IP Library Granted Patent US 12,656,374
Granted Patent B2
US 12,656,374 · App. 18/198,800 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Shunt for use in busbar-to-module connections

Inventors: Daniel G. Knierim (Beaverton, OR); Julie A. Campbell (Beaverton, OR); David M. Ediger (Portland, OR)
Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
G01R15/146G01R19/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,656,374
App. No.
18/198,800
Granted
Jun 16, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A test and measurement accessory has a shunt configured to be located in a current path between a busbar and an electronic module and structured to minimize length added to the current path, the shunt having an opening extending through the shunt, and a resistive portion, the resistive portion configured to form a portion of the current path, and two or more contacts, at least one of the contacts extending through the opening and electrically insulated from the resistive portion of the shunt. A test and measurement accessory has a shunt, two or more contacts, at least one of the contacts extending through the opening, and a resistive portion comprising a plurality of resistors surrounding an insulative portion. A test and measurement accessory has a shunt including a washer having an opening, a resistive portion, and two or more contacts.

Claims (18)

1 . A test and measurement accessory, comprising:

a shunt configured to be located in a current path between a busbar and an electronic module and structured to minimize length added to the current path, the shunt having an opening extending through the shunt, and a resistive portion, the resistive portion configured to form a portion of the current path, the opening extending through the resistive portion; and

two or more contacts to allow measurement of a voltage drop across the shunt, at least one of the contacts extending through the opening and electrically insulated from the resistive portion of the shunt.

2 . The test and measurement accessory according to claim 1 , further comprising an insulating washer between the shunt and at least one of the two or more contacts.

3 . The test and measurement accessory according to claim 2 , wherein the insulating washer includes conductive portions that form a pair of voltage sense leads with the two or more contacts.

4 . The test and measurement accessory according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the contacts is insulated from the resistive portion of the shunt by at least one of an insulative portion of the shunt and an air gap.

5 . The test and measurement accessory according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the contacts extending through the hole comprises a bolt of the busbar.

6 . The test and measurement accessory according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the contacts extending through the hole comprises a sense lead.

7 . The test and measurement accessory according to claim 1 , wherein the resistive portion of the shunt comprises one or more resistors painted on a surface of an insulative portion of the shunt.

8 . The test and measurement accessory according to claim 1 , wherein the resistive portion of the shunt comprises a plurality of resistors on a flex circuit.

9 . A test and measurement accessory, comprising:

a shunt configured to be located in a current path between a busbar and a screw terminal and structured to minimize length added to the current path, the shunt comprising a washer having an opening, and a resistive portion, the opening extending through the resistive portion; and

two or more contacts to allow measurement of a voltage drop across the shunt, at least one of the two or more contacts extending through the opening.

10 . The test and measurement accessory according to claim 9 , further comprising one of either a conductive gasket or a conductive locking washer within the current path between the shunt and at least one of the busbar and the electronic module.

11 . The test and measurement accessory according to claim 9 , wherein the two or more contacts comprise two sense leads, one sense lead in contact with the busbar and one sense lead in contact with the electronic module.

12 . The test and measurement accessory according to claim 9 , wherein the resistive portion comprises a resistive material painted on a surface of the washer and in contact with the two or more contacts.

13 . The test and measurement accessory according to claim 9 , wherein the two or more contacts have sufficient surface area to provide several different regions for the two or more contacts to contact measurement leads, wherein the several different regions have different sensitivities to magnetic flux from current flowing in the current path.

14 . The test and measurement accessory according to claim 13 , wherein a particular one of the several regions minimizes magnetic pickup of measurement leads in contact with the two or more contacts at the particular one of the several regions.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2023
From: KNIERIM, DANIEL G.
To: TEKTRONIX, INC
Reel/Frame 064681/0811 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2023
From: CAMPBELL, JULIE A.
To: TEKTRONIX, INC
Reel/Frame 064681/0863 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2023
From: EDIGER, DAVID M.
To: TEKTRONIX, INC
Reel/Frame 064681/0889 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 63400831 · Aug 25, 2022
Provisional Application 63344981 · May 23, 2022
Related Publication 20230375596A1 · Nov 23, 2023
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