Patent ID: 6614211
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A device for non-contact sensing of an electromagnetic phenomenon occurring in a magnetic field that constitutes a magnetic environment, comprising:a probe, comprising a portion of said device for placement within the magnetic environment; means for varying the magnetic environment in a manner having periodicity; at least one magnetic sensor element in the probe, which experiences a change in an electrical characteristic thereof in response to a change in the magnetic environment of the at least one magnetic sensor element caused by the varying of the magnetic environment into which the probe is placed, the at least one magnetic sensor element comprising a giant magnetoresistive sensor; sensing means, associated with the at least one magnetic sensor element that is positioned within the magnetic environment, for producing an electrical signal representative of the changed electrical characteristic; delivering means responsive to sensing said periodicity in the electrical signal and for delivering a usable representation in response to the sensing of said periodicity; means for supplying electrical operating energy to the sensing means and the delivering means; and wherein the means for varying the magnetic environment comprises an oscillator, the output of which produces a periodically-varying electrical current in a conductor, whereby the magnetic field surrounding the current-carrying conductor is sensed by the at least one magnetic sensor element, and wherein the oscillator is arranged to be inserted into a fuse socket as a replacement for a fuse, in order to apply the oscillator output to one or more conductors comprising the circuit which a fuse in said fuse socket is to protect.