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Tracing electrical conductors by high-frequency constant-energy-content pulse loading

  • US 4,642,556 A
  • Filed: 07/10/1984
  • Issued: 02/10/1987
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1981
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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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:

  • 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.

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