Float current measuring probe and method
US6346817B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 12, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 27, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R31/396
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A float current probe measuring a float current flowing in a conductor comprises a core adapted to be magnetically coupled to the conductor. Excitation and field cancellation windings are magnetically coupled to the core. A detector detects when energy in the excitation winding reaches a predetermined threshold corresponding to a saturated core condition. A timer measures first and second delays needed to saturate the core as a result of the excitation winding being energized through a switch circuit in the forward and reverse polarity successively. A computing unit determines a magnetic field induced by the conductor based on the first and second measured delays. The field cancellation winding is energized by a current source with a current level and direction as a function of the computed magnetic field, to cancel the magnetic field induced by the conductor. The current level is representative of the float current in the conductor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.