Method and apparatus for sensing current
A method and apparatus for sending current. A flow of current can be passed through a portion of the sensor, such that the sensor forms part of the current flow circuit. The sensor can be especially useful in high vacuum environments and/or in areas where a small sensor is desired. In one embodiment, the current sensor can form part of a ground circuit and a leg of the sensor can comprise a leg of the drive circuit. A current sensing loop of the sensor can at least partially encircle a portion of the sensor itself such that the current sensing loop senses current flowing through the sensor.
1. A current sensor comprising:
a housing, said housing formed from an electrically conductive material;
an output connector comprising:
an outer conductor, said outer conductor mechanically bonded to said housing;
an inner conductor; and
an insulator disposed between said outer conductor and said inner conductor; and
a current sensing loop, said current sensing loop electrically coupled to said output connector and positioned to at least partially encircle at least a portion of a housing standoff of said sensor and to sense a flow of current that is carried through said housing standoff of said sensor.
2. The current sensor of claim 1 further comprising a housing standoff, said housing standoff electrically coupled to said housing.
3. The current sensor of claim 1 further comprising an electrical insulator disposed between said current sensing loop and said housing standoff.
4. The current sensor of claim 3 wherein said electrical insulator is selected to achieve a desired sensitivity of said current sensor.
5. The current sensor of claim 1 wherein said outer conductor is electrically coupled to said housing.
6. The current sensor of claim 1 wherein said outer conductor is electrically insulated from said housing.
7. The current sensor of claim 1 wherein said current sensing loop is electrically coupled to said outer conductor of said output connector.
8. The current sensor of claim 1 wherein said current sensing loop comprises:
a loop inner conductor; and
a loop outer conductor, said loop outer conductor wrapped around and insulated from said loop inner conductor, except at a terminal end portion of said current sensing loop where said loop inner conductor and said loop outer conductor are electrically coupled together.
9. The current sensor of claim 8 wherein said loop outer conductor is electrically coupled to said output connector.
10. The current sensor of claim 9 wherein said loop inner conductor is electrically coupled to said inner conductor.
11. The current sensor of claim 1 wherein said output connector comprises a threaded output connector.
12. The current sensor of claim 1 wherein said output connector comprises a coaxial output connector.