US3746983A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus fur measuring very high currents particularly direct currents
Assignee: Transformatoren Union AG
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Filing: 1971-07-20
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-07-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for measuring very high currents, and in particular direct currents, wherein a body of material exhibiting the Faraday effect, e.g., flintglass, is disposed in the magnetic field caused by the current flowing in a conductor. A polarized light beam is passed through this body of material and the displacement of the polarization plane of the light beam is measured as a measure of the current flowing in the conductor. Preferably the body of material exhibiting the Faraday effect forms a closed path around the current conductor which path is followed by the light beam.
Inventors
- 👤 R Renz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R15/00; G01R15/14; G01R15/24; G01R15/245; G01R15/246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for measuring very high electrical currents, particularly direct currents, passing through a conductor, comprising: a body of material exhibiting the Faraday effect disposed in the magnetic field produced by the current passing through said conductor, said body enclosing said current conductor along a single closed path S phi d sigma ; means for directing a beam of polarized light through said body along said closed path; and means for detecting the beam of polarized light after exiting from said body and for measuring the angle of rotation of the polarization plane as a measure of the current flowing through said conductor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for measuring very high electrical currents, particularly direct currents, passing through a conductor, comprising: a body of material exhibiting the Faraday effect disposed in the magnetic field produced by the current passing through said conductor, said body enclosing said current conductor along a single closed path S phi d sigma ; means for directing a beam of polarized light through said body along said closed path; and means for detecting the beam of polarized light after exiting from said body and for measuring the angle of rotation of the polarization plane as a measure of the current flowing through said conductor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said body is a closed four sided frame the four corners of which are provided with internal reflection surfaces which are inclined at approximately 45* with respect to the outer surface of the frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said reflection surfaces are ground surfaces which are provided with a coating so as to reflect light traveling within said body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said frame is provided with an intersecting surface which is provided with a mirror coating on both sides thereof, said intersecting surface forming an angle of 45* with the opposite surfaces of said frame, said polarized beam of light being directed against one side of said intersecting surface for reflection within said body, and being reflected by the opposite side of said intersecting surface, after passage through said body, to said detecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said body is composed of parts which are curved in such a manner that total internal reflection occurs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said body is formed of a fiber optic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
142 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said detecting and measuring means includes: a further body of material exhibiting the Faraday effect disposed in the path of the polarized light beam; means for applying a variable magnetic field to said further body to rotate the angle of the polarization plane of the light beam; means for detecting the angle of rotation of the beam of polarized light exiting from said further body; and means for varying the magnetic field applied to said further body to compensate for the angle of rotation of the polarization plane caused by the magnetic field in said first body whereby the current required to produce a magnetic field in said further body sufficient to return the polarization plane of the detected light beam to its original polarization plane is directly proportional to the current in said conductor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said material exhibiting the Faraday effect is flint glass.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of measuring very high direct currents flowing in a conductor comprising: arranging a body of material exhibiting the Faraday effect in the magnetic field surrounding the conductor so as to enclose the current conductor In a single closed path S phi d sigma ; directing a beam of polarized light through the body of material along a path S phi d sigma around the conductor; and determining the angle of rotation of the polarization plane of the beam of light caused by the magnetic field after it has passed along the closed path S phi d sigma as a measure of the current flowing through the conductor.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of measuring very high direct currents flowing in a conductor comprising: arranging a body of material exhibiting the Faraday effect in the magnetic field surrounding the conductor so as to enclose the current conductor In a single closed path S phi d sigma ; directing a beam of polarized light through the body of material along a path S phi d sigma around the conductor; and determining the angle of rotation of the polarization plane of the beam of light caused by the magnetic field after it has passed along the closed path S phi d sigma as a measure of the current flowing through the conductor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |