# US 9,520,038 B2 · Copper theft alarm for grain bin systems

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,520,038 B2
- Document ID: US9520038B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/007,732
- Filed: 2016-01-27
- Published: 2016-05-26
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2014-06-30
- Assignees: Net Irrigate, LLC
- Applicants: Net Irrigate, LLC
- Inventors: Edward DeSalle
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9520038B2

## CPC

- G08B 13/12: by the breaking or disturbance of stretched cords or wires
- G08B 13/22: Electrical actuation
- H02G 2200/10: Prevention of theft of valuable metals
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES

## Abstract

A copper theft alarm system is disclosed. The alarm system can be deployed on existing grain bins or other electrically powered equipment, allowing persons to receive an automated phone call, text message notification, or other desired notification when the system has sensed that a copper cable is being pulled out of a conduit. The notification can aid in potentially disrupting a thief's activity.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An anti-theft system for a plurality of electric power cables comprising:
a radio transmitter for generating a notification to a predetermined recipient; and
a conductive sensing loop having first and second ends, said sensing loop passing through a plurality of conduits with each of said plurality of conduits housing a separate power cable;
an alarm circuit coupled to said radio transmitter, said alarm circuit comprising:
a first circuit for supplying a voltage, independent of the voltage carried by said electric power cables, to said first end of said conductive sensing loop; and
a second circuit for detecting said voltage at said second end of said conductive sensing loop and triggering said notification by providing power to said radio transmitter when said voltage is disrupted.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the conductive sensing loop comprises an electrical conductor sized to facilitate breakage of the conductor when one of the power cables is pulled out of one of the plurality of conduits.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the conductive sensing loop comprises an electrical conductor having a smaller diameter than said electric power cable.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein the conductive sensing loop comprises a plurality of conductor segments connected in series, said conductor segments forming an electrically continuous path between said first and second ends.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The anti-theft device of claim 1, wherein said conductive sensing loop is installed in at least three conduits containing separate power cables.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The anti-theft system of claim 1, further comprising:
an on-board battery, the battery supplying at least a portion of said voltage.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The anti-theft device of claim 1, wherein no external power source is used in providing said voltage.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The anti-theft system of claim 1, further comprising a door sensor wired serially within said sensing loop, said door sensor configured to disrupt said voltage when a door of an access panel associated with the power cable is opened.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The anti-theft system of claim 8, wherein said door sensor comprises a limit switch.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The anti-theft system of claim 8, further comprising a key sensor wired in parallel with the door sensor, the key sensor configured to maintain said voltage when the door is opened using a key.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The anti-theft device of claim 1, wherein said radio transmitter is a cellular radio.