Self-powered current sensor with a linear adjustment

• US 9,766,273 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2012
• Issued: 09/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neilsen-Kuljian, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Neilsen-Kuljian, Inc.
• Inventors: Nguyen, Huy D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Astacio-Oquendo, Giovanni
• Application Number:
  US13/591,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20140055151A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,855 Days
• Field of Search: 324714, 324124, 324127, 324128, 361 24, 361 932, 361 934
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/30 Structural combination of electric measuring instruments with basic electronic circuits, e.g. with amplifier
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 35/005 Calibrating; Standards or reference devices, e.g. voltage or resistance standards, "golden" references G01R33/0035, G01R35/002 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 1/06 Arrangements for supplying operative power power supply arrangements in general G05F, H02M
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/006 Calibration or setting of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/08 responsive to excess current responsive to abnormal temperature caused by excess current H02H5/04

Abstract

A self-powered current sensor is described. The self-powered current sensor including an electrical signal input configured to receive a current signal. Further, the self-powered current sensor includes a power circuit configured to generate a power voltage from an electrical signal. The self-powered current sensor also includes a variable resistor configured to set a value corresponding to one or more indicators on the electrical sensor and an amplifier coupled with a variable resistor and a power circuit. And, the self-powered current sensor includes an alarm coupled with an amplifier, an alarm configured to activate based on a value set by said variable resistor.

Claims

1. A self-powered current sensor comprising:

an electrical signal input configured to receive an electrical signal;

a power circuit configured to generate a power voltage from said electrical signal;

a variable resistor having a counter-clockwise terminal, a wiper terminal, and a clockwise terminal, said variable resistor configured to set a value corresponding to one or more visual indicators affixed on a configuration panel of the self-powered current sensor, said counter-clockwise terminal coupled with at least one resistor;

an amplifier having a inverting input, a non-inverting input, and an output, said amplifier coupled with said variable resistor with said counter-clockwise terminal coupled with said at least one resistor, such that said amplifier is configured as a linear adjustment, including said inverting input coupled with said wiper terminal of said variable resistor, said output coupled with said clockwise terminal of said variable resistor, said amplifier coupled with said power circuit, said amplifier configured to be powered by said power voltage generated by said power circuit; and

an alarm coupled with said amplifier, said alarm configured to activate based on said value set by said variable resistor.

2. The self-powered current sensor of claim 1, wherein said power circuit is further configured to generate a second power voltage from said electrical signal.

3. The self-powered current sensor of claim 1, wherein said amplifier includes an operational amplifier.

4. The self-powered current sensor of claim 1, wherein said amplifier is configured to have a gain based on a value of said variable resistor.

5. The self-powered current sensor of claim 1, wherein said amplifier is coupled with said alarm through a conditioning circuit.

6. The self-powered current sensor of claim 5, wherein said conditioning circuit converts a voltage output from said amplifier into a second voltage proportional to said voltage output.

7. The self-powered current sensor of claim 1 further comprising a delay circuit configured to delay activation of said alarm.

8. The self-powered current sensor of claim 7, wherein said amplifier is coupled with said delay circuit and said delay circuit is configured to delay activation of said alarm for a period of time corresponding to a delay value.

9. The self-powered current sensor of claim 1, wherein said electrical signal input includes a core configured to define a sensing aperture and said core is configured to generate a current that corresponds to a characteristic of said electrical signal.

10. An apparatus for measuring one or more electrical characteristics comprising:

an electrical signal input configured to receive an electrical signal;

a power circuit configured to generate a power voltage from said electrical signal;

a variable resistor coupled with said electrical signal input, said variable resistor having a counter-clockwise terminal, a wiper terminal, and a clockwise terminal, said counter-clockwise terminal coupled with at least one resistor, and said variable resistor configured to set a value corresponding to one or more visual indicators affixed on a configuration panel of the apparatus for measuring one or more electrical characteristics;

an amplifier having a inverting input, a non-inverting input, and an output, said amplifier coupled with said electrical signal input and said power circuit, said amplifier coupled with said variable resistor with said counter-clockwise terminal coupled with said at least one resistor to configure said amplifier as a linear adjustment including said inverting input coupled with said wiper terminal of said variable resistor and said output coupled with said clockwise terminal of said variable resistor, said amplifier configured to be powered by said power voltage generated by said power circuit; and

an alarm coupled with said amplifier, said alarm configured to activate based on said value set by said variable resistor.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said power circuit is further configured to generate a second power voltage from said electrical signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said amplifier includes an operational amplifier.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said amplifier is configured to have a gain based on a position of said variable resistor.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said amplifier is coupled with said alarm through a conditioning circuit.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said conditioning circuit converts a voltage output from said amplifier into a second voltage proportional to said voltage output.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a delay circuit configured to delay activation of said alarm.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said amplifier is coupled with said delay circuit and said delay circuit is configured to delay activation of said alarm for a period of time corresponding to a delay value.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said electrical signal input includes a core configured to define a sensing aperture and said core is configured to generate a current that corresponds to a characteristic of said electrical signal.

19. A method comprising:

configuring a self-powered current sensor to generate power from an input signal received by an electrical signal input;

configuring said self-powered current sensor to include a linear adjustment including an amplifier having a inverting input, a non-inverting input, and an output and a variable resistor having a counter-clockwise terminal, a wiper terminal, and a clockwise terminal such that said inverting input is coupled with said wiper terminal of said variable resistor, said output is coupled with said clockwise terminal of said variable resistor, and said counter-clockwise terminal is coupled with at least one resistor, said amplifier configured to be powered by said power generated; and

configuring said self-power current sensor to activate an alarm based on a magnitude of said input signal and a position of said linear adjustment relative to a visual indicator affixed on a configuration panel of said self-powered current sensor.