US3634794A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Current level sensor
Assignee: Hughes Tool Co
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Filing: 1970-02-16
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1990-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A current level sensor system uses a magnetic switch such as a reed switch, and the system also includes a current-carrying coil which carries the current which has its level monitored. The current-carrying coil produces a first magnetic field having a magnitude in accordance with the level of the current and the first magnetic field interacts with the magnetic switch. A magnetic means is used which produces a second magnetic field which also interacts with the magnetic switch and the magnetic means is adjustable so that the second magnetic field is adjustable in characteristics. The adjustable magnetic means, therefore, may be set so as to control the level at which the current through the current-carrying coil trips the magnetic switch. The magnetic means for producing the second magnetic field may either be a permanent magnet, an electromagnet or an electromagnetic coil.
Inventors
- 👤 Pol R Verbeke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/74; H01H71/7463; H01H71/10; H01H71/12; H01H71/24; H01H71/2445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A current level sensor, including magnetic switch means having an open state and a closed state and with the open and closed states controlled in accordance with a particular magnitude of a total magnetic field, current-carrying means disposed in proximity to the magnetic switch means and with the current-carrying means producing a first magnetic field in response to current flowing through the current-carrying means, and permanent magnet means disposed in proximity to the currentcarrying means for producing a second magnetic field interacting with the first magnetic field to produce a total magnetic field to control the magnetic switch means and means adjustably mounting the permanent magnet to adjust the position of the permanent magnet means to control the magnitude and direction of the second magnetic field to control the current level through the current-carrying means which is necessary to produce the particular magnitude of the total magnetic field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A current level sensor, including magnetic switch means having an open state and a closed state and with the open and closed states controlled in accordance with a particular magnitude of a total magnetic field, current-carrying means disposed in proximity to the magnetic switch means and with the current-carrying means producing a first magnetic field in response to current flowing through the current-carrying means, and permanent magnet means disposed in proximity to the currentcarrying means for producing a second magnetic field interacting with the first magnetic field to produce a total magnetic field to control the magnetic switch means and means adjustably mounting the permanent magnet to adjust the position of the permanent magnet means to control the magnitude and direction of the second magnetic field to control the current level through the current-carrying means which is necessary to produce the particular magnitude of the total magnetic field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The current level sensor of claim 1 wherein the current-carrying means is a coil which surrounds the magnetic switch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The current level sensor of claim 1 wherein the current-carrying means is a helical coil formed from flat wire which surrounds the magnetic switch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The current level sensor of claim 1 wherein the current-carrying means is a spiral coil formed from flat wire which surrounds the magnetic switch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
A current level sensor, including magnetic switch means controlled to a closed state by a total magnetiC field over a particular magnitude, coil means responsive to a current for producing a first magnetic field, permanent magnetic means for producing a second magnetic field to interact with the first magnetic field and with the combination of the first and second magnetic fields providing the total magnetic field to control the magnetic switch means, and adjustable means connected to the permanent magnetic means for adjusting the position of the permanent magnetic means to control the magnitude and direction of said magnetic field.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
A current level sensor, including magnetic switch means controlled to a closed state by a total magnetiC field over a particular magnitude, coil means responsive to a current for producing a first magnetic field, permanent magnetic means for producing a second magnetic field to interact with the first magnetic field and with the combination of the first and second magnetic fields providing the total magnetic field to control the magnetic switch means, and adjustable means connected to the permanent magnetic means for adjusting the position of the permanent magnetic means to control the magnitude and direction of said magnetic field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The current level sensor of claim 5 wherein the coil means surrounds the magnetic switch means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The current level sensor of claim 5 wherein the coil means surrounds the magnetic switch means and is a helical coil formed from flat wire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The current level sensor of claim 5 wherein the coil means surrounds the magnetic switch means and is a spiral coil formed from flat wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
112 words
A current level sensor having an adjustable control point in accordance with a total magnetic field, including current-carrying means responsive to a current for producing a first magnetic field in accordance with the level of the current, permanent magnetic means adjustable in position for producing a second magnetic field having adjustable characteristics, means adjustably mounting the permanent magnet to adjust the magnitude and direction of said second magnetic field, and magnetic switch means responsive to the total of both the first and second magnetic fields for controlling the operation of the magnetic switch means and with the adjustment of the control point in accordance with the position of the permanent magnetic means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
A current level sensor having an adjustable control point in accordance with a total magnetic field, including current-carrying means responsive to a current for producing a first magnetic field in accordance with the level of the current, permanent magnetic means adjustable in position for producing a second magnetic field having adjustable characteristics, means adjustably mounting the permanent magnet to adjust the magnitude and direction of said second magnetic field, and magnetic switch means responsive to the total of both the first and second magnetic fields for controlling the operation of the magnetic switch means and with the adjustment of the control point in accordance with the position of the permanent magnetic means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The current level sensor of claim 9 wherein the current-carrying means is a coil which surrounds the magnetic switch means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The current level sensor of claim 9 wherein the currrent-carrying means is a helical coil which surrounds the magnetic switch means and is formed from flat wire.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The current level sensor of claim 9 wherein the current-carrying means is a spiral coil which surrounds the magnetic switch means and is formed from flat wire.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
138 words
A magnetic reed switch system having an adjustable control point, including a reed switch including magnetic, nonpolarized conducting leaves arranged along a first plane; a current-carrying coil located adjacent to the reed switch and with the current-carrying coil producing a first magnetic field in accordance with the level of the current through the current-carrying coil, and a U-shaped magnet having pole faces arranged along a second plane parallel to the first plane and additional means adjustably mounting the U-shaped magnet to adjust the poles within the second plane for producing a second adjustable in magnitude and direction magnetic field and with the combination of the first and second magnetic fields controlling the operation of the reed switch and with the position of the pole faces of the magnet controlling the combination of the first and second magnetic fields.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
138 words
A magnetic reed switch system having an adjustable control point, including a reed switch including magnetic, nonpolarized conducting leaves arranged along a first plane; a current-carrying coil located adjacent to the reed switch and with the current-carrying coil producing a first magnetic field in accordance with the level of the current through the current-carrying coil, and a U-shaped magnet having pole faces arranged along a second plane parallel to the first plane and additional means adjustably mounting the U-shaped magnet to adjust the poles within the second plane for producing a second adjustable in magnitude and direction magnetic field and with the combination of the first and second magnetic fields controlling the operation of the reed switch and with the position of the pole faces of the magnet controlling the combination of the first and second magnetic fields.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The magnetic reed switch system of claim 13 wherein the U-shaped magnet is a permanent magnet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The magnetic reed switch system of claim 13 wherein the U-shaped magnet is an electromagnet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |