A system can include a source and a front float coupled to the source. The front float can include a winch configured to adjust a position of the source. The front float can include a control unit configured to control functions associated with the front float. Lead-ins can be coupled to the front float and the source and configured to accommodate transfer of electrical energy between the front float and the source.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for uniquely identifying buried utilities in a multi-utility region. The system and methods may include sensing magnetic fields upon moving a magnetic field sensing locating device over a multi-utility region comprising a plurality of buried utilities. The sensed magnetic fields may be used to identify a plurality of location data points each indicative of location information pertaining to one or more buried utilities. Based on these location data points, a plurality of clusters may be generated where each cluster may include a set of location data points sharing common characteristics. The generated clusters may exhibit one or more patterns which may be identified and subsequently utilized for classifying the clusters to uniquely identify the buried utilities.

An improved detector device for locating studs and other objects behind a substrate (such as a wall) uses one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) in combination with a photochromic compound to mark the locations on the substrate behind which objects are located.

An improved detector device for locating studs and other objects behind a substrate (such as a wall) uses one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) in combination with a photochromic compound to mark the locations on the substrate behind which objects are located.

In accordance with aspects of the current invention, a method of determining a location of a utility line includes driving one or more transmitters with a continuous wave signal; either adjusting for effects of direct coupling between the transmitters and one or more sensors mounted on the same rigid platform or different platforms or maintaining sufficient separation between a transmitter platform and a sensor platform to minimize such effects; and deriving a position of the line relative to the sensors from the measurements.

A portable device and associated method are described for use with a system in which a locating signal is transmitted from within the ground during an operational procedure. The locating signal includes a transmission frequency that is selectable from a group of discrete transmission frequencies in a frequency range and the region includes electromagnetic noise that can vary. The portable device includes a receiver having a bandwidth that includes the transmission frequency range and is operable for measuring the electromagnetic noise in the transmission frequency range to establish a frequency content of the electromagnetic noise for use in selecting one of the discrete transmission frequencies that is subsequently transmitted as the locating signal during the operational procedure. The locating signal can be transmitted from a boring tool, a pullback arrangement or an inground cable. A predicted maximum operational depth for a transmitter can be determined prior to the operational procedure.

A portable device and associated method are described for use with a system in which a locating signal is transmitted from within the ground during an operational procedure. The locating signal includes a transmission frequency that is selectable from a group of discrete transmission frequencies in a frequency range and the region includes electromagnetic noise that can vary. The portable device includes a receiver having a bandwidth that includes the transmission frequency range and is operable for measuring the electromagnetic noise in the transmission frequency range to establish a frequency content of the electromagnetic noise for use in selecting one of the discrete transmission frequencies that is subsequently transmitted as the locating signal during the operational procedure. The locating signal can be transmitted from a boring tool, a pullback arrangement or an inground cable. A predicted maximum operational depth for a transmitter can be determined prior to the operational procedure.

A separation assembly for use with handheld metal detectors. According to one aspect, the separation assembly is mounted to a handheld metal detector having a blade containing transmission and receiver components of the handheld metal detector. The separation assembly includes at least a first separation member formed of a nonferromagnetic material, and the first separation member is spaced a lateral separation distance from the blade of the handheld metal detector. The separation assembly may be incorporated as a permanent and integrated part of a handheld metal detector, or separately manufactured and installed on a handheld metal detector.

A separation assembly for use with handheld metal detectors. According to one aspect, the separation assembly is mounted to a handheld metal detector having a blade containing transmission and receiver components of the handheld metal detector. The separation assembly includes at least a first separation member formed of a nonferromagnetic material, and the first separation member is spaced a lateral separation distance from the blade of the handheld metal detector. The separation assembly may be incorporated as a permanent and integrated part of a handheld metal detector, or separately manufactured and installed on a handheld metal detector.

A sensor for the location of metallic objects and also an associated method comprise a plurality of transmitting coils (2.1, 2.2) and at least one receiving coil (1.9) which are arranged such as to be inductively coupled to one another and overlap to a partial extent for the purposes of decoupling the interaction therebetween, whereby there can be obtained a point of optimal cancellation of the interaction. Due to the fact that a flow of current is passed through the transmitting coils (2.1, 2.2) by a sensor electronic system, equal flows of current through the transmitting coils have an effect upon the at least one receiving coil (1.9) which results in a local point of optimal cancellation which moves in a first direction when there is a flow of current in a first transmitting coil (2.1), whereas it moves in another direction when there is a flow of current in a further transmitting coil (2.2), and due to the fact that there is provided a control circuit for the regulation of the currents in the transmitting coils which leads to a displacement of the local point of optimal cancellation which causes cancellation of the received signal, a simple and effective sensor is thereby produced.