Abstract: An electrical connection between a power source and a threaded aperture in a power device is made by means of a terminal lug and a bolt. In order to measure the current, a second electrical path is made in parallel with the bolted connection, and current in the second path is sensed. The bolt may carry the main current, or an insulating spacer may be used which prevents significant current flow in the bolt. In one embodiment, the parallel current path extends through a conductor arrangement including additional lugs through which the bolt passes, and in another arrangement the parallel path extends through traces of a printed circuit board.

Abstract: The increasing use of electrically powered vehicles has created a need for inexpensively and effectively measuring high currents for motor control, as for example digital motor control. Because the high operating voltages of traction motors, the motor current sensors should be non-contacting. A non-contacting current sensor having a rated capacity significantly less than the motor winding current is coupled to one or more of the conductors of a paralleled multiconductor motor winding for sensing the current in that conductor. The paralleled electrical motor conductors are paralleled by additional similar conductors, so that only a fraction of the current to be measured flows through the conductor(s) associated with the sensor. The current sensor elements may be mounted on a pc board, which supports the elements, and also has one or more printed patterns which define conductors associated with the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention features a chain of serially connected, universal links. The chain is movable in one direction, but restricted in movement in the opposite direction. The chain consists of a number of substantially identical links. Each of the links has an elongated body portion with abutments at distal ends thereof. The abutments engage respective abutments of neighboring links. Connected to the body portion of each link are two leg portions. The two leg portions each have an aperture for receiving a pin. At least one of the leg portions may be bifurcated into two, substantially parallel sides. The two sides of one of the bifurcated leg portions are spaced apart from one another so as to contain the other leg portion of a neighboring link. This other leg portion may be solid. Each leg extends beyond the distal ends of the body portion, so that, when the links are connected to one another, the aperture of one of the legs is aligned with the aperture of a neighboring leg.