Apparatus, methods, and techniques of display for obscured feature detection with live wire detection
AssigneeFranklin Sensors Inc.
InventorDavid M. Dorrough
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Obscured feature detectors are disclosed that have both the capability to sense the location of obscured structural features and the ability to warn a user of obscured live electrical wires in the vicinity. Apparatus, devices, and methods to detect a presence of hidden or obscured objects or features behind opaque, solid surfaces are disclosed. Beams, studs and columns behind walls and joists beneath floors can be located. Also, a presence of an electrical field strength associated with live wires behind walls and beneath floors can be detected. The location of obscured features and the electric field strength can be displayed simultaneously.
Claims19
An apparatus for detecting obscured features and obscured electrical wires behind a surface, the apparatus comprising:
- an obscured feature sensing element to sense an obscured feature;
- obscured feature sensing circuitry operatively coupled to the obscured feature sensing element, the obscured feature sensing circuitry configured to measure a sensor reading on the obscured feature sensing element;
- an obscured feature indicator to display to a user that an obscured feature has been detected behind a surface, based on the sensor reading;
- a live wire sensing element to detect an obscured live electrical wire;
- electrical wire sensing circuitry operatively coupled to the live wire sensing element, the electrical wire sensing circuitry to receive signals originating from the live wire sensing element;
- a live wire indicator to display to the user a variable electrical field strength of a detected live electrical wire, based on the signals originating from the live wire sensing element;
- and
- an auto-corrector to adjust the display range of the live wire indicator in the event that a new reading is beyond the display range of the live wire indicator,
- wherein the obscured feature indicator and the live wire indicator are concurrently displayed to the user.
An apparatus for detecting obscured features and obscured electrical wires, the apparatus comprising:
- an obscured feature indicator to display to a user that an obscured feature has been detected behind a surface;
- a live wire indicator to display to the user a variable electrical field strength of an obscured live electrical wire, wherein the live wire indicator has a display range;
- and
- an auto-corrector to adjust the display range of the live wire indicator in the event that a new reading is beyond the display range of the live wire indicator,
- wherein the obscured feature indicator and the live wire indicator are concurrently displayed to the user.
An apparatus for detecting obscured features and obscured electrical wires behind a surface, the apparatus comprising:
- an obscured feature sensing element to sense an obscured feature;
- obscured feature sensing circuitry operatively coupled to the obscured feature sensing element, the obscured feature sensing circuitry configured to measure a sensor reading on the obscured feature sensing element;
- an obscured feature indicator to display to a user that an obscured feature has been detected behind a surface, based on the sensor reading;
- a live wire sensing element to detect an obscured live electrical wire;
- electrical wire sensing circuitry operatively coupled to the live wire sensing element, the electrical wire sensing circuitry to receive signals originating from the live wire sensing element;
- and
- a live wire indicator to display to the user a variable electrical field strength of a detected live electrical wire, based on the signals originating from the live wire sensing element,
- wherein the obscured feature indicator and the live wire indicator are concurrently displayed to the user, wherein the live wire sensing element is decoupled from the electrical wire sensing circuitry before the obscured feature sensing circuitry is operatively coupled to the obscured feature sensing element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.