Voltage substitution device and method of use thereof

• US 7,671,488 B1
• Filed: 11/14/2007
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jarvis PLC
• Original Assignee: Jarvis PLC
• Inventors: Jarvis, Ralph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paladini; Albert W
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUTLAND WALLIS, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US11/939,958
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 307/80, 324/98, 324/555, 324/556, 340/514, 340/515
• US Class Current: 307/80
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2829 Testing of circuits in sensor or actuator systems testing of apparatus for measuring electric or magnetic variables G01R35/00; testing of indicating or recording apparatus G01D; in airbag systems B60R21/0173; checking gas analysers G01N33/007; monitoring or fail-safe circuits for electromagnets H01F7/1844

Abstract

A voltage substitution device and method of use thereof, wherein the voltage substitution device may include at least two voltage meter modules, a variable DC to DC converter, at least two leads, a switch, a variable resistor and at least two power supplies. One power supply provides power to the voltage meter modules, while the other power supply provides power for the variable DC to DC converter. The leads may be attached to alarm sensor wires, and one voltage meter module displays the voltage across the sensor wires. The output voltage of the variable DC to DC converter may be displayed on the second voltage meter module. The variable resistor may be adjusted to vary the output voltage of the DC to DC converter to match the voltage across the sensor wires. Once the voltages are matched, the switch may be closed to place the output voltage of the DC to DC converter onto the leads and in parallel with the sensor wires.

Claims

1. A voltage substitution device, comprising:

first and second voltage meter modules connected to a first power supply;

a voltage regulator comprising a variable DC to DC converter, a variable resistor and a fixed resistor connected to a second power supply, wherein the output voltage of said voltage regulator is varied by adjusting said variable resistor;

a pair of leads connected through a switch to said output voltage of said voltage regulator, wherein said leads are connected in parallel to a set of alarm sensor wires; and

wherein said first voltage meter module displays the voltage of said sensor wires;

wherein said second voltage meter module displays the output voltage of said voltage regulator.

2. The voltage substitution device of claim 1 wherein said first power supply is a 9 volt battery.

3. The voltage substitution device of claim 1 wherein said second power supply is a 9 volt battery.

4. The voltage substitution device of claim 1 wherein said first and second voltage meter modules are 8 pin LCD voltage meter modules.

5. The voltage substitution device of claim 1 wherein said alarm sensor wires comprise a voltage and current supervised closed circuit having a resistor at a sensing end.

6. The voltage substitution device of claim 1 wherein said variable DC to DC converter is a three terminal DC to DC converter.

7. The voltage substitution device of claim 1 further comprising an on/off switch connected between said first power supply and said first and second voltage meter modules.

8. The voltage substitution device of claim 1 wherein the connection between said first and second voltage meter modules and said first power supply further comprises a resistor in series with the input voltage from the first power supply and a resistor in parallel with the input voltage of the first power supply.

9. The voltage substitution device of claim 1 further comprising a housing.

10. A method of voltage substitution, comprising the steps of:

attaching a pair of leads to a set of alarm sensor wires;

measuring the voltage across said sensor wires;

displaying said voltage of said sensor wires on a first voltage meter module;

measuring an output voltage of a DC to DC converter;

displaying said output voltage of a DC to DC converter on a second voltage meter module;

adjusting said output voltage of said DC to DC converter using a variable resistor to match the measured voltage of said sensor wires; and

bypassing said sensor wires by switching said output voltage of said DC to DC converter onto said leads and into parallel with said sensor wires.

11. The method of voltage substitution of claim 10 wherein said alarm sensor wires comprise a voltage and current supervised closed circuit having a resistor at a sensing end.

12. The method of voltage substitution of claim 10 further comprising the step of powering said first and second voltage meter modules using a first power supply.

13. The method of voltage substitution of claim 10 further comprising the step of powering said variable DC to DC converter using a second power supply.