Current sensor and its application method

Abstract

To improve sensitivity and bandwidth of a current sensor.SOLUTION: A current sensor 100 to measure a current in a current-carrying conductor 104 includes a Rogowski coil 101 having a plurality of conductor segments 106 that is positionable to form a substantially complete loop around the current-carrying conductor 104. Respective output signals of the plurality of conductor segments 106 are integrated in corresponding integrating circuit parts 102, and output signals of the integrating circuit parts 102 are summed in a summing circuit part 103 to obtain an output signal equivalent to that of the Rogowski coil formed from a single conductor segment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a test measurement system, and more particularly to a current sensor for measuring a current flowing through a device under test and a method of using the same. 【Background Art】 【0002】 An oscilloscope is often used together with a current probe to measure a current flowing through a device under test (DUT). The current probe functions as a current sensor and has an input unit that functions as an interface for coupling with the DUT and an output unit that is connected to an input channel of the oscilloscope, and is designed with a physical and electrical structure particularly suitable for measuring current. 【0003】 When such a probe has a flux concentrator, it may be difficult to perform current measurement with a wide bandwidth because the self-inductance is increased at the expense of the slew rate and loading. The Rogowski coil is known as a type of current sensor that provides one solution to this problem. 【0004】 A conventional Rogowski coil is configured by forming a flexible or rigid conductor in a loop shape, and at this time, a coil is formed in a helical shape around the loop of the closed return path, and a voltage obtained by differentiating the current passing through the center of this loop is output. The output signal of the Rogowski coil is connected to an integrating circuit and is converted into a form directly representing the current (see Patent Document 1). In other words, the Rogowski coil outputs a voltage waveform obtained by differentiating the waveform of the current to be measured, and by integrating it, a waveform corresponding to the original current waveform can be obtained. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0005】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent No. 4332623 【Patent Document 2】 Japanese Patent No. 6234657 【Non-Patent Documents】 【0006】 【Non-Patent Document 1】 "Galvanic isolation" article, Wikipedia (English version), [Online], [Searched on September 22, 2021], Internet <https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Galvanic_isolation> 【Non-Patent Document 2】 "Insulation (Electricity)" article, especially about "isolation", Wikipedia (Japanese version), [Online], [Searched on September 22, 2021], Internet <http: / / ja.wikipedia.org / wiki / 絶縁_(電気)> 【Non-Patent Document 3】 "Everything about Oscilloscopes Chapter 4 Oscilloscope Systems and Operation Sections", especially references to "Figure 38: Addition of Two Channels" and "Advanced Mathematical Calculations Including Integration", Tektronix, [Online], [Searched on September 27, 2021], Internet <https: / / jp.tek.com / document / online / primer / xyzs-scopes / ch4 / oscilloscope-systems-and-controls> 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0007】 However, conventional Rogowski coils have limitations in both sensitivity and bandwidth. The problems when increasing the sensitivity or bandwidth of conventional Rogowski coils occur because either the insulation of the coil is overloaded to handle high voltages or the response is degraded due to high self-inductance. 【0008】 Therefore, embodiments of the present invention attempt to solve such conventional problems. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0009】 As described in this application, an embodiment of the disclosed technology is a Rogowski coil having multiple segments. Forming a Rogowski coil from multiple segments allows for better optimization. From the viewpoint of linearity and signal synthesis, a Rogowski coil can be formed from multiple segments. Such multiple segments, insofar as they collectively substantially surround a current-transmitting conductor, when combined, produce external field rejection equivalent to that of a single-segment Rogowski coil. Furthermore, the self-resonance of each coil segment is smaller than that of a single coil of the same dimensions, thus widening the maximum bandwidth of current measurement. The output of each segment may be passed to, for example, separate integrating circuits. Since both differentiation and integration are linear operations, the outputs of each integrating circuit can be summed to produce a signal equivalent to the output signal of a single-coil integrating circuit. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0010】 [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor substantially enclosing a current-carrying conductor, according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an integration circuit section according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an integrating circuit section configured to receive multiple input signals, according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a plurality of integrating circuits coupled to an exemplary summing circuit, according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a plurality of buffers coupled to an exemplary integrating circuit according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of a variable-length multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]Figure 7 shows a variable-length multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor of Figure 6 according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention, but it is shown in a state where a current transmission conductor smaller than the current transmission conductor shown in Figure 6 is surrounded. [Figure 8A] Figure 8A shows a first example of a portion of a multi-segment Rogowski coil according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] Figure 8B shows a second example of a portion of a multi-segmented Rogowski coil according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8C] Figure 8C shows a third example of a portion of a multi-segmented Rogowski coil according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of a multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to the multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor shown in Figure 1, but differs in that the output leads of multiple segments are on the same side of the Rogowski coil. [Figure 10] Figure 10 illustrates an example of a multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor, with the first part located on one side of the printed circuit board and the second part on the opposite side of the printed circuit board. The example configuration will be described accordingly. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for measuring the current in a current-transmitting conductor using a multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor, following the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0011】 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system including a multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor 100 (also simply referred to as current sensor 100 in this application) according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the current sensor 100 may include a Rogowski coil 101, an integrator element 102, a summing element 103, and the like. The current sensor 100 is configured to measure the current of a current transmission conductor 104 such as a wire or a trace, and its cross-section is shown in FIG. 1. The current sensor 100 may be coupled to a test measurement device 105. The test measurement device 105 may be, for example, an oscilloscope. 【0012】 The Rogowski coil 101 has two or more conductor segments 106, each segment having a helical winding 107. In all embodiments of this application, each conductor segment is shown having a helical winding, but alternative wiring techniques for forming the Rogowski coil are also compatible with the techniques disclosed herein. The conductor segments 106 are arranged to form a substantially complete loop, or are positionable to form a substantially complete loop. As used in this application, “substantially complete” means largely or basically complete, without requiring perfect completeness. For example, in some embodiments, gaps or spaces may exist between adjacent conductor segments 106, as long as the multiple conductor segments 106 are arranged to form a loop when combined. Thus, the Rogowski coil 101 substantially (almost) surrounds the current-transmitting conductor 104. As used in this application, “substantially surrounds” means largely or basically unfolding around without requiring perfect enclosure. These conductor segments 106 may all be the same length, or they may have different lengths. In some embodiments, each of the multiple conductor segments 106 constituting the Rogowski coil 101 is housed in a common housing 122, an example of which is shown in Figure 1. In some embodiments, the multiple conductor segments 106 constituting the Rogowski coil 101 may be housed in separate housings 122, examples of which are shown in Figures 8A-8C and Figure 10. In some embodiments, the multiple conductor segments 106 constituting the Rogowski coil 101 are electrically isolated from each other, and these conductor segments 106 are not electrically coupled except by an integrating circuit, summing circuit, or buffer circuit, as described herein. 【0013】 Each conductor segment 106 is configured to provide a plurality of electrical signals or continuous electrical signals over time. The electrical signal may be a voltage signal, but is related to the amount of current flowing in the current transmission conductor 104. Each of the plurality of conductor segments 106 that make up the Rogowski coil 101 need not be physically separated from each other, because, as a natural result of the operation of each conductor segment 106, an independent electrical signal is generated at the output terminal of each conductor segment 106. Thus, in some embodiments, as will be described later with respect to FIG. 9, adjacent conductor segments 106 may be shorted to each other. 【0014】 The summing element 103 is configured to generate the sum of the output signals of each of the plurality of integrating elements 102 (this will be described in detail below). In some embodiments, the summing element 103 is, for example, a summing amplifier, which may be implemented as an analog summing amplifier or a digital circuit equivalent to an analog summing amplifier. In FIG. 1, the summing element 103 is shown as being functionally separated from the test measurement device 105, but in some embodiments, the summing element 103 may be within the test measurement device 105. For example, as shown in Non-Patent Document 3, in a digital oscilloscope, those having a function of adding signals between multiple channels are well known. Furthermore, in a digital oscilloscope, those capable of performing various advanced mathematical calculations such as multiplication, division, integration, and fast Fourier transform using an internal processor are also known. Thus, in the exemplary embodiments of the present application, the integrating element 102 is shown as an independent function separate from the test measurement device 105, but as will also be described later, the integration function may be performed within the test measurement device 105. Also, of course, the digitization of the various analog signals referred to in the present application may be performed by a test measurement device 105 including a digital oscilloscope or the like. 【0015】 The integrator element 102 is configured to provide an output signal (represented by a path 108) that is proportional to the current flowing through the current transmission conductor 104. The integrator element 102 may be an analog circuit as described with respect to Figures 2 to 5 below, or it may be a digital circuit equivalent to the analog circuit described in this application. Each integrator element 102 may have an analog-to-digital converter on either its input side (for example, if the integrator element is a digital circuit) or its output side (for example, if the integrator element is an analog circuit and its output signal is passed to a digital circuit). In Figure 1, one or more integrator elements 102 are shown as functionally isolated from the test measurement device 105, but in some embodiments, one or more integrator elements 102 may be located within the test measurement device 105. For each of the circuits shown in Figures 2 to 5, the impedance load between the coil output terminals may be changeable, for example, by changing the value of the resistance between the coil output terminals. 【0016】 In some embodiments, the relative positional relationship between the first conductor segment 106 and the second conductor segment 106 may be determined by introducing a known signal to the first conductor segment 106 and receiving a corresponding signal from the second conductor segment 106. 【0017】 Figure 2 shows a schematic of an integrating circuit 202 according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The integrating circuit 202 in Figure 2 can be used in the integrating circuit 102 described above with respect to Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the integrating circuit 202 is configured to receive an electrical output signal at its input terminal from one of the multiple conductor segments 106 that constitute the Rogowski coil 101. In such a configuration, there may be a separate integrating circuit 202 for each of the multiple conductor segments 106 that constitute the Rogowski coil 101. 【0018】 Figure 3 shows a schematic of an integrating circuit 302 according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The integrating circuit 302 in Figure 3 can be used in place of the integrating circuit 102 described above with respect to Figure 1, such as replacing the two integrating circuit 102 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3, the integrating circuit 302 is configured to receive electrical output signals at its input terminals from two or more conductor segments 106 among a plurality of conductor segments 106 constituting the Rogowski coil 101. Figure 3 shows that the integrating circuit 302 may have any number of input terminals (specified as 1 to n), where each input terminal of the integrating circuit 302 corresponds to one of the n conductor segments 106. As shown in Figure 3, the plurality of conductor segments 106 that are input signal sources of the integrating circuit 302 share a common ground (COM). 【0019】 Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of multiple integrating circuit units 402 coupled to an example of a summing circuit unit 103 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The integrating circuit unit 402 in Figure 4 may also be used in the integrating circuit unit 102 described above with respect to Figure 1. As shown in Figure 4, two or more integrating circuit units 402 may be combined with the summing circuit unit 103 (described above with respect to Figure 1) so that the output signals of these multiple integrating circuit units 402 are input to the summing circuit unit 103. The integrating circuit unit 402 shown in Figure 4 may be the same as those described above for the integrating circuit unit 102 in Figure 1 and the integrating circuit unit 202 in Figure 2. Figure 4 shows that there may be any number of integrating circuit units 402 (from 1 to n), where each integrating circuit unit 402 corresponds to one of the n conductor segments 106. In some embodiments, the input signals to each integrating circuit 402 are differential signals, which allows each conductor segment 106 of the Rogowski coil 101 to be connected to an individual integrating circuit 402 without the need for multiple conductor segments 106 to share a common reference potential terminal (common ground). In configurations where one or more conductor segments 106 share a common reference potential terminal, one of the differential input signals of each integrating circuit 402 may be connected to the common reference potential terminal to reduce wiring complexity. 【0020】 Figure 5 shows a plurality of buffer circuits 509 coupled to an exemplary integrating circuit 502 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The integrating circuit 502 in Figure 5 may be used in place of the integrating circuit 102 described above with respect to Figure 1, such as replacing the two integrating circuit 102 shown in Figure 1. Thus, for example, each conductor segment 106 in the plurality of conductor segments 106 constituting the Rogowski coil 101 may be coupled to its corresponding buffer circuit 509, so that the electrical output signal of each conductor segment 106 is provided to its corresponding buffer circuit 509, and the integrating circuit 502 may be configured to receive output signals from two or more (including all) individual buffer circuits 509. This example configuration is one method of electrically isolating the plurality of conductor segments 106 of the Rogowski coil 101 from one another. With electrical isolation, for example, the operating bandwidth can be widened compared to when there is no electrical isolation. In addition, this example configuration may be beneficial in improving sensitivity. In some variations, the configuration shown in Figure 5 may include a galvanic isolator 524 configured such that there is no direct electrical conduction path between the buffer circuit 509 and the integrating circuit 502 (i.e., the conductors are separated, but signals are transmitted: see Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2). The galvanic isolator 524 may be, for example, a transformer or other circuit known to provide galvanic isolation. 【0021】 Figure 6 shows an example of a variable-length multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 shows the variable-length multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor 600 of Figure 6, but in a configuration that surrounds a current transmission conductor 104 smaller than the current transmission conductor 104 shown in Figure 6. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the variable-length current sensor 600 has two or more conductor segments 106, each generating a voltage signal. Examples of the voltage signals of these conductor segments 106 are labeled V1 to V5 in Figures 6 and 7. Some or all of the multiple conductor segments 106 of the variable-length current sensor 600 form a Rogowski coil 101. 【0022】 One end of the chain of conductor segments 106 may be coupled to a cinch mechanism 610 that mechanically grips or holds the conductor segments 106, thereby allowing a Rogowski coil 101 to be formed using a desired number of conductor segments 106. As shown in Figure 7, the cinch mechanism 610 is configured to divide the conductor segments 106 into loop-forming portions 615, such as those corresponding to voltage signals V1 and V2 in Figure 7, i.e., the loop-forming portions 615 of the conductor segments 106 that constitute the Rogowski coil 101, and non-loop-forming portions 616, such as those corresponding to voltage signals V3, V4, and V5, which are outside the loop of the Rogowski coil 101. In this way, the cinch mechanism 610 allows the length of the portion 615 that forms the loop (Rogowski coil 101) composed of multiple conductor segments 106 to be adjusted, much like a belt used to form a loop and tighten around the waist when a person puts on clothes. In other words, the operation of adjusting the length of the portion 615 that forms a loop (Rogowski coil 101) composed of a desired amount or number of multiple conductor segments 106 by gripping the cinch mechanism 610 at a desired position on the entire chain of multiple conductor segments 106, and thereby determining the length of the loop-forming portion 615, is referred to in this application as "cinching". 【0023】 The variable-length current sensor 600 may further have a detector configured to detect the number of conductor segments 106 forming the Rogowski coil 101. This detector may be, for example, a mechanical detector or switch, or an optical detector or switch. In addition, or instead, the conductor segments 106 may have a physical or electronic identifier, and when the variable-length multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor 600 scinches around the current transmission conductor 104 to form a loop (Rogowski coil 101) of a desired length (outer circumference), these identifiers are detected by the detector as the conductor segments 106 pass through it. In examples where the detector is an optical detector, the photodetector may be activated by a pattern such as a dot code or a bar code. Examples of using a mechanical detector include a combination of sets of contacts that rub against a set of conductors, configured to be a unique combination for each position, or a rotary encoder engaged by gear teeth or a friction mechanism. Other examples of detectors include RFID detectors, Hall sensors, and potentiometers. In some embodiments, the detector may be part of the scintillation mechanism 610. 【0024】 For example, in the example shown in Figure 6, the detector would detect the five conductor segments 106 that make up the Rogowski coil 101 in Figure 6. In the example shown in Figure 7, the detector would detect the two conductor segments 106 that make up the Rogowski coil 101 in Figure 7, and would also detect that the remaining three conductor segments 106 are outside the Rogowski coil 101 in Figure 7. Furthermore, the conductor segments 106 outside the Rogowski coil 101 are set to "off" because their voltage outputs are not based on the current flowing through the current-transmitting conductor 104 to be determined. These conductor segments 106 may also be set to "off" by, for example, the test measurement device 105 ignoring them, or by electrically isolating the conductor segments 106 from the test measurement device 105. The conductor segments 106 that make up the Rogowski coil 101 would be set to "on" because their voltage outputs are based on the current flowing through the current-transmitting conductor 104 to be determined. The detector may be configured so that a chain of conductor segments 106 can pass through or through the detector. In this way, the size of the Rogowski coil 101 may be adjusted to accommodate a relatively large current-transmitting conductor 104, as shown in Figure 6, or to accommodate a relatively small current-transmitting conductor 104, as shown in Figure 7. The method of adjusting the loop size in the illustrated configuration is similar to the method of increasing or decreasing the diameter of the loop of a plastic cable tie or zip tie used to bundle multiple wires together. 【0025】 Figures 8A to 8C show examples of parts of a multi-segment Rogowski coil according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figures 8A to 8C show several conductor segments 106 of a plurality of conductor segments 106 that constitute the Rogowski coil 801 of a multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor. Examples of this multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor include the current sensor 100 described above with respect to Figure 1, the current sensor 600 described above with respect to Figure 6, the current sensor 900 described later with respect to Figure 9, and the current sensor 1000 described later with respect to Figure 10. 【0026】 As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, each conductor segment 106 in a plurality of conductor segments 106 may be flexibly coupled to adjacent conductor segments 106. In this situation, "flexibly coupled (flexible joint)" means that the conductor segment 106 can pivot (rotate around an axis) or change position relative to adjacent conductor segments 106, while at the same time being physically coupled to adjacent conductor segments 106. For example, the flexible joint may be a mechanical snap mechanism 819 as shown in Figure 8A, or a magnetic coupling mechanism 820 as shown in Figure 8B. 【0027】 In some embodiments, one conductor segment 106 among a plurality of conductor segments 106 is mechanically separable from an adjacent conductor segment 106 of the plurality of conductor segments 106. In this context, "mechanically separable" means that one conductor segment 106 and an adjacent conductor segment 106 can be separated and moved from each other without causing permanent damage to either component. For example, the mechanically separable joint may be a mechanical snap mechanism 819 (such as the one shown in Figure 8A), a magnetic coupling mechanism 820 (such as the one shown in Figure 8B), or a plug-and-socket mechanism 821 (such as the one shown in Figure 8C). 【0028】 Therefore, a Rogowski coil 801 of any length can be formed by adding or removing conductor segments 106 as needed. Alternatively, the Rogowski coil 801 can be formed by adding the conductor segments 106 in any order. The joint configurations shown in Figures 8A-8C and described herein can be used in conjunction with any other configurations described, illustrated, or intended herein. 【0029】 Figure 9 shows an example of a multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor 900, which is similar to the multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor 100 in Figure 1, but differs in that the output leads 911 of each conductor segment are on the same side of the Rogowski coil 901 in the multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor 900 of Figure 9. That is, in the current sensor 100 shown in Figure 1, the two pairs of output leads are arranged at approximately 180 degrees from each other as viewed from the current transmission conductor 104, and are connected to two integrating circuit sections 102, each also arranged at approximately 180 degrees from each other as viewed from the current transmission conductor 104. In contrast, in the current sensor 900 in Figure 9, the two pairs of output leads 911 are arranged at approximately the same side as viewed from the current transmission conductor 104. Thus, for example, the Rogowski coil 901 may have a first conductor segment 906A and a second conductor segment 906B. The first conductor segment 906A and the second conductor segment 906B may be joined at a connection point 912 located at the first end 913A of the first conductor segment 906A and the first end 913B of the second conductor segment 906B. Even though the first conductor segment 906A and the second conductor segment 906B are electrically joined at the connection point 912, they still generate independent differential voltages on their respective output leads 911. On the other hand, short-circuiting the first conductor segment 906A and the second conductor segment 906B at the connection point 912 enables common-mode connection between multiple integrating circuit sections 102. As long as these integrating circuits 102 remove the common-mode voltage shared by the first conductor segment 906A and the second conductor segment 906B, the output signals of the first segment conductor 906A and the second conductor segment 906B, as measured on the output lead wires, will not change whether the connection point 912 is short-circuited or open. 【0030】 Output leads 911 may be provided at the second end 914A of the first conductor segment 906A and the second end 914B of the second conductor segment 906B. As shown in Figure 9, these output leads 911 may be coupled to the integrating circuit section 102 corresponding to the first conductor segment 906 and the second conductor segment 906B, respectively. Alternatively, any of the integrating circuit section configurations described above with respect to Figures 2-5 may be used instead of the integrating circuit section 102 shown in Figure 9. The configuration in which the output leads 911 are on the same side as the Rogowski coil 901 has the advantage of providing better access to the output leads 911 when connecting them to other devices or circuit elements. 【0031】 Figure 10 shows an example of a multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor 1000, in which the first part 1015 of the Rogowski coil 1001 in the multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor 1000 is on the first side 1017 of the printed circuit board 1023, and the second part 1016 of the Rogowski coil 1001 is on the second side 1018 of the printed circuit board 1023, in which case the second side 1018 is the back (opposite) side of the first side 1017. Alternatively, the printed circuit board 1023 is located between the first part 1015 of the Rogowski coil 1001 and the second part 1016 of the Rogowski coil 1001. Each of the first part 1015 and the second part 1016 has one or more conductor segments 106. As shown in Figure 10, each conductor segment 106 may be coupled to an integrating circuit 102, which is then connected to a summing circuit 103. Alternatively, one of the integration circuit configurations described above with respect to Figures 2-5 may be used instead of the integration circuit 102 shown in Figure 10. 【0032】 As shown in Figure 10, the configuration of the current sensor 1000 may be used to measure the current flowing through trace 1004 on the printed circuit board 1023. In a variation of such a configuration, the second portion 1016 of the Rogowski coil 1001 may be permanently incorporated into the printed circuit board 1023. In this context, "permanently" means that the second portion 1016 of the Rogowski coil 1001 is intended not to be removed from the Rogowski coil 1001 during the normal operation of the multi-segment Rogowski coil current sensor 1000 shown in Figure 10. 【0033】 In some embodiments, one or both of the first portion 1015 and the second portion 1016 of the Rogowski coil 1001 may be clamped around the trace to be measured, mounted to each other, or mounted to the printed circuit board 1023. Such mounting may also be done, for example, by magnets or other connection mechanisms. 【0034】 Figure 11 shows an exemplary use of the current sensor 100 for measuring the current flowing through the current transmission conductor 104. As shown in Figure 11, the method 1100 may include a process 1101 of arranging a Rogowski coil 101 so as to substantially surround the current transmission conductor 104. The Rogowski coil 101 has a plurality of conductor segments 106, and each of the plurality of conductor segments 106 has a helical winding 107. The plurality of conductor segments 106 are arranged to form a substantially (almost) complete loop. 【0035】 This method also includes a process 1102 for obtaining multiple voltage signals from at least two conductor segments 106 among a plurality of conductor segments 106 constituting the Rogowski coil 101. In some embodiments, the process 1102 for obtaining multiple voltage signals from at least two conductor segments 106 among a plurality of conductor segments 106 includes a process for obtaining multiple voltage signals over time from at least two conductor segments 106 among a plurality of conductor segments 106. In such embodiments, this method includes a process 1105 for integrating these multiple voltage signals using a plurality of integrating circuit sections 102, thereby generating a plurality of integrated output signals. 【0036】 In an embodiment in which multiple voltage signals are obtained over time, the process 1105 for integrating the multiple voltage signals of this method may include, for example, a process of generating a first integrated output signal by integrating a first voltage signal from a first conductor segment 106 among at least two conductor segments 106 using a first integrating circuit unit 102, and a process of generating a second integrated output signal by integrating a second voltage signal from a second conductor segment 106 among at least two conductor segments 106 using a second integrating circuit unit 102. Subsequently, this method may also include a process 1106 for summing the first integrated output signal and the second integrated output signal using a summing circuit unit 103. 【0037】 In an embodiment in which multiple voltage signals are obtained over time, the method may further include a buffering process 1104 for the multiple voltage signals. In this case, the buffering process 1104 may include, for example, a process of generating a first buffer signal by buffering a first voltage signal from a first conductor segment 106 among at least two conductor segments 106 using a first buffer circuit 509, and a process of generating a second buffer signal by buffering a second voltage signal from a second conductor segment 106 among at least two conductor segments 106 using a second buffer circuit 509. Next, the method may perform a process 1105 of integrating the first buffer signal and the second buffer signal using an integration circuit 102. 【0038】 In some embodiments, the process 1101 for arranging the Rogowski coil 101 to substantially surround the current transmission conductor 104 may include the process of arranging the first portion 1015 of the Rogowski coil 101 on the first surface 1017 side of the printed circuit board 1023, and the process of arranging the second portion 1016 of the Rogowski coil 101 on the second surface 1018 side of the printed circuit board 1023. In this case, the printed circuit board 1023 is located between the first portion 1015 and the second portion 1016 of the Rogowski coil 101, and each of the first portion 1015 and the second portion 1016 may have one or more conductor segments 106 from a plurality of conductor segments 106. Also, the second surface 1018 of the printed circuit board 1023 may be the back surface of the first surface 1017. 【0039】 In some embodiments, the process 1101 for arranging the Rogowski coil 101 to substantially surround the current transmission conductor 104 may cinch the multiple conductor segments 106 around the current transmission conductor 104 (to form a loop with an outer circumference of a desired length) by forming the Rogowski coil 101 with first portions (loop-forming portions) 615 of the multiple conductor segments 106, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, while second portions (non-loop-forming portions) 616 of the multiple conductor segments 106 are positioned outside the loop forming the Rogowski coil 101. In such embodiments, the method may further include a process 1103 for detecting the quantity or number of first portions (loop-forming portions) 615 of the multiple conductor segments 106 using a detector. Examples 【0040】 The following examples are provided that are useful for understanding the technology disclosed herein. These embodiments may include one or more of the examples described below, or any combination thereof. 【0041】 Embodiment 1 is a current sensor configured to measure the current of a current-transmitting conductor, comprising a Rogowski coil having a plurality of conductor segments that can be arranged to form a substantially complete loop, wherein a first conductor segment among the plurality of conductor segments is electrically isolated from a second conductor segment among the plurality of conductor segments. 【0042】 Embodiment 2 is the current sensor of Embodiment 1, further comprising an integrating circuit section configured to receive an output signal from a first conductor segment among a plurality of conductor segments. 【0043】 Example 3 is a current sensor of any of Examples 1 or 2, further comprising a separate integrating circuit for each of the multiple conductor segments. 【0044】 Embodiment 4 is the current sensor of Embodiment 3, further comprising a summing circuit configured to generate the sum of the output signals of individual integrating circuit sections. 【0045】 Example 5 is a current sensor of Example 4, in which the summing circuit section is a summing amplifier. 【0046】 Example 6 is a current sensor of any of Examples 1 to 5, further comprising an integrating circuit configured to receive output signals from two or more conductor segments among a plurality of conductor segments. 【0047】 Example 7 is a current sensor of any of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the output lead wire of the first conductor segment is on the same side as the output lead wire of the second conductor segment and the Rogowski coil. 【0048】 Example 8 is a current sensor of any of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the first conductor segment among the multiple conductor segments is flexibly coupled to adjacent conductor segments among the multiple conductor segments. 【0049】 Example 9 is a current sensor according to any of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the first conductor segment among the plurality of conductor segments is mechanically separable from adjacent conductor segments among the plurality of conductor segments. 【0050】 Example 10 is a current sensor of any of Examples 1 to 9, wherein a first conductor segment among a plurality of conductor segments is galvanically isolated from another conductor segment among the plurality of conductor segments. 【0051】 Example 11 is a current sensor of any of Examples 1 to 10, further comprising separate buffer circuits for each of the multiple conductor segments. 【0052】 Example 12 is the current sensor of Example 11, further comprising an integrating circuit configured to receive output signals from two or more individual buffer circuit sections. 【0053】 Example 13 is a current sensor of any of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the amount or number of conductor segments constituting the Rogowski coil is adjustable. 【0054】 Example 14 is a current sensor of Example 13, further comprising a scinch mechanism that divides the Rogowski coil into a first portion of a plurality of conductor segments constituting the Rogowski coil and a second portion of a plurality of conductor segments located outside the Rogowski coil, wherein the first portion and the second portion are coupled to each other. 【0055】 Example 15 is the current sensor of Example 14, further comprising a detector configured to detect the quantity or number of conductive segments forming a Rogowski coil. 【0056】 Example 16 is a current sensor of Example 15, wherein the detector has at least one mechanical or optical switch to detect the quantity or number of conductive segments forming a Rogowski coil. 【0057】 Example 17 is a current sensor of any of Examples 1 to 16, wherein each of the multiple conductor segments is located in a common housing. 【0058】 Example 18 is a current sensor according to any of Examples 1 to 16, wherein the first conductor segment among the multiple conductor segments is located in the first housing, and the second conductor segment among the multiple conductor segments is located in a second housing separate from the first housing. 【0059】 Embodiment 19 is a method for using a current sensor to measure the current of a current-transmitting conductor, comprising the steps of arranging a Rogowski coil so as to substantially surround a current-transmitting conductor by arranging a plurality of conductor segments of the Rogowski coil to form a substantially complete loop, and obtaining a voltage signal from at least two of the plurality of conductor segments. 【0060】 Example 20 is the method of Example 19, wherein the process of obtaining voltage signals from at least two conductor segments among a plurality of conductor segments includes the process of obtaining a plurality of voltage signals over time from at least two conductor segments among a plurality of conductor segments. 【0061】 Example 21 is the method of Example 19 or 20, further comprising a process of integrating a voltage signal using an integrating circuit to generate an integrated output signal. 【0062】 Example 22 is a method according to either Example 19 or 20, further comprising: a process of generating a first integrated output signal by integrating a first voltage signal from a first conductor segment among at least two conductor segments using a first integrating circuit; a process of generating a second integrated output signal by integrating a second voltage signal from a second conductor segment among at least two conductor segments using a second integrating circuit; and a process of summing the first integrated output signal and the second integrated output signal using a summing circuit. 【0063】 Example 23 is the method of Example 21 or 22, further comprising a buffer circuit section to buffer the voltage signal before integrating it. 【0064】 Example 24 is any of the methods of Examples 19 to 23, wherein the process of arranging the Rogowski coil so as to substantially surround the current transmission conductor includes the process of arranging a first portion of the Rogowski coil on the first side of the printed circuit board and the process of arranging a second portion of the Rogowski coil on the second side of the printed circuit board, in which case the printed circuit board is located between the first and second portions of the Rogowski coil, and each of the first and second portions has one or more conductor segments from a plurality of conductor segments. 【0065】 Example 25 is a method of any of Examples 19 to 23 in which the process of arranging the Rogowski coil to substantially surround the current transmission conductor is such that the Rogowski coil is formed by a first portion of the plurality of conductor segments, while the second portion of the plurality of conductor segments is arranged outside the Rogowski coil, thereby forming (cinching) the Rogowski coil with the plurality of conductor segments having an outer circumference of a desired length around the current transmission conductor 104. 【0066】 Example 26 is the method of Example 25, further comprising a process of detecting the amount or number of conductor segments in a first portion of a plurality of conductor segments using a detector. 【0067】 Embodiments of the disclosed technology can operate on a specially programmed general-purpose computer, including specially created hardware, firmware, digital signal processors, or processors that operate according to programmed instructions. The terms “controller” or “processor” in this application mean microprocessors, microcomputers, ASICs, and dedicated hardware controllers, etc. Embodiments of the disclosed technology can be implemented by one or more computers (including monitoring modules) or other devices, using computer-readable data such as program modules and computer-executable instructions. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which, when executed by a processor in a computer or other device, perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data formats. Computer-executable instructions may be stored on computer-readable storage media such as hard disks, optical disks, removable storage media, solid-state memory, RAM, etc. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the functions of the program modules may be combined or distributed as needed in various embodiments. Furthermore, these functions can be embodied in whole or in part in firmware or hardware equivalents such as integrated circuits or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). One or more aspects of the disclosed technology can be more effectively implemented using specific data structures, such data structures are considered to be within the scope of computer-executable instructions and computer-usable data described herein. 【0068】 The above-described embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have many effects that have been described or will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Nevertheless, not all of these effects or features are required in all embodiments of the disclosed apparatus, system, or method. 【0069】 In addition, the description of this application refers to certain features. It should be understood that the disclosures herein include all possible combinations of these specific features. Where a particular feature is disclosed in relation to a particular aspect or example, that feature may, to the extent possible, also be used in relation to other aspects and examples. 【0070】 Furthermore, when this application refers to a method having two or more defined steps or processes, these defined steps or processes may be performed in any order or simultaneously, as long as the circumstances do not rule out such possibilities. 【0071】 Furthermore, the term “comprises” and its grammatical equivalents are used in this application to indicate the optional presence of other components, features, steps, processes, or operations. For example, the condition “comprising” components A, B, and C, or “something which comprises” components A, B, and C, may include only components A, B, and C, or it may include one or more other components along with components A, B, and C. 【0072】 For the sake of explanation, specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but it should be understood that various modifications are possible without deviating from the gist and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0073】 100 Current Sensor 101 Logoski Coil 102 Integral circuit section 103 Summing circuit section 104 Current-Transmitting Conductor 105 Test and measurement device 106 Conductor Segments 107 Helical winding 108 Output signal path of the integrating circuit section 122 Housing 202 Integral circuit section 302 Integral circuit section 402 Integral circuit section 502 Integral circuit section 509 Buffer Circuit Section 524 Galvanic Isolator 600 Variable Length Multi-Segment Rogowski Coil Current Sensor 610 Scintigraphy mechanism 615 Loop forming section 616 Non-loop forming portion 801 Logoski Coil 819 Mechanical snap mechanism 820 Magnetic coupling mechanism 821 Plug and Socket Mechanism 900 Multi-Segment Rogowski Coil Current Sensor 901 Logoski Coil 906A First Conductor Segment 906B Second conductor segment 911 Output lead wire 912 Linking Point 913A First end of the first conductor segment 913B First end of the second conductor segment 914A Second end of the first conductor segment 914B Second end of the second conductor segment 1000 Multi-Segment Rogowski Coil Current Sensor 1001 Logoski Coil 1015 Part 1 of the Logoski Coil 1016 Part 2 of the Rogowski Coil 1017 First side of printed circuit board 1018 Second side of the printed circuit board 1023 Printed circuit board

Claims

[Claim 1] A current sensor configured to measure the current of a current-transmitting conductor, A Rogowski coil having multiple conductor segments that can be arranged to form a substantially complete loop, A scinch mechanism that divides the Rogowski coil into a first portion of the plurality of conductor segments that constitute the Rogowski coil and a second portion of the plurality of conductor segments that are outside the Rogowski coil, A detector configured to detect the amount of the conductive segments forming the above-mentioned Rogowski coil, Equipped with, The first conductor segment among the plurality of conductor segments is electrically isolated from the second conductor segment among the plurality of conductor segments. A current sensor in which the first part and the second part described above are connected to each other. [Claim 2] A method for measuring the current of a current-transmitting conductor using a current sensor, The process of arranging the Rogowski coil so that its multiple conductor segments form a substantially complete loop, thereby substantially surrounding the current-transmitting conductor, A process to obtain voltage signals from at least two conductor segments among the above-mentioned multiple conductor segments, Equipped with, The process of arranging the Rogowski coil so as to substantially surround the current transmission conductor is as follows: The process involves placing the first portion of the Rogowski coil on the first side of the printed circuit board, The process involves placing the second portion of the Rogowski coil on the second side of the printed circuit board. It has, The above-mentioned printed circuit board is located between the first and second portions of the Rogowski coil, and each of the first and second portions has one or more conductor segments from the plurality of conductor segments, in a method for utilizing a current sensor. [Claim 3] A method for measuring the current of a current-transmitting conductor using a current sensor, The process of arranging the Rogowski coil so that its multiple conductor segments form a substantially complete loop, thereby substantially surrounding the current-transmitting conductor, A process to obtain voltage signals from at least two conductor segments among the above-mentioned multiple conductor segments, Equipped with, The process of arranging the Rogowski coil to substantially surround the current transmission conductor comprises forming the Rogowski coil with a first portion of the plurality of conductor segments, and arranging the second portion of the plurality of conductor segments outside the Rogowski coil to form the Rogowski coil with the plurality of conductor segments having an outer circumference of a desired length around the current transmission conductor. A method for using a current sensor, further comprising a process of detecting the amount or number of conductor segments in the first portion of the plurality of conductor segments using a detector.

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