Techniques for operating a sensor are provided. An example method according to these techniques includes sensing, at the sensor, changes in intensity of a magnetic field of a magnet affixed to a monitored asset to produce sensor data, wherein the monitored asset is disposed in a non-metallic liquid or solid medium, and wherein the sensor is disposed outside of the non-metallic medium; The method also includes analyzing, at the sensor, the sensor data to produce feature information indicative of vibration of the monitored asset. The method also includes providing the feature information to a predictive algorithm to generate prognosis information indicating an occurrence of a known condition of the monitored asset.

Buried utility locator systems, including a locator including an integrated marker device excitation transmitter for generating and sending a marker device excitation signal to one or more marker devices, are disclosed.

Buried utility locator systems, including a locator including an integrated marker device excitation transmitter for generating and sending a marker device excitation signal to one or more marker devices, are disclosed.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a blade holder system based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and a controlling method thereof. The blade holder system comprises a blade dispenser, including a blade and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the RFID tag including ID data relating to the blade dispenser; a blade holder, including a radio frequency identification (RFID) reading/writing unit, configured to establish a wireless communication connection with the RFID tag so as to receive the ID data from the RFID tag; and a controller, configured to receive the ID data from the RFID reading/writing unit, to compare the ID data with preset authorization data, and to enable the blade holder to use the blade in the blade dispenser when the ID data matches with the authorization data.

A marker device embodiment may include separate concentrically-oriented receive and transmit antenna elements coupled to an ASIC which includes electronics to receive an input signal at a first frequency from a transmitter, convert the input signal to a power supply to power the electronic circuit, generate, in response to the input signal, an output signal at a second frequency different from the first frequency, and provide the output signal, via the transmit antenna element, to an above-ground receiver for assistance in determining the location of a buried utility.

A marker device embodiment may include separate concentrically-oriented receive and transmit antenna elements coupled to an ASIC which includes electronics to receive an input signal at a first frequency from a transmitter, convert the input signal to a power supply to power the electronic circuit, generate, in response to the input signal, an output signal at a second frequency different from the first frequency, and provide the output signal, via the transmit antenna element, to an above-ground receiver for assistance in determining the location of a buried utility.

An autonomous marking apparatus comprising a propulsion system, a location sensor, a payload assembly, one or more marking sensors, a transceiver, a data store, and a processor. The location sensor is arranged to determine the location of the apparatus. The payload assembly is arranged to carry a payload of marking material. The one or more marking sensors are arranged to scan an area in proximity to the apparatus. The transceiver is arranged to exchange data with a remote server via a data network. The data store is arranged to store a portion of the data. The processor is arranged to receive data from the location sensor, the one or more marking sensors, and from the transceiver. The processor is also arranged to send data to the transceiver and control the delivery of the payload at the location of the apparatus.

An autonomous marking apparatus comprising a propulsion system, a location sensor, a payload assembly, one or more marking sensors, a transceiver, a data store, and a processor. The location sensor is arranged to determine the location of the apparatus. The payload assembly is arranged to carry a payload of marking material. The one or more marking sensors are arranged to scan an area in proximity to the apparatus. The transceiver is arranged to exchange data with a remote server via a data network. The data store is arranged to store a portion of the data. The processor is arranged to receive data from the location sensor, the one or more marking sensors, and from the transceiver. The processor is also arranged to send data to the transceiver and control the delivery of the payload at the location of the apparatus.

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for identifying non-metallic subterranean structures using amorphous metal markers associated with the structures. Some examples will include the amorphous metal in the form of one or more sections of an amorphous metal foil within a protective enclosure sufficient to physically isolate the amorphous metal foil from the surrounding Earth. The amorphous metal foil and enclosure may be in the form of a tape which either will be secured to, or placed proximate the subterranean structure, which may be, for example, a pipe or conduit, or other non-metallic structure.

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for identifying non-metallic subterranean structures using amorphous metal markers associated with the structures. Some examples will include the amorphous metal in the form of one or more sections of an amorphous metal foil within a protective enclosure sufficient to physically isolate the amorphous metal foil from the surrounding Earth. The amorphous metal foil and enclosure may be in the form of a tape which either will be secured to, or placed proximate the subterranean structure, which may be, for example, a pipe or conduit, or other non-metallic structure.