Floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water, comprising:
- a buoyant housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion;
wherein, when the floating apparatus is placed in water with the first housing portion submerged in the water, the buoyant housing is configured to maintain the first housing portion submerged in the water and maintain the second housing portion above the water;
a capacitive voltage detection circuit enclosed within the buoyant housing, the capacitive voltage detection circuit having an electrical input and configured to generate an alert signal in response to a voltage level provided to the electrical input exceeding a threshold voltage;
a first conductive material electrically coupled to the electrical input, the first conductive material at least partially enclosed within the first housing portion; and
a second conductive material electrically coupled to the electrical input and electrically in series with the first conductive material, the second conductive material at least partially enclosed within the second housing portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water. When the floating apparatus is placed in water and in an active state, it detects when at least a threshold level of voltage is present in the water and generates an alert signal in response to detecting the threshold level of voltage is present. The floating apparatus may detect the threshold level of voltage is present without requiring that a ground wire be connected between an electrical circuit of the floating apparatus and a fixed structure exterior of the water such as soil surrounding the water.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water, comprising:
-
a buoyant housing comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion; wherein, when the floating apparatus is placed in water with the first housing portion submerged in the water, the buoyant housing is configured to maintain the first housing portion submerged in the water and maintain the second housing portion above the water; a capacitive voltage detection circuit enclosed within the buoyant housing, the capacitive voltage detection circuit having an electrical input and configured to generate an alert signal in response to a voltage level provided to the electrical input exceeding a threshold voltage; a first conductive material electrically coupled to the electrical input, the first conductive material at least partially enclosed within the first housing portion; and a second conductive material electrically coupled to the electrical input and electrically in series with the first conductive material, the second conductive material at least partially enclosed within the second housing portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water, comprising:
-
a buoyant housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a buoyant material portion; wherein, when the floating apparatus is placed in water with the first housing portion submerged in the water, the first housing portion is maintained submerged in the water, the buoyant material portion contacts the water, and the second housing portion is maintained above the water; a capacitive voltage detection circuit enclosed within the buoyant housing, the capacitive voltage detection circuit having an electrical input and configured to generate an alert signal in response to a voltage level provided to the electrical input exceeding a threshold voltage; a first conductive material electrically coupled to the electrical input, the first conductive material at least partially enclosed within the first housing portion; a second conductive material electrically coupled to the electrical input and electrically in series with the first conductive material, the second conductive material at least partially enclosed within the second housing portion. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water, comprising:
-
a unitary shaft comprising a first portion and a second portion; a buoyant material portion coupled to the unitary shaft and extending outward from the unitary shaft; wherein, when the floating apparatus is placed in water with the first portion submerged in the water, the first portion is maintained submerged in the water, the buoyant material portion contacts the water, and the second portion is maintained above the water; a non-contact capacitive voltage detection circuit enclosed within the unitary shaft, the non-contact capacitive voltage detection circuit coupled to an antenna and generating an alert signal in response to a voltage level of the antenna exceeding a threshold voltage; wherein the antenna is at least partially enclosed within the first portion; and a second conductive material directly electrically coupled in series with the antenna, the second conductive material at least partially enclosed within the second portion.
-
Specification