Solid state watt-hour meter using GMR sensor
First Claim
1. A power consumption meter for measuring the power consumed by a load on a power conductor, the meter comprising:
- first GMR sensor means, the first GMR sensor means being disposed proximate the power conductor and being magnetically coupled to the power conductor, the first GMR sensor means for detecting magnetic flux in the power conductor and producing a first output responsive to the detected magnetic flux that is representative of the current flowing through the power conductor;
second GMR sensor means, the second GMR sensor being disposed proximate the power conductor and being magnetically coupled to the power conductor, the second GMR sensor for detecting magnetic flux in the power conductor and producing a second output responsive to the detected magnetic flux that is representative of the voltage on the power conductor; and
processor means being operably communicatively coupled to the first and second GMR sensor means and being responsive to the first output and the second output for producing a third output that is representative of the energy consumption of the load on the power conductor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power consumption meter is disclosed for measuring the power consumed by a load on a power conductor, wherein the electronics of the power consumption meter are isolated from lightning and power transients. The meter has a first GMR sensor that is disposed proximate the power conductor and is magnetically coupled to the power conductor. The first GMR sensor detects magnetic flux in the power conductor and produces a first output responsive to the detected magnetic flux that is representative of the current flowing through the power conductor. A second GMR sensor is disposed proximate the power conductor and is magnetically coupled to the power conductor. The second GMR sensor detects magnetic flux in the power conductor and produces a second output responsive to the detected magnetic flux that is representative of the voltage on the power conductor. A processor is operably communicatively coupled to the first and second GMR sensors and is responsive to the first output and the second output for producing a third output that is representative of the energy consumption of the load on the power conductor. In an embodiment, a third GMR sensor provides feedback for auto-scaling of the first GMR sensor.
66 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A power consumption meter for measuring the power consumed by a load on a power conductor, the meter comprising:
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first GMR sensor means, the first GMR sensor means being disposed proximate the power conductor and being magnetically coupled to the power conductor, the first GMR sensor means for detecting magnetic flux in the power conductor and producing a first output responsive to the detected magnetic flux that is representative of the current flowing through the power conductor; second GMR sensor means, the second GMR sensor being disposed proximate the power conductor and being magnetically coupled to the power conductor, the second GMR sensor for detecting magnetic flux in the power conductor and producing a second output responsive to the detected magnetic flux that is representative of the voltage on the power conductor; and processor means being operably communicatively coupled to the first and second GMR sensor means and being responsive to the first output and the second output for producing a third output that is representative of the energy consumption of the load on the power conductor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A power consumption meter for measuring the power consumed by a load on a power conductor, the meter comprising:
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first GMR sensor means, the first GMR sensor means having an input for receiving a selectively variable drive current and being magnetically coupled to the power conductor means for detecting magnetic flux in the power conductor, the first GMR sensor having a magnetic flux detection sensitivity adjustment being adjustable proportionate to the drive current, the first GMR sensor adapted to produce a first output responsive to the detected magnetic flux that is representative of the load current in the power conductor; a peak detector, the peak detector responsive to the first output in producing a second output representative of the peak load current in the power conductor; a second GMR sensor, the second GMR sensor responsive to the first output, the second GMR sensor magnetically coupled to the power conductor and adapted to detect magnetic flux in the power conductor, the second GMR sensor adapted to produce a third output responsive to the detected magnetic flux that is representative of the load voltage on the power conductor; and power evaluation means being operably communicatively coupled to the second GMR sensor and the peak detector, the power evaluation means for evaluating the average power consumption of the load on the power conductor in response to the second and third outputs. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A power consumption meter for measuring the power consumed by a load on a power conductor, comprising:
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a first GMR sensor being magnetically coupled to the power conductor for detecting magnetic flux in the power conductor the detected magnetic flux being related to a load current in the power conductor; and a second GMR sensor being magnetically coupled to the power conductor for detecting magnetic flux in the power conductor the detected magnetic flux being related to a load voltage on the power conductor. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A current sensor for use in a watt-hour meter, comprising:
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a GMR sensor for sensing a flux generated in a conductor by current flowing in the conductor, the GMR sensor sensitivity being increased by sensing a Barkhausen effect, the Barkhausen effect being produced by a magnetic field affecting the GMR sensor; and a feedback circuit operably coupled to the GMR sensor for providing a flux that is additive to the flux generated in the conductor under a condition of relatively low current flow in the conductor and for providing a flux that is subtractive to the flux generated in the conductor under a condition of relatively high current flow in the conductor. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47)
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Specification