Abstract: Mutual inductance-type current sensing apparatus (1) is described which includes a mutual inductance current sensor (11) having a first transfer function. The apparatus (1) also includes a low-pass filter (12) which receives a signal from the current sensor (11). The low-pass filter (12) has a second transfer function configured to attenuate one or more harmonic components of the signal. The apparatus (1) also includes an analogue-to-digital converter (13) which receives and digitises a filtered signal output from the low-pass filter. The apparatus (1) also includes a controller (8) configured to process a digitised signal from the analogue-to-digital converter (13) using a digital processing chain configured to compensate for the frequency and phase responses of the first transfer function and the second transfer function.

Abstract: Apparatus (2) is described including one or more signal sources (6). The apparatus (2) also includes a measurement front end (7) having at least first (+Vin)) and second (?Vin) inputs. The apparatus (2) also includes a substantially planar connector (1) having a length (L) between first (1a) and second (1b) ends and supporting a number of conductors (3) spanning between the first (1a) and second (1b) ends. At each point between the first (1a) and second (1b) ends the conductors (3) are substantially equi-spaced from one another within the substantially planar connector (1). The conductors (3) include at least one signal conductor (8) connecting the signal sources (6) to the first input (+Vin). The conductors (3) also include at least two further conductors (10, 11) connecting to the one or more signal sources (6). One or both of the two further conductors (10, 11) also connect to the second input (?Vin).

Abstract: An electrode assembly for an electromagnetic flow meter (1; FIG. 1) is disclosed. The electrode assembly comprises a housing, which may be a flow tube (2; FIG. 1) of the electromagnetic flow meter, having a passage (123) between first and second ends (1241, 1242), an electrode (125) comprising a plug of porous material, for example formed of porous graphite, at least partially disposed within the passage proximate the first end, and an electrically-conductive polymer connector (125) at least partially disposed within the passage and in direct contact with the electrode.

Abstract: An insert-type electromagnetic flow sensor is disclosed. The flow sensor comprises an insert (12), first and second electrodes (44, 45) supported on opposite sides of the insert and a drive coil (63) housed in the insert. The drive coil is offset from a midpoint (62) between the first and second electrodes and/or a width of the drive coil between the first and second opposite sides at least partially overlaps with respective inner portions of the first and second electrodes. The drive coil includes at least five turns.

Abstract: An electricity meter includes a converter configured to synchronously modulate current and voltage measurement signals and output synchronously-modulated current and voltage measurement signals and also includes a measurement module configured to receive the synchronously-modulated current and voltage measurement signals from the converter and to process the synchronously-modulated current and voltage measurement signals

Abstract: Apparatus (2) is described including one or more signal sources (6). The apparatus (2) also includes a measurement front end (7) having at least first (+Vin)) and second (?Vin) inputs. The apparatus (2) also includes a substantially planar connector (1) having a length (L) between first (1a) and second (1b) ends and supporting a number of conductors (3) spanning between the first (1a) and second (1b) ends. At each point between the first (1a) and second (1b) ends the conductors (3) are substantially equi-spaced from one another within the substantially planar connector (1). The conductors (3) include at least one signal conductor (8) connecting the signal sources (6) to the first input (+Vin). The conductors (3) also include at least two further conductors (10, 11) connecting to the one or more signal sources (6). One or both of the two further conductors (10, 11) also connect to the second input (?Vin).

Abstract: A centrifugal pump unit (1) is disclosed having a body (4) that includes a suction connection (5), a pressure connection (6) and a pump chamber (7) connecting the suction and pressure connections. The centrifugal pump unit further includes an impeller (8) disposed in the pump chamber and at least one electromagnetic flow sensor (3) arranged to measure flow in at least a part of the suction connection and/or pressure connection and/or pump chamber for determining a flow rate of a fluid through the centrifugal pump unit or for determining a control signal equivalent of the flow rate for control purposes.

Abstract: An electricity meter (17) is described which includes a conductor (19) for transferring energy from a supply (20) to a load (21). The electricity meter (17) also includes a multi-layer printed circuit board (18) mechanically attached to the conductor (19). The multi-layer printed circuit board (18) includes two or more insulating layers (26, 27, 33, 34). The two or more insulating layers (26, 27, 33, 34) include a first insulating layer (26, 27) having an attachment surface (28) facing the conductor (19). The multi-layer printed circuit board (18) also includes a first conductive layer (29) including a first planar sensor coil (30). The first insulating layer (26, 27) is between the first conductive layer (29) and the conductor (19). The multi-layer printed circuit board (18) also includes a second conductive layer (31) including a second planar sensor coil (32).

Abstract: Mutual inductance-type current sensing apparatus (1) is described which includes a mutual inductance current sensor (11) having a first transfer function. The apparatus (1) also includes a low-pass filter (12) which receives a signal from the current sensor (11). The low-pass filter (12) has a second transfer function configured to attenuate one or more harmonic components of the signal. The apparatus (1) also includes an analogue-to-digital converter (13) which receives and digitises a filtered signal output from the low-pass filter. The apparatus (1) also includes a controller (8) configured to process a digitised signal from the analogue-to-digital converter (13) using a digital processing chain configured to compensate for the frequency and phase responses of the first transfer function and the second transfer function.

Abstract: An electricity meter comprises a conductor having a substantially planar surface; and a carrier for carrying a sensor component for enabling detection of current flowing in the conductor, wherein the carrier is spaced from the planar surface of the conductor by an arrangement of at least three spacing elements. The spacing elements may project from the carrier or from the substantially planar surface of the conductor.

Abstract: A control unit (2) for a fuel injector (3) comprising a solenoid actuator (31) having an armature (33), the control unit configured to drive a current through an electromagnet coil (34) of the solenoid actuator in a voltage mode during at least a portion of an injection cycle.

Abstract: A solenoid-based fuel injector is described. The fuel injector comprises a tubular body (48) comprising a magnetic material and an armature (16) disposed inside the tubular body. The tubular body has an integrally-formed, inwardly-projecting shelf (52) configured to provide a pole piece.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator is described. The solenoid actuator comprises an armature, pole piece(s), electromagnet coil(s) arranged, in response to energisation, to cause travel of the armature between first and second positions along a direction of travel, permanent magnet(s) positioned and orientated for latching the armature in at least the first position when the armature is in the first position and spring(s) arranged to bias the armature. The solenoid actuator can be operated to provide partial lift.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator is described. The solenoid actuator comprises an armature, pole piece(s), electromagnet coil(s) arranged, in response to energization, to cause travel of the armature between first and second positions along a direction of travel, permanent magnet(s) positioned and orientated for latching the armature in at least the first position when the armature is in the first position and spring(s) arranged to bias the armature. The solenoid actuator can be operated to provide partial lift.

Abstract: A short travel solenoid actuator (44) is disclosed which comprises at least one pole piece (47, 48), an armature (51), an electromagnet coil (46) arranged, in response to energisation, to actuate the armature between first and second positions. A permanent magnet (52) is positioned and orientated so as to latch the armature in the first and second positions when the armature is in the first and second positions respectively. A spring (53) is arranged to bias the armature.

Abstract: A short travel solenoid actuator (44) is disclosed which comprises at least one pole piece (47, 48), an armature (51), an electromagnet coil (46) arranged, in response to energization, to actuate the armature between first and second positions. A permanent magnet (52) is positioned and orientated so as to latch the armature in the first and second positions when the armature is in the first and second positions respectively. A spring (53) is arranged to bias the armature.

Abstract: A control unit (2) for a fuel injector (3) comprising a solenoid actuator (31) having an armature (33), the control unit configured to drive a current through an electromagnet coil (34) of the solenoid actuator in a voltage mode during at least a portion of an injection cycle.

Abstract: An electricity meter comprises a conductor having a substantially planar surface; and a carrier for carrying a sensor component for enabling detection of current flowing in the conductor, wherein the carrier is spaced from the planar surface of the conductor by an arrangement of at least three spacing elements. The spacing elements may project from the carrier or from the substantially planar surface of the conductor.

Abstract: A smart responsive electrical load (10) is operatively connectable to an electricity supply network (20). The smart responsive electrical load (10) comprises an electrical power-consuming device (30) and a control arrangement (40) for controlling a supply of electrical power from the network (20) to the device (30). The control arrangement (60, 110, 150, 160, 170) is operable to impose a variable time delay (tp) before supplying electrical power to the device (30) after a request for power to be provided to the device (30). The variable time delay (tp) is a function of a state of the network (20), for example its frequency (f) and/or its voltage amplitude (V). Optionally, the device (30) is a battery charger, for example for use with a rechargeable electric vehicle. Beneficially, the smart responsive load (10) is supplied with electrical power from a population of micro-generation devices (500) operable to provide supply network response.

Abstract: A sensor for use in detecting a time-varying current in a conductor (106) comprises plural sets of two oppositely-configured sensor elements (104-1 . . . 104-6) arranged around a sensing volume having a central axis, the sensor elements (104-1A, 104-1B) of each set being provided substantially in a common plane that does not intersect the central axis, and each set having a different common plane, the sensor elements of each set being arranged such that a normal (N) of their common plane at a point between central parts of sensor elements lies on a plane (P) that is radial to the central axis of the sensing volume.