US 11,672,192 B2
Electromagnetic frequency (EMF) detecting safety shovel for detecting the presence of subsurface power cables during excavation
Brenton Davey, Mt. Martha (AU)
Assigned to BRP GROUP PTY LTD, Dromana (AU)
Appl. No. 15/733,063
Filed by BRP GROUP PTY LTD, Dromana (AU)
PCT Filed Nov. 6, 2018, PCT No. PCT/AU2018/051199
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 5, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/084631, PCT Pub. Date May 9, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 2017904496 (AU), filed on Nov. 6, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0288618 A1, Sep. 17, 2020
Int. Cl. A01B 1/02 (2006.01); A01B 76/00 (2006.01); G01V 3/08 (2006.01)
CPC A01B 1/02 (2013.01) [A01B 76/00 (2013.01); G01V 3/08 (2013.01); G01V 3/088 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An EMF detecting safety shovel comprising:
a handle;
a blade at a working end of the handle;
EMF detection circuitry comprising:
an antenna formed by the blade or being attached to the blade;
an EMF detector circuit operably coupled to the antenna; and
an indicator operably coupled to the EMF detector circuit, wherein:
in use, the indicator provides an indication of the detection of EMF of a subsurface power cable;
wherein the EMF detector circuit comprises a level sensor configured for discriminating between low and high voltages of the subsurface power cable;
the level sensor is operably coupled to the indicator to provide low and high voltage indications accordingly;
the level sensor is configured to discriminate between low voltages being less than approximately 1000 V and high voltages being greater than approximately 1000 V; and
an edge of the blade comprises a cutout for the partial receipt of the power cable therein for discriminating between the low and high voltages at a set distance and location with respect to the EMF detector circuit.