Tracing electrical conductors by high-frequency constant-energy-content pulse loading
First Claim
1. Apparatus for tracing and identifying an electrical current carrying conductor or similar means in an electrical network which is energized with a varying voltage and which is carrying current therethrough at a power frequency, comprising in combination:
- transmitter means for connection to said conductor and for conducting electrical signal current through said conductor in repetitious transmission cycles, each transmission cycle being defined by a predetermined waveform having a predetermined time period during which a plurality of pulses of signal current are conducted through said conductor at a predetermined frequency, the signal current pulses being of sufficient magnitude to induce about said conductor a predetermined electromagnetic field signal having a frequency characteristic corresponding to the predetermined frequency at which signal current pulses are conducted during said predetermined time period, said transmitter means further including means for varying the time width duration of each of said signal current pulses in a predetermined relation to the voltage present on said conductor during the time of conduction of each said signal current pulse to establish a predetermined approximately constant energy content for each signal current pulse conducted during said predetermined time period; and
receiver means, operative when placed in proximity of said conductor at a location remote from said transmitter means, for detecting the predetermined electromagnetic field signal and for distinguishing the predetermined electromagnetic field signal from other signals which may be present about said conductor and for indicating the relative strength of the detected electromagnetic field signal.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Tracing, identifying and distinguishing electrical conductors in a power distribution network energized by a varying or alternating voltage is achieved by use of a transmitter (10) which absorbs or conducts pulses of current in the power distribution network, and by a remotely located receiver (12) which detects the electromagnetic field signals corresponding to the current pulses conducted through the network conductor. The transmitter includes means (10", 400) for varying the time width duration of each pulse of current conducted in relation to the instantaneous voltage present on the conductor during the pulse, in order to deliver pulses which are of substantially uniform and constant energy content. Discrimination of adjacent electrical conductors is enhanced because the strength of the electromagnetic field signal remains substantially constant despite the alternating or varying nature of the voltage on the distribution network.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. Apparatus for tracing and identifying an electrical current carrying conductor or similar means in an electrical network which is energized with a varying voltage and which is carrying current therethrough at a power frequency, comprising in combination:
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transmitter means for connection to said conductor and for conducting electrical signal current through said conductor in repetitious transmission cycles, each transmission cycle being defined by a predetermined waveform having a predetermined time period during which a plurality of pulses of signal current are conducted through said conductor at a predetermined frequency, the signal current pulses being of sufficient magnitude to induce about said conductor a predetermined electromagnetic field signal having a frequency characteristic corresponding to the predetermined frequency at which signal current pulses are conducted during said predetermined time period, said transmitter means further including means for varying the time width duration of each of said signal current pulses in a predetermined relation to the voltage present on said conductor during the time of conduction of each said signal current pulse to establish a predetermined approximately constant energy content for each signal current pulse conducted during said predetermined time period; and receiver means, operative when placed in proximity of said conductor at a location remote from said transmitter means, for detecting the predetermined electromagnetic field signal and for distinguishing the predetermined electromagnetic field signal from other signals which may be present about said conductor and for indicating the relative strength of the detected electromagnetic field signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. Apparatus for tracing and identifying an electrical current carrying conductor or similar means in an electrical network which is energized with a varying voltage and which is carrying current therethrough at a power frequency, comprising in combination:
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transmitter means for connection to said conductor and for conducting electrical signal current through said conductor in repetitious transmission cycles, each transmission cycle being defined by a predetermined waveform having a predetermined time period during which a plurality of pulses of signal current are conducted through said conductor at a predetermined frequency, the signal current pulses being of sufficient magnitude to induce about said conductor a predetermined electromagnetic field signal having a frequency characteristic corresponding to the predetermined frequency at which signal current pulses are conducted during said predetermined time period, said transmitter means further including means for selectively conducting current in the conductor to establish a predetermined approximately constant energy content for each signal current pulse, the predetermined approximately constant energy content of each signal current pulse being established in response to the current conducted in the conductor due to the signal current pulse and the time width duration of the signal current pulse; and receiver means, operative when placed in proximity of said conductor at a location remote from said transmitter means, for detecting the predetermined electromagnetic field signal and for distinguishing the predetermined electromagnetic field signal from other signals which may be present about said conductor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification