Current sensor
First Claim
1. A voltage or current detection device, comprising:
- drive circuitry configured to deliver a drive current to a magnetic core operably coupled with a conductor, for driving the core to cyclical magnetic saturation;
sense circuitry configured to receive a voltage signal corresponding to an application current in the conductor;
signal processing circuitry configured to sample the voltage signal, wherein a first sample is in phase with the drive current and a second sample is out of phase with the drive current; and
a feedback loop configured to deliver a compensation current to the magnetic core, wherein the compensation current is configured to balance the magnetic core and wherein the compensation current is based at least in part on the first sample in phase with the drive current;
wherein the signal processing circuitry is configured to be operably coupled to a signal aspect processor configured to externally communicate an indicator signal, relating to the voltage signal, for use in controlling vehicles.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a voltage or current sensing device. An exemplary voltage or current sensing device includes a drive circuitry configured to deliver a drive current to a magnetic core operably coupled with a conductor, for driving the core to cyclical magnetic saturation. The device also includes sense circuitry configured to receive a voltage signal corresponding to an application current in the conductor. The device also includes signal processing circuitry configured to sample the voltage signal, wherein a first sample is in phase with the drive current and a second sample is out of phase with the drive current. The device also includes a feedback loop configured to deliver a compensation current to the magnetic core, wherein the compensation current is configured to balance the magnetic core and wherein the compensation current is based at least in part on the first sample in phase with the drive current.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A voltage or current detection device, comprising:
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drive circuitry configured to deliver a drive current to a magnetic core operably coupled with a conductor, for driving the core to cyclical magnetic saturation; sense circuitry configured to receive a voltage signal corresponding to an application current in the conductor; signal processing circuitry configured to sample the voltage signal, wherein a first sample is in phase with the drive current and a second sample is out of phase with the drive current; and a feedback loop configured to deliver a compensation current to the magnetic core, wherein the compensation current is configured to balance the magnetic core and wherein the compensation current is based at least in part on the first sample in phase with the drive current; wherein the signal processing circuitry is configured to be operably coupled to a signal aspect processor configured to externally communicate an indicator signal, relating to the voltage signal, for use in controlling vehicles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A signaling system comprising:
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a signal lamp configured to indicate a condition of a railway; a voltage or current sensor operably coupled with a conductor corresponding to the signal lamp, the voltage or current sensor configured to detect a state of the signal lamp, the voltage or current sensor comprising; a magnetic core disposed about the conductor; drive circuitry that delivers a drive current to the magnetic core, wherein the drive current drives the core to cyclical magnetic saturation; sense circuitry configured to receive a voltage signal corresponding to an application current in the conductor; signal processing circuitry configured to sample the voltage signal, wherein a first sample is in phase with the drive current and a second sample is out of phase with the drive current; a feedback loop that drives a compensation current to the magnetic core, wherein the compensation current is configured to balance the magnetic core and wherein the compensation current is based on the first sample in phase with the drive current; and a signal aspect processor configured to receive an indicator from the voltage or current sensor, the indicator indicating whether the signal lamp is on, off, or flashing. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of measuring voltage or current, comprising:
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delivering a drive current to a magnetic core, wherein the drive current drives the core to cyclical magnetic saturation; receiving a voltage signal corresponding to an application current in a conductor operably coupled with the magnetic core; sampling the voltage signal, wherein a first sample is in phase with the drive current and a second sample is out of phase with the drive current; delivering a compensation current to the magnetic core, wherein the compensation current is configured to balance the magnetic core and wherein the compensation current is based on the first sample in phase with the drive current; and executing an integrity test comprising; terminating the drive current; and sampling the voltage signal to identify the presence of an external interference with a frequency at a second harmonic of the drive current. - View Dependent Claims (16, 21)
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17. A method of measuring voltage or current, comprising:
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delivering a drive current to a magnetic core, wherein the drive current drives the core to cyclical magnetic saturation; receiving a voltage signal corresponding to an application current in a conductor operably coupled with the magnetic core; sampling the voltage signal, wherein a first sample is in phase with the drive current and a second sample is out of phase with the drive current; delivering a compensation current to the magnetic core, wherein the compensation current is configured to balance the magnetic core and wherein the compensation current is based on the first sample in phase with the drive current; and modulating the drive current to generate a signature on the voltage signal which is received by a sense winding where the voltage signal is present. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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18. A method of measuring voltage or current, comprising:
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delivering a drive current to a magnetic core, wherein the drive current drives the core to cyclical magnetic saturation; receiving a voltage signal corresponding to an application current in a conductor operably coupled with the magnetic core; sampling the voltage signal, wherein a first sample is in phase with the drive current and a second sample is out of phase with the drive current; delivering a compensation current to the magnetic core, wherein the compensation current is configured to balance the magnetic core and wherein the compensation current is based on the first sample in phase with the drive current; and periodically driving the core out of balance by driving the compensation current with a polarity opposite of that indicated by a feedback loop and identifying a corresponding increase in the magnitude of the voltage signal, the feedback loop delivering the compensation current. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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19. A fluxgate sensor comprising:
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a sensor unit; and a detection device configured to be operably coupled with the sensor unit, wherein the detection device is further configured, when coupled with the sensor unit and when the sensor unit is operably coupled with a conductor, to sample a voltage signal of the sensor unit, the voltage signal induced in the sensor unit by a current passing through the conductor, and to generate a compensation current for the sensor unit based at least in part on the voltage signal as sampled; wherein a first sample of the voltage signal is in phase with a drive current of the sensor unit and a second sample of the voltage signal is out of phase with the drive current, and wherein the detection device is configured to generate the compensation current based at least in part on the first sample in phase with the drive current. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification