Split Current Sensor Coils With Active Signal Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensors with split or clamp-on designs suffer from reduced measurement accuracy due to imperfections and electromagnetic noise induced by electrical interconnections, increasing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
Each part of the current sensor is equipped with an active electronic circuit to process signals before combination, reducing susceptibility to electromagnetic noise and improving signal-to-noise ratio by amplifying or converting signals to immune forms before combining them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive electrical interconnections are used to connect the two parts of the coil, then the device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to asymmetries and electromagnetic noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive electrical interconnections (mechanical/wire-based system) with active electronic signal processing. Each coil part has its own electronic circuit that actively processes signals locally, eliminating the need for passive wire connections between coil parts. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining low device complexity while achieving high measurement precision through active signal processing that is immune to electromagnetic noise and asymmetries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electronic circuits as intermediaries between the coil parts and the measurement system. These intermediary circuits actively process and condition the signals from each coil part before combination, serving as a buffer that isolates the measurement from the harmful effects of passive interconnections. This intermediary approach maintains simplicity while improving precision.
2Ease of operation
If the coil is split into two parts for clamp-on design, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to unwanted loops and poor electromagnetic field rejection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical connection approach with active electronic signal processing at each coil part. By using electronic circuits to process signals locally and then combining them digitally or through controlled analog summation, the system maintains the ease of clamp-on operation while eliminating the measurement precision problems caused by physical wire connections and loop asymmetries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the measurement system into independent segments (two separate coil parts with their own electronic circuits) that can be easily assembled in a clamp-on configuration. Each segment operates independently with its own signal processing, and the results are combined without the harmful effects of passive interconnections. This segmentation maintains operational ease while improving precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If passive connections are used between coil parts, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to poor electrostatic coupling and crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces costly and unreliable passive electrical interconnections with independent electronic circuits at each coil part. Each circuit processes its signal locally with proper shielding and grounding, eliminating crosstalk and electrostatic coupling issues. This substitution may increase manufacturing complexity slightly but dramatically improves reliability by eliminating the failure points associated with passive wire connections.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances measurement accuracy, reduces manufacturing complexity, and minimizes electromagnetic interference, while maintaining consistent performance across varying conductor positions.
Implementation Method 1
Another type of current sensor uses an electromagnetic transducer to detect changes in a magnetic field generated by the current carrying conductor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a current sensor system (300) for use in measuring an electrical measurand that is dependent on current in a current carrying conductor (380). In one example, the current sensor system comprises a first measurement coil (320) and a second measurement coil (350), wherein the first measurement coil and the second measurement coil are configured for positioning relative to each other and the current carrying conductor so as to at least partially encircle the current carrying conductor. The system also comprises first (330) and second (360) electronic circuits for actively processing sensor signals output from the first and second measurement coils such that the electrical measurand can be measured based on a combination (390) of the first and second actively processed signals.