Patent ID: 7834631
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: E21B,G01V

Abstract:
1. In a system for locating an in-ground cable in a region using a cable locating signal which is transmitted from the length of the cable, a method comprising the steps of: using a locator, sensing a first locating signal strength at a first operator determined distance generally in vertical alignment with a surface position which is horizontally displaced with respect to any position directly overhead of the cable; measuring the first operator determined distance from the surface position; moving the locator to a second operator determined distance from the surface position generally in vertical alignment with the surface position; sensing a second locating signal strength at the second operator determined distance; measuring the second operator determined distance from the surface position; measuring a horizontal distance from the surface position to a point directly overhead of the cable in a direction that is normal to a surface projection of the cable; and determining the depth of the cable using the first and second locating signal strengths, the first and second distances and the measured horizontal distance.