Patent Publication Number: US-2020292593-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for an improved voltage detector

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to voltage detectors, and more particularly to an extendable voltage detector. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electrical power distribution systems often include overhead electrical power distribution lines mounted upon poles by a wide variety of mounting structure. Other distribution systems include underground distribution lines in which protected cables run under the ground surface. It is often necessary to take voltage measurements of distribution and transmission lines while testing for induced or live power line or equipment. 
     Known high voltage safety line detectors, meters and testers comprise high resistance probes connected in series with a calibrated panel meter to read the voltage. They are designed for use as safety tools by high voltage line maintenance workers to verify the status of the line or equipment as nominal, induced or de-energized. Known devices for providing such measurements include contact type and non-contact type. 
     The direct high voltage measurement by contacting the live high voltage power lines by using high voltage measuring and detecting equipment is often cumbersome due to distance of the power line from the ground. There are also safety concerns since voltage levels are generally more than 69 kV in an electrical power system. 
     A non-contact type measurement technique does not require that the testing equipment directly contact the power line. However, the conventional non-contact voltage testing devices determine only the presence of a voltage on the line. They do not show the magnitude of the voltage. 
     The approximate magnitude of the voltage is necessary to understand the voltage levels in the electrical power system. Also, decisions must often be made with respect to voltage presence due to induced voltage or voltage due to overloading or voltage levels of different electrical lines. There can also be voltage accuracy issues with floating high voltages. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view an exemplary voltage detector. 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchat of the method for detecting a voltage. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. All terms in the plural shall also be taken as singular and vice-versa. Further, any reference to he shall also be applicable to she and vice-versa. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary voltage detector  100  is presented. The voltage detector  100  is useful in determining if a voltage on a given source exceeds a threshold that would put one in peril. The voltage detector  100  has a handle  102 , a display panel  104 , a rod  106  and a voltage probe  108 . The handle  102  may be rubber, cork, carbon fiber, etc. 
     The display panel  104  of the voltage detector  100  is useful to display the caution status of an electrical charge. The display panel  104  can be lamps, a LED display, a speaker, any combination of the aforementioned, etc. 
     The rod  106  can be a solid or hollow material. The rod  106  may be in one complete piece or may be extendable to reach further distances without be clumsy to use. The rod may have a first portion  110 , a second portion  112 , a third portion  114 , a fourth portion  116  and a fifth portion  118 . Each of the portions may be any length and size. The exemplary portions each slide into the portion before and after that portion. To secure the connection of each of the portions a secure connection mechanism may be employed, such mechanisms may be an inter-connected portion, a hole and button connector, a strap connector, a coupler, etc. 
     The first portion  110  has a distal end  120  and a proximal end  122 . The proximal end  122  of the first portion is coupled to the handle  102  to form the base of the rod  106 . The display panel  104  may be placed between or at the coupling of the handle  102  and the proximal end of the first portion  110 . 
     The second portion  112  has a distal end  124  and a proximal end  126 . The proximal end  124  of the second portion  112  is coupled to the distal end  120  of the first portion  110  to form a first extendable portion of the rod  106 . The coupling may be an inter-connected portion, a hole and button connector, a strap connector, a coupler, etc. 
     The third portion  114  has a distal end  128  and a proximal end  130 . The proximal end  130  of the third portion  114  is coupled to the distal end  124  of the second portion  112  to form a second extendable portion of the rod  106 . The coupling may be an inter-connected portion, a hole and button connector, a strap connector, a coupler, etc. 
     The fourth portion  116  has a distal end  132  and a proximal end  134 . The proximal end  134  of the fourth portion  116  is coupled to the distal end  128  of the third portion  114  to form a third extendable portion of the rod  106 . The coupling may be an inter-connected portion, a hole and button connector, a strap connector, a coupler, etc. 
     The fifth portion  118  has a distal end  136  and a proximal end  138 . The proximal end  138  of the fifth portion  118  is coupled to the distal end  132  of the fourth portion  116  to form a fourth extendable portion of the rod  106 . The coupling may be an inter-connected portion, a hole and button connector, a strap connector, a coupler, etc. 
     The voltage probe  108  is useful to couple with an electrical circuit or to be able to detect an electric charge in a source to be detected. The voltage probe  108  determines a value of the charge and sends the value of the charge to the display panel  104 . 
     The display panel  104  has a processor which determines if the value of the charge exceeds a pre-determined threshold. If the value of the charge exceeds the pre-determined threshold, then a warning indicator is activated and if a speaker is attached to display panel  104 , then a verbal alert is sounded. 
     If the display panel  104  determines that the value of the charge has not exceeded the predetermined threshold, then an indicator may be activated to indicate that the electrical source is safe. 
     The handle  102  also has an energy source  140 , the energy source  140  may be a replaceable battery, a Nicad battery, a rechargeable battery, etc. The energy source  140  is coupled to an actuator  142 . The actuator  142  may be a push button, a switch, an icon on the display panel, a toggle switch, etc. The actuator  142  is useful in turning the voltage detector  100  on. 
     Moving now to  FIG. 2 , a flowchart of the voltage detector is described. At  200 , the voltage detector  100  is actuated by pressing or actuating the actuator  142 . The actuator  142  may be a push button, a switch, an icon on the display panel, a toggle switch, etc 
     Once the voltage detector  100  has been turned on, at  210 , an indicator is activated at the display panel  104  to indicate that the voltage detector  100  has been turned on. The indicator may be a lamp, an LED display, etc. 
     At  220  a determination is made if a source has been detected, if a source has not been detected, then the voltage detector  100  may be set to power down automatically or may continue to stay on. 
     If a source was detected at  220 , then at  225  the voltage detector  100  is moved towards the detected source. The voltage detector  100  receives the charge from the detected source and determines a value of the voltage at the source. 
     At  230 , the value of the charge from detected source is compared against a predetermined threshold. If the threshold has been exceeded, then the display panel  104  displays a warning indicator, notifying the user that the voltage detected can be hazardous. If a speaker has been coupled to the voltage detector  100 , then an alert is sounded at  240 . 
     If at  230 , the value of the charge of the detected source has not exceeded the pre-determined threshold, then at  245  an indication is made to the user that the detected source&#39;s electrical charge is not hazardous. 
     The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments or combined with or interchanged with the features of other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.