Systems and methods for locating a circuit

• US 7,274,184 B1
• Filed: 12/12/2005
• Issued: 09/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tasco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tasco Incorporated
• Inventors: McCasland, Thomas A., McCasland, Steven Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHITTINGTON, KENNETH
• Application Number:
  US11/301,571
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 324/66, 324/67, 324/326
• US Class Current: 324/67
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/00 Arrangements for measuring currents or voltages or for indicating presence or sign thereof G01R5/00 takes precedence; for measuring bioelectric currents or voltages A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 29/085 for detecting presence or location of electric lines or cables fault detection G01R31/50; fault location G01R31/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/108 the emitter and the receiver coils or loops being uncoupled by positioning them perpendicularly to each other

Abstract

Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuit. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing a signal upon a circuit (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) to identify it from other circuit lines. The signal may be induced upon an individual element of the circuit through direct contact. A receiver may receive a radiated component of the signal from a distal point on the circuit to acquire the signal induced thereon and determine a strength of the signal received. Based on the received signal component, the receiver may determine location, configuration, and/or identification of the circuit from which the radiated signal is being received.

Claims

1. A method of determining a conductor configuration, including:

inducing a signal on a conductor at a first point;

receiving a radiated component of the signal at a second point that is distal to the first point, wherein receiving a radiated component of the signal includes detecting magnetic energy with at least two inductors that are configured at a substantially right angle; and

individually or combinatorially selecting between outputs of the at least two inductors using a switching means coupled to each of the inductors to determine a signal strength of the radiated component of the signal and to determine a configuration of the conductor based on the signal strength.

2. The method of claim 1, further including determining the configuration of the conductor to determine a connection of the conductor at a circuit box.

3. The method of claim 1, further including determining the configuration of the conductor to determine a location of the conductor within a structure.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein inducing a signal includes inducing the signal on a conductor that is carrying another signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein inducing a signal includes electrically coupling a transmitter to the first point.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein processing includes:

measuring an electromagnetic parameter of a first of the at least two inductors; and

measuring an electromagnetic parameter of a second of the at least two inductors.

7. The method of claim 1, further including displaying information in response to receiving the radiated component of the signal, wherein the information includes the signal strength.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the displaying includes updating the information with direction information indicating a path of the conductor.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the displaying includes updating the information with direction information indicating a device orientation.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said displaying information includes rotating displayed information with respect to an orientation of a receiver.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to process a signal from each inductor.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said at least two inductors are not coupled to one another.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said receiver is configured to compare a measurement of a first inductor of said at least two inductors with a measurement of a second inductor of the at least two inductors.

14. A system that determines a circuit configuration, comprising:

a transmitter that induces a signal in a conductor at a first location; and

a receiver that detects a radiated component of the signal at a second location to determine a configuration of the conductor, wherein the second location is distal to the first location, the receiver including at least two inductors configured at a substantially right angle, wherein each inductor receives the radiated component of the signal, the receiver further including a switch that individually or combinatorially selects between outputs of the at least two inductors to determine a signal strength of the radiated component of the signal and to determine a configuration of the conductor based on the signal strength.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the receiver is further configured to determine the configuration of the conductor within a structure.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the configuration of the conductor includes the distance from the conductor to the receiver.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the configuration of the conductor includes the direction of the conductor.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the transmitter is configured to induce the signal on a conductor that is carrying another signal.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the transmitter is configured to couple electrically to the conductor at the first location.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the receiver is further configured to determine a connection of the conductor at a circuit box.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the receiver includes a display configured to display information relating to the radiated component of the signal.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the information includes a signal strength, a path of the conductor, a receiver orientation, or a combination thereof.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the display is configurable to rotate displayed said information based on an orientation of the receiver.

24. An apparatus configured to determine a location of a circuit, comprising:

a first inductor and a second inductor, said first inductor configured at a substantially right angle in relation to said second inductor;

a signal selection means communicatively coupled to each of the inductors for individually or combinatorially selecting outputs of the inductors;

a signal conditioning means coupled to the signal selection means;

a processor coupled to the signal conditioning means to compare measurements from each of the inductors to determine the location of the circuit; and

a display coupled to the processor to display information relating to the location of the circuit.