IP Library Granted Patent US 7,990,133
Granted Patent B2
US 7,990,133 · App. 12/384,528 · Granted Aug 2, 2011

Non-intrusive electric alternating current sensor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,990,133
App. No.
12/384,528
Granted
Aug 2, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and a current sensor for measuring current in a conductor are provided. The current sensor has a flexible coil having a first end and a second end and a mounting ring. The flexible coil is wrapped within the mounting ring to form a closed loop. The mounting ring has a first hole and a second hole drilled tangentially to an inner diameter of the mounting ring. The first end of the flexible coil extends through the first hole of the mounting ring and the second end of the flexible coil extends through the second hole of the mounting ring. The mounting ring has a channel therethrough that provides an access point so that the mounting ring can be easily flexed open or closed.

Claims (26)

1. A non-intrusive electric alternating current sensor that monitors a circuit conductor comprising:

a mounting ring, the mounting ring having a first hole and a second hole drilled tangentially to an inner diameter of the mounting ring, the mounting ring having a channel extending through an entire height of the mounting ring; and

a flexible coil having a first end and a second end, the flexible coil wrapped around an inside of the mounting ring to form a closed loop, the closed loop having a crossover point, the first end of the flexible coil extending through the first hole of the mounting ring, the second end of the flexible coil extending through the second hole of the mounting ring, wherein the channel of the mounting ring provides an access point so that the mounting ring can be easily flexed open or closed.

2. The current sensor of claim 1 , wherein the flexible coil has a constant circumference.

3. The current sensor of claim 1 , wherein the inner diameter of the mounting ring is constant.

4. The current sensor of claim 1 , wherein the flexible coil is an open-ended, air core toroidal inductive pickup coil.

5. The current sensor of claim 1 , wherein the mounting ring is manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, high-density polyethylene, and any combinations thereof

6. The current sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a cable tie wrapped around the mounting ring.

7. The current sensor of claim 1 , wherein mounting ring has a height that ranges from about 0.5 inches to about 0.7 inches.

8. The current sensor of claim 1 , wherein the mounting ring has an inner diameter that ranges from about 1.25 inches to about 4.15 inches.

9. The current sensor of claim 1 , wherein the closed loop ranges from about 360° to about 400°.

10. The current sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first end and the second end of the flexible coil form a crossover angle at the crossover point.

11. The current sensor of claim 10 , wherein the crossover angle ranges from about 130° to about 140°.

12. A method of measuring alternating current using a current sensor comprising:

inserting a first end of a flexible coil through a first hole of a mounting ring;

wrapping the first end of the flexible coil around an inside of the mounting ring;

crossing the first end of the flexible coil over the second end of the flexible coil to form a crossover point and a crossover angle;

inserting the first end of the flexible coil through a second hole of the mounting ring to form a closed loop; and

pulling the first end of the flexible coil through the second hole of the mounting ring.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising wrapping a cable tie around an outside of the mounting ring.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the flexible coil has a constant inner diameter and a constant circumference.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the flexible coil is an open-ended, air core toroidal inductive pickup coil.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first hole and the second hole are aligned.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the loop formed by the flexible coil ranges from about 360° to about 400°.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the crossover angle ranges from about 130° to about 140°.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first hole of the mounting ring and the second hole of the mounting ring are drilled tangentially to an inner diameter of the mounting ring.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2014
From: CARBON 612 CORPORATION
To: RAGONAP, INC.
Reel/Frame 033449/0470 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2014
From: RAGONAP, INC.
To: SOLID SOLAR ENERGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 033449/0522 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2014
From: SOLID SOLAR ENERGY, INC.
To: FINISHING TOUCHES (ENDEAVOR IP, INC)
Reel/Frame 033449/0538 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2014
From: ENDEAVOR IP, INC.
To: ENDEAVOR ENERGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 033449/0590 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2009
From: CLEAR SKIES SOLAR, INC.
To: CARBON 612 CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 023486/0441 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 19, 2009
From: DOCKWEILER, ROBERT
To: CLEAR SKIES SOLAR, INC.
Reel/Frame 022733/0504 →