SCALABLE AVERAGE CURRENT SENSOR SYSTEM

摘要

A current sensor configured to be employed in an array of current sensors and an array of parallel connected current sensors is disclosed. In one embodiment the current sensors comprise integrated circuit current sensors and a plurality of the current sensors are connected in parallel in a number that is selected to at least accommodate the maximum magnitude of a current to be monitored. When configured in parallel as an array of sensors, at least one of the current sensors of the array of current sensors provides an output signal that represents an average of the currents measured by the plurality of current sensors in the array.

主权项

1. A current sensing system for generating an output signal representative of a total current flowing through the current sensing system, the current sensing system comprising:
a plurality of like current sensors, each current sensor including:
a current pathway extending through the respective current sensor and carrying a portion of the total current,current sensing circuitry having an output for generating a first signal representing the portion of the total current flowing through the respective current pathway; andan output stage coupled to the output of the current sensing circuitry, the output stage including an electrical contact; wherein: the current pathways of the plurality of current sensors are connected in parallel so that the total current equals the sum of the portions of the total current flowing through the plurality of current sensors; the electrical contact of each output stage is electrically interconnected to the electrical contact of each other output stage of the plurality of current sensors; and the output stages of the plurality of current sensors are configured so as to produce an output stage output signal at least one of the output stages of the plurality of current sensors that corresponds to an average of the portions of the total current flowing through the plurality of current pathways.