CURRENT-SENSING ASSEMBLY

• US 20150233978A1
• Filed: 02/14/2014
• Published: 08/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC (GE Aerospace)
• Original Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC (GE Aerospace)
• Inventors: Huang, Hao, Buffenbarger, Ryan Lee, Brown, Chad Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,933,461 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/202 using Hall-effect devices Hall elements in arrangements for measuring electrical power G01R21/08

Abstract

A current-sensing assembly for aircraft includes a power module for providing switchable power and a Hall sensor capable of measuring current traversing through a conductor.

Claims

1. A current-sensing assembly comprising:

a power module assembly having an elongated body with an exterior surface and a current output extending away from the exterior surface; and

a Hall sensor having an elongated body with an exterior surface and defining an opening;

wherein the power module assembly and Hall sensor are in overlying relationship such the exterior surfaces are in a confronting relationship and the current output extends into the opening.

2. The current-sensing assembly of claim 1 wherein the current output extends through the opening.

3. The current-sensing assembly of claim 2 wherein the current output further comprises a plurality of conductive output connections.

4. The current-sensing assembly of claim 3 wherein at least one of the plurality of output connections further comprises a post.

5. The current-sensing assembly of claim 4 wherein the post is configured to couple with a mechanical connector.

6. The current-sensing assembly of claim 5 wherein the mechanical connector is a mechanical fastener.

7. The current-sensing assembly of claim 1 wherein the exterior surface of the power module assembly further comprises at least one mounting point.

8. The current-sensing assembly of claim 7 wherein the exterior surface of the Hall sensor comprises at least one mounting connector corresponding to the at least one mounting point.

9. The current-sensing assembly of claim 8 wherein the at least one mounting point and at least one mounting connector are configured to reduce vibrations between the power module assembly and the Hall sensor.

10. The current-sensing assembly of claim 1 wherein a height of the current-sensing assembly, the height defined as coplanar with the direction of the current output extension, is less than 1.7 inches.

11. The current-sensing assembly of claim 1 wherein the power module assembly further comprises a gate drive assembly, and the gate drive assembly is mounted to the power module assembly away from the current output such that electromagnetic interference generated at the current output does not interfere with gate drive operation.

12. The current-sensing assembly of claim 1 wherein the Hall sensor further comprises a communicative coupling, and the communicative coupling is located on the Hall sensor away from the current output such that electromagnetic interference generated at the current output does not interfere with the communicative coupling.

13. The current-sensing assembly of claim 1 further comprising a third exterior surface confronting an exterior surface of the Hall Sensor, opposing the exterior surfaces in the confronting relationship, and in an overlying relationship with both the power module assembly and the Hall sensor.

14. The current-sensing assembly of claim 1 wherein the power module assembly further comprises at least one of an insulated gate bipolar transistor, a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), and a silicon carbine (SiC) MOSFET.