System and Method for Detection of Fiber Optic Cable Using Static and Induced Charge
First Claim
1. A method for detecting fiber optic cable embedded within a structure, the structure including internal support members and at least one wall having an internal surface affixed to the support members and an opposite accessible external surface, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a tip of an electrostatic field emitter through the wall from the accessible wall surface to a location between the support members affixed to the internal surface;
activating the tip of the electrostatic field emitter with a high voltage for a sufficient time to induce an electrostatic charge on any fiber optic cable located between the support members;
injecting high pressure air through an air nozzle inserted into the structure from the accessible wall surface at the location between the support members for causing movement of any fiber optic cable located between the support members; and
detecting the presence of any fiber optic cable by positioning an electric field detector near the accessible wall surface for measuring an electric field generated by the movement of any electrostatically charged fiber cable located between the support members.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The system and method provides means for detecting fiber optic cable embedded within a structure such as a wall of a building. It relies upon detecting an electrical field generated by movement of static and induced electrical charged fiber optic cable contained within the building wall. The invention is particularly useful when only one side of a wall structure is accessible and there is no access to the fiber optic cable. The process comprises the steps of locating wall studs, making a small hole in the wall material between the wall studs at approximately mid height, inserting a field emitter in the small hole for generating an electrical charge on a fiber cable, inserting an air nozzle in the small hole to create fiber cable movement, and detecting an electric field generated by the movement of an electrically charged fiber cable.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for detecting fiber optic cable embedded within a structure, the structure including internal support members and at least one wall having an internal surface affixed to the support members and an opposite accessible external surface, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting a tip of an electrostatic field emitter through the wall from the accessible wall surface to a location between the support members affixed to the internal surface;
activating the tip of the electrostatic field emitter with a high voltage for a sufficient time to induce an electrostatic charge on any fiber optic cable located between the support members;
injecting high pressure air through an air nozzle inserted into the structure from the accessible wall surface at the location between the support members for causing movement of any fiber optic cable located between the support members; and
detecting the presence of any fiber optic cable by positioning an electric field detector near the accessible wall surface for measuring an electric field generated by the movement of any electrostatically charged fiber cable located between the support members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for detecting fiber optic cables embedded within a wall structure, the structure including internal support members and at least one wall having an internal surface affixed to the support members and an opposite accessible external surface, the system comprising:
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a tip of an electrostatic field emitter inserted through the wall from the accessible wall surface to a location between the support members affixed to the internal surface;
the tip of the electrostatic field emitter activated with a high voltage for a sufficient time to induce an electrostatic charge on any fiber optic cable located between the support members;
high pressure air being injected through an air nozzle inserted into the structure from the accessible wall surface at the location between the support members for causing movement of any fiber optic cable located between the support members; and
an electric field detector positioned near the accessible wall surface for detecting the presence of any fiber optic cable by measuring an electric field generated by the movement of any electrostatically charged fiber cable located between the support members. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for detecting fiber optic cable embedded within a structure, comprising the steps of:
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inserting a charging device within a structure to fill a space within the structure with ions that attach to a fiber optic cable within the structure;
replacing the charging device with a directional air nozzle within the structure for causing movement to the fiber optic cables within the structure; and
using a charge detection device, detecting an electric field generated by movement of the electrically charged fiber optic cable within the structure. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for detecting fiber optic cable embedded within a structure, comprising:
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a charging device inserted within a structure to fill a space within the structure with ions that attach to a fiber optic cable within the structure;
the charging device being replaced with a directional air nozzle within the structure for causing movement to the fiber optic cables within the structure; and
a charge detection device for detecting an electric field generated by movement of the electrically charged fiber optic cable within the structure. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification