Steve Herschbach Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 I do wonder what is up at White's Electronics. They have not put out a new detector platform since the V3i in 2009. Just rehashes of the MXT mostly. Yet they have been extremely busy on the research front, with the patent issued on half sine technology earlier this year http://www.detectorprospector.com/forum/topic/118-half-sine-metal-detector-technology-hybrid-induction-balance-pulse-induction-metal-detector/ And now a new patent for a constant current metal detector:http://www.google.com/patents/US8878515 United States Patent 8,878,515 Earle November 4, 2014 Inventors: Earle; John L. (Sweet Home, OR) Assignee: White's Electronics, Inc. (Sweet Home, OR) Family ID: 51798186 Appl. No.: 13/235,916 Filed: September 19, 2011 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe new invention provides better target object characterization and identification while eliminating ground mineralization detection. A constant current in the energizing coil establishes a constant magnetic field that goes from zero to a strong, but constant, field very rapidly, as in less than 10 microseconds. Target objects such as coins and other eddy current objects have an energizing time constant usually exceeding 10 microseconds, wherein the eddy currents accelerate until field equilibrium is reached in the target object. A constant current or constant magnetic field does not produce a significant signal in a receive coil after the transition from zero to constant current from ground mineralization permeability (powdered iron or ferrite equivalent). Target object eddy currents do produce a signal of varying amplitude throughout the constant current period, depending upon eddy current charging time or inductance of the object, usually not a simple exponential due to configuration of the target object. i.e., diameter, thickness, conductivity, etc. It will be interesting to see if these patents result in any actual product. People often make the mistake of thinking a patent means something is ready to hit the shelves and the truth is just the opposite. Patents are often filed and nothing ever comes of it. Or it gets licensed to others, who actually produce the goods. Who knows what is going on in this case, but White's is obviously still attempting to move the technology forward. I hope the best for them as they are an old name in the business and a great bunch of people. What makes this doubly interesting is Minelab also has patents in the works on constant current technology. http://www.detectorprospector.com/forum/topic/311-minelab-bruce-candy-new-patent/?p=2291 The Minelab work is an application for patent that has been in progress since 2009. This White's deal is an actual patent granted. Is there conflict here? Obviously with these two big names at work on the same thing something is up. Sad story is I am not well versed enough in the technology end of things to truly understand how this may actually improve metal detectors for the end user. Other than what it says up above - better discrimination while eliminating the ground. How much better is better? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Walls Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 The next couple of years should be interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathray Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Hmmm...Wonder if Tom D. could explain what the heck that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Herschbach Posted April 20, 2016 Author Share Posted April 20, 2016 Time to revive this one, now that I can explain what the heck this is. What this is basically is another way to do a detector similar to a GPZ 7000. Both are constant current applications but approached two different ways. The question being, is one superior to the other? Only time will tell, but it is only this and the half sine patent, also from White's, that offer a serious possibility of rocking Minelabs boat. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roughwater Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Thanks Steve for keeping us updated on the latest happenings in World of Detectors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tboykin Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 I knew you guys were really good at digging... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikePfeiffer Posted April 22, 2016 Share Posted April 22, 2016 The circuit in the patent looks simple. I could only fine one image. However, patents can be deceiving. The science is fantastic. The design of the actual circuit will be far more complex. All I can say to John Earle is, "Great Job". It's now up to White's to take the idea and run. If I read and understand the patent correctly. A lot for a old retired electronics engineer to take in. We will be seeing a future White's machine with greater depth and more accurate discrimination. Possibly a 2D or 3D screen to show the target and trash in the ground. It won't be cheep! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeOzDigger Posted April 22, 2016 Share Posted April 22, 2016 We all hang in there with the possibility it could be cheep' this is whites to remember and I don't think the company have ever been greedy on price you always get your $ worth, well we hopefully won't have to wait too long. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now