Sensor probe for fiber-based current sensor
OwnerYong Huanginventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide a sensor probe for fiber-based electric current sensors. The sensor probe includes a conductor of spiral shape and a relatively straight optical fiber being placed at a through-hole formed by the spiral shape conductor. An electric current conveyed by the spiral shape conductor causes polarization direction of a light traveling along the optical fiber to rotate. By detecting the amount of rotation that the light experiences at the ends of the optical fiber, the amount of current carried by the spiral shape conductor is determined. Method of making the sensor probe is also disclosed.
Claims20
A sensor probe for sensing electric current comprising:
- an optical fiber;
- and
- a spiral shape conductor having at least one coil and a through-hole in a center of said spiral shape conductor formed by said coil,
- wherein said optical fiber is placed inside and along said through-hole of said spiral shape conductor.
A method of detecting electric current comprising:
- launching an optical signal into an optical fiber, said optical fiber having a relatively straight section being placed inside a through-hole of a spiral shape conductor;
- conveying an electric current through said spiral shape conductor;
- detecting a rotation of polarization direction of said optical signal;
- and
- determining an amount of the electric current from said rotation of polarization direction.
A method of making sensor probe comprising:
- providing a bulky cylindrical conductor;
- machining a through-hole at a center of said cylindrical conductor;
- machining said cylindrical conductor into a spiral shape, said spiral shape surrounding said through-hole;
- and
- positioning an optical fiber substantially straight inside said through-hole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.