Geophysical Technology, Inc.

Sean Clancy

Richard A Degner

Gary L Scott

Robert Hauser

A sensor retrieval system includes a self-propelled unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) having a control system including a navigation controller, an excavator controller and an extractor controller. The navigation controller has instructions to move the UGV to proximate a geodetic position of a sensor disposed proximate a surface of the ground. The UGV further comprises a sensor position locator arranged to determine distance, direction and relative elevation of the sensor with respect to the UGV. An extractor is in signal communication with the extractor controller. The extractor comprises means for lifting the sensor from the ground to a predetermined depth. An excavator is in signal communication with the excavator controller. The excavator comprises means for removing overburden from above the sensor to leave the overburden to at most the predetermined depth. The navigation controller has instructions to position the UGV such that the extractor is disposed above the sensor when the relative elevation is at most the predetermined depth and to position the UGV such that the excavator is disposed above the sensor when the relative elevation is above the predetermined depth. The navigation controller, the extractor controller and the excavator controller have instructions to position the UGV, operate the extractor and operate the excavator to remove excess overburden and extract the sensor based on the relative elevation.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Sean Clancy