WIRELESS REMOTE DETECTOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20090033336A1
• Filed: 08/01/2008
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc. (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc. (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Blanchard, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 7,728,275 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/537
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/155 Indicating the presence of voltage
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 27/32 in circuits having distributed constants , e.g. having very long conductors or involving high frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3277 of low voltage devices, e.g. domestic or industrial devices, such as motor protections, relays, rotation switches
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/67 Testing the correctness of wire connections in electric apparatus or circuits

Abstract

A device for associating a circuit breaker with a circuit may have one or more sensors for remotely sensing that a circuit is active. When a sensor senses that a circuit is active, a transmitter may transmit a signal to a receiver that alerts a user. In this manner, the user may determine which of a plurality of different circuit breakers is associated with a particular circuit. This device mitigates the contemporary need to repeatedly turn off circuit breakers, go to the room in which the circuit is being monitored, and check to see if the circuit is active.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

at least one sensor adapted to monitor at least one parameter associated with a circuit and provide information on the parameter;

a wireless transmitter coupled to the at least one sensor and adapted to transmit the information; and

a wireless receiver in communication with the transmitter so as to facilitate association of a circuit breaker with the circuit based on the information received on the parameter being monitored.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a non-contact sensor.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a light sensor.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a non-contact thermal detector.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an infrared camera.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a non-contact voltage detector and a light sensor.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a non-contact current detector.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless receiver provides a light that changes state to indicate whether the circuit is active based on the information.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless receiver provides an audible indicator that changes state to indicate whether the circuit is active based on the information.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a voltage sensor that comprises plastic prongs that are configured to attach the voltage sensor to a wall outlet.

11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a voltage sensor that is configured to clamp over an AC line that attaches to the transmitter by a cable.

12. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a light sensor and further comprising a light sensitivity adjustment circuit for setting a light level threshold.

13. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the circuit comprises a pipeline, and wherein the at least one sensor comprises a thermal sensor suitable for sensing heat in the pipeline.

14. A system comprising:

means for providing information on whether a circuit is active;

means coupled to the providing means for transmitting the information;

means for receiving from the transmitting means the information; and

means for indicating based on the information received whether a circuit breaker is associated with the circuit.

15. A method comprising:

positioning a sensor adapted to provide information on whether a circuit is active, wherein the information is transmitted wirelessly to a remote location;

positioning a receiver at the remote location to receive the information, wherein the receiver provides an indication to a user on whether the circuit is active based on the information; and

determining whether a circuit breaker is associated with the circuit based on the indication and operation of the circuit breaker.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises a non-contact sensor.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises a light sensor.

18. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises a non-contact thermal detector.

19. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises an infrared camera.

20. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises a voltage detector.

21. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the sensor comprises a current detector.

22. A sensor/transmitter comprising:

at least one sensor for sensing a state of a parameter that is indicative of the presence of a voltage on a line; and

a wireless transmitter in communication with the sensor and configured to transmit a signal representative of the parameter.

23. A receiver/indicator comprising:

a receiver for receiving a wireless signal that is indicative of the presence of a voltage on a remote line; and

an indicator for indicating to a user a state of the voltage on the remote line based on the wireless signal.