Current measurement apparatus with shunt resistor and heat sink
First Claim
1. Current measuring apparatus comprising two terminal members and a shunt resistor located between the two terminal members, each terminal member being connected electrically to a respective end of the shunt resistor, wherein the shunt resistor comprises an intermediate portion and end portions by which the shunt resistor is connected to the terminal members, and wherein electrically insulating, thermally conducting material is provided between the intermediate portion and the terminal members so that each terminal member is in thermal contact therewith but electrically insulated therefrom, wherein the shunt resistor is sandwiched between the terminal members and each terminal member overlies substantially the whole of an adjacent side face of the intermediate portion of the shunt resistor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A current measurement apparatus includes a shunt resistor (1) located between two terminal members (5, 6), each connected electrically to a respective end (4, 3) of the shunt resistor, and each extending over substantially the whole of an adjacent side face of the shunt resistor. Electrically insulating, thermally conductive material (8, 9) is provided between each side face of the shunt resistor (1) and the terminal members (5, 6), and serves to provide a thermal path for heat exchange between the shunt resistor and the terminals. The shunt resistor (1) is engineered to have the desired electrical properties, and the terminal members are connected by mechanical fasteners (13, 14) to ensure the required electrical properties without calibration. Measuring circuitry (15) is incorporated between the shunt resistor (1) and terminal members (5, 6). The invention is implemented as a compact assembly encased in an outer insulated housing (18, 19) and is conveniently connectable to a battery terminal, to monitor current flow.
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Citations
13 Claims
- 1. Current measuring apparatus comprising two terminal members and a shunt resistor located between the two terminal members, each terminal member being connected electrically to a respective end of the shunt resistor, wherein the shunt resistor comprises an intermediate portion and end portions by which the shunt resistor is connected to the terminal members, and wherein electrically insulating, thermally conducting material is provided between the intermediate portion and the terminal members so that each terminal member is in thermal contact therewith but electrically insulated therefrom, wherein the shunt resistor is sandwiched between the terminal members and each terminal member overlies substantially the whole of an adjacent side face of the intermediate portion of the shunt resistor.
Specification