Current sensing device

• US 6,081,109 A
• Filed: 11/07/1997
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Core Brands, LLC (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Original Assignee: Xantech Corporation (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: Seymour, Herbert E., Robbins, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Vinh P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KOBERT, RUSSELL MARC
• Time in patent office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 324/127, 324/133, 324/117 R, 324/142, 340/660, 340/664, 439/225
• US Class Current: 324/127
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/183 using transformers with a magnetic core

Abstract

A current sensing wafer fits about the blades of an AC power cord and is connectible to peripheral equipment for sensing when current is being drawn through the power cord, and thereby indicating when a power consuming device using the power cord is operating. The wafer, in a preferred embodiment, comprises an insulating substrate which has thereon a loop of ferromagnetic material. Slots for fitting about the twin blades of an AC power cord plug extend through the wafer and the loop of ferromagnetic material extends about the slots, generally in a FIG. 8 pattern. This arrangement, extending about the positive and negative conductors, creates a magnetic current in the loop. A sensor coil is integrated into the loop and includes an amplifier circuit for signaling controlled peripheral equipment that current is flowing through the AC power cord, and therefor, electrical devices using the current are operating. The wafer device is particularly useful for remote control of home entertainment system devices, as it allows a controller to know if an item of equipment is operating.

Claims

1. A current sensing device for slipping on to the plug end of an AC power cord and fitting about the blades thereof, the device comprising in combination with the AC power cord:

a) a thin, insulating substrate having a pair of slots therethrough for slipping the device on to the blades of an AC power cord plug, the substrate being sufficiently thin so as not to interfere with the fit of the plug into a wall socket;

b) a ferromagnetic loop on said substrate extending about said slots so that opposing currents in the current carrying blades of the AC power cord plug create a magnetic current in said ferromagnetic loop;

c) a sensor coil integrated with said ferromagnetic loop for generating an electrical current responsive to a change in current through the blades of the AC power cord plug and

d) an AC power cord having a plug end with spaced blades for insertion into a wall socket, the power cord connected to electricity using equipment which provides a change in current flow in operational and nonoperational states.

2. A current sensing device for fitting about the blades of an AC power cord plug, the device comprising in combination with the AC power cord:

a) top and bottom insulating layers having aligned holes therethrough for fitting about the blades of an AC power cord plug;

b) a middle layer of insulating material also having holes therethrough and aligned with said holes in said insulating layers, and including means forming a ferromagnetic loop crossed over about a mid-portion to create FIG. 8 segments extending about each of said holes through said middle layer so that opposing currents in the current carrying blades of the power cord plug add to create a magnetic current in said loop;

c) a sensor coil integrated with said ferromagnetic loop for generating an electrical current responsive to a change in electrical current in the blades of the AC power cord plug

d) said device being sufficiently thin so as to not interfere with the fit of the plug into a wall electrical socket; and

e) an AC power cord having a plug end with spaced blades for insertion into a wall socket, the power cord connected to electricity using equipment which provides a change in current flow in operational and non-operational modes.

3. The current sensing device set forth in claim 2 wherein said FIG. 8 segments of said ferromagnetic loop join at a juncture and said sensor coil is wrapped about said juncture.

4. The current sensing device set forth in claim 2 wherein said sensor coil includes leads extending from said device for connection to peripheral equipment.

5. A current sensing device fitting about the blades of an AC power cord plug, the device comprising;

a) an insulating substrate having spaced slots therethrough fitting about the blades of an AC power cord plug;

b) said substrate having thereon a ferromagnetic loop crossed over about a mid portion to create FIG. 8 segments extending about each of said slots so that opposing currents in the current carrying blades of the AC power cord plug add to create a magnetic current in said loop;

c) a sensor coil integrated with said ferromagnetic loop generating an electrical current responsive to a change in current in the blades of the AC power cord plug

d) said device being sufficiently thin so as to not interfere with the fit of the plug into a wall electrical socket; and

e) an AC power cord having a plug end with spaced blades for insertion into a wall socket, the power cord connected to electricity using equipment which provides a change in current flow in operational and non-operational modes.

6. A current sensing device fitting about the blades of an AC power cord plug, the device comprising;

a) a ferromagnetic wafer having spaced slots therethrough for fitting about the blades of an AC power cord plug, said slots forming a loop with FIG. 8 segments so that opposing currents in the current carrying blades of the AC power cord plug add to create a magnetic current in said loop

b) a sensor coil integrated with said magnetic loop for generating an electrical current responsive to a change in current in the blades of the AC power cord plug;

c) an insulating covering extending about said ferromagnetic wafer and;

d) said wafer being sufficiently thin so as to not interfere with the fit of the plug into a wall electrical socket.

7. The current sensing wafer set forth in claim 6 is thin and of a thickness substantially less than the length of said blades so that said wafer fits over the blades and an AC power cord plug may be plugged into a power receptacle.