Activation of an inductance loop vehicle detector

• US 7,330,132 B1
• Filed: 10/03/2003
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Green Light Triggers, LLC
• Original Assignee: Scott Kauffman
• Inventors: Kauffman, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US10/677,536
• Time in Patent Office: 1,593 Days
• Field of Search: 340/901, 340/905, 340/933, 340/934, 340/935, 340/936, 340/941, 342/42, 248/683, 248/163.1, 701/117, 701/118, 235/384, 235/449
• US Class Current: 340/941
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/042 using inductive or magnetic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/08 according to detected number or speed of vehicles

Abstract

An apparatus and method for activating an inductance loop vehicle detector is disclosed, wherein a magnet is positioned within a casing and attached to a vehicle. In order to activate the inductance loop vehicle detector, the vehicle, attached magnet, and casing are moved in relation to an induction loop embedded within a roadway. A reaction between the magnet and induction loop causes the inductance loop vehicle detector to register the presence of a vehicle. The casing may be configured to form a separation distance between the magnet and the vehicle to enhance the magnetic field proximal the induction loop.

Claims

1. An apparatus for activating an inductance loop vehicle detector, comprising:

a magnet;

a casing extending around at least a portion of the magnet; and

a mount for mounting the magnet and the casing to a vehicle, wherein the casing includes protrusions that provide a separation distance between the magnet and the vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protrusions have a linear configuration.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least two of the protrusions are oriented parallel to each other.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the casing includes at least a first element and a second element that cooperate to form an enclosure for receiving the magnet.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the casing defines passages therethrough for receiving the mount.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the passages are formed by an aperture in at least one of the first element and the second element.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the magnet is a grade 5 ceramic magnet.

9. A method for activating an inductance loop vehicle detector, comprising:

attaching a magnet positioned within a casing to a vehicle, the casing including one or more protrusions;

moving the vehicle with the magnet within the casing proximal to an inductance loop of the inductance loop vehicle detector; and

spacing the magnet from the vehicle with the casing including mounting the magnet within the casing on the vehicle such that a separation distance between the magnet and the vehicle is formed by the one or more protrusions.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the protrusions have a linear configuration.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least two of the protrusions are oriented parallel to each other.

12. The method of claim 9, further including enclosing the magnet within the casing.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the casing includes a first element and a separate second element that form an enclosure for receiving the magnet.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of attaching includes extending a mount through passages defined in the casing.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the magnetic is a grade 5 ceramic magnet.

17. A method for manufacturing a vehicle, comprising:

manufacturing a vehicle;

attaching a magnet positioned within a casing to the vehicle for purposes of activating proximal inductance loop detectors, the casing including one or more protrusions; and

spacing the magnet from the vehicle with the casing including mounting the magnet within the casing on the vehicle such that a separation distance between the magnet and the vehicle is formed by the one or more protrusions.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the protrusions have a linear configuration.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least two of the protrusions are oriented parallel to each other.

20. The method of claim 17, further including enclosing the magnet within the casing.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the casing includes a first element and a separate second element that form an enclosure for receiving the magnet.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of attaching includes extending a mount through passages defined in the casing.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the magnet is a grade 5 ceramic magnet.

25. A method of retrofitting a vehicle, comprising:

attaching a magnet positioned within a casing to a vehicle for purposes of activating inductance loop detectors proximal to the vehicle, including one or more protrusions; and

spacing the magnet from the vehicle with the casing including mounting the magnet within the casing on the vehicle such that a separation distance between the magnet and the vehicle is formed by the one or more protrusions.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the protrusions have a linear configuration.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein at least two of the protrusions are oriented parallel to each other.

28. The method of claim 25, further including enclosing the magnet within the casing.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the casing includes a first element and a separate second element that form an enclosure for receiving the magnet.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of attaching includes extending a mount through passages defined in the casing.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the magnet is a grade 5 ceramic magnet.