US 7,248,054 B2 · Apparatus and method for detecting an electric field

Abstract

A sensor for sensing an electric field includes a movable sensor probe including one or more pair, typically three pair, of electrically conductive electrodes, and may include one or more pair of selectively switchable auxiliary electrodes. The probe is movable and may be mounted on a vehicle or trailer. A processor may process electric field signals from the probe for providing a human perceivable indication of the electric field. The processor may perform a Fast Fourier Transform of the electric field signals to produce an indication of the magnitude of the electric field, and may perform unweighted and/or weighted averaging in relation to processing electric field data, setting a comparison threshold, providing a human perceivable indication, or a combination of the foregoing. A speed at which the sensor probe is moving may be utilized in processing the data.

Claims31

Dependent claims

An apparatus for detecting an electric field of a stray voltage anomaly in the presence of a plurality of electric fields, comprising:

at least one sensor probe adaptable for mobility about said electric fields, said sensor probe having at least one pair of electrically conductive electrodes for sensing said electric fields;
an analog to digital converter coupled to said electrically conductive electrodes for digitizing electrical signals received from said sensor probe representative of said electric fields;
at least one measuring device for determining a location and a speed of said sensor probe;
a processor coupled to said analog to digital converter and to said measuring device for processing said digitized electrical signals, wherein said digitized electrical signals are averaged commensurate with said speed at which said sensor probe is moving;
and
an interface coupled to said processor having commands for monitoring and controlling said apparatus, said interface providing an audible and visual output for the presence of said stray voltage anomaly detected in said plurality of electric fields.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for detecting an electric field

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for detecting an electric field

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31