Patent ID: 6536553
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: G01N,G01V,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting an underground object, comprising:a roller container having a generally cylindrical shape being in contact with a ground surface, wherein at least a portion of said roller container that contacts the ground is substantially acoustically transparent and made of a substantially flexible material of one of rubber, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, vinyl and a plastic material, such that the portion of the roller container that contacts the ground surface substantially conforms to a contour of the ground surface; a medium of at least one liquid and one gel disposed in the roller container; a shaft that passes through the roller container; a plurality of acoustic sensors for detecting acoustic noise disposed in the medium in the roller container and arranged in triads so that at least one of the acoustic sensors is mounted on the shaft; a plurality of acoustic sources that emit acoustic noise symmetrically located at a midpoint of each sensor triad such that at least one of the acoustic sources is mounted on the shaft; and an output device connected to the plurality of acoustic sensors.