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Method for detecting and obtaining information about changes in variables

  • US 5,382,909 A
  • Filed: 07/30/1993
  • Issued: 01/17/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1983
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for monitoring for the occurrence of an event, and for detecting and obtaining information about the event upon its occurrence, which method comprises(1) providing a system(a) which comprises a power source, a voltage-measuring device, an elongate electrically conductive locating member and an elongate electrically conductive source member, the locating member comprising a plurality of available connection points and having an impedance Ztotal between the most widely separated available connection points, and(b) in which, upon occurrence of the event,electrical connection is made between the locating member and the source member;

  • the connection to the locating member being effective at a first point whose location is defined by at least one characteristic of the event;

    the making of the connection enabling the formation of a test circuit which comprises (i) that part of the locating member which lies between the first point and a second point having a known location on the locating member, (ii) the connection, (iii) the power source, and (iv) a balancing component which is connected in series with said part (i) and which has an impedance substantially equal to the difference between Ztotal and the impedance of said part (i), the power source causing an electrical current of known size to be transmitted between the first and second points on the locating member; and

    the current and the locating member being such that, by measuring the voltage drop between the first and second points, the spatial relationship between the first and second points can be determined;

    (2) monitoring the system to determine when a said connection has been made, said test circuit being in existence while said monitoring is taking place if a said connection has been made; and

    (3) when it is determined that a said connection has been made, using the voltage-measuring device to determine the voltage drop between the first and second points; and

    (4) obtaining information concerning the event from the measurement made in step (3).

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