Induction-based reference point locator

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an induction-based reference point locator is provided. The locator includes transmitter locatable at a position on a first side of a structure, the transmitter configured to generate an alternating magnetic field at a desired frequency; and a receiver locatable on a second side of the structure opposite the first side, the receiver configured to detect the magnetic field and provide a directional indication to the position of the transmitter relative to the second side of the structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An induction-based reference point locator, comprising:
 a transmitter locatable at a position on a first side of a structure, the transmitter configured to generate an alternating magnetic field at a desired frequency; and   a receiver locatable on a second side of the structure opposite the first side, the receiver comprising first and second sensors configured to detect the magnetic field, and wherein the receiver is configured to provide a directional indication to the position of the transmitter relative to the second side of the structure based on a phase relationship of signals from the first and second sensors.   
     
     
         2 . The locator of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sensors are each configured to convert the alternating magnetic field to an alternating current signal. 
     
     
         3 . The locator of  claim 2 , wherein the receiver comprises a processor configured to filter the alternating current signal to identify the desired frequency. 
     
     
         4 . The locator of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sensors comprise first and second coils for sensing the magnetic field, each of the first and second coils associated with a different directional indicator. 
     
     
         5 . The locator of  claim 4 , wherein the directional indicator comprises a visual indicator. 
     
     
         6 . The locator of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter comprises a motor for rotating a magnet at a desired speed. 
     
     
         7 . The locator of  claim 6 , wherein the transmitter is configured to enable adjustment of the speed of rotation of the magnet. 
     
     
         8 . An induction-based reference point locator, comprising:
 a transmitter locatable at a position on a first side of a structure, the transmitter configured to generate an alternating magnetic field at a desired frequency, wherein the transmitter comprises a motor for rotating a magnet at a desired speed; and   a receiver locatable on a second side of the structure opposite the first side, the receiver configured to detect the magnetic field and provide a directional indication to the position of the transmitter relative to the second side of the structure.   
     
     
         9 . The locator of  claim 8 , wherein the transmitter is configured to enable variable speed of the rotating magnet to vary the frequency. 
     
     
         10 . The locator of  claim 8 , wherein the receiver comprises a sensor configured to convert the alternating magnetic field to an alternating current signal. 
     
     
         11 . The locator of  claim 10 , wherein the receiver comprises a processor configured to filter the alternating current signal to identify the desired frequency. 
     
     
         12 . The locator of  claim 8 , wherein the receiver comprises a plurality of coils for sensing the magnetic field, each coil associated with a different directional indicator, and wherein each coil is disposed at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees relative to the transmitter when the transmitter and the receiver are positioned against the structure. 
     
     
         13 . The locator of  claim 12 , wherein the receiver comprises a processor configured to compare a signal received from at least two of the plurality of coils and determine a phase relationship of the compared signals. 
     
     
         14 . The locator of  claim 12 , wherein the coils are located an angle relative to the transmitter to produce a substantially linear signal change in response to movement of the receiver relative to the transmitter. 
     
     
         15 . An induction-based reference point locator, comprising:
 a transmitter locatable at a position on a first side of a structure, the transmitter configured to generate an alternating magnetic field at a desired frequency; and   a receiver locatable on a second side of the structure opposite the first side, the receiver configured to detect the magnetic field and provide a directional indication to the position of the transmitter relative to the second side of the structure, and wherein the receiver comprises a sensor configured to convert the alternating magnetic field to an alternating current signal.   
     
     
         16 . The locator of  claim 15 , wherein the receiver comprises a processor configured to filter the alternating current signal to identify the desired frequency. 
     
     
         17 . The locator of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor comprises a coil for sensing the alternating magnetic field, the coil associated with a different directional indicator, and wherein the coil is located an angle relative to the transmitter to produce a substantially linear signal change in response to movement of the receiver relative to the transmitter. 
     
     
         18 . The locator of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor comprises a first coil and a second coil. 
     
     
         19 . The locator of  claim 18 , wherein the receiver comprises a processor configured to compare a signal received from each of the first and second coils, the receiver configured to illuminate a directional indicator corresponding to at least one of the first and second coils based on the compared signals. 
     
     
         20 . The locator of  claim 18 , wherein the receiver comprises a processor configured to compare a signal received from each of the first and second coils, the receiver configured to illuminate a directional indicator corresponding to each of the first and second coils based on the compared signal being approximately equal in magnitude.