Abstract: A current transformer device is formed on a ceramic substrate which is provided with a plurality of planar conductive tracks formed on a surface of the substrate where the conductive tracks extend substantially radially from an imaginary point on the surface of the substrate. A structure of permeable material layers is then tape cast or epitaxially formed by vapor deposition of a thick film of magnetic ceramic over the major portion of each of the conductive tracks to form a permeable toroidal core. A lead frame is then placed over the core and a plurality of metal conductors are soldered to each of the respective exposed ends of the metal conductive tracks on the substrate to form a toroidal coil surrounding the toroidal core. The required electrical elements to complete the current transformer device are mounted to a second side of the ceramic substrate and electrically connected to the toroidal coil for powering and/or receiving signals therefrom.

Abstract: A current transformer device is formed on a ceramic substrate which is provided with a plurality of planar conductive tracks formed on a surface of the substrate where the conductive tracks extend substantially radially from an imaginary point on the surface of the substrate. A structure of permeable material is then tape cast or epitaxially formed by vapor deposition of a thick film of magnetic ceramic over the major portion of each of the conductive tracks to form a permeable toroidal core. A lead frame is then placed over the core and a plurality of metal conductors are soldered to each of the respective exposed ends of the metal conductive tracks on the substrate. The required electrical elements to complete the current transformer device are mounted to a second side of the ceramic substrate and electrically connected to the toroidal coil for powering and/or receiving signals therefrom.

Abstract: A multiple pole solenoid (10) having outer pole flanges 44a-44d and inner pole flanges 46a-46d magnetically act on outer armature flanges (32-35) and inner armature flanges (36-39) respectively, to move an armature (14) where an AC coil (16) and a DC coil (18) are simultaneously energized by an AC electrical source (20) and a DC electrical source (22) respectively thereby providing a high pull-in force and a high holding force with low noise.In a second embodiment, a four pole solenoid (48) is comprised of a first AC coil (62) wound on the second pole (56) and a second AC coil (64) is oppositely wound on a third pole (58) and a DC coil (66) is wound on both the second (56) and third (58) poles where the first (54) and fourth poles (60) are without coils and an armature (50) is pulled into the poles (54-60) and held in position by the simultaneous energization of both the AC coils (62,64) and the DC coil (66).

Abstract: An electrical power switching device employing a rotary disc driven by an actuation means whose position is selected by a control means where disc contacts engage and disengage stationary contacts where the stationary contacts are deflected away from the disc contacts by separation ramps thereby opening the current path and an arc plate is used on the disc to control arc energy. A pair of interrupter contacts are placed in series with the rotary disc contacts where abnormally high currents cause the interrupter contacts to separate and open the current path where slot motors and/or arc plates are used to dissipate the damaging electrical arcs as the contacts make and break.

Abstract: An electrical contractor device (80) for controlling the flow of electrical power from a source of electrical power to an electrical device according to a command signal from a controller utilizing a rotary disc assembly (90) rotated by an actuator (169) where the rotary disc assembly (90) is comprised of a rotary disc (100) supporting a disc conductor (102) having a pair of contact pads (106, 108) joined by a pair of conductor legs (109, 113) and a center section (111) where the conductor legs (109, 113) are parallel and offset one from the other straddling an axis of rotation (103) where high flow of electrical current through the disc conductor (102) generates an electro-magnetic torque in the rotary disc assembly (90).

Abstract: A multiple pole solenoid (10) having outer pole flanges 44a-44d and inner pole flanges 46a-46d magnetically act on outer armature flanges (32-35) and inner armature flanges (36-39) respectively, to move an armature (14) where an AC coil (16) and a DC coil (18) are simultaneously energized by an AC electrical source (20) and a DC electrical source (22) respectively thereby providing a high pull-in force and a high holding force with low noise.In a second embodiment, a four pole solenoid (48) is comprised of a first AC coil (62) wound on the second pole (56) and a second AC coil (64) is oppositely wound on a third pole (58) and a DC coil (66) is wound on both the second (56) and third (58) poles where the first (54) and fourth poles (60) are without coils and an armature (50) is pulled into the poles (54-60) and held in position by the simultaneous energization of both the AC coils (62,64) and the DC coil (66).

Abstract: A rotary solenoid having at least one AC coil and at least one DC coil where the AC coil and the DC coil are concurrently energized by an AC electrical source and a DC electrical source, respectively for enhanced actuation torque and low noise with decreased temperature rise and package size.

Abstract: A wire-wound bobbin serves as the core of a current transformer. A magnetic material flux path is disposed on the core that encircles the core coincident with the coils of the bobbin at least once and radially encircles the cross section of the core at lest once. The magnetic flux path comprises an assembly of distinct magnetic members positioned on the core and held in place by tape or the like.

Abstract: An arc detection method and apparatus is provided for an electric circuit having an electrified conductor (46) connecting a voltage source (26) to a load (30). The arc detector includes a field sensor (62) sensing an electromagnetic field established about the conductor by the occurrence of an electrical arc in the circuit, and generating a field responsive signal in response thereto. Arc discrimination circuitry responds to the field sensor and generates a tentative arc signal in response to a given characteristic of the field responsive signal. Arc timing window circuitry responds to the arc discrimination circuitry and generates a confirmed arc signal in response to a given timing characteristic of the tentative arc signal.

Abstract: An arc detector antenna transducer (62) for an electric circuit has an electrified conductor (46) connecting a voltage source (26) to a load (30). The arc detector transducer includes an E field sensor (66) sensing the E field established about the conductor by the occurrence of an electrical arc in the circuit, and a B field sensor (68) sensing the B field established about the conductor by the occurrence of the electrical arc in the circuit.

Abstract: An arc detection method and apparatus is provided for an electric circuit having an electrified conductor (46) connecting a voltage source (26) to a load (30). The system senses the electromagnetic field established about the conductor by the occurrence of an electrical arc in the electric circuit, and generates a field responsive signal. Arc discrimination circuitry responding to the field responsive signal and generates an arc indicative signal in response to a given characteristic of the field responsive signal. The system includes an E field sensor (66) and a B field sensor (68).

Abstract: An arc detection method and apparatus is provided for an electric circuit having an electrified conductor (46) connecting a voltage source (26) to a load (30). A field sensor senses an electromagnetic field established about the conductor by the occurrence of an electrical arc in the circuit, and generates a field responsive signal. Arc discrimination circuitry includes frequency responsive circuitry responding to the field sensor and generating an arc indicative signal in response to a given frequency characteristic of the field responsive signal. The frequency responsive circuitry monitors a plurality of different frequencies of the field responsive signal, and generates the arc indicative signal in response to a given combination of field responsive signal frequencies. A comb filter passes the field responsive signal through a plurality of passbands, and the arc indicative signal is generated in response to a given frequency signature of the field responsive signal.

Abstract: An arc detection method and apparatus is provided for an electric circuit having an electrified conductor (46) connecting a voltage source (26) to a load (30), the conductor having a line side extending from the arc detector to the voltage source, and a load side extending from the arc detector to the load. The arc detector includes a field sensor (62) sensing the electromagnetic field established about the conductor by the occurrence of an electrical arc in the circuit, and generating a field responsive signal in response thereto. Direction sensing circuitry detects whether the arc is from the load side or the line side, and generates a direction indicative signal.

Abstract: An arc detection method and apparatus is provided for an electric circuit having an electrified conductor (46) connecting a voltage source (26) to a load (30). The arc detector includes a field sensor (62) sensing an electromagnetic field established about the conductor by the occurrence of an electrical arc in the electric circuit, and generating a field responsive signal in response thereto. Arc discrimination circuitry responds to the field sensor and generates an arc indicative signal in response to a random chaotic pattern of the field responsive signal.

Abstract: A tachometer sensor adapted for measuring the rotation of a gear or spline shaft target within a high pressure environment includes an integrally formed housing having a generally tubular elongate probe defining a sealed interior cavity receiving an annular permanent magnet at the sensing end thereof, field focusing means such as a ferrous pin disposed concentrically with the permanent magnet to shape the field established thereby, at least one magnetoresistive transducer concentrically disposed with the magnet to detect distortions of the magnetic field effected by passage of the target and means in-circuit with the transducer which generates a usable output signals as a function of sensed magnet field distortion.

Abstract: The present invention is a current sensor employing a magneto resistive sensor having high fidelity of output. This current sensor includes a magnetic flux concentrator substantially encircling the electrical conductor having magnetic sensing, a magnetic device generating a magnetic field component along an axis offset from the principle axis, a magneto resistive device disposed in the magnetic sensing region, a constant current source supplying a predetermined constant current to said magneto resistive device, and a voltage sensing circuit connected to said magneto resistive device for measuring resistance by measuring a difference voltage induced by said constant current. This measured voltage corresponds to the current through the conductor. The magneto resistive device is formed as a Wheatstone bridge having a first and second pair of opposite terminals.

Abstract: The present invention is a proximity sensor employing a magneto resistive structure. This proximity sensor includes a toroidal magnet having a central aperture, an inner circumference and an outer circumference. This toroidal magnet has a first magnetic pole at the inner circumference and a second magnetic pole at the outer circumference thereby creating a magnetic field null at a center portion of the central aperture. A magneto resistive structure is disposed at the magnetic field null in the central aperture of the toroidal magnetic. This magneto resistive structure has a resistance dependent upon magnetic flux. The proximity of a magnetically permeable target to the toroidal magnet shifts the position of the magnetic null, thereby causing a large change in the magnetic flux through the magneto resistive structure. An electrical detection circuit detects changes in this resistance for indication of the proximity of the magnetically permeable target.

Abstract: A torque sensor for a cylindrical shaft subject to torque employs an electrically conductive loop on the shaft, which loop exhibits changing electrical impedance with changing stress and strain as the shaft is torqued. In another embodiment, a pair of loops exhibit oppositely changing electrical impedance as the shaft is torqued. In another embodiment, a magneto-elastic electrically conductive loop on the shaft exhibits changing magnetic permeability and changing electrical impedance with changing stress and strain as the shaft is torqued.

Abstract: The present invention is a shaft position sensor for detection of the position of a multiturn shaft. The rotation of the multiturn shaft is converted into a linear motion via a multiturn screw and a nonrotating nut. A magnet is mounted on the nonrotating nut. The linear movement of the magnet is converted into an electrical signal using one or more magneto resistive structures. A pair of flux plates is disposed on either side of the linear path of the magnet with at least one narrow gap opposite one end of the linear path of the magnet. A single magneto resistive structure is disposed in each such narrow gap. An electrical circuit measures the resistance of the one or more magneto resistive structures, this resistance varying with magnetic flux, and generates an electrical position signal which indicates the rotary position of the multiturn shaft.

Abstract: A current sensor (10) comprising spaced pole pieces (62, 64) and a magnetic shunt (80) bridging the pole pieces within an insulating housing assembly (12) which also contains a magnetoresistive transducer (90) and electronic circuitry (16) for sensing magnetic field intensity between the pole pieces and relating that intensity as electric signals provided at terminals (26) at the exterior of the housing. The transducer senses magnetic field intensity along a principal axis (88). Permanent magnets (94, 96) or induction coils (276, 278) are provided to establish a biasing component of magnetic field intensity along an axis (98) substantially normal to the principal axis to improve sensor sensitivity, range of operation and immunity to current overload.