Current measuring transformer

Claim 1

A transformer for measuring current flowing in a conductor, comprising a generally U-shaped housing, a generally U-shaped first core portion disposed in said housing, said first core portion defining a gap adapted to receive the conductor therethrough, a closure member extending across the distal ends of said housing, a second core portion disposed in said closure member and adapted to span the distal ends of said first core portion, said core portions comprising pluralities of magnetic flux-conducting panels disposed in adjacent, laminated groups, every other one of said laminated groups extending outwardly from the respective ends of said core portions and disposed so that the ends of said second core portion cooperatively engage and interleave with said distal ends of said first core portion, sliding hinge means for joining said closure member to said housing with a compound rotating-translating motion, said sliding hinge means including a pair of hinge plates extending outwardly from a distal end of said housing, a pair of slots disposed in aligned fashion in said hinge plates, and a hinge pin affixed to one end of said closure member and having end portions received in said slots in freely rotating and translating fashion, hinge block means secured to said closure member adjacent to said laminated groups extending from one of said distal ends of said first core portion, said hinge block means providing rotational clearance with said one of said ends only when said hinge pin is disposed in the distal-most portions of said slots, latch means for translating both ends of said closure member toward said housing to effect complete engagement and interleaving of said core portions, and coil means secured about one of said core portions to generate a voltage analog of the current induced in said core portions by the conductor.