Circuit for measuring a capacitance during constant charging and discharging periods

• US 5,329,239 A
• Filed: 05/20/1992
• Issued: 07/12/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Ziegler, Herbert, Kindermann, Robert, Styhler, Klaus
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieder, Kenneth A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, GLENN WARNER
• Application Number:
  US07/886,506
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 324/676, 324/677, 324/678, 324/679, 324/605, 361/111, 307/106
• US Class Current: 324/678
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 27/2605 Measuring capacitance capacitive sensors G01D5/24

Abstract

A measuring circuit for measuring a capacitance according to the discharge method includes a measuring circuit input. A constant voltage source charges a capacitor to be measured at the measuring circuit input. The capacitor discharges through a discharge resistor with a known resistance being connected to the capacitor. At least one switch is connected between the capacitor and the constant voltage source. A flow control is connected to the at least one switch for controlling the at least one switch. A comparator is connected to the capacitor. A counter is connected to the comparator for counting clock pulses during a discharge. A PTC element is connected to the measuring circuit input in series with the capacitor. A monitoring device is connected to the capacitor.

Claims

1. A measuring circuit for measuring a capacitance according to the discharge method, comprising:

a measuring circuit input;

a constant voltage source for charging a capacitor to be measured at said measuring circuit input;

a discharge resistor with a known resistance being connected to the capacitor and through which the capacitor discharges;

at least one switch connected between the capacitor and said constant voltage source;

flow control means in the form of a microprocessor connected to said at least one switch for controlling said at least one switch to determine charging and discharging phases;

a comparator connected to the capacitor, said comparator issuing an output signal;

a counter associated with said microprocessor and connected to said comparator for counting clock pulses during a discharge until said comparator signals that a discharge voltage at the capacitor has dropped below a given reference voltage and therefore a discharge time is ended;

current limiting resistor means for protecting against error voltages connected to said measuring circuit input in series with the capacitor, a charging current passing through said current limiting resistor means, for limiting a time constant for the charging, being increased through said current limiting resistor means, to a maximum value by a restriction of an allowable capacitance range, and for maintaining a charging time of the capacitor within a scope of typical measuring times; and

said comparator having means for preventing incorrect displays and for detecting if, within a fixed given charging time, a charge voltage does not attain a given voltage value because the capacitor exceeds the maximum value of the allowable capacitance range, and for detecting if a given minimum value of the charge voltage is attained at the capacitor and for delivering a corresponding output signal to said flow control means, said flow control means being programmed for detecting, from the output signal of said comparator, if the given minimum value of the charge voltage was exceeded during the fixed given charging time.

2. The measuring circuit according to claim 1, wherein said comparator detects the attainment of a charge voltage corresponding to the reference voltage and supplies a signal to said flow control means, during the charging of the capacitor.

3. The measuring circuit according to claim 1, wherein said comparator detects, with the aid the reference voltage, if the given discharge voltage is attained, and effects a switchover between the reference voltage and another reference voltage equivalent to a given voltage value, so that said comparator detects the attainment of a charge voltage corresponding to the other reference voltage and supplies a signal to said flow control means, during the charging of the capacitor.

4. The measuring circuit according to claim 3, including another comparator having an input at another reference voltage being equivalent to the given voltage value, said other comparator detecting the attainment of a charge voltage equivalent to the other reference voltage and supplying a signal to said flow control means, during the charging of the capacitor.

5. The measuring circuit according to claim 1, wherein said at least one switch is a semiconductor switch connected between said constant voltage source and said current limiting resistor means, for interrupting the charging and beginning the discharging through said discharge resistor upon opening said at least one switch.

6. The measuring circuit according to claim 1, including another controllable switch switching over for enabling a variation in resistance of said discharge resistor.

7. The measuring circuit according to claim 6, wherein the switchover of said other switch is intended to reduce resistance and takes place at correspondingly low resistances of said discharge resistor, said other switch being switched in alternation with said at least one switch.

8. The measuring circuit according to claim 1, wherein said measuring circuit input has first and second terminals with first and second poles, and including a direct voltage source for supplying said constant voltage source, and two threshold value elements disposed at said measuring circuit input upstream of said current limiting resistor means for short-circuiting external voltages of one polarity directly to the second pole of said measuring circuit input, and short-circuiting external voltages of the other polarity to the second pole of said measuring circuit input, through said direct voltage source.

9. The measuring circuit according to claim 8, wherein said threshold value elements are diodes.

10. The measuring circuit according to claim 8, including a Zener diode connected parallel to said direct voltage source.

11. The measuring circuit according to claim 1, wherein said current limiting resistor means are a PTC resistor element.

12. A measuring circuit for measuring a capacitance according to the discharge method, comprising:

a measuring circuit input;

a constant voltage source for charging a capacitor to be measured at said measuring circuit input;

discharge resistor with a known resistance being connected to the capacitor and through which the capacitor discharges;

at least one switch connected between the capacitor and said constant voltage source;

a flow control being connected to said at least one switch for controlling said at least one switch;

a comparator connected to the capacitor;

a counter connected to said comparator for counting clock pulses during a discharge;

a current limiting resistor means connected to said measuring circuit input in series with the capacitor; and

monitoring means connected to the capacitor.