Device for sensing electrical current and housing therefor

{
  "publication_number": "US6642704B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Device for sensing electrical current and housing therefor",
  "abstract": "Disclosed herein is a sensor assembly (10) for attachment to an electrical conductor (5), which includes a base (20) having a cavity (22) and a pair of detector housings (30) extending from the base (20). The detector housings (30) are laterally spaced and substantially parallel and are provided to receive a magnetic field detector. An electronic circuit card (70) is disposed within the base cavity (22) and is operatively coupled to the magnetic field detectors. Additionally, an auxiliary circuit card (90)) that contains logic for detecting an arc fault may be provided for communicating with the electronic circuit card (70).",
  "claims": [
    "1. A sensor assembly (10) for attachment to an electrical conductor (5), comprising: a base (20) having a cavity (22); a pair of detector housings (3) extending forms aid base (20), said detector housings (30) being laterally spaced and substantially parallel, each of said detector housings (30) having a cavity (32) for receiving a magnetic field detector; and a selectively extendable member (50) extending from said base (20), said extendable member (50) in cooperation with said base (20) to adjust the space between said pair of detector housings (30).",
    "2. The sensor assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein at least one of said pair of detector housings (30) is attached to said base (20).",
    "3. The sensor assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein one of said pair of detector housings (30) is attached directly to said base (20) and the other of said pair of detector housings (30) is attached to said base (20) by an intermediate member (25).",
    "4. The sensor assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein said selectively extendable member (50) includes a wire channel (55).",
    "5. The sensor assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein said selectively extendable member (50) includes at least one resiliently flexible ratchet member (57) having a series of teeth (58) disposed thereon for cooperation with said base (20).",
    "6. The sensor assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising at least one pair of jaws (60) for attaching the sensor assembly (10) to an electrical conductor (5).",
    "7. The sensor assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic field detector disposed in each of said detector housings (30); an electronic circuit card (70) disposed within said base cavity (22) and operatively coupled to said magnetic field detectors; and a plug connector (80) operatively connected to said electronic circuit card (70).",
    "8. The sensor assembly (10) of claim 7, further comprising an auxiliary circuit card (90) for communicating with said electronic circuit card (70).",
    "9. The sensor assembly (10) of claim 8, wherein said auxiliary circuit card (90) contains logic for detecting an arc fault."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "G01R 1/02",
    "G01R 1/22",
    "G01R 15/207"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "EATON CORP"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2001-09-28",
  "publication_date": "2003-11-04",
  "grant_date": "2003-11-04",
  "priority_date": "2001-09-28",
  "application_number": "US-96742601-A",
  "family_id": "25512781",
  "citations": [
    "US5124642A",
    "US5397982A"
  ]
}