Daniel L Jefferies

US Patent:

54264162, Jun 20, 1995

Filed:

Oct 19, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/963711

Inventors:

Daniel W. Jefferies - Glen Burnie MD
Eric H. Naviasky - Baltimore MD
Donald J. Grone - Finksburg MD
Joseph G. Henderson - Timonium MD

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corporation - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G08B 2100

US Classification:

340664

Abstract:

A high-amperage current sensor is disclosed which is suitable for use in an automotive electrical system and which is operatively unaffected by changes in ambient temperature. The current sensor utilizes a shunt assembly having at least one low-resistance shunt element connectable in line between a source of electrical energy and a load. Circuitry preferably configured on an application specific integrated circuit measures voltage drop across the shunt element due to current flow. As a result, an output signal is produced which may be fed to external circuitry for further processing. In presently preferred embodiments, the sensor may comprise analog circuitry producing an analog output signal and/or digital circuitry producing a digital output signal.