Wireless alternating current phasing voltmeter multimeter

• US 6,734,658 B1
• Filed: 04/05/2002
• Issued: 05/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Walter S. Bierer
• Original Assignee: Walter S. Bierer
• Inventors: Bierer, Walter S
• Primary Examiner(s): KARLSEN, ERNEST F
• Application Number:
  US10/117,000
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 324/72.5, 324/76.52, 324/76.55, 324/76.82, 324/86, 324/107, 324/115, 324/127, 324/149, 324/108, 324/114
• US Class Current: 324/115
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/14 Adaptations providing voltage or current isolation, e.g. for high-voltage or high-current networks

Abstract

A wireless alternating current phasing voltmeter multimeter that uses modular wireless based components in order to provide indications of highly desirable parameters of interest, such as AC voltage, phase rotation, and the number of degrees difference between phases. The use of wireless technology eliminates the cable customarily used to interconnect the test probes and the metering circuitry, which may effectively eliminate the concern regarding the distance separating the power lines that are to be tested. The wireless alternating current phasing voltmeter multimeter has two base modules, but, because of the flexibility of the design, modifications can be readily incorporated into the present invention modules that allow for numerous operational and functional permutations to be implemented in order to meet an individual user'"'"'s needs including the use of one of the modules as a hand-held base module that can be remotely located away from the electrical power lines (or test points).

Claims

1. A device for use in measuring voltage, phase rotation, and phase difference between two electrical test points, said device comprising:

(a) a supplementary test probe adapted to generate a supplementary electrical signal;

(b) a supplementary probe module attachable to said supplementary test probe, said supplementary probe module having

(i) means for producing a digital representation of said supplementary electrical signal, and

(ii) means for transmitting said digital representation of said supplementary electrical signal using electromagnetic waves;

(c) a first test probe in operational communication with said supplementary test probe and adapted to generate a first electrical signal; and

(d) a meter module attachable to said first test probe, said meter module having

(i) means for producing a digital representation of said first electrical signal,

(ii) means for receiving said digital representation of said supplementary electrical signal,

(iii) means for processing said digital representation of said first electrical signal and said digital representation of said supplementary electrical signal and for forming at least one electrical parameter output signal, and

(iv) means for displaying said at least one electrical parameter output signal.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic waves are radio frequency waves.

3. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for transmitting said digital representation of said supplementary electrical signal transmits said digital representation of said supplementary electrical signal using a transmission method selected from a group consisting of frequency shift keying, frequency modulation, phase modulation, and amplitude modulation.

4. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for displaying said at least one electrical parameter output signal is digitally displayed.

5. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for displaying said at least one electrical parameter output signal comprises a voltage display assembly, wherein said at least one electrical parameter output signal is used to provide an indication on said voltage display assembly of the AC Voltage being carried between two electrical test points.

6. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for transmitting said digital representation of said supplementary electrical signal comprises:

(a) a modulator; and

(b) a transmitter.

7. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for receiving said digital representation of said supplementary electrical signal comprises:

(a) a demodulator; and

(b) a receiver.

8. The device as recited in claim 1, further comprising electrical shielding, said electrical shielding in electrical communication with said first electrical signal and said supplementary electrical signal.

9. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one electrical output signal can provide an indication of measured voltages in the range from 0 VAC to about 750,000 VAC.

10. A multimeter, comprising:

a master module;

a supplemental module, said supplemental module and said master module being in wireless communication;

electrical circuitry carried by said master module for determining phase difference and phase sequence between two electrical conductors;

means carried by said master module for displaying said phase difference and phase sequence when said electrical circuitry determines said phase difference and phase sequence of said two electrical conductors;

a first test probe in electrical connection with said master module; and

a second test probe in electrical connection with said supplemental module, said first and said second test probes, when placed in contact with electrical conductors, being adapted to generate first and second signals, respectively, said supplemental module communicating wirelessly said signal from said second test probe to said master module, said master module receiving said second signal from said second test probe via said supplemental module and receiving said first signal from said first test probe.

11. The multimeter as recited in claim 10, further comprising means for alleviating the effects of capacitive charging current when said electrical circuitry determines said phase difference and phase sequence of said two conductors.

12. The multimeter as recited in claim 10, wherein said supplemental module converts said second signal to a digital signal before communicating said second signal to said master module.

13. The multimeter as recited in claim 10, wherein said electrical circuitry, in determining phase difference and phase sequence, compensates for wireless communication of said second signal.

14. The multimeter as recited in claim 10, wherein said first test probe is attached to said master module.

15. The multimeter as recited in claim 10, wherein said displaying means displays said phase difference digitally.