US3733545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for locating nonlinear mechanical junctions of metallic electrical conductors
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1972-04-13
•
Granted: 1973-05-15
•
Expires: 1992-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A technique and apparatus for identifying and accurately locating nonlinear mechanical junctions of electrical conductors whereby RF interference generated by nonlinear junctions can be eliminated. A fundamental signal is applied to a suspected junction by means of a current probe held in close proximity thereto. Receiver apparatus senses whether third harmonic signals are generated thereby. If third harmonic signals are generated the suspected junction is identified as being nonlinear and its exact location is then determined by connecting a bypassing conductor between the suspected location of the nonlinearity and ground and measuring the resultant reduced amplitude third harmonic signals. The exact location is determined when the bypassing conductor is moved as close to the suspected nonlinearity as is physically practical while maintaining the reduced amplitude of the third harmonic signal.
Inventors
- 👤 R Elsner
- 👤 W Lancaster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A technique for accurately locating nonlinear mechanical junctions of metallic conductors to eliminate RF interference comprising the steps of: applying a fundamental signal to a suspected junction by means of a current probe held in close proximity thereto; sensing any third-harmonic currents generated thereby if said suspected junction is nonlinear; bypassing a portion of said fundamental signal from said suspected junction by connecting a metallic bypass conductor between the general location of said junction and ground; sensing the magnitude of third-harmonic currents generated thereby; comparing said magnitude relative to the magnitude of said third-harmonic currents generated in an un-bypassed condition; connecting said bypass conductor at various points of said suspected junction and in a direction relative to the first such connection indicated by decreasing third-harmonic magnitudes, whereby the exact location of said junction is determined when said bypass conductor is connected as close as possible to said nonlinear junction whereby a substantially constant reduced magnitude is obtained.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A technique for accurately locating nonlinear mechanical junctions of metallic conductors to eliminate RF interference comprising the steps of: applying a fundamental signal to a suspected junction by means of a current probe held in close proximity thereto; sensing any third-harmonic currents generated thereby if said suspected junction is nonlinear; bypassing a portion of said fundamental signal from said suspected junction by connecting a metallic bypass conductor between the general location of said junction and ground; sensing the magnitude of third-harmonic currents generated thereby; comparing said magnitude relative to the magnitude of said third-harmonic currents generated in an un-bypassed condition; connecting said bypass conductor at various points of said suspected junction and in a direction relative to the first such connection indicated by decreasing third-harmonic magnitudes, whereby the exact location of said junction is determined when said bypass conductor is connected as close as possible to said nonlinear junction whereby a substantially constant reduced magnitude is obtained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
168 words
APparatus for accurately locating nonlinear mechanical junctions of metallic conductors comprising: signal source means for providing a fundamental signal at a frequency Fo; first bandpass filter means centered at Fo connected across the output of said signal source means; current probe means connected at the input thereof to the output of said first bandpass filter for applying said fundamental signal to suspected mechanical junctions of said metallic conductors; second bandpass filter means centered at the third-harmonic, 3Fo of said fundamental signals connected to the output of said current probe means; receiver means connected to the output of said second bandpass filter means for sensing third-harmonic currents generated by said suspected mechanical junctions; and, conductor means for bypassing portions of said fundamental signal from said suspected junctions whereby the exact location of nonlinear mechanical junctions is obtained when the magnitude of said third-harmonic currents is reduced or is substantially equal to zero when said bypassing conductor is positioned as close to the suspected nonlinear junction as is physically possible.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
168 words
APparatus for accurately locating nonlinear mechanical junctions of metallic conductors comprising: signal source means for providing a fundamental signal at a frequency Fo; first bandpass filter means centered at Fo connected across the output of said signal source means; current probe means connected at the input thereof to the output of said first bandpass filter for applying said fundamental signal to suspected mechanical junctions of said metallic conductors; second bandpass filter means centered at the third-harmonic, 3Fo of said fundamental signals connected to the output of said current probe means; receiver means connected to the output of said second bandpass filter means for sensing third-harmonic currents generated by said suspected mechanical junctions; and, conductor means for bypassing portions of said fundamental signal from said suspected junctions whereby the exact location of nonlinear mechanical junctions is obtained when the magnitude of said third-harmonic currents is reduced or is substantially equal to zero when said bypassing conductor is positioned as close to the suspected nonlinear junction as is physically possible.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said current probe comprises a clamp-around device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-14 | 1976-11-13 | 1977-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-14 | 1980-11-13 | 1981-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-14 | 1984-11-13 | 1985-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |