# US 10,871,509 B2 · Method and apparatus for discrimination of sources in stray voltage detection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,871,509 B2 - Document ID: US10871509B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/457,821 - Filed: 2019-06-28 - Published: 2019-10-24 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2010-01-26 - Assignees: Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. - Applicants: Osmose Utilities Services, Inc. - Inventors: David Kalokitis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871509B2 ## CPC - G01R 19/145: Indicating the presence of current or voltage - G01R 19/155: Indicating the presence of voltage - G01R 29/0814: {Field measurements related to measuring influence on or from apparatus, components or humans (EMC, EMI and similar testing in general G01R31/001), e.g. in ESD, EMI, EMC, EMP testing, measuring radiation leakage; detecting presence of micro- or radiowave emitters; dosimetry; testing shielding; measurements related to lightning} - G01R 29/0871: {Complete apparatus or systems; circuits, e.g. receivers or amplifiers (G01R29/0878, G01R29/0892 take precedence; dosimeters, warning devices G01R29/0857)} - G01R 29/0878: {Sensors; antennas; probes; detectors (wave guide measuring sections G01R1/24)} - G01R 29/10: Radiation diagrams of antennas - G01R 29/12: Measuring electrostatic fields {or voltage-potential} - G01R 29/14: Measuring field distribution - G06T 11/26: Drawing of charts or graphs - G06T 11/65: on geographic maps - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL ## Abstract A method and apparatus for discriminating between electric field sources. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a mobile detection system comprising a sensor probe for remotely measuring an electric field generated by an electric field source in a patrolled area; and a processor, coupled to the sensor probe, for processing data received from the sensor probe to generate a first field strength and at least a second field strength for determining whether the electric field source is potentially hazardous. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for identifying hazardous electric field sources, the apparatus comprising: a mobile detection system comprising: a sensor probe for measuring an electric field generated by an electric field source and producing one or more electrical signals representative of strength of the electric field; a processor for executing computer-executable instructions, stored on a memory coupled to the processor, the instructions comprising: processing the one or more electrical signals to generate a plurality of field strengths, wherein each field strength of the plurality of field strengths is indicative of strength of the electric field at a different frequency, and wherein the plurality of field strengths comprises a first strength at a first frequency and a second strength at a second frequency that is a harmonic of the first frequency; and a display that displays, based on the plurality of field strengths, an indication of the relative values of the plurality of field strengths. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises a simultaneous display of each field strength of the plurality of field strengths. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the simultaneous display is a graphical display. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of field strengths comprises a field strength at a frequency that is a fundamental frequency of a power distribution system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of field strengths comprises a strength at a frequency that is a harmonic of a fundamental frequency of a power distribution system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first frequency is a fundamental frequency of a power distribution system, and the second frequency that is a harmonic of the fundamental frequency. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of field strengths are each normalized with respect to time and amplitude. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the indication further comprises imagery, corresponding to a location of the mobile detection system, that is overlaid with the simultaneous display of each field strength of the plurality of field strengths. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the imagery is overlain on a horizontal plane relative to a plane of motion of the mobile detection system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises a depiction of changes in value over time for each field strength of the plurality of field strengths. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fundamental frequency is 60 Hz. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an imaging device for collecting the imagery. ### Claim 13 A method for identifying hazardous electric field sources comprising: measuring, via a sensor probe coupled to a vehicle, an electric field generated by an electric field source to produce one or more electrical signals representative of strength of the electric field; determining, by a processor and based on the one or more electrical signals, a plurality of field strengths, wherein each field strength of the plurality of field strengths is indicative of strength of the electric field at a different frequency, and wherein the plurality of field strengths comprises a first strength at a first frequency and a second strength at a second frequency that is a harmonic of the first frequency; and displaying, by a display and based on the plurality of field strengths, an indication of the relative values of the plurality of field strengths. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the indication comprises a simultaneous display of each field strength of the plurality of field strengths. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the simultaneous display is a graphical display. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of field strengths comprises a field strength at a frequency that is a fundamental frequency of a power distribution system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of field strengths comprises a strength at a frequency that is a harmonic of a fundamental frequency of a power distribution system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the first frequency is a fundamental frequency of a power distribution system, and the second frequency is a harmonic of the fundamental frequency. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of field strengths are each normalized with respect to time and amplitude. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the indication further comprises imagery, corresponding to a location of the vehicle, that is overlain on the simultaneous display of each field strength of the plurality of field strengths.