Sensor array for circuit tracer
First Claim
1. A directional electrode comprising:
- a generally planar, electrically insulative substrate having a first side and a second side;
a first metallic layer bonded to said first side of said substrate, said first metallic layer having a plurality of slots;
a second metallic layer bonded to said second side of said substrate, opposite said first metallic layer, said second metallic layer having a plurality of slots; and
a metallic border bonded to said second side of said substrate, at least partially surrounding said second metallic layer but spaced therefrom.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit tracer for determinating the location of a conductor, such as a wire, which is either an open or closed circuit, and which may lie underground. The tracer includes a transmitter which is connected to the conductor, a hand-held probe, and a receiver which is connected to the probe. The probe has three different sensors: an electric field sensor, primarily for locating the terminus of an open-ended conductor or for distinguishing such a wire in a bundled cable of wires; a differential electric field sensor, for determining the direction to and location of an open-ended conductor located above ground; and an inductive sensor for determining the direction to and location of a current-carrying conductor, including an open-ended conductor lying below ground. A switch selectively provides the output from one of the sensors to the receiver unit, which determines the magnitude of any signal based upon the direction the probe is pointing. By swinging the probe back and forth, and observing the received signal, the direction to and location of the conductor may be determined.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A directional electrode comprising:
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a generally planar, electrically insulative substrate having a first side and a second side; a first metallic layer bonded to said first side of said substrate, said first metallic layer having a plurality of slots; a second metallic layer bonded to said second side of said substrate, opposite said first metallic layer, said second metallic layer having a plurality of slots; and a metallic border bonded to said second side of said substrate, at least partially surrounding said second metallic layer but spaced therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A sensor array for an electromagnetic probe, comprising:
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a board member having an end and first and second sides; first, generally planar, electrode means for sensing electric field potential, attached to said board member proximate said end thereof, extending generally perpendicular to said board member; second and third, generally planar, electrode means for sensing electric field potential, attached to said board member proximate said first and second sides thereof, said second and third electrode means being generally parallel to one another, being generally perpendicular to said board member, and being generally perpendicular to said first electrode means; and inductive coil means attached to said board member, and interposed between said second and third electrode means, for sensing a magnetic field, said coil means having an axis which is generally perpendicular to said first electrode means and parallel to said second and third electrode means. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification