US Patent Application 18321241. ADJUSTABLE VOLTAGE SENSOR simplified abstract

ADJUSTABLE VOLTAGE SENSOR

Organization Name

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor(s)

Mark Gravermann of Erkelenz (DE)

Gunther A. J. Stollwerck of Krefeld (DE)

Jens Weichold of Erkelenz (DE)

Christine B. Bund of Wuppertal (DE)

Mirco Gunjaca of Nottuln (DE)

Rainer Reeken of Dormagen (DE)

Martin A. Milek of Oberhausen (DE)

Sebastian Eggert-richter of Wülfrath (DE)

Joerg Hahn of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler (DE)

Michael H. Stalder of Uedem (DE)

Christian Weinmann of Alsdorf (DE)

Holger J. Kurzhals of Krefeld (DE)

Christopher R. Wilson of Austin TX (US)

ADJUSTABLE VOLTAGE SENSOR - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18321241 titled 'ADJUSTABLE VOLTAGE SENSOR

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes a voltage sensor for detecting an alternating current (AC) voltage in a high-voltage/medium-voltage power conductor.

• The voltage sensor uses a capacitive voltage divider, which includes a series connection of high-voltage capacitors and a low-voltage portion consisting of low-voltage capacitors connected to ground.
• A signal contact is placed between the high-voltage and low-voltage portions to provide a signal voltage representing the AC voltage.
• The low-voltage portion includes multiple electrically actuated adjustable impedance elements that can adjust the overall impedance of the low-voltage portion to a desired value.
• Each adjustable impedance element consists of adjustment capacitors and electrically actuatable elements.
• The electrically actuatable elements can be switched between a connected state and a disconnected state.
• In the connected state, an adjustment capacitor is connected in parallel to one or more low-voltage capacitors.
• In the disconnected state, the adjustment capacitor is disconnected from the low-voltage capacitor(s).

Original Abstract Submitted

A voltage sensor for sensing an AC voltage of a HV/MV power conductor comprises a capacitive voltage divider for sensing the AC voltage having one or more high-voltage capacitors electrically connected in series with each other and a low-voltage portion comprising one or more low-voltage capacitors electrically connected with each other between the high-voltage portion and electrical ground. The voltage divider also comprises a signal contact, electrically arranged between the high-voltage portion and the low-voltage portion, for providing a signal voltage indicative of the AC voltage. The low-voltage portion further comprises a plurality of electrically actuated adjustable impedance elements configured to adjust the common overall impedance of the low-voltage portion towards a desired impedance. Each electrically actuated adjustable impedance element comprises one or more associated adjustment capacitors and at least one electrically actuatable element, wherein each electrically actuatable element is associated with and electrically connected to one or more of the adjustment capacitors and wherein each electrically actuatable element is configured to achieve one of a connected state and a disconnected state. In the connected state, an associated adjustment capacitor is electrically connected in parallel to at least one of the one or more low-voltage capacitors. In the disconnected state, the associated adjustment capacitor is electrically disconnected from the low-voltage capacitor(s).