GB2432676A

GB2432676A - Magnetic disturbance detector

Info

Publication number: GB2432676A
Application number: GB0523779A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen William Watson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-23
Filing date: 2005-11-23
Publication date: 2007-05-30
Also published as: WO2007060482A1; GB0523779D0

Abstract

A magnetic disturbance detector device comprises a sensor having first and second portions 12,13 arranged for movement relative to each other, at least one of the portions 12,13 comprises a magnet arranged to act on the other portion, the device further comprising an indicator 18 arranged to provide an indication when relative movement of the sensor portions 12,13 occurs. In use, the magnetic force between the two sensor portions 12,13 normally remains stable, thereby keeping them in substantially the same position relative to each other. When the ambient magnetic field is disturbed, the net magnetic force between the sensor portions 12,13 changes, thereby causing relative movement of the portions 12,13 to occur. The indicator 18 provides an indication of this movement to warn people that the magnetic has been disturbed.

Description

Magnetic Disturbance Detector This invention relates to a device for

detecting disturbance to the ambient magnetic

field.

In everyday life, persons are subjected to magnetic radiation from a variety of sources, such as from overhead or underground high-voltage power lines and from the surrounding geo-technical structure This radiation can be harmful, particularly

when changes in the magnetic field occur.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to detect any disturbance to the

ambient magnetic field and to provide a warning.

It is also believed that disturbances to the ambient magnetic field can be caused when spiritual or occult forces are present.

Accordingly, a further object of the present invention is to detect the presence of such forces I have now devised a device for detecting magnetic disturbance which meets the above-mentioned objectives.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a magnetic disturbance detector device comprising a sensor having first and second portions arranged for movement relative to each other, at least one of said portions comprising a magnet arranged to act on the other said portion, the device further comprising an indicator arranged to provide an indication when relative movement of said sensor portions occurs.

In use, the magnetic force between the two sensor portions normally remains stable, thereby keeping them in substantially the same position relative to each other.

However, when the ambient magnetic field is disturbed, the net magnetic force between the sensor portions changes, thereby causing relative movement of the portions to occur. The indicator provides an indication of this movement to warn people that the magnetic has been disturbed.

The indicator may provide an audible and/or visual indication that the magnetic field has been disturbed.

It is envisaged that the detector device may be an ornament or novelty device suitable for permanent display in a room. The indicator may thus comprise a movable member which provides a prominent yet pleasing visual effect, the movable member preferably being arranged to strike another member to produce a prominent yet pleasing audible effect.

PreferabLy the two sensor portions are normally magnetically attracted to each other, the portions being arranged to move apart when the ambient magnetic field is disturbed Preferably the two sensor portions are normally held together by an attractive magnetic force, the portions being arranged to separate when the ambient magnetic

field is disturbed

Preferably the indicator comprises a trigger which is displaced when one of the sensor portions moves to a predetermined position.

Preferably means are provided for adjusting the magnetic field between the two sensor portions, so that the normal position of the sensor portions can be adjusted according to the prevailing ambient magnetic field.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of magnetic disturbance detector device in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of magnetic disturbance detector device in accordance with this invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a magnetic disturbance detector device comprising a display housing having a circular base 10 and a cap-ended tubular enclosure 11 of glass or transparent plastics material for fitting to the base 10. The housing contains a sensing mechanism comprising a pair of disc-shaped magnets 12, 13 mounted in face-to-face registration on an upstanding elongate stem 14, which extends axially of the enclosure 11. The lower magnet 12 is movable downwardly relative to the upper magnet 13, which is fixed in position to the stem 14. The major opposed faces of the magnets 12, 13 comprise opposite magnetic poles, such that the magnetsl2, 13 are normally held in attraction.

A trigger mechanism (not shown) is provided on the base 10 for triggering a visual indicator 15, when the lower magnet 12 moves downwardly as will be explained hereinafter The visual indicator 15 comprises an electric or clockwork motor 16 which is geared to a rotary shaft 17 that extends axially of the stem 14. A pair of depending weights 18 are pivotally connected to the upper end of the shaft 17 for movement about respective axes, which extend perpendicular to the shaft 17.

In use, the magnets 12, 13 are set such that they are just held together by a very weak attractive magnetic force. When the ambient magnetic field is disturbed, the net attractive force acting between the magnets 12, 13 is reduced, thereby allowing the lower magnet 12 to drop under the force of gravity In an alternative embodiment, the magnets maybe biased apart, for example by a spring.

When the lower magnet 12 drops, it actuates the trigger mechanism to activate the motor 16, thereby causing rotation of the shaft 17. The weights 18 swing upwards and outwards as the shaft 17 rotates, thereby providing a prominent yet visually pleasing indication that the magnetic field has been disturbed.

Once activated, the device can be reset by removing the enclosure 11 and lifting the magnet 12 upwardly into its original position.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, there is shown an alternative embodiment of magnetic disturbance detector device, which is similar to the embodiment of Figure 1 and like parts are given like reference numerals. In this embodiment, the magnets are concealed inside the base 10 and the trigger is arranged to activate a motor in the base.

A shaft 20 is mounted to the upper end of an upstanding stem 21 arranged inside the enclosure 11 The shaft 20 extends perpendicular to the axis of the stem 21. A pair of arms 22, 23 depend radially from respective opposite ends of the shaft 20. The arms 22, 23 are preferably of different lengths and are free to rotate independently of each other about the axis of the shaft 20.

A pair of upstanding tubular chime elements 24, 25 are mounted at their respective lower ends to respective opposite ends of a carrier 26 which is mounted for rotation about the stem 21 The chime elements 24, 25 are preferably of different axial lengths In use, when the device is triggered, the carrier 26 is rotated by the motor to cause the chime elements 24, 25 to orbit the stem 21: this causes the chime elements 24, to abut the depending arms 22, 23 on the shaft 20, thereby producing a percussive effect to cause sound to be emitted at the respective resonant frequencies of the chime elements 24, 25.

It will be appreciated that a prominent yet pleasing audible and visual indication is

provided when the magnetic field is disturbed.

A magnetic disturbance detector device in accordance with this invention is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction yet is able to reliably detect any disturbance to the ambient magnetic field and provide a warning.

Claims

Claims 1. A magnetic disturbance detector device comprising a sensor

having first and second portions arranged for movement relative to each other, at least one of said portions comprising a magnet arranged to act on the other said portion, the device further comprising an indicator arranged to provide an indication when relative movement of said sensor portions occurs.

2. A magnetic disturbance detector device as claimed in claim 1, in which the indicator provides an audible and/or visual indication that the magnetic field has been disturbed.

3. A magnetic disturbance detector device as claimed in claim 2, in which the indicator comprises a movable member which provides a visual indication.

4. A magnetic disturbance detector device as claimed in claim 3, in which the ::* movable member is arranged to strike another member of the detector to provide a visual indication. * ** * * t **

:. 20 5. A magnetic disturbance detector device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the two sensor portions are normally magnetically attracted to each

I

* * ** other, the portions being arranged to move apart when the ambient magnetic

field is disturbed.

6. A magnetic disturbance detector device as claimed in claim 5, in which the two sensor portions are normally held together by an attractive magnetic force, the portions being arranged to separate when the ambient magnetic

field is disturbed.

7. A magnetic disturbance detector device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the indicator comprises a trigger which is displaced when one of the sensor portions moves to a predetermined position.

8. A magnetic disturbance detector device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which means are provided for adjusting the magnetic field between the two sensor portions, so that the normal position of the sensor portions can be adjusted according to the prevailing ambient magnetic field.

9. A magnetic disturbance detector device substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings. * *. S. * .S $ *5 e * S. S. S. S St

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