Floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water
First Claim
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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 first housing portion is maintained submerged in the water and the second housing portion is maintained above the water;
a detection circuit enclosed within the buoyant housing, the 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 also electrically coupled to the electrical input, the second conductive material at least partially enclosed within the second housing portion.
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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.
45 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water, comprising:
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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 first housing portion is maintained submerged in the water and the second housing portion is maintained above the water; a detection circuit enclosed within the buoyant housing, the 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 also electrically coupled to the electrical input, the second conductive material at least partially enclosed within the second housing portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A floating apparatus for alerting people of the presence of voltage in water, comprising:
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a housing comprising a first portion and a second portion; 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 and the second portion is maintained above the water; a non-contact capacitive voltage detection circuit enclosed within the housing, 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 second portion; and a second conductive material directly electrically coupled in series with the antenna, the second conductive material at least partially enclosed within the first portion. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method performed by an electrical circuit enclosed in a floating apparatus, comprising:
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receiving electrical input from a serially connected first conductive material and second conductive material, wherein the first conductive material is enclosed in a first portion of the floating apparatus and the second conductive material is enclosed in a second portion of the floating apparatus, and wherein receiving the input occurs when the floating apparatus is placed in water with the first portion of the floating apparatus submerged in the water and the second portion of the floating apparatus above the water; and in response to determining that a voltage level of the electrical input exceeds a threshold voltage; generating an alert signal that causes one or more sensory alarms to be activated. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification