Abstract: An adaptable tie bar assembly for use with a power boat having more than one engine. The adaptable tie bar assembly comprises a hollow tube for a first part, a rod for second part that slides within the first part of the adaptable tie bar assembly and a pin to secure the rod second part in fixed position in the hollow tube at which point the engines are parallel and the power boat is being operated at higher speeds. A solenoid may be used to insert and retract the pin. Physically aligned and secured engines improve safety when moving at high speeds. At lower speeds, being able to operate the engines independently enables better steering control.

Abstract: A wireless phasing voltmeter transmitting two bits per second includes a reference unit using two audio frequency pulses per second to modulate a radio frequency carrier wave for simplex transmission of phase information to a field unit. The time between the two data bits is proportional to the phase difference between the reference voltage waveform and a first GPS-signal based waveform. The audio frequency of the two audio pulses representing the two data bits points to the frequency of the electric grid, rising when the grid frequency is faster and falling when the grid frequency is slower. A meter probe measures the phase angle of the field conductor against a second GPS generated waveform. Comparison yields the phase angle difference between the field conductor and the reference conductor. The radio frequency simplex data transmission perhaps using a cellphone data link, transmitting lower data rates is more reliable over greater distances.

Abstract: A long distance wireless phasing voltmeter has a first unit that uses two data bits per second to modulate a radio frequency carrier wave for simplex transmission to a second unit. Two bits define by their separation the phase difference between a voltage signal waveform on a reference conductor and a universal waveform generated from a GPS Pulse. The second unit also generates a universal waveform from a GPS Pulse and compares it to the voltage signal waveform on a local field conductor to obtain a second phase difference. The second unit compares the two phase differences to determine grid frequency, absolute phase angle, phase difference, phase rotation, and phase sequence between the reference conductor and the field conductor. Two pulses can be transmitted more reliably over data links miles apart than a longer signal and even when the data transmission occurs over a cell phone data link.

Abstract: A method and device for sorting grounded electrical conductors according to phase. Different high-current pulsed sequences are applied to each of the electrical conductors of a first three-phase conductor in an electrical power network. Pulsed current sequences applied to the three electrical conductors of the first conductor, seeking an electrical ground, will be detectable on the electrical conductors of each of the conductors in parallel with the electrical conductors of the first conductor. A detector detects a magnetic-pulsed sequence associated with the current-pulsed sequences on the electrical conductors and matches it to one of the corresponding current-pulsed sequences on the electrical conductors of the first three-phase conductor, thereby decoding the sequence to identify the phases of each of the conductors. Each electrical conductor is then tagged with its phase before the conductor network is ungrounded and energized.

Abstract: A phasing voltmeter having a dual input AC voltage measuring device in parallel with a series configuration of two high impedance high voltage resistors and two metering resistors. Shielding surrounds and isolates the voltmeter and is connected to the series configuration at a junction between the two metering resistors. The AC voltage measuring device measures the voltage across two voltage lines as well as the exact values of the stray AC capacitive charging currents associated with all high voltage sources. From these previously undesirable stray capacitive charging currents, a math processor in the voltmeter and in contact with two dual input measuring device receives input from between each resistor in the series, determines and displays the actual voltage across the conductors, its origin, the leading phase, lagging phase, phase sequence and phase rotation of the voltages on the AC conductors undergoing testing.

Abstract: A wireless phasing voltmeter determines the phase difference between the voltage carried by a reference electrical conductor and a field conductor. The voltage signal from the reference conductor is detected by a first unit and compared to a precision 60 Hz wave form generated from a first 1 pps GPS signal. The phase difference between the wave form and the reference conductor, represented by nine data bits, is used to modulate a radio frequency carrier wave and transmitted via simplex transmission to a second unit near an electrical conductor in the field. The second unit receives the modulated carrier wave, decodes the phase angle difference and compares it to a second phase angle difference between the voltage on the field conductor and a second precision 60 Hz wave form generated from a second 1 pps GPS signal. The difference between the two phase differences determines the phase of the field conductor.

Abstract: Power transfer over power lines is indicated using a controller to short power lines briefly near the end of the positive portion of the alternating voltage cycle of a distant power generation source using a silicon-controlled rectifier thereby creating current pulses from the voltage produced by that source and at a frequency consistent with the source's electric system frequency. The pulse can be detected and measured on other parts of the same circuit using a probe. The controller and probe may be used for locating cables in the same electrical circuit, sorting particular cables in the same circuit from others cables, verifying the condition of cables, determining the source and load feeds on the primary side of a transformer from the low side of the transformer, locating unwanted ground faults, and determining the portion of the electrical load provided by each of plural generation plants.

Abstract: A long range wireless electrical phasing system using a centrally located beacon to transmit reference phase angle information to any number of locally handheld (Meter Probes) display modules containing a receiver to receive the distant beacon signal and a contact electrode used to contact a local electrical conductor. The display module processes the distant message and local electrical phase information and displays the exact phase angle difference of the local electrical conductor with respect to a distant reference phase.

Abstract: A long range wireless phasing voltmeter determines the phase difference between the time-varying voltage carried on a reference electrical conductor and another, field conductor. The voltage signal from the reference conductor is measured by a reference probe and compared by a first unit in communication with that reference probe to a precision 60 Hz signal generated from a GPS receiver. The phase difference between these, in the form of a nine-bit, audible signal using frequency shift keying to modulate the carrier frequency, is transmitted by the first unit to a second unit perhaps miles away. A receiver in the second unit decodes the signal and uses another precision 60 Hz signal generated from another GPS receiver to re-create a surrogate of the original reference voltage signal. This surrogate signal is forwarded to a meter probe that is measuring the signal on a field conductor. The meter probe can then compare the two signals to determine the phase angle difference between them.

Abstract: A long range wireless phasing voltmeter determines the phase difference between the time-varying voltage carried on a reference electrical conductor and another, field conductor. The voltage signal from the reference conductor is measured by a reference probe and compared by a first unit in communication with that reference probe to a 60 Hz signal generated from a GPS receiver. The phase difference, in the form of a nine-bit, audible signal using frequency shift keying to modulate the carrier frequency, is transmitted to a second unit perhaps miles away. A receiver in the second unit decodes the signal and uses another 60 Hz signal generated from another GPS receiver to re-create and then forward a surrogate of the original reference voltage signal to a meter probe that is measuring the signal on a field conductor. The meter probe can then compare the two signals to determine the phase angle difference.

Abstract: A voltage detector that more accurately measures AC voltage of a voltage conductor by correcting the voltage detected directly by the detector's contact probe to account for the conductor's size and shape. The housing of the detector has plural non-contact electrode sensors spaced apart over its surface for sensing capacitive charging currents in the detector's vicinity. By combining voltages sensed by these electrode sensors to the probe's measured voltage, the detector can correct the contact probe measurement for voltages that bypass the contact probe or other conductors in the vicinity that product their own capacitive charging currents. A microprocessor in the housing of the present detector adds or subtracts sensed voltages depending on whether they are input or output voltages, respectively.

Abstract: A long-range wireless phasing voltmeter having a high impedance AC voltmeter in series between two high impedance probes. Shielding surrounds and electrically isolates the voltmeter and probes that communicate wirelessly via a pair of frequency translators, thus eliminating the cable customarily used to connect the probes and enabling measurements of the voltages, voltage differences, phases and phase difference between two conductor that may be miles apart. The signal transmitted from the first probe to the second may be analog or digital and is automatically compensated to correct the synchronization of the transmitted signal for the delay required to send it via the two translators.

Abstract: The present invention is a voltage detector that is capable of measuring AC voltages, especially the high voltages encountered by electric utility linemen, with improved accuracy. To obtain these improvements in accuracy the present invention includes a novel circuit, which can be incorporated into a standard digital voltage detector. This circuit is able to accurately determine the magnitude of external capacitive reactance, which allows the voltage detector to compensate for variances in the external capacitive reactance that, if uncompensated, could adversely affect the voltage measurement; consequently, this invention provides the user with an AC voltage detector having improved accuracy characteristics.

Abstract: A wireless alternating current phasing voltmeter multimeter that uses modular wireless based components in order to provide indications of highly desirable parameters of interest, such as AC voltage, phase rotation, and the number of degrees difference between phases. The use of wireless technology eliminates the cable customarily used to interconnect the test probes and the metering circuitry, which may effectively eliminate the concern regarding the distance separating the power lines that are to be tested. The wireless alternating current phasing voltmeter multimeter has two base modules, but, because of the flexibility of the design, modifications can be readily incorporated into the present invention modules that allow for numerous operational and functional permutations to be implemented in order to meet an individual user's needs including the use of one of the modules as a hand-held base module that can be remotely located away from the electrical power lines (or test points).

Abstract: A wireless phasing voltmeter having a high impedance AC voltmeter in series with two high impedance probes. Shielding surrounds and electrically isolates the voltmeter and probes which communicate via wireless, FM transmission, thus eliminating the cable customarily used to connect the probes. The signal transmitted may be analog or digital. The transmitter and receiver may be plugged into the same jacks on the probe that were used for the cable. In parallel with the voltmeter and connected electrically with the shielding is an electrical circuit designed to add the capacitive current to a current detected by the probes in such a way that the net effect on the measured current is zero.

Abstract: The present invention is a voltage detector that is capable of measuring AC voltages, especially the high voltages encountered by electric utility linemen, with improved accuracy. To obtain these improvements in accuracy the present invention includes a novel circuit, which can be incorporated into a standard digital voltage detector. This circuit is able to accurately determine the magnitude of external capacitive reactance, which allows the voltage detector to compensate for variances in the external capacitive reactance that, if uncompensated, could adversely affect the voltage measurement; consequently, this invention provides the user with an AC voltage detector having improved accuracy characteristics.

Abstract: A phasing voltmeter having a high impedance AC voltmeter in series with two high impedance probes. Shielding surrounds and electrically isolates the voltmeter and probes. In parallel with the voltmeter and connected electrically with the shielding is an electrical circuit designed to add the capacitive current to a current detected by the probes. The capacitive current is added in such a way that the net effect on the measured current is zero. The electrical circuit comprises two impedance elements, such as resistors, that meet at a junction where they are connected to the shielding. The impedances on either side of the junction are matched either by careful selection of the elements or by selection of adjustable elements so that the junction is a null point.

Abstract: A wireless phasing voltmeter having a high impedance AC voltmeter in series with two high impedance probes. Shielding surrounds and electrically isolates the voltmeter and probes which communicate via wireless, FM transmission, thus eliminating the cable customarily used to connect the probes. The signal transmitted may be analog or digital. The transmitter and receiver may be plugged into the same jacks on the probe that were used for the cable. In parallel with the voltmeter and connected electrically with the shielding is an electrical circuit designed to add the capacitive current to a current detected by the probes in such a way that the net effect on the measured current is zero.

Abstract: A phasing voltmeter having a high impedance AC voltmeter in series with two high impedance probes. Shielding surrounds and electrically isolates the voltmeter and probes. In parallel with the voltmeter and connected electrically with the shielding is an electrical circuit designed to add the capacitive current to a current detected by the probes. The capacitive current is added in such a way that the net effect on the measured current is zero. The electrical circuit comprises two impedance elements, such as resistors, that meet at a junction where they are connected to the shielding. The impedances on either side of the junction are matched either by careful selection of the elements or by selection of adjustable elements so that the junction is a null point.

Abstract: A passive voltmeter for high voltage transmission lines that accurately measures and displays a wide range of voltages. A d'Arsonval type meter movement is preferably used in conjunction with the voltmeter wherein the scale contains a linear range and a compressed, nearly-logarithmic range. A circuit controls the pointer so that the deflection is linear for a low range of voltages while a high range of voltages is deflected in a compressed manner. The term “compressed” means that the display is scaled in a logarithmic manner although not a true logarithmic function. The circuit comprises one or more parallel branches with a meter movement and a resistor in the first branch; each additional branch, if more than one, contains a resistor and at least one diode connected in series.