US4814933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Potential indicating device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-02-25
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Granted: 1989-03-21
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Expires: 2008-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A potential indicating device for indicating the presence of a voltage on a connector in a high voltage electrical distribution system, the connector including a conductor, a semiconductive shield and a test point terminal. The device comprises two separate indicator circuits, each energized by a different voltage capacitively coupled to the conductor. When a voltage is present in the conductor, first circuit means transmits a voltage capacitively coupled to the test point terminal to a visible indicator which flashes intermittently, and second circuit means transmits a voltage capacitively coupled to the semiconductive shield to an audible indicator when switching means closes the second circuit means. Preferably switching means comprises a photosensitive transistor normally shielded from light by a removable plug.
Inventors
- 👤 Reinhard Filter
- 👤 Claude G. Maurice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R35/00; G01R15/00; G01R15/14; G01R15/22; G01R19/00; G01R19/145; G01R19/155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A potential indicating device for indicating the presence of a voltage on a connector in a high voltage distribution system, the connector comprising a conductor surrounded by an insulating sheath encased in a semiconductive shield and having a test point terminal embedded in the insulating sheath and exposed for contact from outside of the shield, whereby a voltage on the conductor capacitively couples a first voltage in the test point terminal and a second voltage in the shield, comprising a housing for connection to the shield having a window for viewing a visible indicator, containing a first circuit means having input terminals for connection to the test point terminal and ground, respectively, and output terminals connected to a first visible indicator, and a second circuit means having input terminals for connection to the connector shield and ground, respectively, and output terminals connected to a second indicator, wherein a voltage on the conductor energizes the first circuit means for a first visible indication of voltage status and energizes the second circuit means for a second indication of voltage status.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A potential indicating device for indicating the presence of a voltage on a connector in a high voltage distribution system, the connector comprising a conductor surrounded by an insulating sheath encased in a semiconductive shield and having a test point terminal embedded in the insulating sheath and exposed for contact from outside of the shield, whereby a voltage on the conductor capacitively couples a first voltage in the test point terminal and a second voltage in the shield, comprising a housing for connection to the shield having a window for viewing a visible indicator, containing a first circuit means having input terminals for connection to the test point terminal and ground, respectively, and output terminals connected to a first visible indicator, and a second circuit means having input terminals for connection to the connector shield and ground, respectively, and output terminals connected to a second indicator, wherein a voltage on the conductor energizes the first circuit means for a first visible indication of voltage status and energizes the second circuit means for a second indication of voltage status.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A potential indicating device as defined in claim 1 wherein the second indicator is an audible indicator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A potential indicating device as defined in claim 2 including switching means for activating the second circuit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A potential indicating device as defined in claim 3 wherein the housing has a first open end adapted to engage the connector shield about the test point terminal and a second end adapted to receive a plug, and the switching means comprises a photo-sensitive transistor presented through the second end of the housing such that the plug when engaged with the housing prevents exposure of the photo-sensitive transistor to light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A potential indicating device as defined in claims 2, 3 or 4 wherein the visible indicator is a neon lamp presented for viewing through the window in the housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
182 words
A potential indicating device for indicating the presence of voltage on a connector in a high voltage distribution system, the connector comprising a conductor surrounded by an insulating sheath encased in a semiconductive shield and having a test point terminal embedded in the insulating sheath and exposed for contact from outside of the shield, whereby a voltage on the conductor capacitively couples a first voltage on the test point terminal and a second voltage on the shield, comprising a housing having a first open end adapted to engage the connector shield, a second end, and a window for viewing a visible indicator, containing a first circuit means having input terminals connected to the test point terminal and ground, respectively, and output terminals connected to the visible indicator, and a second circuit means having input terminals connected to the connector shield and ground, respectively, and output terminals connected to an audible indicator, wherein a voltage on the conductor energizes the first circuit means for a visible indication of voltage status and energizes the second circuit means for an audible indication of voltage status.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
182 words
A potential indicating device for indicating the presence of voltage on a connector in a high voltage distribution system, the connector comprising a conductor surrounded by an insulating sheath encased in a semiconductive shield and having a test point terminal embedded in the insulating sheath and exposed for contact from outside of the shield, whereby a voltage on the conductor capacitively couples a first voltage on the test point terminal and a second voltage on the shield, comprising a housing having a first open end adapted to engage the connector shield, a second end, and a window for viewing a visible indicator, containing a first circuit means having input terminals connected to the test point terminal and ground, respectively, and output terminals connected to the visible indicator, and a second circuit means having input terminals connected to the connector shield and ground, respectively, and output terminals connected to an audible indicator, wherein a voltage on the conductor energizes the first circuit means for a visible indication of voltage status and energizes the second circuit means for an audible indication of voltage status.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A potential indicating device as defined in claim 6 including switching means for closing the second circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A potential indicating device as defined in claim 7 wherein switching means comprises a photo-sensitive transistor presented through the second end of the housing and a plug adapted to removably engage the second end of the housing and prevent exposure of the photo-sensitive transistor to light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A potential indicating device as defined in claims 6, 7 or 8 wherein the visible indicator is a neon lamp presented for viewing through the window in the housing.
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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) | 1992-03-20 | 1992-09-19 | 1993-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-20 | 1996-09-19 | 1997-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-20 | 2000-09-19 | 2001-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |