Patent US4268818A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4268818A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Real-time parameter sensor-transmitter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-03-20
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Granted: 1981-05-19
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Expires: 1998-03-20
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for directly monitoring the conductor temperature or other parameters of an energized electric power line conductor, or of the medium adjacent the conductor, on a real time basis, and transmitting a signal indicative of that parameter to a remote location such as to facilitate data processing by computer. The apparatus is powered by the electric or electromagnetic field of the electric power line conductor. Various embodiments are described for sensing the temperature or other parameter being monitored. Furthermore two techniques are described for transmitting the signal to a remote location. The first such technique is the use of air as the transmission medium and the second technique uses the power line conductor itself as the transmission medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Murray W. Davis
- 👤 Matthew J. Diedzic
- 👤 Robert F. Knapp
- 👤 Bruce F. Whitney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K1/00; G01K1/02; G01K1/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In an apparatus for directly measuring at least one parameter of an electrically energized alternating current carrying conductor and including a transmitter for continuously transmitting a signal proportional to said parameter, the improvement comprising: means including a plurality of turns of wire wound around a mandrel for receiving only induced energy from said energized conductor for energizing said transmitter, said plurality of turns of wire formed as the secondary winding of an air core transformer; and said mandrel is at the same electrical potential as said conductor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an apparatus for directly measuring at least one parameter of an electrically energized alternating current carrying conductor and including a transmitter for continuously transmitting a signal proportional to said parameter, the improvement comprising: means including a plurality of turns of wire wound around a mandrel for receiving only induced energy from said energized conductor for energizing said transmitter, said plurality of turns of wire formed as the secondary winding of an air core transformer; and said mandrel is at the same electrical potential as said conductor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the magnetic field of said conductor induces an electric current in said transmitter energizing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the parameter being measured is the temperature of said conductor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein the temperature is directly measured by a thermocouple.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an apparatus for directly measuring at least one parameter of a conductor carrying an alternating current and including a transmitter for continuously transmitting a signal representative of said parameter, the improvement comprising: transducer means electrically insulated from said conductor for directly sensing the parameter of said conductor to be measured; said transducer sensing means being electrically coupled to said transmitter; and means suspended from said conductor and responsive to the alternating current carried by said conductor, and receiving an induced current therefrom, for powering said transmitter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
In an apparatus for directly measuring at least one parameter of a conductor carrying an alternating current and including a transmitter for continuously transmitting a signal representative of said parameter, the improvement comprising: transducer means electrically insulated from said conductor for directly sensing the parameter of said conductor to be measured; said transducer sensing means being electrically coupled to said transmitter; and means suspended from said conductor and responsive to the alternating current carried by said conductor, and receiving an induced current therefrom, for powering said transmitter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said transducer sensing means is a thermocouple probe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said transducer sensing means is a fiber optic probe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said transmitter powering means also couples the output of said transmitter to said conductor for transmission along said conductor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said transmitter powering means includes: a plurality of turns of wire formed as the secondary winding of an air core transformer having a current induced therein for powering said transmitter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said powering means further includes: a mandrel secured to said conductor; said mandrel having said plurality of turns of wire wound thereupon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said mandrel is also an antenna for said transmitter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said plurality of turns are connected as a single, continuous loop.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said plurality of turns of wire are connected as multiple loops.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said mandrel is also a support for said apparatus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said mandrel is at the same electrical potential as said conductor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
116 words
In an apparatus for directly measuring at least one parameter of a conductor carrying an alternating current and including a transmitter for continuously transmitting a signal representative of said parameter, the improvement comprising: means for directly sensing a parameter of said conductor; said sensing means being electrically coupled to said transmitter; an elongated first hollow housing secured to said conductor, and having two spaced apart ends; a second housing positioned between said ends of said first housing and supported thereby; said transmitter positioned in said second housing; and means positioned in said first and second housings and responsive to the alternating current carried by said conductor and receiving an induced current therefrom for powering said transmitter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
116 words
In an apparatus for directly measuring at least one parameter of a conductor carrying an alternating current and including a transmitter for continuously transmitting a signal representative of said parameter, the improvement comprising: means for directly sensing a parameter of said conductor; said sensing means being electrically coupled to said transmitter; an elongated first hollow housing secured to said conductor, and having two spaced apart ends; a second housing positioned between said ends of said first housing and supported thereby; said transmitter positioned in said second housing; and means positioned in said first and second housings and responsive to the alternating current carried by said conductor and receiving an induced current therefrom for powering said transmitter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as defined in claim 16 wherein said second housing is positioned away from said conductor to minimize the effect of electric and magnetic fields from said alternating current on said transmitter and on said transmitter powering means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as defined in claim 16 wherein said sensing means comprises: a thermocouple probe electrically connected to said transmitter; said thermocouple probe mounted in a shield and encapsulated therein by a thermally conductive, electrically insulating material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as defined in claim 18, wherein said thermocouple shield is helically wound around said conductor and enters said first housing at a first location, said shield being thereafter positioned internally of said first housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
88 words
In an apparatus for directly measuring at least one parameter adjacent to an electrically energized alternating current carrying conductor and including a transmitter for continuously transmitting a signal proportional to said parameter, the improvement comprising: means including a plurality of turns of wire wound around a mandrel for receiving only induced energy from said energized conductor for energizing said transmitter; said plurality of turns of wire formed as the secondary winding of an air core transformer; and said mandrel is at the same electrical potential as said conductor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
88 words
In an apparatus for directly measuring at least one parameter adjacent to an electrically energized alternating current carrying conductor and including a transmitter for continuously transmitting a signal proportional to said parameter, the improvement comprising: means including a plurality of turns of wire wound around a mandrel for receiving only induced energy from said energized conductor for energizing said transmitter; said plurality of turns of wire formed as the secondary winding of an air core transformer; and said mandrel is at the same electrical potential as said conductor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 20 wherein the magnetic field of said conductor induces an electric current in said transmitter energizing means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 20, wherein the parameter being measured is the ambient temperature adjacent said conductor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 22 wherein the temperature is directly measured by a thermocouple.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
82 words
In an apparatus for directly measuring at least one parameter adjacent a conductor carrying an alternating current and including a transmitter for continuously transmitting a signal representative of said parameter, the improvement comprising: means electrically insulated from said conductor for directly sensing the ambient parameter to be measured; said sensing means being electrically coupled to said transmitter; means suspended from said conductor and responsive to the alternating current carried by said conductor, and receiving an induced current therefrom, for powering said transmitter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
82 words
In an apparatus for directly measuring at least one parameter adjacent a conductor carrying an alternating current and including a transmitter for continuously transmitting a signal representative of said parameter, the improvement comprising: means electrically insulated from said conductor for directly sensing the ambient parameter to be measured; said sensing means being electrically coupled to said transmitter; means suspended from said conductor and responsive to the alternating current carried by said conductor, and receiving an induced current therefrom, for powering said transmitter.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as defined in claim 24 wherein said sensing means is a thermocouple probe.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 24 wherein said sensing means is a fiber optic probe.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 24 wherein said transmitter powering means also couples the output of said transmitter to said conductor for transmission along said conductor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 24 wherein said transmitter powering means includes: a plurality of turns of wire formed as the secondary winding of an air core transformer having a current induced therein for powering said transmitter.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 28 wherein said powering means further includes: a mandrel secured to said conductor: said mandrel having said plurality of turns of wire wound thereon.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 29 wherein said mandrel is also an antenna for said transmitter.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 29 wherein said mandrel is at the same electrical potential as said conductor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 28 wherein said plurality of turns are connected as a single continuous loop.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 28 wherein said plurality of turns of wire are connected as multiple loops.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 29 wherein said mandrel is also a support for said apparatus.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
116 words
In an apparatus for directly measuring at least one parameter adjacent a conductor carrying an alternating current and including a transmitter for continuously transmitting a signal representative of said parameter, the improvement comprising: means for directly sensing the parameter adjacent said conductor; said sensing means being electrically attached to said transmitter; an elongated first hollow housing secured to said conductor, and having two spaced apart ends; a second housing positioned between said ends of said first housing and supported thereby; said transmitter positioned in said second housing; and means positioned in said first and second housings and responsive to the alternating current carried by said conductor and receiving an induced current therefrom for powering said transmitter.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
116 words
In an apparatus for directly measuring at least one parameter adjacent a conductor carrying an alternating current and including a transmitter for continuously transmitting a signal representative of said parameter, the improvement comprising: means for directly sensing the parameter adjacent said conductor; said sensing means being electrically attached to said transmitter; an elongated first hollow housing secured to said conductor, and having two spaced apart ends; a second housing positioned between said ends of said first housing and supported thereby; said transmitter positioned in said second housing; and means positioned in said first and second housings and responsive to the alternating current carried by said conductor and receiving an induced current therefrom for powering said transmitter.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 35 wherein said sensing means comprises: a thermocouple probe electrically connected to said transmitter; said thermocouple probe mounted in a shield.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as defined in claim 35 wherein said second housing is positioned away from said conductor to minimize the effect of electric and magnetic fields from said alternating current on said transmitter and on said transmitter powering means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-05-18 | 1984-11-17 | 1985-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-05-18 | 1988-11-17 | 1989-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-05-18 | 1992-11-17 | 1993-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |