Long range alternating current phasing voltmeter

• US 7,109,699 B1
• Filed: 05/18/2005
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walter S. Bierer
• Original Assignee: Walter S. Bierer
• Inventors: Bierer, Walter S.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOLLINGTON, JERMELE M
• Application Number:
  US11/131,644
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 324/107
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/14 Adaptations providing voltage or current isolation, e.g. for high-voltage or high-current networks

Abstract

A long-range wireless phasing voltmeter having a high impedance AC voltmeter in series between two high impedance probes. Shielding surrounds and electrically isolates the voltmeter and probes that communicate wirelessly via a pair of frequency translators, thus eliminating the cable customarily used to connect the probes and enabling measurements of the voltages, voltage differences, phases and phase difference between two conductor that may be miles apart. The signal transmitted from the first probe to the second may be analog or digital and is automatically compensated to correct the synchronization of the transmitted signal for the delay required to send it via the two translators.

Claims

1. A phasing voltmeter system, said device comprising:

(1) first test probe adapted to detect a first voltage and to generate and transmit a first voltage signal related to said first voltage, said first signal being transmitted on a first carrier frequency;

(2) a second test probe adapted to detect a second voltage and to generate a second voltage signal;

(3) a first frequency translator in communication with said first test probe and adapted to receive said first voltage signal and to translate said first voltage signal from said first carrier frequency to a second carrier frequency, said first frequency translator further adapted to transmit said first voltage signal on said second carrier frequency;

(4) a second frequency translator in communication with said first frequency translator and adapted to receive said first voltage signal and translate said first voltage signal from said second carrier frequency to said first carrier frequency and to transmit said first voltage signal to said second test probe, said second test probe being adapted to receive said first voltage signal;

(5) said second test probe including

a processor adapted to compare said first and said second voltage signals, and

a display in communication with said processor for displaying information about said first and said second voltage signals.

2. The phasing voltmeter system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first frequency translator imposes a delay on said first voltage signal before transmitting said first voltage signal at said second frequency carrier to said second frequency translator.

3. The phasing voltmeter system as recited in claim 2, wherein said delay is related to the distance said first and said second frequency translators are separated.

4. The phasing voltmeter system as recited in claim 2, wherein said delay compensates for the time taken by said first and said second frequency translators to transmit said first voltage signal.

5. The phasing voltmeter system as recited in claim 1, wherein said processor is adapted to determine said first voltage, said second voltage, a difference between said first and said second voltages, and a difference in phases between said first and said second voltages.

6. The phasing voltmeter as recited in claim 1, wherein said second carrier frequency is a radio wave carrier frequency.

7. The phasing voltmeter as recited in claim 1, wherein said first test probe transmits said first voltage signal by a method selected from the group consisting of frequency shift keying, frequency modulation, phase modulation, and amplitude modulation.

8. The phasing voltmeter as recited in claim 1, wherein said first and said second voltage signals are digital voltage signals.

9. A method of measuring voltage signal information about two conductors separated by a distance, said method comprising the steps of:

generating first voltage signal information related to a voltage carried by a first conductor;

generating second voltage signal information related to a voltage carried by a second conductor, said second conductor spaced apart from said first conductor;

transmitting said first voltage signal information to a processor;

reading said second voltage signal information by said processor;

compensating said first voltage signal information for the time to transmit said first voltage signal information to said processor; and

comparing said first and said second voltage signals to obtain a difference in said first and said second voltages.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein said compensating step further comprises the steps of

determining a time to transmit said first voltage signal information;

and

advancing transmission of said first voltage signal information by said time to transmit before said transmitting step.

11. A method of measuring voltage signal information about two conductors separated by a distance, said method comprising the steps of:

generating first voltage signal information related to a voltage carried by a first conductor;

generating second voltage signal information related to a voltage carried by a second conductor spaced apart from said first conductor;

transmitting said first voltage signal information to a first frequency translator;

transmitting said first voltage signal information from said first frequency translator to a second frequency translator;

transmitting said first voltage signal information from said second frequency translator to a processor; and

comparing using said processor said first and said second voltage signal information to obtain a difference in said first and said second voltages.