Trigger mechanism

• US 8,384,553 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2010
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cobweb Scientific Limited
• Original Assignee: Becatech Systems Limited
• Inventors: Camp, Warwick Jonathan David
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phung
• Application Number:
  US12/715,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20110215939A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 340/654, 340/568.2, 340/541, 340/545.4, 333/236, 333/245
• US Class Current: 340/654
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/50 Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/00 Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A trigger mechanism including sensing electronics, a power source and a length of bifilar wire. The bifilar wire has two electrically conductive filaments separated by an insulator, with a first end in electrical connection with the sensing electronics and the power source and a second end that is free. A circuit can be created by fusing together the two filaments in a section of the bifilar wire. The sensing electronics are configured to monitor the status of a circuit created between the bifilar wire, sensing electronics and power source and to output a signal when the circuit is broken.

Claims

1. A trigger mechanism comprising:

sensing electronics;

a power source;

a length of bifilar wire comprising two electrically conductive filaments separated by an insulator, the bifilar wire having a first end in electrical connection with the sensing electronics and the power source and a second end which is free;

wherein the sensing electronics are configured to monitor the status of a circuit created between the bifilar wire, sensing electronics and power source when two filaments of the bifilar wire are fused or joined together at a section along the length of the bifilar wire.

2. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the bifilar wire is wound in a coil.

3. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the two filaments in the bifilar wire comprise metallic filaments.

4. The trigger mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the two filaments comprise similar metals.

5. The trigger mechanism according to claim 3 wherein the two filaments comprise dissimilar metals.

6. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1, wherein at least one filament of the bifilar wire comprise copper.

7. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the two filaments of the bifilar wire are capable of being fused together by a direct heat source.

8. The trigger mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the direct heat source comprises a naked flame.

9. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the two filaments of the bifilar wire are capable of being joined together by mechanical means.

10. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the two filaments are separated by insulation.

11. The trigger mechanism according to claim 10 wherein the insulation comprises vaporizable insulation.

12. The trigger mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the insulation comprises shellac, polyurethane or other insulating varnish.

13. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the bifilar wire has a gauge of 10 swg or above.

14. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the bifilar wire has a gauge of 30 SWG or above.

15. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the bifilar wire has a gauge of 30-50 SWG.

16. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the bifilar wire has a gauge of 47 SWG.

17. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the bifilar wire has a length of at least 1 km.

18. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitter for transmitting a signal on breakage of the circuit between the bifilar wire, sensing electronics and power source.

19. The trigger system comprising the trigger mechanism of claim 18 and at least one receiver.

20. The trigger system according to claim 19, wherein the at least one receiver comprises an alarm that is activated on the receiver receiving a signal.

21. The trigger system according to claim 20, wherein the alarm is silent.

22. The trigger system according to claim 20, wherein the at least one receiver comprises at least one pager.

23. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein the housing houses the power source and sensing electronics.

24. The trigger mechanism according to claim 23, wherein the housing further houses a spool for the bifilar wire.

25. The trigger mechanism according to claim 24, comprising an electrical connection between the spool and housing.

26. The trigger mechanism according to claim 25, wherein the electrical connection comprises a plug and socket connection.

27. The trigger mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the bifilar wire is stored in a coil and wherein the outer end is static and the inner end is free.

28. A method of activating a trigger mechanism comprising sensing electronics, a power source and a length of bifilar wire comprising two electrically conductive filaments separated by an insulator, the bifilar wire having a first end in electrical connection with the sensing circuitry and a second end that is free, the method comprising the steps of:

laying the bifilar wire in a desired location; and

fusing or joining together two filaments of the bifilar wire to create a circuit between the bifilar wire, sensing electronics and power source.

29. The method according to claim 28, comprising the step of heating a section of the bifilar wire to fuse together the two filaments.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the section of bifilar wire is heated using a naked flame.

31. The method according to claim 28, wherein the step of laying the bifilar wire in a desired location comprises unwinding it from a coil.

32. The method according to claim 28, wherein the method further comprises the step of monitoring the status of the circuit created between the bifilar wire, sensing electronics and power source.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the step of monitoring the status of the circuit comprises monitoring for an open circuit condition.

34. The method according to claim 32, wherein the step of monitoring the status of the circuit comprises monitoring for absence of voltage.

35. The method according to claim 32, wherein the method further comprises the step of transmitting a signal on breakage of the circuit.