Device for monitoring consumption of electrical power

• US 4,717,872 A
• Filed: 05/01/1986
• Issued: 01/05/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: WATT Watchers Incorporated
• Original Assignee: WATT Watchers Incorporated
• Inventors: Wagner, Charles G., Ferguson, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Strecker, Gerard R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Burns, W.
• Application Number:
  US06/858,128
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 324/117 R, 324/117 H, 324/127, 324/157, 324/129, 336/96, 336/175, 336/176
• US Class Current: 324/127
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/202 using Hall-effect devices Hall elements in arrangements for measuring electrical power G01R21/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/00 Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor G01R7/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/08 by using galvanomagnetic-effect devices, e.g. Hall-effect devices

Abstract

To enable a user to conveniently determine the amount of AC electrical power supplied by a cable assembly being consumed by appliances at any time, and to thereby enable control of power consumption, a meter indicating power consumption is installed at a convenient remote location and is wired to a sensing unit which is applied externally to the supply cable assembly. No penetration of or other physical connection with cable conductors is necessitated. An induction type sensor or Hall effect sensor may be utilized. The device is applicable to residential, commercial and industrial user/applications and may be built in or portable.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring power consumption where A.C. current at a predetermined voltage is supplied through an insulated cable assembly having at least one pair of insulated parallel conductors occupying a common plane, comprising:

(a) means for simultaneously sensing current flowing in said pair of parallel conductors, said current sensing means including;

(i) two separate spaced opposing cores of high magnetic permeability disposed in said common plane on opposite sides of said parallel pair of conductors in close non-penetrating relationship thereto, and

(ii) an air space provided between said magnetic cores adapted to receive the insulated diameter of said pair of parallel conductors therebetween; and

(b) read-out instrument means calibrated in units of power being consumed at any given time coupled to said current sensing means; and

(c) means for powering said read-out instrument means.

2. A device for monitoring power consumption as defined in claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes two induction coils wound on said two cores.

3. A device for monitoring power consumption as defined in claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises two Hall effect elements, one element disposed in an air gap provided in each said cores.

4. A device for monitoring power consumption as defined in claim 1 further including separable mechanical connector means for engaging said two cores and securing them to said pair of parallel conductors of said cable assembly.

5. A device for monitoring power consumption as defined in claim 4, further including electrically insulating encapsulating means, said two cores being separately encapsulated with said encapsulating means being shaped to conform with the cross section of said pair of parallel conductors of said cable assembly at its opposite sides.

6. A device for monitoring power consumption as defined in claim 1 wherein said read-out instrument means comprises a voltmeter calibrated in power equivalents.

10. A device for monitoring power consumption as defined in claim 1, further including electrically insulating encapsulating means, said two cores being separately encapsulated with said encapsulating material being shaped to conform with the cross section of said pair of parallel conductors of said cable assembly at its opposite sides.

7. A device which enables a consumer to monitor consumption of AC electrical power by appliances which draw current from a cable assembly having two parallel conductors lying in a common plane and being enclosed within an insulation sheath, comprising:

(a) a pair of separately formed magnetically permeable cores disposed about said common plane in spaced opposing relationship on opposite sides of said cable assembly;

(b) mechanical means detachably connecting said cores in clamping engagement with the opposite sides of the cable assembly;

(c) an electrical sensing means disposed on each of said cores for generating an electrical signal voltage in direct proportion to said current flowing in said parallel conductors;

(d) read-out instrument means calibrated in units of power being consumed by said electrical appliances at any given time; and

(e) means for powering said read-out instrument means.

8. A device which enables a consumer to monitor the consumption of electrical power by appliances as defined in claim 7, wherein said electrical sensing means comprises a pair of induction coils which are connected in series aiding relationship.

9. An A.C. current sensing device for use on an insulated cable assembly having at least one pair of insulated parallel conductors occupying a common plane, comprising:

(a) means for simultaneously sensing current flowing in said two parallel conductors, said current sensing means including;

(i) two separate spaced opposing cores of high magnetic permeability disposed in said common plane on opposite sides of said parallel conductors in close non-penetrating relationship thereto, and

(ii) an air space provide between said magnetic cores adapted to receive the insulated diameter of said pair of parallel conductors therebetween.

11. An A.C. current sensing device for sensing A.C. current flowing in a cable assembly having two parallel conductors lying in a common plane and being enclosed within an insulation sheath, comprising:

(a) a pair of separately formed magnetically permeable cores disposed about said common plane in spaced opposing relationship on opposite sides of said cable assembly;

(b) mechanical means detachably connecting said cores in clamping engagement with the opposite sides of said cable assembly;

(c) an electrical sensing means disposed on each of said cores for generating an electrical signal voltage in direct proportion to said current flowing in said cable assembly.