Copper theft alarm for grain bin systems
First Claim
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1. An anti-theft system for an electric power cable comprising:
- a radio transmitter for generating a notification to a predetermined recipient; and
a conductive sensing loop having first and second ends, said sensing loop installed in at least one conduit with the power cable, wherein at least one portion of the sensing loop is formed by running two conductors through a conduit alongside the power cable and connecting first ends of the conductors at a first end of the conduit;
an alarm circuit coupled to said radio transmitter, said alarm circuit comprising;
a first circuit for supplying a continuous voltage to said first end of said conductive sensing loop; and
a second circuit for detecting said continuous voltage at said second end of said conductive sensing loop and triggering said notification by providing power to said radio transmitter when said continuous voltage is disrupted.
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Abstract
A copper theft alarm system is disclosed. The alarm system can be deployed on existing grain bins or other electrically powered equipment, allowing persons to receive an automated phone call, text message notification, or other desired notification when the system has sensed that a copper cable is being pulled out of a conduit. The notification can aid in potentially disrupting a thief'"'"'s activity.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An anti-theft system for an electric power cable comprising:
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a radio transmitter for generating a notification to a predetermined recipient; and a conductive sensing loop having first and second ends, said sensing loop installed in at least one conduit with the power cable, wherein at least one portion of the sensing loop is formed by running two conductors through a conduit alongside the power cable and connecting first ends of the conductors at a first end of the conduit; an alarm circuit coupled to said radio transmitter, said alarm circuit comprising; a first circuit for supplying a continuous voltage to said first end of said conductive sensing loop; and a second circuit for detecting said continuous voltage at said second end of said conductive sensing loop and triggering said notification by providing power to said radio transmitter when said continuous voltage is disrupted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for detecting an attempted theft of at least one electric power cable, comprising:
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installing a conductive sensing loop into a plurality of conduits containing power cables such that the conductive sensing loop will be broken when any one of the power cables is pulled out of the conduit, wherein at least one portion of the sensing loop is formed by running two conductors through the plurality of conduits alongside the power cables and connecting first ends of the conductors at a first end of one of the plurality of conduits; connecting a first and second end of the sensing loop to an alarm circuit; supplying a continuous voltage from the alarm circuit to the first end of the sensing loop; detecting that the continuous voltage is not present at the second end of the sensing loop; and triggering a notification, based on said detecting, to a predetermined recipient by providing power to a radio transmitter connected to the alarm circuit.
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Specification