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 method for monitoring current flow into a pressurized or vacuum chamber by:
allowing a flow of a drive current to travel along at least a portion of a component of a current sensor such that the current sensor forms a portion of a drive current circuit and such that the flow of the drive current is interrupted when the current sensor is removed;
sensing the drive current flowing through the current sensor by monitoring a voltage and/or a current generated in a current sensing loop that is wrapped at least one time around at least a portion of the current sensor.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein allowing a flow of a drive current to travel along at least a portion of a component of a current sensor comprises allowing at least 99% of a flow of a drive current to travel along at least a portion of a component of a current sensor.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein allowing a flow of a drive current to travel along at least a portion of a component of a current sensor comprises allowing a flow of a drive current to travel along a housing of the current sensor.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein allowing a flow of a drive current to travel along at least a portion of a component of a current sensor comprises allowing a flow of a drive current to travel along the housing of the current sensor and along a housing standoff of the current sensor.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein monitoring a voltage and/or a current generated in a current sensing loop comprises monitoring a voltage and/or a current generated in a current sensing loop that at least partially encircles a housing standoff of the current sensor.
6 . The method of claim 1 further comprising directing a flow of drive current through a conductor which also conducts a flow of electricity generated by a Rogowski coil.