The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Oct. 03, 2023

Filed:

Jul. 13, 2021
Applicant:

X Development Llc, Mountain View, CA (US);

Inventors:

Allen Richard Zhao, Mountain View, CA (US);

Kenton Lee Prindle, Austin, TX (US);

Kevin Forsythe Smith, Pleasanton, CA (US);

Artem Goncharuk, Mountain View, CA (US);

Assignee:

X Development LLC, Mountain View, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01V 1/30 (2006.01); G01V 1/18 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G01V 1/30 (2013.01); G01V 1/18 (2013.01); G01V 2210/121 (2013.01); G01V 2210/1295 (2013.01); G01V 2210/1425 (2013.01); G01V 2210/66 (2013.01);
Abstract

This disclosure describes a system and method for generating images and location data of a subsurface object using existing infrastructure as a source. Many infrastructure objects (e.g., pipes, cables, conduits, wells, foundation structures) are constructed of rigid materials and have a known shape and location. Additionally these infrastructure objects can have exposed portions that are above or near the surface and readily accessible. A signal generator can be affixed to the exposed portion of the infrastructure object, which induces acoustic energy, or vibrations in the object. The object with affixed signal generator can then be used as a source in performing a subsurface imaging of subsurface objects, which are not exposed.


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