# US 7,746,055 B2 · Current measuring device

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- Number: US 7,746,055 B2
- Document ID: US7746055B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/249,547
- Filed: 2008-10-10
- Published: 2010-04-15
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2008-10-10
- Assignees: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.; Softstuf, Inc.
- Inventors: Sanjay Bose; Anthony T. Giuliante; Amir Makki
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7746055B2

## CPC

- G01R 15/202: {using Hall-effect devices (Hall elements in arrangements for measuring electrical power G01R21/08)}
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)

## Abstract

A current sensor is provided for non-invasively measuring electrical current in an electrical conductor. The current sensor includes a housing having a Hall effect sensor and circuitry for transmitting a signal indicative of the current flowing through the electrical conductor. The current sensor further includes a clamp that allows an operator to easily and repeatedly install and remove the current sensor from electrical conductors. The current sensor may also include a mu-metal device for shielding the Hall effect sensor for stray magnetic fields generated by adjacent electrical conductors.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A current measuring device comprising:
a base having a generally hollow interior portion;
a cover coupled to said base;
an arm coupled to said cover;
a clamp coupled to said arm, said clamp having a first semi-circular recess on one side of said arm and a lever portion on a side of said clamp opposite said first semi-circular recess;
a semi-circular mu-metal member coupled to said first semi-circular recess; and,
a Hall effect sensor coupled to said base adjacent said first semi-circular recess.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The current measuring device of claim 1 wherein said cover includes a second semi-circular recess adjacent said first semi-circular recess, said second semi-circular recess having an opening therein, wherein a portion of said Hall effect sensor is positioned within said opening.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The current measuring device of claim 2 further comprising a spring coupled between said cover and said lever portion, said spring arranged bias an end of said clamp adjacent to said first semi-circular recess towards said cover.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The current measuring device of claim 3 wherein said spring is a torsion spring coupled said arm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The current measuring device of claim 4 further comprising:
a current sensing circuit electrically coupled to said Hall effect sensor; and,
a signal conditioning circuit electrically coupled to said signal sensing circuit.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The current measuring device of claim 5 further comprising a communications circuit electrically coupled to said signal conditioning circuit.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The current measuring device of claim 6 wherein said communications circuit includes an antenna, wherein said antenna is arranged to wirelessly transmit a signal generated by said signal conditioning circuit.

### Claim 8

A removable current sensor comprising:
a housing;
a clamp coupled to said housing, said clamp having a locking portion on one end and a lever arm on an opposite end, said clamp being rotatable between a first position wherein said locking portion is in contact with said housing, and a second position;
a Hall effect sensor having a first end mounted to said housing, said Hall effect sensor further having a second end positioned adjacent said clamp locking portion; and,
a biasing member coupled between said housing and said lever arm, said biasing member being arranged to rotate said clamp locking portion towards said Hall effect sensor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The removable current sensor of claim 8 further comprising:
a current sensing circuit mounted within said housing and electrically coupled to said Hall effect sensor; and
a signal conditioning circuit mounted within said housing and electrically coupled to said current sensing circuit, said signal conditioning circuit including a connector.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The removable current sensor of claim 9 wherein said housing includes a slot adjacent said lever arm, said slot being sized to receive a cable that couples to said connector.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The removable current sensor of claim 10 wherein said locking portion includes a first recess adjacent said Hall effect sensor.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The removable current sensor of claim 11 further comprising a mu-metal insert coupled to said locking portion between said first recess and said Hall effect sensor.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The removable current sensor of claim 12 wherein said housing includes a second recess adjacent said mu-metal insert, wherein said Hall effect sensor is positioned within said second recess.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The removable current sensor of claim 13 further comprises a communications circuit having an antenna, said communications circuit being mounted within said housing and being electrically coupled to said signal conditioning circuit.

### Claim 15

A current sensor for measuring electrical current flow through an electrical conductor, said current sensor comprising:
a clamp member, said clamp member having a lever arm on one end and a first recess on an opposite end, said first recess being sized to receive said electrical conductor;
a pivot arm rotatably coupled to said clamp member between said lever arm and said recess;
a housing coupled to said pivot arm, said housing having a hollow interior portion and an opening adjacent said first recess;
a Hall effect sensor positioned within said opening and mounted on one end to said housing within said hollow interior; and,
a mu-metal insert coupled to said first recess, said mu-metal insert being sized to receive said electrical conductor.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The current sensor of claim 15 further comprising a torsion spring coupled to said pivot arm, said torsion spring arranged to bias said first recess towards said Hall effect sensor.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The current sensor of claim 16 wherein said housing includes a cover adjacent said clamp member, said cover further having a raised portion adjacent said first recess.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The current sensor of claim 17 wherein said cover includes a second recess in said raised portion, wherein said opening is positioned within said second recess.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The current sensor of claim 18 further comprising:
a current sensing circuit mounted within said hollow interior and electrically coupled to said Hall effect sensor; and,
a signal conditioning circuit mounted within said hollow interior and electrically coupled to said current sensing circuit, said signal conditioning circuit further having a connector.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The current sensor of claim 18 wherein said cover includes a slot sized to receive a cable that couples to said connector.