Floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water
First Claim
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1. A floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water, comprising:
- a buoyant housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion;
wherein, when the floating apparatus is placed in water with the first housing portion submerged in the water, the first housing portion is maintained submerged in the water and the second housing portion is maintained above the water;
a detection circuit enclosed within the buoyant housing, the detection circuit having an electrical input and configured to generate an alert signal in response to a voltage level provided to the electrical input exceeding a threshold voltage;
a first conductive material electrically coupled to the electrical input, the first conductive material at least partially enclosed within the first housing portion,wherein the first conductive material comprises a counterweight fully enclosed in the first housing portion;
a second conductive material also electrically coupled to the electrical input, the second conductive material at least partially enclosed within the second housing portion,wherein the second conductive material comprises a portion of conductive wire;
a sensory alarm coupled to the buoyant housing, wherein the sensory alarm is activated in response to the alter alert signal being generated by the detection circuit.
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Abstract
A floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water. When the floating apparatus is placed in water and in an active state, it detects when at least a threshold level of voltage is present in the water and generates an alert signal in response to detecting the threshold level of voltage is present. The floating apparatus may detect the threshold level of voltage is present without requiring that a ground wire be connected between an electrical circuit of the floating apparatus and a fixed structure exterior of the water such as soil surrounding the water.
41 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water, comprising:
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a buoyant housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion; wherein, when the floating apparatus is placed in water with the first housing portion submerged in the water, the first housing portion is maintained submerged in the water and the second housing portion is maintained above the water; a detection circuit enclosed within the buoyant housing, the detection circuit having an electrical input and configured to generate an alert signal in response to a voltage level provided to the electrical input exceeding a threshold voltage; a first conductive material electrically coupled to the electrical input, the first conductive material at least partially enclosed within the first housing portion, wherein the first conductive material comprises a counterweight fully enclosed in the first housing portion; a second conductive material also electrically coupled to the electrical input, the second conductive material at least partially enclosed within the second housing portion, wherein the second conductive material comprises a portion of conductive wire; a sensory alarm coupled to the buoyant housing, wherein the sensory alarm is activated in response to the alter alert signal being generated by the detection circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water, comprising:
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a unitary shaft that is capped on both ends to prevent water intrusion into an interior of the unitary shaft; a non-contact capacitive voltage detection circuit in the interior of the unitary shaft, the non-contact capacitive voltage detection circuit coupled to an antenna and generating an alert signal in response to a voltage level of the antenna exceeding a threshold voltage; a buoyant structure surrounding the unitary shaft; a counterweight; wherein the buoyant structure and the counterweight maintain the antenna above water when the floating apparatus is placed in the water; and a sensory alarm coupled to the buoyant housing, wherein the sensory alarm is activated in response to the alert signal being generated by the detection circuit. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification