# US 9,964,583 B2 · Method and apparatus for predicting life cycle of a splice

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- Number: US 9,964,583 B2
- Document ID: US9964583B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/297,460
- Filed: 2016-10-19
- Published: 2017-02-09
- Granted: 2018-05-08
- Earliest claimed: 2013-02-22
- Assignees: SmartKable, LLC
- Applicants: SmartKable LLC
- Inventors: Douglas S. Hirsh; Michael M. Muehlemann
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9964583B2

## CPC

- G01R 31/66: Testing of connections, e.g. of plugs or non-disconnectable joints (testing for incorrect line connections G01R31/55)
- G01R 31/58: Testing of lines, cables or conductors (testing of electric windings G01R31/72)
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)

## Abstract

A monitoring apparatus, and method of use, that is capable of determining the joint characteristics by means of waveforms shifts at zero-crossing angular distortions through predictive failure algorithm specific to circuit under test.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for predicting a life cycle of a splice in a transmission line comprising:
a) establishing a baseline over time for a splice based on angular displacements in a signal curve for the splice in a vicinity of a zero crossing point of the signal curve using a sine curve and a first ratio of amplitude at a time of monitoring and an amplitude at a start time and a period change ratio based on a period at the time of monitoring and the period at the start time;
b) repeatedly monitoring a functioning in-service splice over a period of time in the vicinity of the zero crossing point for a signal of the in-service splice using the angular displacements used in step (a) for the signal of the in-service splice; and
c) comparing the baseline of step (a) to information from step (b) to determine a degradation for the functioning in-service splice and a decay rate curve, the decay rate curve providing an indication of a percentage of useful life remaining and time to failure for the functioning in-service splice, the decay rate curve providing a guide for monitoring other splices for useful life and time to failure.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An apparatus adapted for practicing the method of claim 1 comprising;
a) probes for determining instantaneous voltage potential across the splice;
b) a current sense device for determining instantaneous current output based upon the splice,
c) a nonconductive platform to support an associate device, the associated device collecting and analyzing data from the functioning in-service splice being monitored; and
d) means for establishing the baseline, repeatedly monitoring the functioning in-service splice over a period of time, and comparing the baseline of step (a) to information from step (b) to determine a degradation for the functioning in-service splice and the decay rate curve.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a pair of clamps, the clamps configured to attach to a portion of the transmission line on either side of the splice, the clamps supporting the non-conductive platform.