Current sensor supporting structure

Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Safety and protection of systems and devices – With specific current responsive fault sensor

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Reexamination Certificate

active

06760206

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to current sensors used in electrical switchgear.
BACKGROUND
Current sensors are used in the electric power industry to measure current flowing in electrical systems. In particular, current sensors may be used in electrical switchgear such as circuit breakers, reclosers, and switches to determine when a fault has occurred in the electrical system.
SUMMARY
In one general aspect, an electrical switchgear device includes a conductor, a base, and a current sensor positioned to detect current in the conductor and attached to the base using a support element. The device also includes an apparatus mounted to the base to interrupt current through the conductor when a signal from the current sensor indicates a predetermined condition. A housing positioned on the base encapsulates the current sensor, the support element, the current interrupting apparatus, and the conductor.
Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The housing may include a solid insulating material. The support element may include a rigid tube. The support element may be bent at an end coupled to the current sensor. The bent end of the support element may include a support strip shaped to match a curvature of the current sensor.
The current sensor may include a sensor conductor that produces a signal. The support element may be hollow—in this case, the sensor conductor is drawn through the support element to control circuitry. The sensor conductor and the support element may be hermetically sealed. The support element may be hermetically sealed to the base.
The support element may be metallic or non-metallic. In either case, the support element may be coated with a semi-conductive paint.
The housing may encapsulate the current sensor, the support element, the current interrupting apparatus, and the conductor such that there is no dielectric interface between the current sensor and the conductor.
In another general aspect, a method of producing an electrical switchgear device includes securing a support element to a current sensor. The current sensor is mounted relative to a main conductor by securing the support element to a surface of a mold that houses a current interrupter and a portion of the conductor. A prepared material is injected into the mold to encapsulate the support element, the current sensor, the conductor, and the current interrupter. The injected material is permitted to solidify to form a housing.
Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The support element may be secured to the current sensor by drawing sensor conductors from the current sensor through a hollow passage of the support element. The support element may be secured to the current sensor by bending a first end of the support element and attaching to the first end a support strip shaped to match a curvature of the current sensor. The support element may be secured to the current sensor by securing the support strip to the current sensor.
The support element may be secured to the surface of the mold by connecting a second end of the support element to a post positioned at the surface of the mold. The second end of the support element may be connected to the post by hermetically sealing the second end to the post. The second end of the support element may be connected to the post by drawing sensor conductors from the current sensor through a hollow passage of the post. The method may include removing the mold from the housing and securing the housing to a tank that houses additional components.
The electrical switchgear exhibits improved overall dielectric performance because all of the components are encased into a single housing with no dielectric interfaces. Moreover, the electrical switchgear exhibits a longer life because of reduced failure associated with dielectric breakdown at interfaces. Manufacturing of the electrical switchgear is more economical due to simplification of the current sensor design.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3223890 (1965-12-01), Maul et al.
patent: 3562457 (1971-02-01), Peek
patent: 3668513 (1972-06-01), Tsubouchi et al.
patent: 3725741 (1973-04-01), Misencik
patent: 3921113 (1975-11-01), Schiemann
patent: 3943433 (1976-03-01), Hermstein et al.
patent: 4271463 (1981-06-01), Tanimura et al.
patent: 4320372 (1982-03-01), Thuries et al.
patent: 4510477 (1985-04-01), Rostron et al.
patent: 4701738 (1987-10-01), Preissinger et al.
patent: 4808910 (1989-02-01), Kessi
patent: 5225803 (1993-07-01), Negle et al.
patent: 5268642 (1993-12-01), Uchidomi
patent: 5585611 (1996-12-01), Harvey et al.
patent: 5917316 (1999-06-01), Bosco et al.
patent: 6014072 (2000-01-01), Gimeno et al.
Cooper Power Systems, Kyle Type SyncCap Power Quality Switch (7 pages).
Cooper Power Systems, The Kyle Nova Switch, Jun. 1998 (11 pages).
Cooper Power Systems, Kyle Type VCS-3 Vacuum Capacitor Switch, Apr. 2000 (2 pages).
Cooper Power Systems, Switches, http://www.cooperpower.com/Products/Distribution/Switches/, 2000 (1 page).
Cooper Power Systems, Vacuum-Break Switches, Mar. 2000, USA (16 pages).
Cooper Power Systems, Oil and Vacuum-Break Switches, Jan. 1990, USA (19 pages).
,Cooper Power Systems, VCS-3 Vacuum Capacitor Switch Features and Benefits, http://www.cooperpower.com/Products/Distribution/Switches/features.asp, 2000 (1 page).

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Current sensor supporting structure does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Current sensor supporting structure, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Current sensor supporting structure will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3234050

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.