Probe apparatus for use in a separable connector, and systems including same

• US 20060022683A1
• Filed: 07/27/2004
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Micatu Inc.
• Original Assignee: Optisense Network, Inc.
• Inventors: Harlev, Joseph Yossi, Elliott, Robert D., Johnson, Leonard A., Branning, John M. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,199,571 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/725
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/16 using capacitive devices

Abstract

A probe apparatus disclosed for use in a separable connector includes an insulating body and spaced apart first and second electrical conductors in contact with the insulating body. The first and second electrical conductors have adjacent surfaces configured such that when an electrical potential is applied between the conductors, an electric field is formed between the conductors. The insulating body has an opening positioned between the conductors and adapted to receive a sensor such that a portion of the sensor is subjected to the electric field. A separable electrical connector system is described including the probe apparatus, as is a voltage sensing system including the probe apparatus and a voltage sensor positioned within the opening of the insulating body.

Claims

1. A probe apparatus adapted to receive a sensor, the probe apparatus comprising:

an insulating body;

spaced apart first and second electrical conductors in contact with the insulating body and having adjacent surfaces configured such that when an electrical potential is applied between the first and second electrical conductors, an electric field is formed between the first and second electrical conductors; and

an opening in the insulating body between the first and second electrical conductors adapted to receive the sensor.

2. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to produce a signal dependent upon a magnitude of the electric field, the sensor being adapted to engage the opening such that the sensor is subjected to the electronic field.

3. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the sensor is a voltage sensor and wherein the magnitude of the electric field is proportional to a magnitude of the electrical potential such that the signal produced by the electro-optic voltage sensor is indicative of the magnitude of the electrical potential.

4. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the insulating body comprises a projection adapted to fit into an opening of a separable connector.

5. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first electrical conductor is substantially positioned within the insulating body and comprises two opposed ends, wherein one of the two ends is adapted to receive a connecting stud, and wherein the other end resides within the insulating body.

6. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the second electrical conductor comprises a substantially conductive layer formed over an exterior surface of the probe apparatus.

7. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the opening in the insulating body is a cavity.

8. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein an axis of the cavity is substantially parallel to an axis of first electrical conductor.

9. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein an axis of the cavity is substantially perpendicular to an axis of first electrical conductor.

10. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the opening in the insulating body is a hole extending through the insulating body, and wherein an axis of the hole is substantially perpendicular to an axis of fist electrical conductor.

11. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the second electrical conductor comprises a tubular portion positioned about the first electrical conductor.

12. A separable connector comprising:

a probe apparatus, comprising;

an insulating body;

spaced apart first and second electrical conductors in contact with the second insulating body and having adjacent surfaces configured such that when an electrical potential is applied between the first and second electrical conductors, an electric field is formed between the first and second electrical conductors;

a sensor configured to produce a signal dependent upon a magnitude of the electric field; and

an opening in the second insulating body positioned between the first and second electrical conductors and adapted to receive the sensor such that the sensor is subjected to the electric field; and

a second insulating body having an opening adapted to receive the insulating body.

13. The separable connector as recited in claim 12, wherein the separable connector has three openings, and wherein a first opening and a second opening of the three openings are opposed and coaxial, and wherein the first opening is adapted to receive the first insulating body, and wherein the second opening is adapted to receive a bushing, and wherein the third opening is adapted to receive a cable.

14. The separable connector as recited in claim 13, further comprising a central conductor having two opposed ends, wherein one of the ends of the central conductor is positioned between the first and second openings of the first insulating body and has a hole passing therethrough, and wherein the other end of the central conductor extends into the third opening of the second insulating body and is adapted for connecting to a central conductor of the cable.

15. The separable connector as recited in claim 13, further comprising a stud having two threaded ends, wherein the hole in the end of the central conductor positioned between the first and second openings of the second insulating body is dimensioned to allow the stud to pass through the hole.

16. The separable connector as recited in claim 15, wherein the first electrical conductor is substantially positioned within the insulating body and comprises two opposed ends, wherein one of the two ends is adapted to receive one of the two threaded ends of the stud, and wherein the other end resides within the insulating body.

17. The separable connector as recited in claim 16, wherein the second electrical conductor comprises a substantially conductive layer formed over an exterior surface of the probe apparatus.

18. The separable connector as recited in claim 16, wherein the second electrical conductor comprises a tubular portion positioned about the first electrical conductor.

19. The separable connector as recited in claim 12, wherein the sensor is a voltage sensor configured to produce a signal dependent upon a magnitude of the electric field.

20. The separable connector as recited in claim 18, wherein the magnitude of the electric field is proportional to a magnitude of the electrical potential such that the signal produced by the voltage sensor is indicative of the magnitude of the electrical potential.

21. The separable connector as recited in claim 19 wherein the voltage sensor is an electro-optic voltage sensor.

22. The voltage sensing system as recited in claim 21, wherein the magnitude of the electric field is proportional to a magnitude of the electrical potential such that the signal produced by the voltage sensor is indicative of the magnitude of the electrical potential.

21-1. A voltage sensing system, comprising:

a probe apparatus, comprising;

an insulating body;

spaced apart first and second electrical conductors in contact with the insulating body and having adjacent surfaces configured such that when an electrical potential is applied between the first and second electrical conductors, an electric field is formed between the first and second electrical conductors;

an opening in the insulating body positioned in between the first and second electrical conductors such that the opening is subjected to the electric field; and

a voltage sensor positioned within the opening of the insulating body of the probe apparatus and configured to produce a signal dependent upon a magnitude of the electric field.