High voltage detection system

• US 20070120694A1
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Lindsey, Robert, Andris, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 7,667,611 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/662
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/14 Adaptations providing voltage or current isolation, e.g. for high-voltage or high-current networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16538 in AC or DC supplies G01R19/16519 and G01R19/16528 take precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting high-voltage levels associated with a work machine. In one embodiment a high-voltage detection system is disclosed and includes a threshold detector configured to determine a voltage level associated with an element, determine whether the voltage level associated with the element is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and provide a threshold indicator if the voltage level associated with the element is greater than the predetermined threshold value. The system also includes a controller coupled to the threshold detector via an isolation device. The controller is configured to detect the threshold indicator and provide one or more warning signals in response to the threshold indicator.

Claims

1. A high-voltage detection system, comprising:

a threshold detector, configured to;

determine a voltage level associated with an element;

determine whether the voltage level associated with the element is greater than a predetermined threshold value;

provide a threshold indicator if the voltage level associated with the element is greater than the predetermined threshold condition; and

a controller coupled to the threshold detector via an isolation device and configured to;

detect the threshold indicator, and

provide one or more warning signals in response to the threshold indicator.

2. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the isolation device includes a current isolator for isolating a current flow between at least a portion of the threshold detector and at least a portion of the controller.

3. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the isolation device includes one of an optical device, a magnetic device, and a wireless device.

4. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the isolation device includes at least one transmitter/detector pair.

5. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the element includes an electric motor.

6. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the element includes one or more charge storing devices associated with an electric motor.

7. The detection system of claim 1, further including a test circuit selectively coupled to the threshold detector and configured to provide a test signal corresponding to a voltage level that is greater than the predetermined threshold value.

8. The detection system of claim 1, further including a backup power supply for providing backup power to the high-voltage detection system.

9. The detection system of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to:

detect when the high-voltage detection system is operating on backup power;

determine a power level associated with the backup power supply; and

provide the one or more warning signals for a predetermined amount of time based on the determined power level.

10. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the threshold detector includes an interface configured to allow a user to modify one or more threshold conditions.

11. The detection system of claim 1, further including an actuator operatively coupled to the controller and configured to operate in response to the threshold indicator.

12. The detection system of claim 11, wherein the actuator includes a locking mechanism adapted to lock a compartment associated with the element.

13. A high-voltage detection method, comprising:

receiving a signal indicative of a voltage level of an element;

sampling the signal indicative of the voltage level of the element to determine whether the voltage level of the element is above a predetermined threshold value;

providing a threshold indicator if the signal is greater than a predetermined threshold value;

receiving the threshold indicator via an isolation device; and

generating one or more warning signals in response to the threshold indicator.

14. The method of claim 13, further including:

determining that a backup power supply is providing power to a high-voltage detection system;

determining a power level associated with the backup power supply; and

providing the one or more warning signals for a predetermined amount of time based on the determined power level.

15. The method of claim 13, further including modifying the predetermined threshold value in response to a request from a user.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the element includes an electric motor.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein sampling further includes continuously monitoring the signal indicative of the voltage level of one or more charge storing devices associated with an electric motor.

18. A work machine, comprising:

a power source for providing a power output;

an electric motor coupled to the power source;

a high-voltage detection system operatively coupled to the electric motor, wherein the high-voltage detection system includes;

a threshold detector, configured to;

determine a voltage level associated with an element;

determine whether the voltage level associated with the element is greater than a predetermined threshold value;

provide a threshold indicator if the voltage level. associated with the element is greater than the predetermined threshold value; and

a controller coupled to the threshold detector via an isolation device and configured to;

detect the threshold indicator from the threshold detector, and

provide one or more warning signals in response to the threshold indicator.

19. The work machine of claim 18, wherein the isolation device includes a current isolator for isolating a current flow between at least a portion of the threshold detector and at least a portion of the controller.

20. The work machine of claim 18, wherein the element includes an electric motor.

21. The work machine of claim 18, wherein the element includes one or more charge storing devices associated with an electric motor.

22. The work machine of claim 18, wherein the isolation device includes one of an optical device, a magnetic device, and a wireless device.

23. The work machine of claim 18, wherein the isolation device includes at least one transmitter/detector pair.

24. The work machine of claim 18, further including a test circuit selectively coupled to the threshold detector and configured to provide a test signal corresponding to a voltage level that is greater than the predetermined threshold value.

25. The work machine of claim 18, further including a backup power supply for providing backup power to the high-voltage detection system.

26. The work machine of claim 25, wherein the controller is further configured to:

detect when the high-voltage detection system is operating on backup power;

determine a power level associated with the backup power supply; and

provide the one or more warning signals for a predetermined amount of time based on the determined power level.

27. The work machine of claim 18, wherein the threshold detector includes an interface configured to allow a user to modify one or more threshold conditions.

28. The work machine of claim 18, further including an actuator operatively coupled to the controller and configured to operate in response to the threshold indicator.

29. The work machine of claim 28, wherein the actuator includes a locking mechanism adapted to lock a compartment associated with the element.