Patent ID: 6809520
Filing Date: 2004-10-26
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
A device operative to detect metal objects, the device comprising:a transmitter circuit; an upper transmitter coil and a lower transmitter coil symmetrically arranged about an antenna symmetry line and operatively connected to the transmitter circuit, wherein a current fed through the upper transmitter coil and the lower transmitter coil generates a field that excites eddy currents in metal objects in the vicinity of the upper transmitter coil and the lower transmitter coil; an upper magnetic field detector and a lower magnetic field detector symmetrically arranged about the antenna symmetry line and operative to sense eddy currents generated in the metal objects; processor elements operatively connected to the upper magnetic field detector and the lower magnetic field detector to collect, store and analyze the eddy currents and thereby determine the likelihood that a metal object has been detected, wherein at least some of the processor elements are arranged along the antenna symmetry line such that a metal signature of the device is cancelled or minimized; a navigation system operatively connected to the processor elements to control movement of the device; and at least one transporting element operatively connected to the navigation system and operative to support the device and permit alteration of a position of the device.