Probe apparatus for use in a separable connector, and systems including same

• US 7,199,571 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2004
• Issued: 04/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Micatu Inc.
• Original Assignee: Optisense Network, Inc.
• Inventors: Harlev, Joseph Yossi, Elliott, Robert D., Branning, John M. Jr., Johnson, Leonard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirshfeld; Andrew H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZHU, JOHN X
• Application Number:
  US10/900,002
• Publication Number:
  US 20060022683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 324/725, 324/133, 439/278, 439/279, 439/610
• US Class Current: 324/133
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/16 using capacitive devices

Abstract

A probe apparatus disclosed for use in a separable connector includes an insulating body and spaced apart first and second electrical conductors in contact with the insulating body. The first and second electrical conductors have adjacent surfaces configured such that when an electrical potential is applied between the conductors, an electric field is formed between the conductors. The insulating body has an opening positioned between the conductors and adapted to receive a sensor such that a portion of the sensor is subjected to the electric field. A separable electrical connector system is described including the probe apparatus, as is a voltage sensing system including the probe apparatus and a voltage sensor positioned within the opening of the insulating body.

Claims

1. A probe apparatus adapted to receive a sensor that is adapted to measure a voltage of a cable based upon a magnitude of an electrical field, the probe apparatus comprising:

an insulating body;

spaced apart first and second electrical conductors in contact with the insulating body and having adjacent surfaces configured such that when an electrical potential is applied between the first and second electrical conductors, a substantially uniform electric field is formed between the first and second electrical conductors, the first and second conductor being spaced apart by a distance such that the substantially uniform electric field formed therebetween is within the measurement range of the sensor;

a conductor adapted to electrically connect the first electrical conductor and the cable, the conductor including a stud adapted to engage the first electrical conductor; and

an opening in the insulating body between the first and second electrical conductors adapted to receive the sensor.

2. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to produce a signal dependent upon a magnitude of the electric field, the sensor being adapted to engage the opening such that the sensor is subjected to the electric field.

3. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the sensor is an electro-optic voltage sensor and wherein the magnitude of the electric field is proportional to a magnitude of the electrical potential such that the signal produced by the electro-optic voltage sensor is indicative of the magnitude of the electrical potential.

4. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the insulating body comprises a projection adapted to fit into an opening of a separable connector.

5. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first electrical conductor is substantially positioned within the insulating body and comprises two opposed ends, wherein one of the two ends is adapted to receive the stud, and wherein the other end resides within the insulating body.

6. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the opening is a cavity, and wherein an axis of the cavity is substantially parallel to an axis of first electrical conductor.

7. The probe apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the opening is a cavity, and wherein an axis of the cavity is substantially perpendicular to an axis of first electrical conductor.

8. A separable connector adapted to measure a voltage of a cable, the separable connector comprising:

a probe apparatus, comprising;

an insulating body;

an electro-optic voltage sensor;

spaced apart first and second electrical conductors in contact with the insulating body and having adjacent surfaces configured such that when an electrical potential is applied between the first and second electrical conductors, a substantially uniform electric field is formed between the first and second electrical conductors, the first and second conductor being spaced apart by a distance such that the substantially uniform electric field formed therebetween is within the measurement range of the electro-optic voltage sensor; and

an opening in the insulating body positioned between the first and second electrical conductors and adapted to receive the electro-optic voltage sensor such that the electro-optic voltage sensor is subjected to the electric field;

a second insulating body having three openings, wherein a first opening is adapted to receive the insulating body, wherein the second opening is adapted to receive a bushing, and wherein a third opening is adapted to receive the cable; and

a conductor adapted to electrically connect the first electrical conductor and the cable.

9. The separable connector as recited in claim 8, wherein the conductor includes a central conductor having two opposed ends, wherein one of the ends of the central conductor is positioned between the first and second openings of the first insulating body and has a hole passing therethrough, and wherein the other end of the central conductor extends into the third opening of the second insulating body and is adapted for connecting to a central conductor of the cable.

10. The separable connector as recited in claim 9, wherein the conductor further includes a stud having two threaded ends, wherein the hole in the end of the central conductor positioned between the first and second openings of the second insulating body is dimensioned to allow the stud to pass through the hole.

11. The separable connector as recited in claim 10, wherein the first electrical conductor is substantially positioned within the insulating body and comprises two opposed ends, wherein one of the two ends is adapted to receive one of the two threaded ends of the stud, and wherein the other end resides within the insulating body.