IP Library Granted Patent US 9,658,265
Granted Patent B2
US 9,658,265 · App. 14/452,744 · Granted May 23, 2017

High voltage digital voltmeter and wireless phaser

Inventors: Mark R. Hoffman (Lake Forest, IL); James S. Buchanan (Northbrook, IL); William John McNulty (Washington, DC)
Assignee: HD ELECTRIC COMPANY
G01R25/00G01R19/2503G01R1/0416G01R1/06788
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,658,265
App. No.
14/452,744
Granted
May 23, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A high voltage digital voltmeter and wireless phaser includes first and second voltmeters/phasers. Each voltmeter/phaser has a probe for accessing a point in a circuit, circuitry connected to the probe and including a microprocessor, and a ground reference associated with the circuitry. Each microprocessor is programmed to measure line-to-ground voltage of the respective voltmeter/phaser. This information is shared between the microprocessors and is used to determine voltage measurements and phase angle difference.

Claims (18)

1. A voltmeter and wireless phaser comprising:

a first voltmeter/phaser having a first probe configured to access a first point in a circuit, first circuitry connected to the first probe, a ground reference associated with the first circuitry, and a first display in communication with the first circuitry and upon which information is displayable; and

a second voltmeter/phaser having a second probe configured to access a second point in the circuit which is spaced apart from the first point, second circuitry connected to the second probe, a ground reference associated with the second circuitry, and a second display in communication with the second circuitry and upon which information is displayable;

wherein the first circuitry is configured to measure line-to-ground voltage of the first voltmeter/phaser and to communicate the measured line-to-ground voltage of the first voltmeter/phaser to the second circuitry; and

the second circuitry is configured to:

measure line-to-ground voltage of the second voltmeter/phaser and to receive the measured line-to-ground voltage from the first voltmeter/phaser,

compare the measured line-to-ground voltage of the second voltmeter/phaser with the line-to-ground voltage received from the first voltmeter/phaser to determine a line-to-line voltage between the first and second voltmeters/phasers, and

output information regarding the determined line-to-line voltage of the first and second voltmeters/phasers; and

wherein the first and second displays are configured to concurrently display the information regarding the determined line-to-line voltage of the first and second voltmeters/phasers.

2. The voltmeter and wireless phaser of claim 1 , wherein the ground reference associated with said first circuitry is provided by a first ground cord which, in use, is directly connected to a ground conductor, and the ground reference associated with said second circuitry is provided by a second ground cord which, in use, is directly connected to a ground conductor.

3. The voltmeter and wireless phaser of claim 1 , wherein the ground reference associated with said first circuitry is provided by a first electrode which measures electric field strength, and the ground reference associated with said second circuitry is provided by a second electrode which measures electric field strength.

4. The voltmeter and wireless phaser of claim 1 , wherein said first voltmeter/phaser further comprising a first high-voltage resistor connected between the first probe and the first circuitry, and a first insulating housing enclosing the first high-voltage resistor and carrying the first probe; and wherein said second voltmeter/phaser further comprises a second high-voltage resistor connected between the second probe and the second circuitry, and a second insulating housing enclosing the second high-voltage resistor and carrying the second probe.

5. The voltmeter and wireless phaser of claim 4 , wherein said first voltmeter/phaser further comprises a first shunt resistor connected with the first probe and a first analog-to-digital converter connected across the first shunt resistor; and wherein said second voltmeter/phaser further comprises a second shunt resistor connected with the second probe and a second analog-to-digital converter connected across the second shunt resistor.

6. The voltmeter and wireless phaser of claim 1 , wherein the second circuitry is configured to calculate a phase angle difference between said first point in the circuit and the second point in the circuit.

7. The voltmeter and wireless phaser of claim 6 , wherein the first and second displays are configured to concurrently display information regarding phase-to-ground voltage or phase-to-phase voltage of each of the first and second voltmeters/phasers.

8. The voltmeter and wireless phaser of claim 6 , wherein information is communicated between the first and second voltmeters/phasers via a wireless link.

9. The voltmeter and wireless phaser of claim 1 , wherein information is communicated between the first and second voltmeters/phasers via a wireless link.

10. The voltmeter and wireless phaser of claim 9 , wherein the wireless link is provided by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Mar 13, 2020
From: HD ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: GREENLEE TOOLS, INC.
Reel/Frame 052107/0822 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 16, 2014
From: HOFFMAN, MARK R.; BUCHANAN, JAMES S.; MCNULTY, WILLIAM JOHN
To: HD ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 033750/0881 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160041208A1 · Feb 11, 2016