US4502004A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Current pulse monitor
Assignee: INSPECTION RESEARCH Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1982-12-02
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Granted: 1985-02-26
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Expires: 2002-12-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for measuring varying current levels is particularly suited to the measurement of distinct current pulses. The apparatus couples by means of an inductive sensor to a current carrying conductor. A current pulse in the conductor induces a voltage within the sensor, which is then converted by a unipolar voltage to frequency converter to a sequence of electrical pulses, the total number of which is proportionate to the peak current value of the pulse. The number of pulses produced may be displayed as a measurement of the peak current pulse; in a preferred embodiment, the apparatus compares the number of pulses to a pre-set alarm value, enabling the apparatus to signal any occurrence of current pulses over a desired value.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Schindler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R15/00; G01R15/14; G01R15/18; G01R15/181; G01R19/00; G01R19/04; G01R29/00; G01R29/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for monitoring current pulse within a conductor comprising: a. a sensor member, inductively coupled to said conductor, having a first, positive and a second negative electrical lead; b. means, electrically connected to said first and second leads, responsive to the passage of a single, non-sinusoidial current signal coupled to said sensor member for determining the instantaneous peak value of said pulse signal, further comprising; c. a unipolar voltage-to-frequency converter means, electrically connected to said leads, adapted for converting a positive voltage pulse induced by said single electrical current signal coupled to said sensor member into a series of electrical pulses, the frequency of said pulses being proportional to the induced voltage; e. resetting means, electrically connected to said leads, adapted for converting a negative voltage pulse induced by said single electrical current signal coupled to said sensor member into a single reset pulse; and f. digital counter means connected to said converter means and said resetting means, adapted for counting the total number of the electrical pulses generated by said converter means, between successive reset pulses.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for monitoring current pulse within a conductor comprising: a. a sensor member, inductively coupled to said conductor, having a first, positive and a second negative electrical lead; b. means, electrically connected to said first and second leads, responsive to the passage of a single, non-sinusoidial current signal coupled to said sensor member for determining the instantaneous peak value of said pulse signal, further comprising; c. a unipolar voltage-to-frequency converter means, electrically connected to said leads, adapted for converting a positive voltage pulse induced by said single electrical current signal coupled to said sensor member into a series of electrical pulses, the frequency of said pulses being proportional to the induced voltage; e. resetting means, electrically connected to said leads, adapted for converting a negative voltage pulse induced by said single electrical current signal coupled to said sensor member into a single reset pulse; and f. digital counter means connected to said converter means and said resetting means, adapted for counting the total number of the electrical pulses generated by said converter means, between successive reset pulses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The current pulse monitor of claim 1, wherein said sensor member further comprises: a. a toroidal member defining a central bore; and b. a wire, spirally wound around said member, defining a first positive and second lead at the wire ends thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
An apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising: a. overrange detector means for generating a signal responsive to the voltage induced by said electrical current coupled to said sensor member when the voltage exceed the input range of said voltage-to-frequency converter means; and b. presetting means for identifying a desired maximum amperage value for the electrical current coupled to said sensor member coupled to said counter means for generating a signal responsive to an occurance that the peak value of said electrical current exceeds the maximum value identified by said presetting means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of monitoring a current pulse comprising the following steps: a. providing sensor member inductively coupled to said current pulse; b. Inducing thereby a voltage pulse in said sensor member, oriented with the initial voltage excursion of said pulse being negative; c. detecting said negative voltage excursion to define a zero start time; d. generating a pulse train having an instantaneous frequency proportional to the instantaneous positive voltage of said voltage pulse; e. counting the total number of pulses generated in said pulse train from said start time zero to the end of said induced voltage pulse; and f. displaying said total number as a measure of the peak current valve of said pulse.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of monitoring a current pulse comprising the following steps: a. providing sensor member inductively coupled to said current pulse; b. Inducing thereby a voltage pulse in said sensor member, oriented with the initial voltage excursion of said pulse being negative; c. detecting said negative voltage excursion to define a zero start time; d. generating a pulse train having an instantaneous frequency proportional to the instantaneous positive voltage of said voltage pulse; e. counting the total number of pulses generated in said pulse train from said start time zero to the end of said induced voltage pulse; and f. displaying said total number as a measure of the peak current valve of said pulse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of generating a signal responsive to occurrence of a voltage value higher than an input range of a means for the step of generating a pulse train.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of calibrating a value for a current pulse with the use of a presetting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of displaying further comprises the emitting of an alarm when said total number exceeds a preestablished value.
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) | 1988-02-26 | 1988-08-27 | 1989-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-02-26 | 1992-08-27 | 1993-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-02-26 | 1996-08-27 | 1997-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |