Dual-Display Voltmeter with Synchronized Probes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior high-voltage voltmeters/phasers typically have a single voltage meter display, making it difficult for both crew members to simultaneously view the measured voltage, as the display is only visible to the person holding the stick with the meter, necessitating procedural relays of information.
Innovation Solution
A dual-probe voltmeter/phaser design with separate voltage measurement and display circuits at each probe, connected via a single cable, allowing both displays to show the same voltage value through a data signal conductor, ensuring both operators can see the measurement simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single voltage meter display is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but both crew members cannot simultaneously view the measured voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The single display is segmented into two separate displays, with each probe having its own display unit. This allows both crew members to simultaneously view the voltage measurement without requiring complex communication procedures, directly resolving the visibility limitation while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The display information is copied from one display to another through the data signal conductor. The first display circuit generates the voltage reading, which is then transmitted via the second conductor to the second display circuit, ensuring both displays show identical information simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If separate display circuits are provided at each probe, then both crew members can view the measurement simultaneously, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power and data signal transmission are merged into a single cable connection. The same cable that provides electrical connection for voltage measurement also carries the data signal from the first display circuit to the second display circuit, eliminating the need for separate data transmission wiring and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection for voltage measurement, mechanical connection between probes, and data signal transmission for synchronized displays. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall device architecture.
3Loss of information
If a data signal conductor is added to transmit display data, then both displays show the same value, but the cable complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data signal conductor is integrated into the existing cable structure that already connects the two probes. Rather than adding a separate dedicated data cable, the invention utilizes the existing cable infrastructure to carry both power and data signals, maintaining cable simplicity while achieving synchronized displays.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltmeter/phaser includes dual hot-stick probes, each carrying a housing including a digital display, one of the housings also having a measurement circuit for measuring the sensed voltage. A plural-conductor cable interconnects the housings and carries, in two separate conductors, current between the probes and display data between the display circuits, so that identical voltage values are always displayed on the two displays.