The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 06, 1999
Filed:
Nov. 26, 1996
Delco Electronics Corporation, Kokomo, IN (US);
Abstract
An improved current monitor for measuring current over a wide dynamic range. The current monitor includes a low current channel, a high current channel, and a switch for selecting the low current channel if the measured current is below a predetermined level and the high current channel if the current is above the predetermined level. The output of the high current channel is voltage encoded by adding a fixed offset. The current monitor determines that the measured current is from the low current channel if the reading is below the offset and from the high current channel if the reading is above the offset. A current level output device automatically outputs a decoded current reading based on this determination. The current monitor also incorporates a low current error compensation circuit to compensate for parasitic current when the current monitor is using the high current channel. The current monitor also incorporates a device for reducing the common mode error voltage to zero in the differential amplifiers used to convert current across shunt resistors in the low and high current channels to a voltage signal.