System and method for detecting objects

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016341843-A1
Application number	US-201514955223-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 1, 2015
Priority date	May 18, 2015
Publication date	Nov 24, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system and method for locating an object within a structure includes a magnetically-responsive member coupled to the object. A magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field in the presence of the structure. The generated magnetic field causes the magnetically-responsive member to output a signal when the magnetically-responsive member is in the presence of the magnetic field. A detector may include a sensor coupled to a control unit. The sensor detects the signal output by the magnetically-responsive member. The control unit locates the object based on detection of a third harmonic of the signal.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for locating an object within a structure, the system comprising:
a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field in the presence of the structure, wherein the magnetic field causes a magnetically-responsive member coupled to the object to output a signal when the magnetically-responsive member is in the presence of the magnetic field; and a detector comprising a sensor coupled to a control unit, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the signal output by the magnetically-responsive member, and wherein the control unit is configured to locate the object based on detection of a third harmonic of the signal.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a label affixed to the object, wherein the label identifies the object, and wherein the magnetically-responsive member is secured to the label.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetically-responsive member is directly secured to the object.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field generator is remote from the detector.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field generator and the detector are contained in a common housing.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetically-responsive member is formed of a mu-metal.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetically-responsive member comprises a ferromagnetic coil.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetically-responsive member is formed of a ferromagnetic material that is not found in the structure.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field has a magnitude of 10 Oersteds.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to compare the third harmonic to a threshold value associated with the magnetically-responsive member to determine the presence of the magnetically-responsive member, and wherein the control unit is configured to disregard other signals that are below the threshold value.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to determine a distance of the magnetically-responsive member to one or both of the detector or the magnetic field generator based on a strength of the third harmonic.

12 . A method of locating an object within a structure, the method comprising:
coupling a magnetically-responsive member to the object; generating a magnetic field in the presence of the structure; causing the magnetically-responsive member to output a signal when the magnetically-responsive member is in the presence of the magnetic field; detecting the signal output by the magnetically-responsive member; and locating the object based on a third harmonic of the signal that is detected.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the coupling comprises:
securing the magnetically-responsive member to a label that identifies the object; and affixing the label to the object.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the coupling comprises directly securing the magnetically-responsive member to the object.

15 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising forming the magnetically-responsive member from a mu-metal.

16 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising forming the magnetically-responsive member from a ferromagnetic material that is not found in the structure.

17 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the generating comprises generating a magnetic field of 10 Oersteds.

18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the locating comprises:
comparing the third harmonic to a threshold value associated with the magnetically-responsive member to determine the presence of the magnetically-responsive member; and disregarding other signals that are below the threshold value.

19 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the locating comprises determining a distance of the magnetically-responsive member to one or both of the detector or the magnetic field generator based on a strength of the third harmonic.

20 . A system for locating an object within a structure, the system comprising:
a label affixed to the object, wherein the label identifies the object; a magnetically-responsive member secured to the label, wherein the magnetically-responsive member includes a coil of mu-metal secured to the label; a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field in the presence of the structure, wherein the magnetic field causes the magnetically-responsive member to output a signal when the magnetically-responsive member is in the presence of the magnetic field; and a detector comprising a sensor coupled to a control unit, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the signal output by the magnetically-responsive member, wherein the control unit is configured to locate the object based on detection of a third harmonic of the signal, wherein the control unit is configured to compare the third harmonic to a threshold value associated with the magnetically-responsive member to determine the presence of the magnetically-responsive member, wherein the control unit is configured to disregard other signals that are below the threshold value, and wherein the control unit is configured to determine a distance of the magnetically-responsive member to one or both of the detector or the magnetic field generator based on a strength of the third harmonic.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Hull John R
• Ferguson Kathy L
• Black Christopher Allin
• Byrum Daniel L

Classifications

• G01V3/15

  specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat · CPC title

• G01R33/028

  Electrodynamic magnetometers · CPC title

• G01V3/08 Primary

  operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices (with electromagnetic waves G01V3/12) · CPC title

• H01F7/202

  Electromagnets for high magnetic field strength (for superconducting electromagnets H01F6/00; for transformers or inductances without a magnetic core H01F30/08) · CPC title