BATTERY OPERATED, PORTABLE TRANSMITTER HAVING COIL SURROUNDING TUBULAR, FERROMAGNETIC HOUSING

EMETTEUR PORTATIF A PILES AVEC BOITIER FERROMAGNETIQUE TUBULAIRE BOBINE

English Abstract

A compact portable transmitter includes a ferromagnetic tubular housing. A electro-magnetic coil is wrapped around an exterior surface of the housing, such that the housing serves as a transmitter core. A protective covering is positioned over the electro-magnetic coil. Batteries are positioned within the housing to supply power to the electro-magnetic coil and associated transmitting electronics.

French Abstract

Un émetteur compact portable comprenant un boîtier tubulaire ferromagnétique. Une bobine électromagnétique est enroulée autour d'une surface extérieure du boîtier, de telle sorte que le boîtier sert de noyau émetteur. Un revêtement protecteur est positionné au-dessus de la bobine électromagnétique. Les batteries sont positionnées à l'intérieur du boîtier pour alimenter la bobine électromagnétique et l'électronique d'émission associée.

Claims

4

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:


1. A transmitter, comprising:
a ferromagnetic tubular housing having an exterior
surface, an interior surface and closed end defining an
interior cavity, and an open end having an access opening;
a closure detachably secured to the open end of the
housing to close the access opening;
transmitting electronics positioned in one of the interior
cavity and around the exterior surface of the housing;
an electro-magnetic coil wrapped around the exterior
surface of the housing, such that the housing serves as a
transmitter core;
a protective covering over the electro-magnetic coil; and
a first battery connection positioned at the closed end
of the housing;
a second battery connection positioned in the closure;
a conductive circuit through the first battery connection,
the electro-magnetic coil, and the transmitting electronics to
the second battery connection, such that batteries positioned
within the housing supply power to the electro-magnetic coil
and transmitting electronics.

2. The transmitter as defined in Claim 1, wherein the
protective covering is a hard epoxy resin.




3. A transmitter, comprising:
a ferromagnetic tubular housing having an exterior
surface, an interior surface and closed end defining an
interior cavity, and an open end having an access opening;
a closure cap threaded onto the open end of the housing
to close the access opening;
transmitting electronics positioned around the exterior
surface of the housing;
an electro-magnetic coil wrapped around the exterior
surface of the housing, such that the housing serves as a
transmitter core for the transmitting electronics;
a protective covering of hardened epoxy resin over the
transmitting electronics and the electro-magnetic coil; and
a first battery connection positioned at the closed end
of the housing;
a second battery connection positioned in the closure cap;
a conductive circuit through the first battery connection,
the electro-magnetic coil, and the transmitting electronics to
the second battery connection, such that batteries positioned
within the housing supply power to the electro-magnetic coil
and transmitting electronics.

Description

CA 02242390 2001-02-12
1
TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Battery Operated, Portable Transmitter having Coil
Surrounding Tubular, Ferromagnetic Housing

NAME ( S) OF INVENTOR ( S):
Peter Powlousky
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transmitter.
l0
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various applications in which portable
transmitters are required. For example, transmitters are
placed inside pipeline pigs used in fluid transmission
pipelines to determine the position of the pigs as they travel
along the pipeline. For example, transmitters are carried in
some aircraft and vessels to aid in search and rescue, Should
the aircraft or vessel encounter problems. It is desirable
that the transmitters be as compact as possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is a more compact form of transmitter.
According to the present invention there is provided a
transmitter which includes a ferromagnetic tubular housing
having an exterior surface. An interior surface and closed end
of the housing define an interior cavity. One end of the
housing is an open end.which has an access opening. A closure
is detachably secured to the open end of the housing to close
the access opening. Transmitting electronics are provided. An
33 electro-magnetic coil is wrapped around the exterior surface
of the housing, such that the housing serves as a transinitter
core. A protective covering is positioned over the electro-
magnetic coil. A first battery connection is positioned at the
closed end of the housing. A second battery connection is
positioned in the closure. A conductive circuit passes through
the first battery connection, the electro-rnagnetic coil, and
the transmitting elect:ronics to the second battery connection.


CA 02242390 1998-07-06
2

When batteries are positioned within the housing, the batteries
supply power to the electro-magnetic coil and the transmitting
electronics.

With the transmitter, as described above, the housing in
which the batteries are housed serves as the core of the
transmitter. This allows the transmitter to be a smaller,
sealed, self-contained unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more
apparent from the following description in which reference is
made to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is side elevation view of a transmitter
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment, a transmitter generally
identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with
reference to FIGURE 1.

With reference to FIGURE 1, the body of transmitter 10
includes a tubular housing 12 having an exterior surface 14.
An interior surface 16 and closed end 18 define an interior
cavity 20. An open end 22 provides an access opening 24. The
housing 12 is constructed from a ferromagnetic material such
as a low carbon steel. The exterior surface 14 of housing 12
at open end 22 is threaded 26. A detachable closure cap 27
threadedly engages threads 26 at open end 22 to close the
access opening 24. A electro-magnetic coil 28 is wrapped
around the exterior surface 14 of the housing 12. The housing
12 has transmitting electronics 30 which is also positioned
around the exterior surface 14 of the housing 12 adjacent to
electro-magnetic coil 28. The ferromagnetic housing 12 thereby
serves as a transmitter core for transmitter 10.


CA 02242390 1998-07-06
3

A first battery connection 32 is positioned at the closed
end 18 of the housing 12 and is insulated from the conducting
material of the housing 12 by means of an insulator disk 33.
A second battery connection 34 is positioned in the detachable
closure cap 27. A conductive circuit is completed by means of
the conductive housing 12 and wiring 36 connecting the first
battery connection 32, the electro-magnetic coil 28, and the
transmitting electronics 30 to the second battery connection
34. Batteries 38 positioned within interior cavity 20 of the
housing 12 supply power to the electro-magnetic coil 28 and
transmitting electronics 30.

A protective covering 40 composed of non-conducting
material such as a hard epoxy resin covers the magnetic coil
28, the transmitting electronics 30, and the exterior surface
14 of housing 12 except for the threaded area 26 of open end
22.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
hereinafter defined in the Claims.

Representative Drawing