Patent ID: 6252409
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A system for detecting the location of a low resistance short in a conductor comprising:a transmitter to generate a transmit test signal having a low duty cycle pulse, said transmitter having an output operatively connected to the conductor;wherein a conductor magnetic field is induced by the transmit test signal;a manipulable detector having an input to sense magnetic fields along the conductor, said detector having a output to supply a receive test signal responsive to the magnetic fields;a receiver having an input operatively connected to the output of said manipulable detector, said receiver supplying a receiver output responsive to the receive test signal, whereby said detector is manipulated in response to the receiver output; anda directional shield having center shield walls at least partially surrounding said manipulable detector and having an opening in said shield walls to expose said manipulable detector, said directional shield minimizing the influence of magnetic fields on said manipulable detector when said directional shield walls are interposed between a magnetic field and said manipulable detector, and said directional shields maximizing the influence of a magnetic field on said manipulable detector when said opening is interposed between a magnetic field and said manipulable detector, whereby a short in a conductor is precisely located through the use of said directional shield in conjunction with the receiver output signal.