Electrical injury protection system
First Claim
1. An electrical injury protection system comprising:
- at least three electrodes that are configured to be mounted on a user'"'"'s body for detecting an electric field induced on the body by a power circuit;
a processor operatively connected to the electrodes, the processor being operable to determine a voltage between each pair of electrodes; and
an alarm mechanism that is activated if the voltage between at least one of the electrode pairs is greater than a predetermined proximity threshold to warn the user of a close approach to the power circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure concerns an electrical injury protection system for protecting individuals working on or near a power circuit. In one embodiment, the system comprises a controller that is electrically connected to a power circuit and a detector that is carried by a user working. The detector has three or more electrodes mounted on the user'"'"'s body which detect the electric field induced on the body by the power circuit. The detector is operable to detect the voltage between each pair of electrodes and activate an alarm if the voltage between any electrode pair exceeds a predetermined proximity threshold. If the voltage between an electrode pair exceeds a predetermined electrical-contact threshold, the detector transmits a tripping signal to the controller to activate a tripping mechanism, which de-energizes the power circuit. In certain embodiments, the controller can be used to monitor the de-energized condition of a de-energized circuit.
68 Citations
38 Claims
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1. An electrical injury protection system comprising:
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at least three electrodes that are configured to be mounted on a user'"'"'s body for detecting an electric field induced on the body by a power circuit;
a processor operatively connected to the electrodes, the processor being operable to determine a voltage between each pair of electrodes; and
an alarm mechanism that is activated if the voltage between at least one of the electrode pairs is greater than a predetermined proximity threshold to warn the user of a close approach to the power circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electrical injury protection system for use by a user working near a power circuit, the system comprising:
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an RF signal generator adapted to be electrically connected to the power circuit, the RF signal generator being operable to generate and transmit an RF signal via the power circuit; and
a receiving unit adapted to be mounted to or carried by the user, the receiving unit comprising an alarm mechanism and being operable to receive the RF signal and activate the alarm mechanism if the RF signal exceeds a predetermined proximity threshold to warn the user of a close approach to the power circuit. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An electrical injury protection system comprising:
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a detector device configured to detect a voltage induced on a user'"'"'s body or on electrically conductive equipment by an electric field of a power circuit, the detector device comprising an alarm mechanism that is activated if the detected voltage exceeds a predetermined proximity threshold to warn the user of a close approach to the power circuit, the detector being operable to generate a tripping signal if the detected voltage exceeds a predetermined electrical-contact threshold; and
a controller that is adapted to be electrically connected to the power circuit, the controller comprising a signal receiver and a tripping mechanism that is activated to de-energize the power circuit when the receiver receives the tripping signal from the detector device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An electrical injury protection system comprising:
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first and second, spaced apart electrode plates, wherein the first electrode plate is electrically connected to electrically conductive equipment that is insulated from the electric ground such that the electrically conductive equipment serves as a sensing probe for sensing an electric field of a power circuit;
a processor operatively connected to the electrode plates, the processor being operable to determine a voltage between the electrode plates induced by the radiated electric field; and
an alarm mechanism that is activated if the voltage between the electrode plates is greater than a predetermined proximity threshold to warn a user of a close approach to the power circuit. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An electrical injury protection system comprising:
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a detector comprising at least two electrodes adapted to be mounted on a user'"'"'s body for detecting a voltage on the body caused by electrical contact with a power circuit, the detector also comprising a signal transmitter for generating a wireless tripping signal if the detected voltage exceeds a predetermined electrical-contact threshold; and
a controller that is adapted to be electrically connected to the power circuit, the controller comprising a signal receiver and a tripping mechanism that is activated to de-energize the power circuit when the receiver receives the tripping signal from the signal transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. An electrical injury protection system comprising:
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a voltage sensor electrically connected to a power circuit and operable to detect a voltage on the power circuit generated by accidental re-energization of the power circuit; and
a tripping mechanism that is operable to de-energize the power circuit if the voltage exceeds a predetermined re-energization threshold. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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Specification