← Back to Patent Explorer
US4420752A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Real-time parameter sensor-transmitter

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-01-09
•
Granted: 1983-12-13
•
Expires: 2001-01-09
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A system for monitoring at least one parameter of either an energized electrical power line conductor or at least one parameter adjacent to the power line conductor, on a real-time basis and transmitting signals indicative of the parameter to a remote location where the power line conductor itself is the transmission medium for transmitting the signals to the remote location. The transmitter is powered by either the electric or the electromagnetic field of the energized power line conductor and the transmitter receives induced energy from the conductor via a plurality of turns of wire wound around a mandrel, with the plurality of turns of wire formed as the secondary winding of a transformer, and with the mandrel being at the same electrical potential as the conductor.

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 2026-10-25 23:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K1/00; G01K1/02; G01K1/024

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim 121 words
In an apparatus for measuring at least one parameter on a real time basis and including an electrically energizing alternating current carrying conductor and a transmitter for transmitting a signal proportional to said parameter, the improvement comprising: means for receiving induced energy from said energized conductor for energizing said transmitter including a plurality of turns of wire wound around a mandrel, said plurality of turns of wire formed as the secondary winding of a transformer and said mandrel being at the same electrical potential as said conductor; and means for coupling the output of said transmitter back to said conductor in the form of an induced current so that said conductor also functions as the transmission medium for said transmitter output.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 121 words
In an apparatus for measuring at least one parameter on a real time basis and including an electrically energizing alternating current carrying conductor and a transmitter for transmitting a signal proportional to said parameter, the improvement comprising: means for receiving induced energy from said energized conductor for energizing said transmitter including a plurality of turns of wire wound around a mandrel, said plurality of turns of wire formed as the secondary winding of a transformer and said mandrel being at the same electrical potential as said conductor; and means for coupling the output of said transmitter back to said conductor in the form of an induced current so that said conductor also functions as the transmission medium for said transmitter output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one parameter of said conductor is measured.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one parameter adjacent said conductor is measured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said transmitter energizing means receives only induced energy from said energized conductor for energizing said transmitter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the parameter being measured is the temperature of said conductor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 25 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the parameter being measured is the temperature of said conductor, said temperature being measured by a transducer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 19 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the parameter being measured is the solar radiation at said conductor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 27 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the parameter being measured is the temperature of said conductor, said temperature being measured by a fiber optic probe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the parameter being measured is the temperature of said conductor, said temperature being measured by a thermocouple probe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 18 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the parameter being measured is wind velocity at said conductor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 18 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the parameter being measured is wind direction at said conductor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 42 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the parameter being measured is temperature, the apparatus including 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 14
Dependent Claim 50 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the parameter being measured is temperature, said apparatus including 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, said shield being helically wound around said conductor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the parameter being measured is the ambient temperature adjacent said conductor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 119 words
In an apparatus for measuring at least one parameter on a real time basis and including an electrically energized alternating current carrying conductor and a transmitter for transmitting a signal proportional to said parameter, the improvement comprising: first means for receiving only induced energy from said energized conductor for energizing said transmitter including a plurality of turns of wire wound around a mandrel and formed as the secondary winding of a transformer and said mandrel being at the same electrical potential as said conductor; and second means for coupling the output of said transmitter back to said conductor in the form of an induced current so that said conductor also functions as the transmission medium for said transmitter output.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 119 words
In an apparatus for measuring at least one parameter on a real time basis and including an electrically energized alternating current carrying conductor and a transmitter for transmitting a signal proportional to said parameter, the improvement comprising: first means for receiving only induced energy from said energized conductor for energizing said transmitter including a plurality of turns of wire wound around a mandrel and formed as the secondary winding of a transformer and said mandrel being at the same electrical potential as said conductor; and second means for coupling the output of said transmitter back to said conductor in the form of an induced current so that said conductor also functions as the transmission medium for said transmitter output.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein at least one parameter of said conductor is being measured.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein at least one parameter adjacent said conductor is being measured.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein the electric field of said conductor induces an electric current in said first transmitter energizing means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein the electro-magnetic field of said conductor induces an electric current in said first transmitter energizing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 14 words
The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein the parameter being measured is temperature.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 25 words
The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein the parameter being measured is the temperature of said conductor, said temperature being measured by a transducer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 19 words
The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein the parameter being measured is the solar radiation at said conductor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 27 words
The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein the parameter being measured is the temperature of said conductor, said temperature being measured by a fiber optic probe.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 26 words
The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein the parameter being measured is the temperature of said conductor, said temperature being measured by a thermocouple probe.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 42 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein the parameter being measured is temperature, the apparatus including 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 28
Dependent Claim 50 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein the parameter being measured is temperature, said apparatus including 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, said shield being helically wound around said conductor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 19 words
The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein the parameter being measured is the ambient temperature adjacent said conductor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said mandrel is secured to said conductor and supports said plurality of turns of wire.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said plurality of turns of wire are connected as a single continuous loop.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said plurality of turns of wire are connected as multiple loops.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said mandrel also functions as a support for said apparatus.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 72 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 including a first hollow housing secured to said conductor and having two spaced-apart ends and a second housing positioned between the two spaced-apart ends of said first housing and supported thereby, said transmitter being positioned in said second housing; and said second housing being positioned away from said conductor to minimize the effect of electric and magnetic fields from said alternating current on said transmitter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said plurality of turns of wire are formed as the secondary winding of an air core transformer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 18 words
The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein the parameter being measured is wind velocity at said conductor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 18 words
The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein the parameter being measured is wind direction at said conductor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said transmitter is also powered by at least one battery.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said transmitter is also powered by at least one solar cell.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2937226A Cited
US3428896A Cited
US3434052A Cited
US3522515A Cited
US3633191A Cited
US3562729A Cited
US3942170A Cited
US4150358A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-12-12 1987-06-13 1987-12-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-12-12 1991-06-13 1991-12-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-12-12 1995-06-13 1995-12-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag