Cable mounted magnetic core assembly

Claim 2

A fault indicator for indicating the occurrence of a fault current in an electrical conductor, comprising: magnetic core means comprising a plurality of elongated strips of resilient magnetic material arranged side by side and joined at the ends thereof to form a magnetic core; said magnetic core being formed into a closed loop having first, second, third and fourth sides, said first, second and third sides being generally rectilinear, said first side being generally opposite said second side, and said third side joining said first and second sides, said magnetic core being dimensioned to receive within said closed loop said electrical conductor; interlocking connection means disposed along said third side for establishing a separable connection between segments of said third side, said connection being locked against lateral displacement upon said segments being urged toward axial engagement; biasing means comprising a spring member extending between said first side and said second side for drawing said sides together whereby said segments are urged toward axial engagement, said spring member being positioned to engage the conductor opposite from said third side to urge the conductor into contact with said third side; current-responsive means disposed along said third side of said magnetic core in magnetic communication with the conductor for providing a control effect upon the occurrence of a fault current in the conductor; and means responsive to said control effect for providing a fault indication.

Claim 3

A fault indicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said connection means are disposed at one extreme of said third side, between said first side and said second side, and said current-responsive means are disposed between said connection means and said second side.

Claim 4

A fault indicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said current-responsive means comprise a magnetic reed switch.

Claim 5

A fault indicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said circuit means require a source of excitation, and wherein a magnetic winding is provided on said third side for providing said excitation.

Claim 6

A fault indicator as defined in claim 2 wherein said circuit means require a source of excitation, and wherein a magnetic pick-up winding is disposed on said third side between said connection means and said second side for providing said excitation.

Claim 7

A fault indicator for indicating the occurrence of a fault current in an electrical conductor, comprising: magnetic core means comprising a plurality of elongated strips of resilient magnetic material arranged side-by-side and joined at the ends thereof to form a magnetic core; said magnetic core being formed into a closed loop of generally rectangular form having first, second, third and fourth generally rectilinear sides, said first side being opposite said second side, said third side being opposite said fourth side, and said third side joining said first and second sides, said magnetic core being dimensioned to receive within said closed loop said electrical conductor; interlocking connection means disposed along said third side for establishing a separable connection between segments of said third side, said connection being locked against lateral displacement upon said segments being urged toward axial engagement; biasing means comprising a spring member extending between said first side and said second side for drawing said sides together whereby said segments are urged toward axial engagement, said spring member being positioned to engage the conductor opposite from said third side to urge the conductor into contact with said third side; current-responsive means disposed along said third side of said magnetic core in magnetic communication with the conductor for providing a control effect upon the occurrence of a fault current in the conductor; circuit means responsive to said control effect for providing a fault indication, said circuit means being operative from an applied excitation source; and excitation means comprising a magnetic winding on said third side of said magnetic core for supplying excitation to said circuit means.

Claim 8

A fault indicator for indicating the occurrence of a fault current in an electrical conductor, comprising: magnetic core means comprising a plurality of elongated strips of resilient magnetic material arranged side-by-side and joined at the ends thereof to form a magnetic core; said magnetic core being formed into a closed loop of generally rectangular form having first, second, third and fourth generally rectilinear sides, said first side being opposite said second side, said third side being opposite said fourth side, and said third side joining said first and second sides, said magnetic core being dimensioned to receive within said closed loop said electrical conductor; interlocking connection means disposed along said third side for establishing a separable connection between segments of said third side, said connection being locked against lateral displacement upon said segments being urged toward axial engagement; biasing means comprising a spring member extending between said first side and said second side for drawing said sides together whereby said segments are urged toward axial engagement, said spring member being positioned to engage the conductor opposite from said third side to urge the conductor into contact with said third side; current-responsive means disposed along said third side of said magnetic core in magnetic communication with the conductor for providing a control effect upon the occurrence of a fault current in the conductor; circuit means responsive to said control effect for providing a fault indication, said circuit means being operative from an applied excitation source; and excitation means comprising a magnetic winding on said third side of said magnetic core for supplying excitation to said circuit means.

Claim 9

A fault indicator as defined in claim 6 wherein said connection means are disposed at one end of said third side, between said first side and said second side, and said current-responsive means and said magnetic winding are disposed between said connection means and said second side.

Claim 10

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said current-responsive means comprise a magnetic reed switch.

Claim 11

A fault indicator for indicating the occurrence of a fault current in an electrical conductor, comprising: magnetic core means comprising a plurality of elongated strips of resilient magnetic material arranged side-by-side and joined at the ends thereof to form a magnetic core; said magnetic core being formed into a closed loop having a first, second, third and fourth sides, said first, second and third sides being generally rectilinear, said first side being opposite said second side, and said third side joining said first and second sides, said magnetic core being dimensioned to receive within said closed loop said electrical conductor; interlocking connection means disposed along said third side for establishing a separable connection between segments of said third side, said connection being locked against lateral displacement upon said segments being urged toward axial engagement; biasing means comprising a spring member extending between said first side and said second side for drawing said sides together whereby said segments are urged toward axial engagement, said spring member being positioned to engage the conductor opposite from said third side to urge the conductor into contact with said third side; current-responsive means disposed along said third side of said magnetic core in magnetic communication with the conductor for providing a control effect upon the occurrence of a fault current in the conductor; circuit means operable from an applied excitation current and responsive to said control effect for providing a fault indication in response to said control effect; and excitation means comprising a magnetic winding disposed on said third side of said core for providing excitation current to said circuit means.

Claim 12

A fault indicator for indicating the occurrence of a fault current in an electrical conductor, comprising: magnetic core means comprising a plurality of elongated strips of resilient magnetic material arranged side-by-side and joined at the ends thereof to form a magnetic core; said magnetic core being formed into a closed loop having a first, second, third and fourth sides, said first, second and third sides being generally rectilinear, said first side being opposite said second side, and said third side joining said first and second sides, said magnetic core being dimensioned to receive within said closed loop said electrical conductor; interlocking connection means disposed along said third side for establishing a separable connection between segments of said third side, said connection being locked against lateral displacement upon said segments being urged toward axial engagement; biasing means comprising a spring member extending between said first side and said second side for drawing said sides together whereby said segments are urged toward axial engagement, said spring member being positioned to engage the conductor opposite from said third side to urge the conductor into contact with said third side; current-responsive means disposed along said third side of said magnetic core in magnetic communication with the conductor for providing a control effect upon the occurrence of a fault current in the conductor; circuit means operable from an applied excitation current and responsive to said control effect for providing a fault indication in response to said control effect; and excitation means comprising a magnetic winding disposed on said third side of said core for providing excitation current to said circuit means.

Claim 13

A fault indicator as defined in claim 9 wherein said connection means are disposed at one end of said third side, between said first side and said second side, and said current-responsive means are disposed between said connection means and said second side.

Claim 14

A fault indicator as defined in claim 10 wherein said current-responsive means comprise a magnetic reed switch.

Claim 15

A magnetic core assembly for installation on an electrical conductor, comprising: a plurality of elongated strips of resilient magnetic material arranged side-by-side and joined at the ends thereof to form a magnetic core; said magnetic core being formed into a closed loop having first, second, third and fourth sides, said first, second and third sides being generally rectilinear, said first side being generally opposite said second side, and said third side joining said first and second sides, said core being dimensioned to receive within said closed loop said electrical conductor; interlocking connection means disposed along said third side for establishing a separable connection between segments of said third side, said connection being locked against lateral displacement upon said segments being urged toward axial engagement; and biasing means comprising a spring member extending between said first side and said second side for drawing said sides together whereby said segments are urged toward axial engagement, said spring member being positioned to engage the conductor opposite from said third side to urge the conductor into contact with said third side.

Claim 16

A magnetic core assembly for installation on an electrical conductor, comprising: a plurality of elongated strips of resilient magnetic material arranged side-by-side and joined at the ends thereof to form a magnetic core; said magnetic core being formed into a closed loop having first, second, third and fourth sides, said first, second and third sides being generally rectilinear, said first side being generally opposite said second side, and said third side joining said first and second sides, said core being dimensioned to receive within said closed loop said electrical conductor; interlocking connection means disposed along said third side for establishing a separable connection between segments of said third side, said connection being locked against lateral displacement upon said segments being urged toward axial engagement; and biasing means comprising a spring member extending between said first side and said second side for drawing said sides together whereby said segments are urged toward axial engagement, said spring member being positioned to engage the conductor opposite from said third side to urge the conductor into contact with said third side.

Claim 17

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein said biasing means comprise a helical spring.

Claim 18

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 12 including current-responsive means in magnetic communication with the conductor for providing a control effect dependent on the current level in the conductor.

Claim 19

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein said current-responsive means are disposed along said third side of said magnetic core.

Claim 20

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein said connection means are disposed at one extreme of said third side, between said first side and said second side.

Claim 21

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein said magnetic core is generally rectangular in form, and includes a generally rectilinear fourth side generally opposite said third side.

Claim 22

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said connection means are disposed at one end of said third side, between said first side and said second side, and said current-responsive means are disposed between said connection means and said second side.

Claim 23

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said current-responsive means comprise a magnetic reed switch.

Claim 24

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein said current-responsive means comprise a magnetic winding.

Claim 25

A magnetic core assembly for installation on an electrical conductor, comprising: a plurality of elongated strips of resilient magnetic material arranged side-by-side and joined at the ends thereof to form a magnetic core; said magnetic core being formed into a closed loop of generally rectangular form having first, second, third and fourth sides, said first, second and third sides being generally rectilinear, said first side being generally opposite said second side, and said third side joining said first and second sides, said magnetic core being dimensioned to receive within said closed loop said electrical conductor; interlocking connection means disposed along said third side for establishing a separable connection between segments of said third side, said connection being locked against lateral displacement upon said segments being urged toward axial engagement; and biasing means comprising a spring member extending between said first side and said second side for drawing said sides together whereby said segments are urged toward axial engagement, said spring member being positioned to engage the conductor opposite from said third side to urge the conductor into contact with said third side.

Claim 26

A magnetic core assembly for installation on an electrical conductor, comprising: a plurality of elongated strips of resilient magnetic material arranged side-by-side and joined at the ends thereof to form a magnetic core; said magnetic core being formed into a closed loop of generally rectangular form having first, second, third and fourth sides, said first, second and third sides being generally rectilinear, said first side being generally opposite said second side, and said third side joining said first and second sides, said magnetic core being dimensioned to receive within said closed loop said electrical conductor; interlocking connection means disposed along said third side for establishing a separable connection between segments of said third side, said connection being locked against lateral displacement upon said segments being urged toward axial engagement; and biasing means comprising a spring member extending between said first side and said second side for drawing said sides together whereby said segments are urged toward axial engagement, said spring member being positioned to engage the conductor opposite from said third side to urge the conductor into contact with said third side.

Claim 27

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein said biasing means comprise a helical spring.

Claim 28

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 21 including current-responsive means in magnetic communication with the conductor for providing a control effect dependent on the current level in the conductor.

Claim 29

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 23 wherein said current-responsive means are disposed along said third side of said magnetic core.

Claim 30

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein said interlocking connection means are disposed at one extreme of said third side, between said first side and said second side.

Claim 31

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 24 wherein said connection means are disposed at one extreme of said third side, between said first side and said second side, and said current-responsive means are disposed between said connection means and said second side.

Claim 32

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 26 wherein said current-responsive means include a magnetic reed switch.

Claim 33

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 26 wherein said current-responsive means include a magnetic pick-up winding.

Claim 34

A magnetic core assembly for installation on an electrical conductor, comprising: a plurality of elongated strips of resilient magnetic material arranged side-by-side and joined at the ends thereof to form a magnetic core;

Claim 35

A magnetic core assembly for installation on an electrical conductor, comprising: a plurality of elongated strips of resilient magnetic material arranged side-by-side and joined at the ends thereof to form a magnetic core;

Claim 36

said magnetic core being formed into a closed loop of generally rectangular form and having first, second, third and fourth generally rectilinear sides, said first side being generally opposite said second side, said third side being generally opposite said fourth side, and said third side joining said first and second sides, and said magnetic core being dimensioned to receive within said closed loop said electrical conductor; interlocking connection means disposed along said third side for establishing a separable connection between segments of said third side, said connection being locked against lateral displacement upon said segments being urged toward axial engagement; biasing means comprising a spring member extending between said first side and said second side for drawing said sides together whereby said segments are urged toward axial engagement, said spring member being positioned to engage the conductor opposite from said third side to urge the conductor into contact with said third side; and current-responsive means disposed along said third side of said magnetic core in magnetic communication with the conductor for providing a control effect dependent on the current level in the conductor.

Claim 37

said magnetic core being formed into a closed loop of generally rectangular form and having first, second, third and fourth generally rectilinear sides, said first side being generally opposite said second side, said third side being generally opposite said fourth side, and said third side joining said first and second sides, and said magnetic core being dimensioned to receive within said closed loop said electrical conductor; interlocking connection means disposed along said third side for establishing a separable connection between segments of said third side, said connection being locked against lateral displacement upon said segments being urged toward axial engagement; biasing means comprising a spring member extending between said first side and said second side for drawing said sides together whereby said segments are urged toward axial engagement, said spring member being positioned to engage the conductor opposite from said third side to urge the conductor into contact with said third side; and current-responsive means disposed along said third side of said magnetic core in magnetic communication with the conductor for providing a control effect dependent on the current level in the conductor.

Claim 38

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 29 wherein said connection means are disposed at one end of said third side, between said first side and said second side, and said current-responsive means are disposed between said connection means and said second side.

Claim 39

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 30 wherein said current-responsive means include a magnetic reed switch.

Claim 40

A magnetic core assembly as defined in claim 30 wherein said current-responsive means include a magnetic winding.