US3922633A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Insulated conductor detector
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1967-07-20
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1987-07-20
Abstract
Abstract An insulated conductor detector having a weighted body containing a rotatable cutter blade which rotates only after a predetermined force is applied to the cutting edge thereof. Disposed on each side of said cutter blade are a pair of inductance coils, one of which forwardly radiates radio frequency electromagnetic energy toward an acquired electrical conductor to be cut and the other of which receives a rebroadcast thereof from said conductor until such time it is cut. Cutting of the conductor is indicated by a rapid decrease of current flow in the receiving inductance circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis J Higgins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:53
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
An insulated conductor detector and cutter comprising in combination: a weighted housing; a wheel, having a predetermined plurality of radially extending cutting blades, mounted for rotation in said housing in such manner that one of the cutting blades thereof protrudes from the lowest frontal extremity of said housing; means effectively interconnecting said housing and said Wheel for preventing the rotation thereof until a predetermined force is applied to the cutting edge of one of the cutting blades thereof; a groove of predetermined diameter extending around the lowest frontal extremity of said housing on each side of said protruding cutting blade; a pair of electromagnetic energy windows disposed immediately behind predetermined portions of said groove, with one thereof located on one side of said protruding cutting blade and the other thereof located on the other side of said protruding cutting blade; means mounted in said housing and contiguously disposed with one of said windows for broad-casting electromagnetic energy therethrough; means mounted in said housing and contiguously disposed with the other of said windows for receiving electromagnetic energy passing therethrough; means connected to the output of said electromagnetic energy receiving means for indicating the electromagnetic energy received thereby; and means connected to the input of the aforesaid electromagnetic energy broadcasting means for supplying electrical power thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
An insulated conductor detector and cutter comprising in combination: a weighted housing; a wheel, having a predetermined plurality of radially extending cutting blades, mounted for rotation in said housing in such manner that one of the cutting blades thereof protrudes from the lowest frontal extremity of said housing; means effectively interconnecting said housing and said Wheel for preventing the rotation thereof until a predetermined force is applied to the cutting edge of one of the cutting blades thereof; a groove of predetermined diameter extending around the lowest frontal extremity of said housing on each side of said protruding cutting blade; a pair of electromagnetic energy windows disposed immediately behind predetermined portions of said groove, with one thereof located on one side of said protruding cutting blade and the other thereof located on the other side of said protruding cutting blade; means mounted in said housing and contiguously disposed with one of said windows for broad-casting electromagnetic energy therethrough; means mounted in said housing and contiguously disposed with the other of said windows for receiving electromagnetic energy passing therethrough; means connected to the output of said electromagnetic energy receiving means for indicating the electromagnetic energy received thereby; and means connected to the input of the aforesaid electromagnetic energy broadcasting means for supplying electrical power thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means effectively interconnecting said housing and said wheel for preventing the rotation thereof until a predetermined force is applied to the cutting edge of one of the cutting blades thereof comprises a brake.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein each of said pair of electromagnetic windows disposed immediately behind predetermined portions of said groove is of plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means mounted in said housing and contiguously disposed with one of said windows for broadcasting electromagnetic energy therethrough comprises: an inductance; and a radio frequency oscillator connected to the inputs of said inductance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means mounted in said housing and contiguously disposed with the other of said windows for receiving electromagnetic energy passing therethrough includes an inductance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 1 further characterized by means disposed contiguously with said wheel for indicating the rotation thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said means disposed contiguously with said wheel for indicating the rotation thereof comprises: a switch having a toggle arm capable of being actuated by the abutment of the cutting blades of said wheel as it rotates; and an alarm connected to the output of said switch in such manner as to be timely actuated thereby.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention according to claim 1 further characterized by means connected to the aforesaid weighted housing for the pulling thereof in such manner along a predetermined course on a river bottom that the cutting blade protruding from the lowest frontal extremity of said housing plows through a predetermined depth thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said pulling means comprises: a tractor vehicle; and a combination electrical-tow cable interconnecting said tractor vehicle and the front end of the aforesaid weighted housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said tractor vehicle is a ship.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3108246A
Cited
US3071098A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |