US5615075A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
AC/DC current sensor for a circuit breaker
Assignee: MENELLY RICHARD A ESQ
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Filing: 1995-05-30
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Granted: 1997-03-25
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Expires: 2015-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A current sensor has a closed loop magnetic flux concentrating ferromagnetic core with a gap and a central aperture for receiving a conductor. A Hall generator is positioned in the gap and a secondary winding is positioned on a portion of the core. Current flow in the conductor creates magnetic flux in the core which energizes the secondary winding to provide a power output. Magnetic flux concentrated in the gap causes the Hall generator to output a sensing signal that is proportional to the magnetic flux which is proportional to the current flow in the conductor. The single core is used to simultaneously produce a sensing signal proportional to alternating or direct current flow in the conductor.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward E. Kim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:33
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H1/00; H02H1/06; H02H1/063; G; G01; G01R; G01R15/00; G01R15/14; G01R15/20; G01R15/202; H02H1/0007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A current sensor, comprising: a magnetic flux concentrating core having a gap defining first and second poles on either side of said gap, said core having a central aperture for receiving a conductor; a Hall generator, positioned in said gap between said first and second poles, said Hall generator having output terminals for delivering a sensing signal in response to current flow in said conductor; and a secondary winding on said core extending through said aperture, said secondary winding producing operating power in response to current flow in said conductor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A current sensor, comprising: a magnetic flux concentrating core having a gap defining first and second poles on either side of said gap, said core having a central aperture for receiving a conductor; a Hall generator, positioned in said gap between said first and second poles, said Hall generator having output terminals for delivering a sensing signal in response to current flow in said conductor; and a secondary winding on said core extending through said aperture, said secondary winding producing operating power in response to current flow in said conductor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The current sensor of claim 1, wherein said Hall generator comprises a linear device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The current sensor of claim 1 wherein said power and sensing signal are delivered simultaneously.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The current sensor of claim 1 wherein excitation current for said Hall device is controlled by a microprocessor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The current sensor of claim 1 wherein said flux concentrating core contains a ferromagnetic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The current sensor of claim 1 wherein said secondary winding is a single continuous strand of insulated wire wound about said core.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The current sensor of claim 1 wherein said secondary winding is positioned on said core at a location closer to one of said first and second poles than the other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
A current sensor for sensing current in a conductor of a circuit breaker, having a microprocessor and an electronic trip unit, said current sensor comprising: a magnetic flux concentrating core having a gap defining first and second poles on either side of said gap, said core having a central aperture for receiving said conductor; a Hall generator, positioned in said gap between said first and second poles, and having output terminals for delivering a sensing signal to said trip unit in response to current flow in said conductor; and a secondary winding extending through said aperture, delivering operating power to said trip unit in response to current flow in said conductor, said operating power and said sensing signal being delivered simultaneously.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
A current sensor for sensing current in a conductor of a circuit breaker, having a microprocessor and an electronic trip unit, said current sensor comprising: a magnetic flux concentrating core having a gap defining first and second poles on either side of said gap, said core having a central aperture for receiving said conductor; a Hall generator, positioned in said gap between said first and second poles, and having output terminals for delivering a sensing signal to said trip unit in response to current flow in said conductor; and a secondary winding extending through said aperture, delivering operating power to said trip unit in response to current flow in said conductor, said operating power and said sensing signal being delivered simultaneously.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The current sensor of claim 8 wherein said secondary winding is positioned on said core at a location closer to one of said first and second poles than the other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The current sensor of claim 8 wherein said Hall generator is a linear device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The current sensor of claim 8 wherein excitation current for said Hall device is controlled by said microprocessor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The current sensor of claim 8 wherein said flux concentrating core contains a ferromagnetic material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The current sensor of claim 8 wherein said secondary winding is a single continuous strand of insulated wire wound about said core.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
97 words
A circuit breaker comprising: a pair of contacts arranged for connecting between a current source and an associated load; an electronic trip unit arranged for separating said contacts upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition determined by said trip unit; and current sensing means arranged electrically with said load, said current sensing means comprising a magnetic core having a secondary winding providing operating power to said trip unit and further comprising a semiconductor device in magnetic proximity to said core, said semiconductor device providing sensing current to said trip unit in proportion to current flow through said contacts.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
97 words
A circuit breaker comprising: a pair of contacts arranged for connecting between a current source and an associated load; an electronic trip unit arranged for separating said contacts upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition determined by said trip unit; and current sensing means arranged electrically with said load, said current sensing means comprising a magnetic core having a secondary winding providing operating power to said trip unit and further comprising a semiconductor device in magnetic proximity to said core, said semiconductor device providing sensing current to said trip unit in proportion to current flow through said contacts.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The circuit breaker of claim 14 wherein said core includes a gap defining first and second poles on either side of said gap and having a central aperture for receiving a conductor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The circuit breaker of claim 15 wherein said semiconductor device comprises a Hall generator, positioned in said gap between said first and second poles, said generator having output terminals for delivering a sensing signal in response to current flow in said conductor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit breaker of claim 16 further including a source of excitation current for said Hall generator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-24 | 2000-09-23 | 2001-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-24 | 2004-09-23 | 2005-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-24 | 2008-09-23 | 2009-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |