Electricity: measuring and testing – Measuring – testing – or sensing electricity – per se – Nonquantitative
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-11
2001-03-13
Brown, Glenn W. (Department: 2858)
Electricity: measuring and testing
Measuring, testing, or sensing electricity, per se
Nonquantitative
C324S066000, C324S542000, C324S555000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201385
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to voltage and continuity testers. More specifically, the invention relates to an improved, portable, easy to use voltage and continuity tester for troubleshooting common problems with electrical systems. The present invention is generally directed towards the field of irrigation systems, but it can also be used to diagnose electrical problems in automotive systems, industrial equipment, low voltage lighting and the like.
Voltage and continuity testers are well known diagnostic tools in many industries. In the field of irrigation systems, voltage and continuity testers are used to check for broken or shorted wires in the system, check for an open solenoid, check the power output at the system's controller, identify unknown wiring and test for proper activation of the system's valves. Existing diagnostic tools, such as general purpose multi-meters, are complicated, bulky and expensive. These diagnostic tools often employ LEDs that are hard to see or meters that require interpretation. They also require the user to stay in close visual range for interpretation of the results. This can be quite time consuming and inconvenient, especially when testing an irrigation system with multiple sprinkler stations distributed over an area of property. Often times, this means that two people must be involved in the testing—one person to operate the system's controller and a second person to test each sprinkler station with the diagnostic tool. Although existing diagnostic tools can accomplish most of testing that is needed for an irrigation system, none offer a quick and easy way to locate one or all of the system's valves, which is an essential procedure when working with sprinklers.
In addition, most diagnostic tools require that the wires be cut in order to be tested. After the testing is complete, the wires are then spliced back together. This is time consuming and also reduces the reliability of the system. Furthermore, with many voltage and continuity testers, the user must appropriately set a switch to select an AC or DC mode of operation.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved voltage and continuity tester that is portable, easy to use and affordable. There is also a need for a voltage and continuity tester that does not require interpretation of results and can be operated by a single user. Moreover, there is a need for a voltage and continuity tester that allows a user to quickly and easily locate one or all of the valves in an irrigation system.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A voltage and continuity tester includes a positive probe, a negative probe and a valve finder probe. An AC/DC activated buzzer is coupled across the positive probe and the negative probe. Preferably, the buzzer is a loud piezoelectric device that emits a 95 dB tone that can be heard at long distances. The valve finder probe is coupled to the negative probe via a diode. In the preferred embodiment, the positive probe and the negative probe include piercing connectors that break through the insulation of a wire and directly contact the wire without having to cut the insulation.
The voltage and continuity tester of the present invention is portable, light weight, affordable and easy to use. The loud tone from the buzzer audibly indicates test results and eliminates the need to interpret meter readings or observe hard to see LEDs. The buzzer also eliminates the need for the user to be in close visual range of the tester, thus making it a “one-man” operation. The built in valve finder probe allows the user to quickly and easily locate one or any of the valves in an irrigation system. The piercing connectors on the probes making cutting and splicing of wires unnecessary, thus saving time and preserving the system's reliability. The voltage and continuity tester is operable over a 6 to 24 volt range and is AC or DC compatible, making it useful for a variety of different applications.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3768005 (1973-10-01), Louks
patent: 4225817 (1980-09-01), Kahlden
patent: 4356442 (1982-10-01), Beha
patent: 4366434 (1982-12-01), Ellis
patent: 4527118 (1985-07-01), Koslar
patent: 4652813 (1987-03-01), Bakke et al.
patent: 4797623 (1989-01-01), Hoffman et al.
patent: 5003249 (1991-03-01), Bird
patent: 5481185 (1996-01-01), Lane et al.
patent: 5672964 (1997-09-01), Vinci
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