Current sensor which is attachable to an external object by retention between the external object and an electrical conductor

• US 5,436,557 A
• Filed: 02/28/1994
• Issued: 07/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Erickson, Timothy K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieder, Kenneth A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WARDAS, MARK A
• Application Number:
  US08/203,134
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 336/208, 336/83, 336/174, 324/251, 324/127, 324/117 H
• US Class Current: 324/117.00H
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/18 using inductive devices, e.g. transformers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/207 Constructional details independent of the type of device used

Abstract

A current sensor is provided with a planar member formed within a first opening of the sensor housing and extending inwardly from an inner periphery of the housing. The planar member extends into the first opening and is provided with a second opening through its structure. The second opening formed in the planar member is shaped to permit a portion of an electrical conductor to extend therethrough. The planar member is captured between a portion of the electrical conductor and an external object in order to permit the current sensor to be rigidly retained in a predetermined position relative to the external object. This means of fastening a current sensor to an external object eliminates the need for additional rivets, screws and bolts that would otherwise be required to perform this function.

Claims

1. A current sensor, comprising:

a housing having a first opening extending into it, said housing having an outer periphery and an inner periphery, said inner periphery being disposed around said first opening;

a toroidal member disposed within said housing and around said first opening, said toroidal member being magnetically responsive to a current flowing through said first opening;

a planar member attached to said housing, said planar member extending inward from said inner periphery, said planar member having a second opening extending therethrough;

an electrical conductor extending through said first opening and said second opening, said electrical conductor being disposed through a central portion of said toroidal member, said electrical conductor being attachable to an external object, said planar member being disposable between a portion of said electrical conductor and said external object to rigidly retain said sensor in a predetermined position relative to said external object; and

means, associated with said toroidal member, for measuring said current flowing through said electrical conductor as a function of a magnetic response in said toroidal member.

2. The current sensor of claim 1, wherein:

said external object is a printed circuit board.

3. The current sensor of claim 1, wherein:

said current sensor further comprises a Hall effect device associated with said toroidal member.

4. The current sensor of claim 1, wherein:

said toroidal member is a magnetically permeable core.

5. The current sensor of claim 4, wherein:

said magnetically permeable core has a gap formed therein, said gap being shaped to receive a magnetically sensitive component.

6. The sensor of claim 1, wherein:

said second opening is in the form of two holes shaped to receive two legs of said electrical conductor.

7. The sensor of claim 1, wherein:

said second opening comprises a single hole extending through said planar member, said electrical conductor being shaped to capture a portion of said planar member which extends around said single hole between said external object and said electrical conductor.

8. The current sensor of claim 1, wherein:

said housing is generally toroidal in shape.

9. The current sensor of claim 1, wherein:

said housing is generally rectangular in shape.

10. The current sensor of claim 1, wherein:

said first opening is generally circular in shape.

11. The current sensor of claim 1, wherein:

said first opening is generally rectangular in shape.