connected to the pulse
generator and having timing components and a sampling circuit for
sampling the signal after said time interval for detecting a range
sample representing the range of the metal target object.
45. A metal detection circuit in accordance with claim 44 and
further comprising a second signaling circuit connected to the
sampling circuit for receiving the range sample and signaling
variations in the range sample.
46. A method for detecting the metal type of a metal target object
buried below the surface of a soil, the method comprising: (a)
attempting to induce eddy currents in the target object by applying
a current pulse to a coil magnetically coupled to a damping load;
(b) detecting current induced in a coil by the eddy currents at a
first sampling time within a time interval beginning after
termination of the current pulse and ending before the time at
which the induced coil current in the presence of a high
conductivity metal target object decays to a current which exceeds
the current to which the induced coil current decays in the absence
of a metal target object; and (c) monitoring and signaling changes
in the detected coil current as the probe is moved.
47. A method in accordance with claim 46 wherein the first sampling
time is substantially at the time at which the induced coil current
in the absence of a metal target object decays to a magnitude which
is substantially equal to the magnitude to which the induced coil
current decays in the presence of a jewelry gold alloy metal target
object.
48. A method in accordance with claim 46 and further comprising
alternating the first sampling time between a spaced time interval
before and a spaced time interval after the time at which the
induced coil current in the absence of a metal target object decays
to a magnitude which is substantially equal to the magnitude to
which the induced coil current decays in the presence of a jewelry
gold alloy metal target object.
49. A method in accordance with claim 46 wherein each coil is
mounted in a chamber formed in a ground piercing probe and the
method further comprises plunging the probe a distance into the
soil to displace the soil outwardly from the probe and position the
chamber below the surface of the soil.
50. A method in accordance with claim 46 and further comprising
detecting the current induced in the coil at a second sample time
after the time interval and monitoring changes in the current
detected at the second sample time.
51. A method in accordance with claim 50 and further comprising
varying the frequency of an audio signal as a function of the
magnitude of the samples taken at one of said sample times and
alternately switching the audio signal on and off at a switching
rate which is a function of the magnitude of the samples taken at
the other of said sample times.
52. A method in accordance with claim 51 wherein the audio
frequency is varied as an increasing function of the magnitude of
the samples taken at said second sample time and the audio signal
is switched on and off at a switching rate which is an increasing
function of the magnitude of the samples taken at said first
sampling time.
53. A method for detecting the metal type of a metal target object
buried below the surface of a soil, the method comprising: (a)
attempting to induce eddy currents in the target object by
generating a time changing magnetic field about an inductor spaced
from the target object; (b) detecting a signal which is a function
of coil apparent inductance resulting from mutual coupling with the
eddy currents; and (c) signaling the direction and magnitude of
change in the apparent inductance of the inductor as the probe is
moved.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field Of The Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to metal detectors for
detecting buried metal objects and more particularly relates to a
metal detector using a ground piercing probe and associated
electronic circuitry and methods for detecting not only the range
of buried metal objects, but also the bearing and metal type of the
buried metal object.
[0003] 2. Description Of The Related Art
[0004] Metal detectors have long been used by hobbyists as a
favorable form of recreation, which offers not only an enjoyable
activity, but also the opportunity to discover valuable and/or
historical metal target objects buried in the soil.
[0005] In conventional prior art metal detecting, a user laterally
reciprocates a metal detector, usually including a coil or other
inductor, above a soil surface in a scanning pattern seeking an
audible signal which indicates the presence, under the soil
surface, of a metal object. The soil in which such buried metal
objects are sought includes not only dirt and sand, and other
manually movable or deformable earth surface materials, which are
readily accessible to humans, but also includes underwater lake and
sea bottoms.
[0006] A commonly used signal which indicates the presence of a
metal object is an increase in the frequency of an audible tone.
The typical user reciprocates the inductor of the typical metal
detector above the surface in repetitive left and right, arcuate
reciprocating movements until the frequency increase is heard or a
tone is heard. Upon hearing a frequency increase, the user then
begins reciprocating the inductor in smaller arcs across the region
where the increased frequency signal was detected in an attempt to
more precisely determine a position vertically above the buried
metal object.
[0007] When permitted, a shovel is then used to dig up a clump of
soil and the user then breaks apart and sifts through the clump
using the user's fingers or a tool in an attempt to find the metal
target object. If the user is fortunate, the target object will be
found in the clump of soil which has been dug up. Unfortunately,
conventional metal detectors often cannot sufficiently accurately
pinpoint the location of the buried metal object. Therefore, the
metal detector is again employed and additional clumps of soil must
be similarly dug up, sifted through and inspected. Also, the buried
metal object may be located below the depth of the initial dig,
necessitating deeper digging to retrieve the objects. Consequently,
conventional metal detecting typically requires extensive manual
labor for removing clumps of soil, breaking them apart and sifting
through them.
[0008] After completing these activities, a conscientious metal
detector user will then carefully replace the soil in an attempt to
return the soil as nearly as possible to its original condition.
However, some users do not exercise such care, merely leaving a
hole in the soil. Even users who carefully replace the soil have
nonetheless created and left behind a substantial environmental
disturbance in the soil.
[0009] These soil disturbances, especially at popular historical
sites and highly trafficked outdoor public or park areas, often
cumulatively cause both significant damage to the visual, cosmetic
appearance of such areas as well as destruction of vegetation or
other components of the local ecosystem and the creation of safety
hazards.
[0010] As a result, many owners of private land and operators of
public parks have imposed digging restrictions and regulations to
minimize such damage or destruction. Typically, these restrictions
limit the metal detector operator to digging in the soil with a
tool no larger than a screwdriver and to digging only small holes
to retrieve a metal target object. Because conventional metal
detectors are insufficiently accurate to allow the target metal
object to be located within a distance range tolerance of such a
small hole, the operators use a probe, such as an ice pick or a
screwdriver, to pierce the ground in the vicinity of the detected
object in an attempt to strike the object and feel its presence.
Such ground piercing does not cause significant soil disturbance
and often is beneficial in providing aeration for trees or other
vegetation. However, one problem with this technique is that it is
a trial and error process which usually requires numerous ground
piercings because such a probe only has a detection width equal to
its own very narrow width. An additional problem is that such a
probe and pierce technique does not enable the user to distinguish
between the detected metal object and a nearby stone, tree root or
other buried object which is harder than the surrounding soil.
Consequently, small digs resulting in retrieval of only a stone or
exposure or damage to a tree root, often occur. Furthermore, if an
initial small hole has been dug and the object is not found, the
problem remains for the user to determine in which direction from
the hole the buried target object lies.
[0011] In an attempt to overcome the inherent inaccuracy of the
conventional metal detector, the prior art has provided
miniaturized metal detectors. These are of the same type as and
modeled after the larger conventional metal detectors, but are much
smaller. They are typically larger than 1/2" in diameter, have a
plastic outer sleeve or shaft and use conventional metal detection
circuitry. These miniature versions of conventional metal detectors
are used to search for buried metal objects near the walls of a
hole the user has dug or in dirt the user has dug out to form the
hole and is sifting through.
[0012] There is therefore a need for a hand tool and associated
electronic circuitry and methods to more precisely locate the
buried metal target object after the general vicinity of its
location has been detected by a conventional metal detector.
[0013] An object and feature of the present invention is that,
after the general vicinity of a buried metal target object has been
located by a conventional metal detector and before any holes have
been dug, embodiments of the invention permit the location of the
object to be more precisely detected, utilizing considerably fewer
soil piercings without significant disturbance of the soil.
[0014] Another object and feature of the invention is to provide a
metal detecting hand tool having a probe with sufficient strength,
hardness and toughness so that it can survive repetitive insertions
into undisturbed soil, especially hard soils and abrasive soils,
such as sand.
[0015] A further object and feature of the invention is that each
time the soil is pierced by the probe of the invention, the bearing
of the object may be detected to guide the user toward the next
most appropriate place to again pierce the ground, thus greatly
improving the probability that the metal object will be struck by
the next ground piercing.
[0016] A further object and feature of the invention is to detect
not only the range and bearing to the buried metal object, but to
detect information about the type of metal in that object. This
permits the user to discontinue the effort to retrieve the metal
object if the user is not interested in objects of the detected
metal type and also permits the user to spend more time being more
persistent if a potentially valuable metal is detected.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The invention is an improved hand tool for detecting buried
metal objects. The hand tool has a handgrip attached to a
ground-piercing probe, which is manually insertable in the soil to
displace the soil radially outwardly from the probe. An improvement
of the invention is a chamber in the probe and at least one
inductor positioned in that chamber and connected to metal
detection circuitry. The invention includes other features, such as
the provision of an asymmetrically shaped magnetic field pattern
about the probe for providing directional sensitivity and the use
of particular materials in the probe.
[0018] The invention further is directed to a method for detecting
the location of a buried metal target object. The method is
initiated by plunging the probe of a tool embodying the invention a
distance into the soil to displace the soil outwardly from the
probe and position the chamber below the surface of the soil. Eddy
currents are then induced in the target object by generating a time
changing magnetic field about the coil located in the chamber.
Current induced in the coil by the eddy currents is then detected
to determine the presence and/or range of the metal object and, if
certain additional features of the invention are utilized, the
bearing and metal type of the target object.
[0019] The invention further is a metal detection circuit for
detecting the type of metal in the buried metal object. The circuit
provides a signal to the user which indicates whether the metal is
a ferrous metal, such as iron or steel, a high conductivity metal,
such as pure gold, a silver coin or a copper coin, or a medium
conductivity metal, such as aluminum alloys or gold alloys commonly
used for jewelry. The metal detection circuit has a pulse generator
connected to a coil for generating a time changing magnetic field
in response to electrical pulses applied to the coil. A resistive
energy damper is coupled to the coil for attenuating the energy in
the magnetic field in a manner which extends the decay of the
current in the coil after termination of the pulse. A sampling and
storing circuit is connected to the coil for sampling a signal
representing the magnitude of the coil current at a sampling time.
Preferably coil voltage is sampled in order to detect the coil
current at the sampling time because voltage and current are
related by ohms law and are therefore interchangeable signals.
Consequently, most qualitative observations made about coil current
are also applicable to coil voltage. The sampling time for
detecting metal type is within a time interval beginning after
termination of the pulse from the pulse generator and ending before
the time at which the coil current in the presence of a high
conductivity metal target object decays to a current which exceeds
the current to which the coil current decays in the absence of a
metal target object. A signaling circuit is connected to the output
of the sampling and storing circuit for signaling changes in the
detected coil current as the coil is moved. In particular, the
signaling circuit signals whether the coil current increases,
decreases or remains substantially the same. The direction of
change or the lack of change in the coil current as the coil is
moved may then be interpreted by the user, or a suitably programmed
computer, as an indication of the type of metal in the buried metal
object.
[0020] The invention further is a method for detecting the metal
type of a metal target object buried below the surface of a soil.
The method begins by attempting to induce eddy currents in a target
object by applying a current pulse to a coil which is coupled to a
damping load. The current induced in a coil by the eddy currents is
detected at a first sampling time. The first sampling time is
located within a time interval beginning after termination of the
current pulse applied to the coil. The time interval ends before
the time at which the coil current, in the presence of a high
conductivity metal object, decays to a current which exceeds the
current to which the coil decays in the absence of a metal target
object. Changes in the detected coil current are monitored and
signaled as the probe is moved. These signaled changes in the coil
current sample magnitude as the coil is moved closer to the metal
object are then interpreted by the user to determine the type of
metal object buried beneath the soil.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1. is a pictorial view illustrating the use of an
embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a view in vertical section of an embodiment of the
invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of an alternative
embodiment of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view in side elevation of an inductor
formed by a coil and ferrite core which has been contoured to
provide an asymmetrical magnetic field.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a view in horizontal section through a probe of an
alternative embodiment for creating an asymmetrical magnetic
field.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a view in horizontal section through a probe of an
alternative embodiment for creating an asymmetrical magnetic
field.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the fundamental
principles of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 8 is an oscillogram illustrating the principles of
operation of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the preferred circuit embodying
the present invention.
[0030] FIGS. 10-13 are schematic diagrams of the preferred
embodiment of the invention, which, because of the size and detail
illustrated, must be broken among several sheets, but when
connected together illustrate the preferred circuit of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 14 is a view in axial section taken substantially along
the lines 14-14 of FIG. 3.
[0032] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention
which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be
resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended
that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and
it is to be understood that each specific term includes all
technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to
accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected or
terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to
direct connection but include connection through other circuit
elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by
those skilled in the art. In addition, many circuits are
illustrated which are of a type which perform well-known operations
on electronic signals. Those skilled in the art will recognize that
there are many, and in the future may be additional, alternative
circuits which are recognized as equivalent because they provide
the same operations on the signals. Further, those skilled in the
art will recognize that, under well-known principles of Boolean
logic, logic levels and logic functions may be inverted to obtain
identical or equivalent results. Similarly, there are currently
various materials existing, and are likely to be additional
materials developed in the future, which exhibit the
characteristics described herein, making them useful in embodiments
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the hand tool 10 of the present
invention has a handgrip 12 attached to a ground-piercing probe 14.
The probe 14 extends perpendicularly from a central portion of the
handgrip 12. The handgrip extends in opposite directions from an
end of the probe to provide a t-shaped hand tool, so that the
handgrip can be comfortably gripped by the hand of a user 16 and
manually thrust into the soil 18. When inserted in the soil 18, the
probe 14 causes the soil 18 to be displaced a small distance
radially outwardly from the probe 14. The end 19 of the probe 14 is
preferably rounded and most preferably hemispherical to facilitate
its insertion into the soil and to provide strength and
durability.
[0034] The probe 14 is preferably tubular, so that it is provided
with an interior chamber 20. Alternatively, the chamber 20 may be
formed as a groove, notch or cavity in the probe 14, but the
tubular shape is preferred because such a cavity within the tube
provides both a chamber in which an inductor 22 may be mounted and
through which a wire 24 may easily extend into connection with one
terminal of the inductor 22. As will be described below, the probe
14 can be made of a variety of materials and if the probe 14 is a
metal, the other terminal of the inductor 22 may be connected
directly to the metal probe 14, which is in turn connected to a
wire 26. The wires 24 and 26 connect the inductor 22 to a metal
detection circuit 28. If the probe 14 is a nonconductive material,
the wire 26 also extends into the chamber into connection with the
other terminal of the inductor 22. Preferably, the wires 24 and 26
extend from the interior, central portion of the handgrip 12, out
through the end 30 of the handgrip 12 and they are sufficiently
long that the metal detection circuit 28 can be conveniently,
releasably mounted to the belt, or other clothing article, on the
user 16 or self-contained and hand-carried.
[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates some alternative features of a hand tool
embodying the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a hand tool having a
handgrip 32 and a probe 34 with length graduations 36 together with
numerals indicating length dimensions spaced along the probe 34,
with reference to the rounded tip 38 of the probe 34. This allows a
user to determine the depth of an object which is struck by the
probe. The user can then choose the most effective tool for
extracting the target object. The graduations also provide an
indication of the depth of an object which is not struck, but is
detected by the electronic circuitry in a manner subsequently
described as being located horizontally from the inserted
probe.
[0036] As will be described below, the tool can also have a
directional sensitivity in a plane which is perpendicular to the
axis of the probe 14 or 34, as a result of providing a radially
asymmetric field pattern around the inductor 22. Consequently, it
is also desirable to provide a direction pointing indicium, such as
an arrow 40 on the handle 32, indicating the direction of maximum
sensitivity, which is the direction of the major lobe of the field
pattern. This indicium, of course, can alternatively consist of a
dot or other geometric figure placed at one end of the handle, a
different coloration or other indicium to indicate the direction of
maximum radial sensitivity.
[0037] Certain dimensional features and material characteristics of
the invention are particularly desirable and preferred. The
diameter of the probe 14 or 34 should be less than about 3/8"
because it is too difficult or impossible to manually force the
probe into many soils if it is any larger. Preferably, a tubular
probe has an outside diameter of substantially {fraction (7/32)}"
or 0.226", which are equivalent. The preferred probe 34 has two
component parts illustrated in FIG. 3 and in more detail in FIG.
14. One component is a #304 stainless steel tube 35 having an
outside diameter of 0.226", an inside diameter of 0.080" and a
length of 12.5". The stainless tube 35 is telescopically interfit
into and bonded to a second tip component along an annular shoulder
segment 37 which is 0.50" in axial length. The tip component is a
tubular zirconia tip 39 which has a cylindrical portion 1.5" long
with an outside diameter of {fraction (7/32)}" and an inside
diameter of 0.145" and a hemispherical tip to provide an overall
probe length of 14". A longer zirconia tip is weaker and a shorter
zirconia tip is insufficiently long to both contain a coil and fit
over the stainless tube. Other materials would also make desirable
tips. For example, the tip may be constructed of a metal oxide,
such as sapphire, or a glass or ceramic.
[0038] Most conventional metal detection circuits, as well as the
preferred metal detection circuit of the present invention, include
a headset connected by a wire to the main circuitry of the metal
detection circuit to enable the user to hear an audio signal
generated by the metal detection circuitry. Sometimes audio
speakers are also provided for alternative use. Alternatively,
however, an FM transmitter 42 may be connected in the principal
metal detection circuitry 44 for modulating the audio signal
generated by the metal detection circuitry 44 and transmitting that
signal to an FM receiver 46, mounted to the headset 48 and
electrically connected to its sound transducers. Of course, other
types of modulation may be used.
[0039] As a further alternative, the metal detection circuitry may
be miniaturized and mounted within the handgrip 12 or 32 of the
present invention, including the FM transmitter, to entirely
eliminate the need for a wire extending out of the handgrip 12 or
32 to a remotely mounted metal detection circuit.
[0040] Popular, prior art metal detection circuits utilize an
inductor, usually in the form of a coil. The hand tool of the
present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, can be used with these
prior art metal detection circuits with the appropriate selection
of probe materials and the coil. Preferably, however, the probe is
used with the modified pulse induction detection circuitry,
illustrated in the Figures and described below.
[0041] The prior art circuits, as well as the circuit of the
present invention, detect the presence of a buried metal object by
inducing eddy currents in a buried metal object by means of a time
varying current in a coil. The frequency of the coil current is
sufficiently high to provide acceptable coupling and a sufficiently
low frequency to provide adequate soil penetration. The typical
frequency of operation is 5 KHz.
[0042] One type of prior art metal detection system uses detuning
of an oscillator as a result of inductive coupling between an
inductor and a buried metal object. One embodiment of this system
has a pair of oscillators, referred to as beat frequency
oscillators. One oscillator is operated at a fixed frequency. The
other oscillator is tuned to substantially the same frequency, but
includes a coil, which is the search coil. In embodiments of the
invention, the coil 22 in FIG. 2 may be used as such a search coil.
The outputs of these two oscillators are mixed to detect a
difference audio frequency which provides an output, audio tone. As
the search coil is brought into proximity with a buried metal
object, the second oscillator is detuned in proportion to the
search coil's coupling to the buried metal object. Consequently,
changes in the pitch of the audio output tone signal the presence
and range of the buried metal object. As the range decreases, the
mutual inductive coupling is increased causing the oscillator to be
further detuned and therefore raising the audio pitch.
[0043] Another variation of the oscillator detuning principle
utilizes a single oscillator connected to the coil, such as the
inductor 22. The oscillator has a conventional audio frequency
control negative feedback loop, having a signal which varies in
magnitude in proportion to detuning of the oscillator by coupling
of the coil to a buried metal object. The magnitude variations of
the AFC loop are used to control a voltage controlled oscillator,
oscillating at an audio frequency, with the result that the
frequency of the audio output tone is varied as the coil is brought
into proximity with the buried metal object.
[0044] The coil 22 in embodiments of the invention may be used as
the sensing coil with both of these circuits embodying the detuning
principle, although this is not preferred.
[0045] A second type of prior art metal detection circuit uses the
induction balance principle. With such a circuit, two coils are
orthogonally positioned to provide a null condition; that is so
that there is no electromagnetic coupling between the coils. One
coil transmits to the buried object at an oscillator frequency,
while the other is used for receiving a signal from the eddy
currents induced in the object. When no metal object is present and
consequently there is no metal object in which eddy currents are
generated, little or no signal is received by the receiving coil.
However, the presence of a metal object in proximity to the coils
allows the eddy currents generated in the metal object to be
transmitted back to and received by the receiving coil and detected
by the metal detection circuitry. The magnitude of this received
signal, coupled from the transmitting coil to the metal object and
then from the metal object back to the receiving coil, is applied
to a signaling circuit, typically an audio oscillator, to vary the
audio tone in proportion to the magnitude of the received signal.
This magnitude indicates the presence and range of the buried metal
object. The coils of an induction balance detection system may also
be mounted in the probe 14 or 34 using the present invention,
although this is not preferred.
[0046] Both of the above described prior art metal detection
systems, when they are utilized with the structure of the present
invention, require that the probe be formed of a non-metallic or
dielectric material so that eddy currents are not generated in the
probe itself. Suitable materials include a relatively hard, durable
plastic material, a composite such as a carbon fiber/epoxy
composite, or a ceramic material, such as zirconia. The probe can
also be constructed with multiple sections of different material,
such as metal tube having a zirconia or other ceramic tip portion
39, illustrated in FIG. 3. This ceramic tip construction is also
particularly desirable in preferred embodiments of the
invention.
[0047] The third type of metal detection circuitry known in the
prior art uses pulse induction detection. That system ordinarily
utilizes a single coil for both transmitting and receiving although
some embodiments utilize two coils, one for transmitting and a
different one for receiving. In the pulse induction detection
circuitry, a pulse is applied to a coil with a sharp cutoff to
provide a step function which, as known to those skilled in the
art, produces high frequencies. Thus, by pulsing the coil, a time
changing magnetic field is generated about the coil, which induces
eddy currents in a metal target object. These eddy currents are
then coupled back to either the same coil or a second receiving
coil and the received signal is detected and applied to a signaling
circuit. Since the magnitude of the received signal is a function
of the distance to a buried metal object, the signaling circuit
signals changes in received signal magnitude to indicate the
presence and range of the metal target. The present invention with
the coil 22, illustrated in FIG. 2, may be utilized with prior art
pulse induction detection circuitry. A second coil may be mounted
in the probe 14 for use with pulse induction circuits utilizing two
coils.
[0048] FIG. 7 is a simplified block circuit diagram illustrating
the fundamental principles of the present invention and FIG. 8
illustrates the operation of that circuit. FIG. 7 uses the pulse
induction system and therefore has a pulse generator 50, which
applies periodic pulses to inductor 52. The term "inductor" is used
to indicate an electronic component which exhibits an inductance.
The term includes a coil with no core material as well as a coil
with a core. As is known in the art, separate transmitting and
receiving inductors may be used, but are not preferred because the
circuit is more simplified by elimination of one inductor.
[0049] The pulses applied to the inductor 52 may, for example, be
applied to the inductor 52 at a 120 Hz rate, with a pulse width of,
for example 150 microseconds, for driving the inductor 52 at a
current of, for example, 1 amp. The choice of pulse rate results
from an engineering tradeoff between an increase in power
consumption and coil heating as frequency is increased and a
decrease in sensitivity as the frequency is decreased.
[0050] A resistive energy damper 54 is coupled to the inductor 52
either by direct conductive connection or by inductive coupling.
The resistive energy damper 54 may be a resistor or a resistive
network connected in shunt across the inductor 52. Alternatively,
the energy damper may be a nonferrous, high resistivity metal
inductively coupled to the inductor 52, such as a metal used to
construct the probe of the present invention.
[0051] A sampling circuit 56 is connected to the inductor 52 for
sampling the coil voltage or current at selected sampling times
subsequent to the termination of the pulse from the pulse generator
50. Signals representing the magnitude of the samples are then
applied to signaling circuits 58 and 60.
[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the pulse terminates at time T0,
after which the voltage across the inductor 52 decays exponentially
at a rate which is dependent upon the resistive energy damper, the
presence or absence of a buried target object, its range and the
type of metal of which the target object is constructed. FIG. 8 is
a family of oscillograms of exponentially decaying coil voltages
for representative metals and for the absence of a metal target.
The metals represent ferrous metals, high conductivity metals and
mid-range conductivity metals. This family of oscillograms has the
characteristic that there is an initial region of exponential decay
having a duration of several time constants during which most of
the decay of this family of curves occurs. This is followed by a
region of slower decay rate.
[0053] FIG. 8 is a drawing of actual oscillograms. In the circuit
from which these oscillograms were derived, the voltage pulse is
clamped by a 15 volt zener diode to protect the input of an op-amp
from a 200 volt spike. Consequently, the coil current, when the
coil voltage exceeds 15 volts, is shunted through the zener diode.
Because of the clamping diode, during the initial, relatively flat
voltage segment of the oscillogram, the coil current is exponential
but the voltage is not. This early region of shunted coil current
is not used by the circuit as a signal.
[0054] One important characteristic of this family of curves is
that after several time constants, the curve N, which represents
the decay in the absence of a metal target, decays to the lowest
value of any of the decaying curves. That is because there are no
eddy currents induced in a buried metal object to store energy and
couple energy back to the metal detector circuit. In this region to
the right of the knee of these curves, samples are taken to
determine whether a metal object is present and its range. For
example, in the present invention samples are taken at time T4,
which is preferably 34.1 microseconds after time T0, the time of
termination of the pulse applied to the inductor 52. The sample
duration is preferably 1 microsecond. Samples taken at this later
time interval are applied to signaling circuit 60 for indicating
target presence and range. As in prior art circuits, the magnitude
of the signals coupled from the eddy currents induced in the buried
metal object back to the receiving coil are an inverse function of
the range to the metal object.
[0055] The reason that the inductor current takes longer to decay
in the presence of a metal object and therefore has a higher
magnitude at sample time T4 is that energy is coupled to a metal
object and generates eddy currents. These eddy currents generate
magnetic fields in which energy is stored. Therefore, the pulse
applied to the pulse generator causes more energy to be stored in
the system in the presence of a metal object, than in the absence
of a metal object. Consequently, the decay time is longer in the
presence of a metal object.
[0056] At sampling time T4, although all decaying oscillograms
which represent metal objects are greater than the oscillogram N
representing the absence of a target metal object, there is only a
small difference between them. Consequently, samples taken in this
later region are difficult to use for distinguishing between the
type of metal detected. However, since the magnitude of samples,
taken beyond the knee of the curve at time T4, vary inversely to
the range of a metal object, samples taken at this later time are
used to determine the presence and range of a buried metal
object.
[0057] The signaling circuit 60 therefore signals to the user
changes or lack of changes in the magnitude of the samples taken,
for example at time T4, as the inductor 52 is moved nearer or
further from a buried metal object. These changes may be signaled,
for example, by varying the tone of an audio oscillator in
proportion to the magnitude of those samples, or by other signaling
means, such as a numerical display, a meter, a light which varies
in intensity, or other signaling circuitry or devices.
[0058] Another important characteristic of the decay oscillograms
illustrated in FIG. 8 is the subject of the present invention. The
rate of decay of the voltage across the inductor 52 during the
first few time constants of decay is also dependent upon the type
of metal in the buried metal object. At times preceding the knee of
the oscillograms, the decaying voltage for the different metals
exhibit more substantial differences in magnitude than after the
knee. Therefore, samples can be taken at a selected time in this
earlier portion of the decay and used to discriminate between
different kinds of metals.
[0059] In order to provide a time interval which is sufficiently
long to allow samples to be taken for detecting metal type, the
time rate of decay must be reduced (i.e. the decay time extended)
from that in prior art pulse induction systems. In the prior art
pulse induction systems, the initial decay is so rapid that
meaningful samples cannot be taken.
[0060] In the present invention, the decay rate is reduced (i.e.
the decay time and time constant are increased) by providing the
resistive energy damper 54. Whether the resistive energy damper is
a resistor, network of resistors or other resistance, or is a
nonferrous, low conductivity metal forming the probe, the effect of
the resistive energy damper is to reduce the decay rate and thus
extend the time interval in which samples may be taken to determine
the type of metal. The resistive energy damper reduces the rate of
decay because the time constant for a resistive/inductive circuit
is L/R. Consequently, the time constant is inversely proportional
to the resistance of the energy damper, if the energy damper is a
resistance connected across the inductor 52.
[0061] The use of a nonferrous metal probe, instead of a resistance
connected across the inductor, has a similar effect in reducing the
rate of decay and thereby extending the time interval before the
knee of the curves, during which samples can be taken for detecting
metal type. However, the non-ferrous metal probe should be a
relatively high resistance (low conductivity) metal to avoid
extending the decay time of the eddy currents in the metal probe
beyond the time it takes for eddy currents in a metal target object
to decay. The extension of the decay time occurs because energy is
stored in the magnetic field of the eddy currents induced in the
nonferrous metal probe material, prolonging the decay time because
more energy is stored in the coupled system. The system can also be
considered as analogous to a transformer in which the secondary
impedance reflected into the primary is inversely proportional to
the value of the secondary impedance. Therefore, the high secondary
resistance represented by the low conductivity metal reflects as a
low resistance into the coil to increase the circuit's time
constant.
[0062] Another important characteristic of the decay oscillograms
of FIG. 8 is that the oscillogram I for iron and other ferrous
materials has a decay rate which is substantially less than the
decay rate N for no target. The reason ferrous metals extend the
decay time is because of their high permeability thus increasing
the inductance of the coupled circuit. The increased inductance
means more energy stored and therefore a longer time delay for
dissipating that energy.
[0063] Yet another important characteristic of the decay
oscillograms is that the decay oscillogram S for the high
conductivity metals, such as silver, pure gold and copper, exhibits
a substantially more rapid rate of decay than the decay rate for
oscillogram N for no target. This may be explained as the
reflection of the low resistance of the high conductivity target
into the coil as a high resistance, thus reducing the time constant
L/R. It may also be explained by observing that eddy currents
reflect a back emf into the coil, which opposes coil current. This
mutual coupling reduces the apparent inductance of the coil.
Because the eddy currents in a high conductivity metal take longer
to dissipate (because of the lower resistance) the back emf induced
in the coil by the eddy currents is greater for a longer time
interval than for metals of lesser conductivity. High conductivity
metals have an effect opposite the effect of ferrous metals because
they reduce the apparent inductance of the coil mutually coupled
with the metal object more than metals of less conductivity. Metals
of intermediate conductivity, such as 14 karat gold, an alloy
commonly used in jewelry and plotted in FIG. 8 as oscillogram G, or
aluminum alloy decay at an intermediate rate between the decay
rates for the high conductivity metals and the ferrous metals.
[0064] Consequently, as the inductor 52 is moved from a position
remote from a buried metal object, at which there is essentially no
coupling to the object, toward the buried metal object, samples
taken in this early interval, for example at time T1, will increase
in magnitude if the metal is ferrous, decrease in magnitude if the
metal is one of high conductivity, such as pure gold or silver, and
not change much in the presence of a jewelry gold metal object.
Although the intermediate conductivity metal object sample
magnitude will not change much as the object is approached by the
metal detector, the samples at time T4, which indicate range, will
increase as that object is approached, thereby signaling that a
metal object is being approached.
[0065] The signaling circuit 58 may be provided with a signal
representing the magnitude of samples taken at time T1 and signals
changes in that sampling magnitude. Consequently, the user will be
aware that a metal object is present by a variation in the signal
from the range signaling circuit 60 and, knowing that, the user
will be able to determine the nature of that metal object by the
changes, or lack of changes, in the signal from the metal type
signaling circuit 58.
[0066] The time interval in which the sampling is done to detect
the type of metal in the buried object may be seen with reference
to FIG. 8. After several time constants, the decaying oscillograms
for all metals are greater than the decaying oscillogram for no
target N. The decay oscillograms for high conductivity and medium
conductivity metals initially follow a path to the left of the
oscillogram N and eventually intersect it. The decay oscillogram
for ferrous metals remains to the right of the oscillogram N. It is
therefore necessary that samples taken for the purpose of detecting
the type of metal must be taken before the high conductivity metal
oscillograms intersect the no target oscillogram N at time T5.
Therefore, the sampling time for obtaining a sample to detect the
nature of the metal must occur within a time interval beginning
after termination of the pulse at time T0. That time interval ends
before the time at which the inductor current in the presence of a
high conductivity metal object decays to a current which exceeds
the current to which the inductor current decays in the absence of
a metal target object; i.e. before time T5 in FIG. 8.
[0067] An ideal time position within that time interval to sample
the coil decay voltage would appear to be time T1, which, in the
embodiment tested, is approximately 7 microseconds after T0. The
time T1 is preferred because it is the time of intersection between
the no target oscillogram N and the oscillogram G for 14 K gold. By
utilizing the sampling time T1, samples for 14 K gold would not
vary in magnitude from samples taken for a no target condition and
this lack of change would signal to the user that the target being
detected by the range sample at time T4 may be a 14 K gold target.
The exact time T1 at which the gold oscillogram G and the no target
oscillogram N intersect is a function of circuit values, including
the resistive energy damper 54 and the inductance of the inductor
52. Therefore, different sampling times will be used with different
specific circuits embodying the present invention.
[0068] Although the circuit operates well by taking a single sample
at time T1 within the time interval between T0 and T5, experimental
usage of such an embodiment of the invention has indicated that it
is sometimes difficult to precisely locate the sample time T1 at
the exact intersection of oscillograms G and N. That fact, plus
other circuit and environmental condition variables, sometimes
makes it difficult to determine whether the magnitude of the sample
taken at time T1 is increasing to indicate the presence of an iron
target, decreasing to indicate the presence of a high conductivity
target, or is changing only in a small amount as a result of the
circuit variables to indicate the presence of an intermediate
conductivity metal, such as 14 K gold.
[0069] As a consequence, the sampling method may be further
improved by taking two samples at times T2 and T3 in the time
interval between T0 and T5. The time position for this sampling at
time T2 and T3 is slightly before time T1 and slightly after time
T1 and in the present invention is preferably at 5.85 microseconds
following T0 and 8.3 microseconds following time T0. These two
sample times are alternately selected by the user by switching a
manual switch between two positions.
[0070] Consequently, in operating the circuitry, the user will
first use an embodiment of the invention with the metal-type
selecting sample time at either T2 or T3. Upon perceiving a signal
indicating a variation in sample magnitude for samples taken within
the interval T0-T5, for example at T2, the user mentally notes the
direction of change. The user then switches to the other sample
time, for example T3, and compares the signaled direction of change
to the previously noted direction. If the directions of change of
the sample magnitude signaled to the user is the same in both
instances, for example an increase in both instances, the user will
know that a ferrous metal has been detected. Conversely, if a
decrease in sample magnitude is signaled to the user for both
samples taken at time T2 and time T3, the user will know that a
high conductivity metal, such as silver, is being detected.
However, if the direction of change is different for one sample
time, for example T2, than it is for the other sample time, for
example T3, the user will know that a metal of intermediate
conductivity has been detected.
[0071] From the above discussion of the theory of operation of the
invention, it can be seen that the invention presents a manner of
measuring the effect of a change in the apparent inductance of the
coil inductor, resulting from mutual coupling with the metal
object. The circuit detects a signal, which is a function of the
coil's apparent inductance resulting from mutual coupling between
the coil and the eddy currents circulating in the metal object. The
circuit then signals the direction and magnitude of change in the
apparent inductance of the inductor as the probe is moved. This is
done by monitoring a signal, such as coil voltage, which changes as
a function of a change in apparent coil inductance.
[0072] The change in apparent coil inductance can be used to signal
the type of metal for the following reasons. For buried metal
objects of any conductive material, eddy currents are induced in
the object when the eddy currents and the coil are mutually coupled
and the coil is excited by a time changing current. The mutual
coupling reduces the apparent inductance of the coil and does so as
a function of the conductivity of the conductive material in the
buried object. The higher the conductivity of the buried object,
the more the apparent inductance of the coil is reduced.
[0073] With ferromagnetic materials although the same phenomenon is
present, there is simultaneously also an additional phenomenon that
the inductance is increased because of the increase in permeability
resulting from the high permeability of ferromagnetic materials.
Because the conductivity of ferromagnetic materials is relatively
low, the effect of an increased inductance caused by the
permeability of ferromagnetic materials is considerably greater
than the effect of a reduced inductance caused by the mutual
coupling with a conductive material. Therefore, ferromagnetic
materials exhibit a net increase in apparent inductance of the
coil. However, in the absence of ferromagnetic permeability, buried
metal objects cause a decrease in apparent inductance and the
magnitude of that decrease is indicative of the conductivity of the
metal in the buried metal object. Consequently, the direction of
change in apparent inductance of the coil together with the
magnitude of that change can be used to signal the type of
metal.
[0074] The inductors used in most prior art metal detection
equipment are coils. The present invention includes the use of high
permeability cores for increasing the inductance of the inductor.
The inductor preferred in the present invention is a coil with a
ferrite core, such as commonly used as an unshielded RF choke on
printed circuit boards. The axis of the inductor is preferably
parallel to the axis of the probe. A distinct and advantageous
feature of the present invention is to provide a radially
asymmetric magnetic field pattern about the inductor and therefore
about the axis of the probe in order to have directional
sensitivity, which can be used to detect the bearing to the buried
object.
[0075] FIG. 4 illustrates a coil 70 with a ferrite core 71 of the
type described above, but modified by beveling its ends 72 to
provide an asymmetric shape to the core. This asymmetry slightly
reduces the magnetic field in one radial direction with respect to
a magnetic field maximum in the diametrically opposite direction.
The use as the search coil of a small, commercially available
inductor of the type commonly sold for use as an RF choke or in
resonant circuits provides a coil slightly greater than 1/8" in
diameter and 3/4" long, thus allowing the probe diameter to be
small enough for easy insertion into the soil. Although this size
coil is preferred, a larger coil may be used, but the coil is
preferably no larger than 1/4" in diameter so that the probe
diameter will not exceed 3/8" in diameter, as previously
explained.
[0076] An alternative manner of attaining radial asymmetry of the
magnetic field is illustrated in FIG. 5, in which a coil 74 is
radially offset from the center of the probe 76. Each of the
inductors or coils may be held in place within the chamber with a
suitable epoxy.
[0077] FIG. 6 illustrates yet another alternative manner of
accomplishing the radial asymmetry. In that embodiment, the coil 78
is centrally positioned within the probe 80 but a ferromagnetic
material, such as an iron bar 82 is also positioned in the probe 80
parallel to its axis. The iron bar 82 provides a low reluctance
flux path so that the magnetic field radially outward from the iron
bar 82 is reduced. The result is a field pattern which is
asymmetric about the central axis of the probe having a major lobe
84 of maximum sensitivity extending radially outwardly from the
side of the probe 80 opposite the iron bar 82.
[0078] The radial asymmetry of the magnetic field about the axis of
the probe permits rotation of the entire hand tool about the axis
of the probe, after the probe has been inserted into the soil, in
order to cause a resulting variation in the detected signals, such
as the sample magnitudes. When a buried metal object is detected,
the probe is rotated until the maximum signal is received, the
maximum signal corresponding to the apparent closest range to the
object. The bearing from the inserted probe to the buried object is
now aligned with the direction of the major lobe. That direction is
marked by suitable indicia on the tool, as described above. The
angular direction from the probe to the target is the bearing.
[0079] The asymmetric field pattern feature of the present
invention, referred to above and described in more detail below,
for providing directional sensitivity can be applied to prior art
metal detection circuitry, as well as to circuitry of the present
invention.
[0080] As stated above, an alternative manner of delaying or
extending the decay time of the coil current is to utilize, as the
resistive damper, a nonferrous, high resistivity material, in close
proximity to a detecting coil. "Nonferrous" means a metal having a
very low permeability. For the present invention, the permeability
should be under 1.5. Such a material, for example stainless steel
or titanium, has the additional advantage that it makes a probe
which is stronger and harder and therefore more durable and long
lasting as it is forced into hard grounds under substantial bending
forces and undergoes repetitive abrasion in soil materials.
Stainless steel #305 and grade 5 titanium are most preferred.
[0081] Because such a metal is nonferromagnetic, it does not shield
the magnetic field from the coil. A nonferromagnetic probe material
stores energy in the magnetic field generated by eddy currents
induced in it and has a high resistivity permitting it to attenuate
that energy, in a manner which extends the decay time of the
oscillograms of FIG. 8 in the same manner as accomplished by a
shunt resistance. If a metal used to construct the probe were of
medium or high conductivity low resistivity), it would extend the
decay times (reduce the decay rate) by too much. Such a metal would
extend the decay times beyond the time at which the eddy currents
induced in the buried metal object decay to near zero, thus
preventing detection of the range of the buried metal object.
[0082] The resistivity of a metal used as a probe should be 40
microohms-cm or higher and preferably more than 70 microohms-cm.
For example, grade 5-titanium alloy has a resistivity of 177
microohms-cm and works well and is stronger than stainless. Grade 9
has a resistivity of about 140 microohms-cm.
[0083] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the preferred
embodiment of the invention. The pulse generator 89, enclosed by
dashed lines, comprises an astable, multivibrator 90, operating at
240 Hz, the output of which is applied to a divide by two flip-flop
92 to generate a 120 Hz signal, which in turn is amplified by the
amplifier 94 and applied to the inductor 96. The resistive damper
can be either a shunt resistance 97 or a high resistance,
nonferromagnetic probe material as described above. The circuit
also has a sampling circuit 98, enclosed by dashed lines, and a
signaling circuit 100, also enclosed by dashed lines.
[0084] The sampling circuit 98 includes a first timing circuit 102,
in the form of a monostable multivibrator, having its input
connected to receive 120 Hz pulses from the flip-flop 92 of the
pulse generator 89. The sampling circuit also has a second timing
circuit 104, also in the form of a monostable multivibrator, having
its input connected to the 240 Hz output of the astable,
multivibrator 90 of the pulse generator 89. The first timing
circuit 102 is connected to control a switch 106 for sampling the
coil voltage within the above-described time interval for the
purpose of detecting the type of metal in a buried metal target
object. These samples are stored on sample storage capacitor
CS2.
[0085] Similarly, the second timing circuit 104 is connected to
control a sampling switch 108, for sampling the coil voltage well
after the above-described time interval for detecting samples from
which the presence of the buried metal object and its range can be
detected.
[0086] The voltage across inductor 96 is amplified by a low-level
amplifier 110, sampled by switch 108 and the sample is applied
through DC blocking capacitor CB to an absolute value amplifier
which is made up of a high gain amplifier 112 followed by op-amp
114.
[0087] As a result, a DC signal proportional to the range sample
level sampled by switch 108 is applied through amplifiers 112 and
114 to a voltage controlled oscillator 116. The voltage controlled
oscillator 116 is designed to generate an audio frequency at
approximately 200 Hz for the lowest anticipated range sample
magnitude and 3500 Hz for the highest anticipated range sample
amplitude, with interposed range sample amplitudes generating
correspondingly interposed frequencies. Obviously a different
frequency range may easily be utilized.
[0088] The metal type samples stored on capacitor CS2 are applied
through amplifier 118 to the input of a second voltage controlled
oscillator 120. Amplifiers 114 and 118 have conventional threshold
controls 122 and 124 respectively for setting the sample level
below which the output of the amplifiers 114 and 118 remain at
their lowest levels so that the voltage controlled oscillators 116
and 120 do not respond to them. Only sample magnitudes greater than
the adjustably selected threshold values will cause an increase in
the output frequency of the voltage controlled oscillators 116 and
120. This performs a squelch operation which eliminates response of
the signaling circuit to noise or other meaningless low power
signals.
[0089] The audio output from the voltage controlled oscillator 116
is applied through a switch 126 to an audio amplifier 128 and a
speaker 130. However, the switch 126 has its control input
connected to the output of the voltage controlled oscillator 120,
so that it is periodically switched to alternately connect and
disconnect the audio tone from the speaker at the frequency of the
voltage control oscillator 120.
[0090] In the operation of the circuit of FIG. 9, the astable,
multivibrator 90 applies 240 Hz pulses to the monostable,
multivibrator 104 at 240 Hz and, through the divide by 2 flip-flop
92, applies 120 Hz pulses to the monostable, multivibrator timing
circuit 102, as well as through the amplifier 94 to the inductor
96. The monostable, multivibrator timing circuit 102 applies a
pulse of 0.5 microseconds pulse width to the switch 106,
approximately 7 microseconds after termination of the 120 Hz pulse.
This closes the switch 106 for 0.5 microseconds, applying a voltage
sample to capacitor CS2, which is held on the capacitor CS2 for
determining metal type when the switch 106 is opened. Similarly,
the multivibrator timing circuit 104 applies a pulse of 5
microsecond duration to the switch 108 at approximately 34.1
microseconds after the termination of the pulse applied to the
inductor 96. This causes a sample voltage to be applied through
capacitor CB to the amplifier 112 for determining range.
[0091] The range samples require significant amplification by the
amplifier 110 because they are taken after nearly all decay of the
coil voltage has occurred. Because the amplifier 110 is a very high
gain amplifier, having a gain on the order of 1,000, drift
resulting from aging and temperature changes in the associated
electronic components can cause a significant error in the sampling
signals. Consequently, the switch 108 is switched at a 240 Hz rate,
with the result that it is closed, not only during the desired
sampling time at 34.1 microseconds following termination of the
pulse, but also at a time before the next 120 Hz pulse is applied
the inductor 96 and after the voltage on inductor 96 has decayed to
essentially zero. This allows a DC level corresponding to the drift
to accumulate on the capacitor CS1 so that only the magnitude of
the range sample itself is coupled through the blocking capacitor
CB to the amplifier 112. Those range samples are applied to the
absolute value amplifier, comprising amplifiers 112 and 114, as a
rectangular wave centered on zero volts. This rectangular wave has
an amplitude representing the range sample magnitude and is
converted to a DC level proportional to that range sample magnitude
by the absolute value amplifier.
[0092] As a result, the output 132 of the sampling circuit provides
a DC level corresponding to the magnitude of samples taken within
the above-described time interval, the magnitude of which
represents the type of metal in the buried metal object. Similarly,
the output 134 of the sampling circuit 90 has a DC level
corresponding to the magnitude of samples taken after the above
time interval and represents the presence and range of a buried
metal object.
[0093] Since the range samples at terminal 134 are applied to
control the frequency of voltage control oscillator 116, the tone
of the frequency emitted from the speaker 130 signals the presence
and range of the buried metal object in a manner corresponding to
the signal emitted from conventional metal detectors. In
particular, the frequency of the tone increases as the sample
magnitude increases to signal that the inductor 96 is getting
closer to a buried metal object.
[0094] However, this audio tone is switched on and off at a rate
which is a function of the magnitude of the metal type samples
provided at output 132 of the sampling circuit 98. This very low
switching rate, preferably in the range of 2-12 Hz, periodically
interrupts the tone to send bursts of audio tone to the speaker
130. The user can hear that interruption rate.
[0095] Therefore, the user, before utilizing the embodiment of the
invention, first sets the threshold circuit 124 to an intermediate
rate between 2 and 12 Hz. As a metal object is approached, which is
signaled by a change in the audible frequency from voltage
controlled oscillator 116, the user can tell whether the low
frequency switching rate from voltage controlled oscillator 120
increases, decreases or remains about the same. If the switching
rate of voltage controlled oscillator 120 alternately switches the
audio tone on and off at a reduced switching rate, the user can
recognize that a highly conductive metal, such as pure gold, silver
or copper, is being approached because the sample magnitude will be
decreasing. Similarly, if the switching rate of the voltage
controlled oscillator 120 increases, the user can perceive that the
metal object being approached is a ferrous metal because the sample
magnitude will be increasing.
[0096] If the alternate switching rate of the audio tone changes
very little or not at all, the user will know that the metal being
approached is one of intermediate conductivity, such as aluminum
alloy or 14K gold.
[0097] For providing two alternatively user selectable metal type
sampling times T2 and T3, as described above, monostable
multivibrator 102 may simply have two, alternatively selectable
timing resistances connected so either timing resistance can be
switched into the circuit. This may, for example, be accomplished
by using two series resistors, one of which is shunted by a
manually operable switch 135, in FIG. 9, so that the series
resistors exhibit one resistance when the switch is opened and a
lesser resistance when the switch is closed. This is also shown in
the detailed circuit of the preferred embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 10-13.
[0098] In the event a designer prefers to use a pulse induction
system using two coils, the connection between the output of
amplifier 94 and inductor 96 is omitted and instead a transmitting
coil 96A is connected to the output of amplifier 94, as shown in
phantom in FIG. 9. In that case, the inductor 96 becomes the
receiving coil.
[0099] While the switches are illustrated by conventional schematic
symbols, the term "switches" is used in its usual broad, electronic
meaning and is not limited to mechanical switches. In fact,
transistor switches or gates are preferred. Of course, as known to
those skilled in the art, the switching function can be performed
by computer software to accomplish the equivalent result.
Similarly, as is known to those skilled in the art, the switching
and sampling functions, audio signal generation, sample magnitude
comparison, frequency variation and intermittent burst switching,
as well as the pulse generator and sampling timing circuits, can
all be equivalently performed using a suitably programmed, digital
computer or microprocessor.
[0100] Turning now to the operation of an embodiment of the
invention, a person using the present invention first uses a
conventional metal detector to find a buried metal target object
and to determine its location as precisely as is possible. An
embodiment of the invention is then grasped around the handgrip and
the soil is pierced as the probe is inserted down into the soil at
that location. If the probe strikes a hard object and the object is
metal, variations in the signals, described above, will occur as
the coil located in the chamber of the probe approaches the buried
object and will signal that the object is a metal target and the
type of metal, as described above. If the object struck is a stone
or tree root, the signals will not vary appreciably.
[0101] However, if the probe does not strike a hard object in the
soil, the user then alternately raises and lowers the probe within
the soil and, if the metal object is near the probe, variations in
the audio frequency of the range signal can be noted. The user
raises and lowers the probe seeking the maximum frequency and can
then read the graduations to determine the depth below the ground
surface of the buried metal object.
[0102] After determining the depth of the buried metal object, the
user then rotates the tool of the present invention about the
central axis of the probe to obtain a maximum audio frequency. The
indicia on the probe indicating the major lobe of sensitivity then
will indicate the direction the user should move the probe to again
insert it into the soil. The user can use conventional geometrical
locating techniques, such as those used with radio direction
finders, to plot or mark a line of position for the first bearing.
The probe may then be inserted a second time and the process
repeated to detect a second line of position, making it likely that
the buried metal object is located in the vicinity of the
intersection of the two lines of position.
[0103] Additionally, the type of metal object can be detected, by
noting whether the rate of the audio bursts is changing and, if so,
whether it is increasing or decreasing.
[0104] Therefore, it can be seen that embodiments of the invention
reduce and minimize both the number of times the ground must be
pierced by the probe, as well minimizing the number of soil
excavations to retrieve a buried metal object. The volume of soil
which must be excavated is also minimized since the tool of the
present invention provides range and bearing information with each
insertion into the soil. Because the invention allows a user to
determine the type of metal before the soil is disturbed, the user
can exercise the option to not retrieve the object, thus reducing
effort and soil disturbance. The invention enlarges the effective
detection area sensed by the probe. Instead of relying solely upon
physical contact which the operator can physically feel, as with
conventional, inactive probes, the present invention provides range
and bearing information over a larger search area. Furthermore, the
present invention allows the discrimination of three types of
metals, ferromagnetic metals, nonferrous, high conductivity metals
and nonferrous, mid-range conductivity metals. These principles for
detecting the type of metal can be applied to conventional metal
detectors which detect solely above ground. The preferred
embodiment of the invention ultimately provides an audible signal
which is a series of bursts of an audio tone. The pitch of the
audio tone indicates the presence, range and bearing of a buried
metal object, while the pulse rate of the bursts indicates the
metal type.
[0105] FIGS. 10-13 illustrate the details of the preferred
embodiment of the invention. These details are not necessary to
understand the invention, but are included to illustrate the
presently preferred mode for practicing the invention. Many of the
functional groups of electronic components have been framed in
boxes to facilitate explanation of the operation of the circuitry.
The circuit includes many additional features which do not form a
part of the invention, but are included in the preferred embodiment
of the invention to enhance its operation.
[0106] FIGS. 10-13 illustrate a single circuit with the figures
being connected together at the connector symbols, indicated at the
periphery of the circuit. Consequently, a description of the
preferred embodiment of FIGS. 10-13 will be given with simultaneous
reference to all of these figures. The corners of the assembled
schematic have dual letters, such as UL to signify upper left, to
assist in their arrangement.
[0107] The circuit is powered by battery BAT1 or a spare battery
BAT2, which is alternatively selectable by double-pull,
double-throw switch SW2. The power is switched on and off by switch
SW3C. Block 201 provides a low battery alarm, so that when the
negative power supply falls under its regulated voltage the LED D1
mounted on a control panel is turned on to signal a low
battery.
[0108] Block 202 is the monostable, multivibrator timing circuit
for controlling the sample timing and sample width for obtaining
the metal-type identification sample. It corresponds to timing
circuit 102 of FIG. 9.
[0109] Switch SW1, in conjunction with monostable, multivibrator
timing resistors R14 and R15, permit the user to alternatively
select the two metal-type identification sample times described
above to assist the user in identifying the presence of middle
conductivity metals.
[0110] In block 203, potentiometer R11 is the range, threshold
pitch control and potentiometer R9 is the metal-type identification
pulse rate or burst rate threshold control. The other components in
block 203 adjust the sensitivity and tracking for these
controls.
[0111] Block 204 has an integrated circuit regulator U5 for
regulating the positive power supply voltage to 5 volts.
[0112] In block 205, the metal-type identification sample signal is
amplified and applied to a voltage controlled integrated circuit
oscillator U3 to generate the signal for switching the audio range
tone in bursts in the manner which signals the metal type, as
described above. Amplifier U4b sets the minimum burst rate (pulse
rate) at which the voltage controlled oscillator can oscillate to
about 2 Hz. Otherwise, a slower rate would switch the audio on and
off for periods longer than two seconds, making it difficult for
the user to perceive variations in the pulse rate or giving the
appearance that the sound has stopped. The output of amplifier U4b
feeds an inhibit input on the voltage controlled oscillator U3,
holding it off until an acceptable rate signal is achieved. The
switch SW4e in series with resistor R66 connected to amplifier U4c
provides the user with an option to select a reduced sensitivity.
Consequently, the switch SW4e is mounted to be accessible on the
control panel of an embodiment of the present invention. This
switch operates in conjunction with the switch in block 214,
described below.
[0113] Block 206 is a protection circuit which protects the circuit
from backwardly installed batteries. It turns on to provide a very
low resistance MOSFET 220 pathway only when its gate is
positive.
[0114] Block 207 is the range signal sample timer corresponding to
timing circuit 104 of FIG. 9. Circuits U8b and U8c set the sample
timing for the range sample after the termination of the current
pulse; that is, at time T4 in FIG. 8.
[0115] Block 208 has a voltage-controlled oscillator U7, which is
controlled by the magnitude of the range sample. The audio output
tone from the voltage controlled oscillator U7 is applied to an
audio amplifier U9 and from it to a speaker SPKR1. The inhibit
input to the voltage controlled oscillator U7 is driven on and off
by the output of the metal-type identification voltage control
oscillator U3, so that the switching of the audio tone to provide
the bursts is accomplished by transistor switching circuitry within
the voltage controlled oscillator U7.
[0116] Block 209 has a switching regulator U11 with a voltage sense
input on its pin 9 (FB). Diode D2 and inductor L2 step up a three
volt battery to plus 7 volts, while diodes D2 and D11 take a
switcher pulse through capacitor C30 and generate a minus 7 volts
across capacitor C31. Op-amp U1b senses the negative supply and
provides a regulating input to the switcher circuit U11.
[0117] Block 210 is the astable multivibrator operating to generate
the pulses for pulsing the coil and corresponds to astable
multivibrator 90 in FIG. 9. The integrated circuit U13 forming the
astable multivibrator generates pulses at 240 Hz, as described
above. Each pulse therefore has a duration of 160 microseconds.
[0118] Block 211 includes integrated circuit U12 and corresponds to
the divide-by-two, flip-flop 92 described in connection with FIG.
9. The output of the divide-by-two circuit U12 is fed to a clamping
MOSFET Q3. The MOSFET Q3 holds the gate of the output MOSFET Q2 at
ground potential every other timing cycle. This provides an
operating cycle that alternates between a sample-representing eddy
current from a target and a sample representing no eddy current.
This difference is used in block 216 to eliminate the effects of DC
drift in the low-level amplifier U14, as described above. Block 212
provides a resistor network which adds a small component of the
square wave output of integrated circuit U12 to the low level input
to integrated circuit U14. This bias assures that the approach to a
target always results in an increasing signal, instead of a slight
decrease followed by a large increase. This is because the
residual, no-eddy-current signal can be a slight residual over the
target-signal that the absolute value detector (U4b and U4a in
block 216) will see in error as a positive target signal.
[0119] In block 213, the inductor L1 is the search inductor and
corresponds to the inductor 96 of FIG. 9. It is the main coil.
Resistor R65 and potentiometer R41 provide the resistive damper,
described above, in a variable or adjustable manner. Diodes D5 and
D6 provide the voltage clamp for the high voltage of the coil spike
for protecting the circuit elements, as described above. Block 214
is a low-level amplifier using op-amp U14.
[0120] It is necessary that it have an extremely fast response time
in order to recover from the overload caused by the voltage spikes
which appear on the coil. Switch SW4d provides a lower gain setting
and operates in conjunction with switch SW4a in block 205.
[0121] Integrated circuit U10 is the high speed-sampling switch
described above, although only two of its four switching sections
are used.
[0122] Block 216 uses integrated circuit U6a to buffer the range
sample stored on range sampling capacitor C32. The range signal is
a square wave at about 120 Hz as a result of the on/off action of
the divide-by-two circuit in block 211. The difference between the
high and low square wave levels is a function of the signal
strength from a metal target. The DC component is still present on
pin 1 of integrated circuit U6a, but it is removed after passing
through capacitor C29. Integrated circuits U4b and U4a detect the
absolute value of the range signal, while using diode D7 and D8 to
provide a nonlinear gain adjustment to compensate for a signal that
increases by a factor of 64 whenever the distance to the target is
halved; that is, the signal is inversely proportional to the target
distance raised to the power of 6.
[0123] Block 217 provides a regulated minus 5 volts from the minus
7 volt power supply.
[0124] FIG. 11 also illustrates the circuitry for connecting a
headset to a metal detection circuit of the present invention or
alternatively to a conventional second metal detector, so that the
user can use both the conventional metal detector and the
embodiment of the invention without changing headsets.
[0125] A double-throw switch SW3a,b, which is preferably a
double-pole switch for maintaining left and right channels for the
above ground conventional metal detector, has input terminals 301
and 303 connected to a connector 305 for connection to the audio
output of a second, conventional metal detector for connecting the
audio from the conventional metal detector to a headset connector
307 when the switch SW3a,b is in the position illustrated in FIG.
11. Alternatively, when the switch SW3a,b is switched to its other
position, the headset connector 307 is connected to the audio
output from amplifier U9 in the block 208. Switch SW3a,b operates
simultaneously with switch SW3c, illustrated in FIG. 10, to switch
off battery power to the embodiment of the invention when the
headset is switched into connection with a conventional metal
detector.
[0126] While certain preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that various
modifications may be adopted without departing from the spirit of
the invention or scope of the following claims.
* * * * *