A proximity sensor comprises a magnet which generates a magnetic field and a magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor includes a radio and an antenna which can transmit an output signal on a plurality of output frequencies. A microprocessor is programmed with a plurality of data protocols. Each of the output frequencies operates on at least one of the data protocols. There is a dip switch which is actuated to provide a code to the microprocessor. A data protocol is implemented by the microprocessor based on the code. There is a MEMS oscillator programmed to a discrete frequency based on the data protocol implemented by the microprocessor. The MEMS oscillator provides the discrete frequency to the radio. The radio is provided with single phase-locked loop which generates the output signal based on the discrete frequency. The single phase-locked loop may be a ×32 multiplier.

A towable transient electromagnetic survey device for connection to a land, water based or an airborne towing vehicle is provided. The towable transient electromagnetic survey device includes a central body structure and a number of booms extending therefrom to interconnect the central body structure to the towing vehicle and suspend a transmitter loop for generating a primary electromagnetic field. Receiving loop(s) and transmitter loop(s) may also be housed in the central body structure. The central body structure may also be configured for switching in and out of connection of various transmitter and receiver loop configurations. In particularly preferred arrangements, the location of a transmitter loop or a pair of transmitter loops relative to a receiver loop is effective for substantially nulling mutual inductance between the transmitter loop(s) and the receiver loop.

A metal detection apparatus that can accurately and automatically determine whether a metal passing through the inspection area is a magnetic or non-magnetic metal comprises a detection unit quadrature-detecting a differential detection signal of magnetic field fluctuation in the inspection area due to the passage of a workpiece, and a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of a mixed metal based on both fluctuation components after the detection. The determination unit compares sample signal phase data obtained beforehand from the detection signal of the magnetic field fluctuation in the inspection area due to the passage of various metal samples, with the signal phase data obtained from the detection signal of the magnetic field fluctuation in the inspection area due to the passage of the workpiece mixed with metal, and determines the type of metal passing through the inspection area based on the phase determination result.

A system for determining the location of pipelines using at least one geopig that is introduced into a pipeline, advances therein and that has a magnetic source for generating a magnetic field, wherein at least one unmanned aerial vehicle is provided with magnetic field sensors and position determination devices, a controller is provided for determining the field strength profile of the magnetic field and for positioning the unmanned aerial vehicle at a defined distance from the at least one geopig, and a device is provided for determining the location of the at least one geopig from the position of the unmanned aerial vehicle and the defined distance between the at least one geopig and the unmanned aerial vehicle.

A system and method for detecting securement of a proximity lanyard system to a bucket anchor in a bucket having a proximity sensor positioned therein. The proximity lanyard system can include an elongated body portion having a first end and a second end; a harness attachment positioned at the first end of the body portion; an anchor attachment positioned at the second end of the body portion; and a sensor substrate section comprising a sensor substrate and being integrated with the second end of the flexible body portion. The proximity sensor can detect the sensor substrate when the anchor attachment is connected to the bucket anchor.

Methods and apparatus are provided for passively detecting the presence of near-surface human-scale underground anomalies using earth field measurements. A sensor is used to measure at least one electric or magnetic component of the Earth's electromagnetic field at a frequency of 5 kHz or greater in proximity to the Earth's surface for a given area. The measured intensities are used to identify variations indicative of the presence of a near-surface human-scale underground anomaly. Measuring the intensity of at least one component of the electromagnetic field at a plurality of frequencies of 5 kHz or greater can be used to determine the depth and characteristic of a near-surface human-scale underground anomaly.

The present invention provides an airborne electromagnetic receiver having a large dimension to allow low transmitter base frequency. A modular and configurable suspension assembly is provided for use within a receiver support structure and suspending the support structure. The suspension assembly has a rigid support having a suspension portion, and links connecting the suspension portion and the suspended structure. The links are adjustable in length and tension to radially suspend said equipment support structure. The natural frequency of the suspension assembly and the suspended receiver motion can be optimized by adjusting mass distribution, suspension link length and suspension link tension. The suspension assembly can be used to suspend a receiver having large receiver coils. The suspension assembly converts high frequency vibration forces imparted on the receiver to a low frequency oscillation. The suspension assembly may also be tuned to avoid coincidence with the excitation frequencies.

A printed circuit card assembly (PCBA) configured for retrofitting a conventional electromagnetic locator device (ELD) for a simulator system is provided. The PCBA includes a printed circuit board (PCB), data connectors, each data connector configured for communicatively coupling with a separate one of antenna amplifiers on the conventional ELD, a low-power radio frequency (RF) receiver for receiving emulated electromagnetic (EM) field data, a processor for reading the emulated EM field data that includes constituent parts, wherein each constituent part corresponds to EM field data for a specific one of the antenna amplifiers on the conventional ELD, disassembling the emulated EM field data into its constituent parts, and transmitting to the antenna amplifiers, via the data connectors, the constituent part of the emulated EM field data that corresponds to said antenna amplifier, thereby emulating an EM field on the conventional ELD.

The present invention is a multi-threat detection method and system for high-traffic areas, such as airports, other mass-transit hubs, malls, symposiums, and the like. The detection methodology comprises a set of detection blocks, each performing different functions, and taking the information resulting from each block and entering it into one or more detection algorithms. The blocks comprise microwave detectors, co-polarization versus cross-polarization processors, magnetometers, and cameras (optional). The values calculated by the blocks are entered into machine learning algorithms which detect a threat if a threshold value is met. The detection occurs at a distance and the alarm may be silent, such that authorities are able to address threats without the target being aware. The alarm is also able to differentiate among varying threats based on the values calculated. No shadowing problems exist, and thus several targets may be monitored simultaneously without slowing down the speed of processing.

Aspects of the present disclosure generally pertain to a magnetic field sensor with flex coupling structures. Aspects of the present disclosure are more specifically directed toward Nanoscale Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (nanoSQUIDs) with very low white flux noise characteristics can be fashioned into very sensitive magnetic field sensors by using external structures to increase the amount of flux that passes through the nanoSQUID aperture. Aspects of the present disclosure are also directed toward a magnetic flux pickup that can be coupled to a SQUID or nanoSQUID and incorporates an input coil made of a superconducting tape, which may be embodied in an electronic device for sensing magnetic fields, or more specifically an application specific electronic device for sensing a sensed property such as for geophysical sensing or biomedical imaging.