Device, System and Method for Locating a Pipe

Abstract

A device, system and method of locating a target pipe in a pipe system utilizes an electric signal transmitter and an electrical signal detector. A pipe locator signal conductor comprises a spool and a flexible insulated electrical conductor wound around the spool. The exposed end of the conductor is fixed near an entry point in the pipe system, and the spool is fed into the pipe system such that the conductor pays off of the spool and extends at least partially through the target pipe. The signal transmitter is coupled to the exposed end of the conductor, transmitting a signal through the conductor and allowing the pipe to be located by the signal detector.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A device for locating a target pipe, comprising:
 a generally spherical buoyant spool, for feeding into a the target pipe by entraining the spool in a flow of water,   a flexible, insulated electrical conductor for winding around the spool, the conductor comprising an exposed end for coupling to an electrical signal transmitter and being sufficiently flexible as to unravel from the spool as the spool is fed through the target pipe,   whereby when the spool is fed through the pipe the conductor pays off of the spool to form an antenna at least partially within the target pipe emitting a signal which can be located by a signal detector.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the spool comprises biodegradable material. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the spool comprises a mixture of wood particles and water-based glue. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the particle size ranges from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the spool comprises a peripheral groove into which the electrical conductor is wound. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  comprising a hole through the spool generally perpendicular to a plane containing the groove into which a shaft may be inserted around which the spool may be rotated to wind the conductor around the spool. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5  comprising a hole through the spool extending into the groove through which a leading end of the conductor may be fed to facilitate winding the conductor around the spool. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the exposed end of the conductor is provided with a terminal for coupling to the electrical current transmitter. 
     
     
         9 . A system for locating a target pipe, comprising:
 an electric signal transmitter and an electrical signal detector, and   a pipe locator signal conductor comprising a generally spherical buoyant spool for feeding into a the target pipe by entraining the spool in a flow of water and a flexible insulated electrical conductor wound around the spool and being sufficiently flexible as to unravel from the spool as the spool is fed through the target pipe, the conductor comprising an exposed end for coupling to the electrical current transmitter,   whereby when the spool is fed through the pipe the conductor pays off of the spool to form an antenna at least partially within the target pipe emitting a signal which can be located by the signal detector.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the spool comprises biodegradable material. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the spool comprises a mixture of wood particles and water-based glue. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the particle size ranges from about 0.1 mm to about 2 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the spool is generally spherical. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the spool comprises a peripheral groove into which the electrical conductor is wound. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the exposed end of the conductor is provided with a terminal for coupling to the electrical current transmitter.