Sensor devices and methods for use in sensing current through a conductor
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsSubramanvam Satyasurya Chamarti, Steven Lee Bietz
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Abstract
Sensor devices and related methods disclosed. One example sensor device includes a Rogowski coil defining an aperture and a dielectric material at least partially enclosing the Rogowski coil. The dielectric material has a dielectric constant of at least about 3.5. The dielectric material is configured such that, when a conductor is at least partially inserted within the aperture, at least a portion of the dielectric material is positioned between the Rogowski coil and the conductor.
Claims20
A sensor device for use in detecting current in a conductor, said sensor device comprising:
- a Rogowski coil defining an aperture;
- and
- a dielectric material at least partially enclosing said Rogowski coil, said dielectric material comprising a first part and a second part and having a dielectric constant of at least about 3.5 at about 10 to 1000 Hertz (Hz), said dielectric material configured such that, when a conductor is at least partially inserted within said aperture, at least said first part of said dielectric material is positioned between said Rogowski coil and the conductor, wherein said first part of said dielectric material has a first thickness, said second part of said dielectric material has a second thickness that is less than the first thickness, and said second part of said dielectric material is positioned adjacent to said Rogowski coil and is opposite said aperture, wherein the first thickness is measured radially and normal to the conductor.
A utility meter for use in transmitting electrical energy from a power source to a user;
- said utility meter comprising:
- a conductor;
- and
- a sensor device at least partially circumscribing said conductor, said sensor device including a Rogowski coil defining an aperture and a dielectric material at least partially enclosing said Rogowski coil, said dielectric material comprising a first part and a second part and having a dielectric constant of greater than about 3.5 at about 10 to 1000 Hertz (Hz), at least said first part of said dielectric material positioned between said Rogowski coil and said conductor, wherein said first part of said dielectric material has a first thickness, said second part of said dielectric material has a second thickness that is less than the first thickness, and said second part of said dielectric material is positioned adjacent to said Rogowski coil and is opposite said aperture, wherein the first thickness is measured radially and normal to said conductor.
A method of fabricating a sensor device for sensing current through a conductor, the method comprising:
- providing a Rogowski coil defining an aperture;
- and
- at least partially enclosing the Rogowski coil within a dielectric material comprising a first part and a second part such that, when the coil is positioned about a conductor, the first part of the dielectric material is positioned between the Rogowski coil and the conductor, the dielectric material having a dielectric constant of greater than or equal to about 3.5 at about 10 to 1000 Hertz (Hz), wherein the first part of the dielectric material has a first thickness, the second part of the dielectric material has second thickness that is less than the first thickness, and the second part of the dielectric material is positioned adjacent to the Rogowski coil and is opposite the aperture, wherein the first thickness is measured radially and normal to the conductor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.