Probe for testing conductor of an antenna windshield

• US 4,276,509 A
• Filed: 03/08/1979
• Issued: 06/30/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PPG Industries Incorporated (Nouryon BV)
• Original Assignee: PPG Industries Incorporated (Nouryon BV)
• Inventors: Koontz, Harry S., Bryant, Lovell D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tokar, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US06/018,685
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 324/51, 324/52, 343/713
• US Class Current: 324/505
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/54 Testing for continuity
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/58 Testing of lines, cables or conductors testing of electric windings G01R31/72

Abstract

Continuity of antenna wires of an antenna windshield is tested by connecting the wires to a signal generator, e.g. a citizen band transmitter. A probe having a conductor bent intermediate to its ends to enhance signal reception is moved over the antenna wires. If the wires are continuous the signal pickup by the probe moves an indicator to one side of a scale. When the probe moves over a break in the wire no signal is picked up and the indicator moves to the opposite side of the scale.

Claims

1. Method of determining the presence or absence of a fault in the antenna wire of an antenna windshield wherein the antenna system is of the type having at least one wire between a pair of laminated glass sheets and having a segment of the wire connected to means for providing external electrical access to the at least one wire, comprising the step of:

connecting the means for providing electrical access to a radio frequency generator; and

moving a frequency pick up probe relative to the at least one wire wherein reception of a radio frequency signal by the probe indicates electrical continuity from the generating means to the probe location and no reception of a radio frequency signal by the probe indicates no electrical continuity from the generating means to the probe location.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the antenna system includes a pair of wires between the pair of laminated glass sheets and the segment of each wire is one end only of each wire which ends are connected to the means for providing external electrical access and further including the step of:

practicing said connecting step and said moving step on each wire.

3. An apparatus for determining the presence or absence of a fault in the antenna wire of an antenna windshield wherein the antenna system is of the type having at least one wire between a pair of laminated glass sheets and having a segment of the wire connected to means for providing external electrical access to the at least one wire, comprising:

radio frequency generator;

means for connecting said generating means to the means for providing electrical access;

a radio frequency pick up probe; and

circuit means connected to said probe to indicate the presence or absence of electrical continuity from the generating means to the probe location over the at least one wire.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the antenna system includes a pair of wires between the pair of laminated glass sheets and the segment of each wire is one end only of each wire which ends are connected to the means for providing external electrical access.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 or 4 wherein said probe comprises:

an electrical conductor having a first end, a second end and a bent portion between said first and second ends, said bent portion enhancing discrimination in determining wire break where wire portions are in close proximity to one another.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said radio frequency generator is a citizen band transmitter.