TERMINAL FOR DETECTING AN OPTICALLY INVISIBLE NETWORK, INSTALLATION COMPRISING SUCH A DETECTION TERMINAL, AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AN OPTICALLY INVISIBLE NETWORK

• US 20160103243A1
• Filed: 04/30/2014
• Published: 04/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Societe Plymouth Francaise
• Original Assignee: Societe Plymouth Francaise
• Inventors: ARNAUD, Daniel, SAAD, Mounir
• Granted Patent: US 10,025,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/02 operating with propagation of electric current
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/08 operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified by objects or geological structures or by detecting devices with electromagnetic waves G01V3/12
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/701 the switch being actuated by an accessory, e.g. cover, locking member

Abstract

This detection terminal (2) includes a fastening element (3) intended to be fastened in or on a support, electrical connection means for the connection of the propagation means arranged to propagate an electrical signal along an optically invisible network, and a protection element (29) comprising at least one electrically conductive portion. The protection element (29) is movable relative to the fastening element (3) between a first position wherein the electrically conductive portion is in electrical contact with the electrical connection means and is electrically connected to the grounding means, and a second position wherein the electrically conductive portion is electrically insulated from the electrical connection means.

Claims

1. A detecting terminal for detecting an optically invisible network, the detecting terminal including:

a fastening element intended to be fastened in or on a support,

electrical connection means for the connection of propagation means arranged to propagate an electrical signal along the optically invisible network, the electrical connection means including a connection point for the electrical connection of an electrical signal source, such as an electrical signal generator,

grounding means intended to be grounded, and

a protection element comprising at least one electrically conductive portion, the protection element being movable relative to the fastening element between a first position wherein the protection element covers at least partially the electrical connection means and the electrically conductive portion is in electrical contact with the electrical connection means and is electrically connected to the grounding means, and a second position wherein the electrically conductive portion is electrically insulated from the electrical connection means.

2. The detection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element is electrically conductive and forms at least partially the grounding means, the electrically conductive portion of the protection element being connected to the fastening element so as to maintain an electrical continuity between the fastening element and the electrical connection means when the protection element is in the first position.

3. The detection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the protection element is movably mounted on the fastening element between the first position and the second positions.

4. The detection terminal according to claim 3, wherein the protection element is captively mounted on the fastening element.

5. The detection terminal according to claim 1, further including a connection casing having at least partially the electrical connection means disposed therein.

6. The detection terminal according to claim 5, wherein said connection casing is mounted on the fastening element.

7. The detection terminal according to claim 5, wherein the protection element is shaped so as to cover, in the first position, at least partially the connection casing.

8. The detection terminal according to claim 1, which includes introduction and guide means for introducing and guiding a plug of an electrical signal generator, the introduction and guide means being shaped such that, when the plug is engaged in the introduction and guide means, the plug is able to come into electrical contact with the connection point.

9. The detection terminal according to claim 8, further including a closing cap movable between a closed position wherein the closing cap prevents access to the introduction and guide means, and a released position wherein the closing cap releases access to the introduction and guide means.

10. The detection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection means include an electrically conductive connection element on which the propagation means is intended to be connected.

11. The detection terminal according to claim 10, wherein the connection element includes at least one contact portion adapted to cooperate with the electrically conductive portion of the protection element when the protection element is in the first position.

12. The detection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element includes a receiving housing arranged to house at least partially the protection element when the protection element is in the first position.

13. The detection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the protection element is electrically conductive and forms the electrically conductive portion.

14. An installation comprising a detection terminal according to claim 1, and propagation means connected to the electrical connection means belonging to the detection terminal, the propagation means being shaped to propagate, when an electrical signal generator is connected to the electrical connection means, an electrical signal along the optically invisible network.

15. A method for detecting an optically invisible network, of the method including the following steps:

providing a detection terminal according to claim 1,

providing propagation means arranged to propagate an electrical signal along the optically invisible network,

electrically connecting the propagation means to the electrical connection means belonging to the detection terminal,

fastening the fastening element belonging to the detection terminal in or on a support,

moving the protection element belonging to the detection terminal in the second position,

injecting an electrical signal into the electrical connection means belonging to the detection terminal, and

detecting the electromagnetic field generated by the propagation means.