Spoked electrode for monitoring earth currents

Claim 2

An electrode monitoring device for use in measuring earth potentials, comprising: a base; a hub rotatably carried by said base; a plurality of radial spokes carried by said hub,; each spoke carrying a cell for electrolyte solution and each cell having a tip of porous material adapted to be saturated with said solution and to make contact with the ground; an electrical pickup carried by said base; and conductor means for each cell arranged to contact the electrolyte solution in such cell and electrically connected to said pickup, whereby an electrical connection is established from each porous tip through the electrolyte solution in the respective cell to said pickup so that current flow in the earth detected by each saturated tip when such is engaged with the earth is passed from the tip to said pickup.

Claim 3

An electrode monitoring device as recited in claim 1, wherein said conductor means includes: an electrode carried by each spoke and received within each cell.

Claim 4

An electrode monitoring device as recited in claim 2, wherein sAid spokes and said hubs are made of electrically conductive material and the electrical connection between each said electrode and said pickup is through said spoke and hub.

Claim 5

An electrode monitoring device as recited in claim 1, further including a handle portion connected with said base portion.

Claim 6

An electrode monitoring device as recited in claim 4, wherein said handle portion is electrically insulated from said base portion.

Claim 7

An electrode monitoring device for use in measuring earth potentials, comprising: a base; a hub made of electrically conductive material, and including axially aligned axle portions on the opposite ends thereof, said axle portions being received within bearing means carried by said base to thereby mount said hub for rotation; a plurality of spokes projecting radially from said hub, and made of electrically conductive material; a cell for receiving an electrolytic liquid mounted on the outer end of each of said spokes and having a porous tip mounted thereon, said porous tips being arranged to be wetted by electrolytic liquid within said container and being engageable with the earth for establishing electrical contact therewith; an electrode connected with each of said spokes and extending into the cell mounted on said spoke for engaging said electrolytic liquid to thereby establish an electrical connection between said liquid and said hub made of electrically conductive material, whereby current flow in the earth detected by each wetted tip when such is engaged with the earth is passed from the tip to said hub; and electrical pickup means carried by said base and engaging said hub.

Claim 8

An electrode monitoring device for use in measuring earth potentials, comprising: a base; a hub made of electrically conductive material, and including axially aligned axle portions on the opposite ends thereof, said axle portions being received within bearing means carried by said base to thereby mount said hub for rotation; a plurality of spokes projecting radially from said hub, and made of electrically conductive material; a cell for receiving an electrolytic liquid mounted on the outer end of each of said spokes and having a porous tip mounted thereon, said porous tips being arranged to be wetted by electrolytic liquid within said container and being engageable with the earth for establishing electrical contact therewith; an electrode connected with each of said spokes and extending into the cell mounted on said spoke for engaging said electrolytic liquid to thereby establish an electrical connection between said liquid and said hub made of electrically conductive material, whereby current flow in the earth detected by each wetted tip when such is engaged with the earth is passed from the tip to said hub; and electrical pickup means carried by said base and engaging said hub.

Claim 9

An electrode monitoring device as recited in claim 6, including additionally a handle connected to said base, and insulated therefrom.

Claim 10

An electrode monitoring device as recited in claim 6, wherein said pickup means includes at least one brush contact mounted on said base, and engagable with one of said hub axle portions.