Magnetic probe apparatus and method for providing a wireless connection to a detection device

• US 7,746,241 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2007
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Incorporated
• Inventors: Tellor, Witold R., Hicks, Donald C., Schweitzer, Edmund O. III, Feight, Laurence Virgil
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fan; Hongmin
• Application Number:
  US11/750,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20080012702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 34053922-53926, 340/635, 340/538, 340/870.25, 340/445, 340/448, 455/41.1, 324/207.15, 324/207.19
• US Class Current: 340/635
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 3/08 with provision for safeguarding the apparatus, e.g. against abnormal operation, against breakdown

Abstract

A system for communicating information from a detection device is provided through a waterproof and wireless interface. The system generally includes a communication member having an inductor and coupled to the detection device. An interface including another inductor is in communicating relation with the communication member. Upon a signal from the detection device, a magnetic field is produced by the inductor of the communication member and is transmitted to the inductor of the interface.

Claims

1. A system for communicating information from a detection device, comprising:

a communication member coupled to the detection device, said communication member including an inductor, and

an interface in communicating relation with said communication member, said interface including another inductor, whereupon a signal from the detection device effectuates a magnetic field produced by the inductor of the communication member, said magnetic field being transmitted to the inductor of the interface;

wherein the interface includes a differential inductor coil configuration.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection device is one selected from the group consisting of:

water, high voltage electric field, specific gravity, light, sound, a faulted circuit indicator, a gas sensors, a CO sensor, a CO2 sensor, a sulphur oxides sensor, nitrogen oxides sensor, an ammonia sensor, an arsine sensor, a bromine sensor, a chlorine sensor, a chlorine sensor, a dioxide sensor, a volatile organic compound sensor, a diborane sensor, an ethylene oxide sensor, a fluorine sensor, a formaldehyde sensor, a germane sensor, a hydrogen sensor, a hydrogen chloride sensor, a hydrogen cyanide sensor, a hydrogen fluoride sensor, a hydrogen selenide sensor, a hydrogen sulfide sensor, an oxygen sensor, an ozone sensor, a methane sensor, a phosgene sensor, a phosphine sensor, a silane sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, an electromagnetic radiation sensor, a radiation sensor, a smoke sensor, a particulate matter sensor, a liquid phase sensor, a pH sensor, a turbidity sensor, a Br−

sensor, a Ca2+ ensor, a CI−

sensor, a CN−

sensor, a Cu2+ sensor, a F−

sensor, a I−

sensor, a K+ sensor, a Na+ sensor, an NH4+ sensor, a NO3−

sensor, a Pb2+ sensor, a S-(AG+) sensor, a conductivity sensor, a radio wave sensor, an electrical sensor, an under voltage sensor, an over voltage sensor, an under current sensor, an over current sensor, a frequency sensor, a power factor alarm, a demand overload indicator, a voltage detector, a sensor that determine if a sealed subsurface fuse has operated by sensing voltage on each side of fuse element with loss of load current, a sensor that senses the open or closed position of a subsurface switch, a voltage sensor that monitors status of a lead-acid battery, a power quality sensor, and combinations thereof.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection device is a faulted circuit indicator.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication member is substantially self-contained.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface is substantially self-contained.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises a radio frequency transmitter.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication member further comprises a magnet and the interface further comprises a magnetic field sensor for detecting whether the communication member is in communicating relation with the interface.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication member further comprises a magnet and the interface further comprises a magnetic field sensor for detecting the pole of the magnet.

9. The system of claim 8, comprising a first detection device coupled to a first communication member comprising a magnet with a first pole positioned toward a first magnetic field sensor, and a second detection device coupled to a second communication member comprising a magnet with a second pole positioned toward a second magnetic field sensor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface further includes a securing member for securing the communication member thereto.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the inductor of the interface is a coiled inductor.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the inductor of the interface is implemented on a printed circuit board.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein a change in the magnetic field signals a fault detected by the detection device.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein a change in the magnetic field signals a reset of the detection device.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein differential inductor coil configuration reduces magnetic field interface.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the interface includes two inductor coils connected in opposite directions.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication member includes a differential inductor coil configuration for reducing magnetic field interference.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication member includes two probes each having one of the inductor coils contained therein.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the communication member includes two inductor coils connected in opposite directions.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the communication member includes two inductors in serial inductor coil configuration.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the communication member includes two inductors in parallel inductor coil configuration.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein the interface prevents false latching from ringing currents.

23. A system for detecting whether a connection member of a detection device is in communicating relation with a device interface, comprising:

a connection member including a magnet, said connection member being coupled to a detection device, and

a device interface including a magnetic field sensor, wherein upon detection of a magnetic field produced by the magnet of the connection member, the magnetic field sensor produced by the magnet of the connection member, the magnetic field sensor produces a responsive signal indicative of the connection member being in communicating relation with the device interface;

wherein the device interface includes a differential inductor coil configuration.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the magnetic field sensor is a hall-effect sensor.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the magnetic field sensor is a Reed switch.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the detection device is a faulted circuit indicator.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the device interface is a radio frequency transmitter.

28. The system of claim 23, wherein the device interface further includes a securing member for securing the connection member thereto.

29. The system of claim 23, wherein the connection member includes two probes and the magnet is positioned between the two probes.