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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 11, 2003
Filed:
May. 19, 2000
Ronald L. Satzler, Princeville, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc, Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
An apparatus ( ) and method adapted for locating objects under a body of water comprising a frame structure ( ) and at least one sensor assembly ( ) connected thereto. The sensor assembly ( ) is pivotally coupled to the frame structure ( ) and includes a rigid member ( ) and a geographic location system receiver ( ) connected thereto. An arm member ( ) is connected to the rigid member ( ) and an object detection device ( ) is associated with the arm member ( ). The object detection device ( ) is operable to detect a density change indicative of an object under the body of water, said object detection device ( ) being further operable to emit a signal ( ) indicative of the detection of an object under the body of water relative thereto based density change sensed thereby; and its position is known relative to the position of the GPS receiver ( ). The geographic location receiver ( ) is operable to emit a signal ( ) indicative of the present position of the receiver ( ). An electronic controller ( ) coupled to both the object detection device ( ) and the geographic location receiver ( ) is operable to both receive signals ( ) therefrom and to output a signal ( ) indicative of the location of the object detected under the body of water.