Current sensing module and assembly method thereof

• US 7,719,257 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2007
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Delica, Roossely, Caggiano, Robert Joseph, Rivers, Cecil Jr., Robarge, Dean Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Karlsen; Ernest F
• Application Number:
  US11/759,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20080079437A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 324/107, 324/109, 324/117.R, 324/117.H, 324/127
• US Class Current: 324/117.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/04 Housings; Supporting members; Arrangements of terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/142 Arrangements for simultaneous measurements of several parameters employing techniques covered by groups G01R15/14 - G01R15/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/146 Measuring arrangements for current not covered by other subgroups of G01R15/14, e.g. using current dividers, shunts, or measuring a voltage drop if no voltage isolation is involved G01R1/203 or G01R19/0092

Abstract

A current sensing module for disposal proximate a conductor is disclosed. The current sensing module includes a housing having a first section and a second section that together define an opening for receiving the conductor therethrough. The second section is in operable connection with the first section. The current sensing module further includes a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) based current sensor disposed within the first section proximate the opening for receiving the conductor.

Claims

1. A current sensing module for disposal proximate a conductor, the current sensing module comprising:

a housing comprising a first section and a second section that together define an opening for receiving the conductor therethrough, the second section in operable connection with the first section; and

a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) based current sensor disposed within the first section proximate the opening for receiving the conductor;

wherein the first section and the second section each comprise mating engagement features that enable adjustment and retention of the dimension of the opening.

2. The current sensing module of claim 1, wherein the second section is in separable connection with the first section.

3. The current sensing module of claim 1, wherein the first and second sections have a translational degree of freedom therebetween, and translation of the second section relative to the first section adjusts a dimension of the opening for securing the housing to the conductor.

4. The current sensing module of claim 1, wherein the mating engagement features comprise serrated teeth.

5. The current sensing module of claim 1, further comprising a release to enable disengagement of the mating engagement features.

6. The current sensing module of claim 3, further comprising:

a lead screw disposed and retained within the first section, the lead screw having a rotational degree of freedom relative to the first section; and

a crossbar disposed within the first section, the crossbar in operable communication with the lead screw, the crossbar having a translational degree of freedom relative to a surface of the first section that defines the opening and responsive to rotation of the lead screw;

wherein the second section is in separable connection with the crossbar within the first section.

7. The current sensing module of claim 3, wherein the opening defines a minimum distance from the MEMS-based current sensor to the conductor.

8. The current sensing module of claim 1, wherein the MEMS-based current sensor is disposed proximate the opening for receiving the conductor absent complete enclosure of the conductor.

9. The current sensing module of claim 1, wherein the conductor is in power connection with a current protection device.

10. The current sensing module of claim 9, wherein the housing is disposed proximate the current protection device.

11. The current sensing module of claim 9, wherein:

the conductor is one of a plurality of conductors;

the first section of the housing comprises a plurality of geometric features corresponding to each conductor of the plurality of conductors;

the second section of the housing is one of a plurality of second sections, each second section of the plurality corresponding to each conductor of the plurality of conductors; and

the plurality of geometric features and the plurality of second sections together define a plurality of openings for disposing the plurality of conductors therethrough.

12. The current sensing module of claim 11, wherein:

the plurality of geometric features and each second section of the plurality of second sections have a translational degree of freedom therebetween; and

translation of a second section of the plurality of second sections relative to one of the plurality of geometric features adjusts a dimension of a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings.

13. A method of disposing a current sensing module proximate a conductor, the method comprising:

disposing a first section of a housing proximate the conductor, the first section comprising a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)-based current sensor;

connecting a second section of the housing with the first section, thereby defining an opening for receiving the conductor therethrough; and

translating the second section relative to the first section, thereby adjusting a dimension of the opening and securing the housing to the conductor.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the translating comprises engaging mating engagement features of the first and second section to retain the dimension of the opening.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the connecting comprises connecting the second section to a crossbar disposed within the first section, the crossbar having a translational degree of freedom relative to a surface of the first section that defines the opening and in operable connection to a leadscrew disposed and retained within the first section, the leadscrew having a rotational degree of freedom relative to the first section; and

the translating comprises translating the crossbar and the connected second section in response to rotating the lead screw.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the disposing comprises disposing the MEMS-based current sensor proximate the conductor absent complete enclosure of the conductor by the MEMS-based current sensor.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the disposing comprises disposing a first section of a housing proximate a conductor in power connection with a current protection device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the disposing comprises disposing the first section of a housing proximate the current protection device.