System and method for look ahead detection of electrical problems at a motor of a vehicle
First Claim
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1. A circuit for determining an electrical problem at a motor, said circuit comprising:
- a first voltage divider circuit connected to a first terminal of the motor via a first conductor;
a first test point disposed on the first conductor; and
an input line connected to said first voltage divider circuit to enable a first supply voltage to be applied to said first voltage divider circuit and cause a first test voltage to be applied to the first conductor, the first test voltage being available at said first test point for measurement if a short circuit does not exist along the first conductor.
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Abstract
A system for sensing short circuits and open circuits prior to operation of a motor (i.e., while the motor is in a static state), thereby sparing the electrical system from destructive effects of these electrical problems. In addition, the system may detect a short circuit during operation of the motor (i.e., while the motor is in a dynamic state). Still yet, the system may detect an open circuit at the motor. The motor may be any electromechanical motor, such as a direct current (DC) motor, used in a vehicle or otherwise for controlling motion of a mechanical device.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A circuit for determining an electrical problem at a motor, said circuit comprising:
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a first voltage divider circuit connected to a first terminal of the motor via a first conductor; a first test point disposed on the first conductor; and an input line connected to said first voltage divider circuit to enable a first supply voltage to be applied to said first voltage divider circuit and cause a first test voltage to be applied to the first conductor, the first test voltage being available at said first test point for measurement if a short circuit does not exist along the first conductor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for determining whether an electrical problem exists at a motor of a vehicle, said system comprising:
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a motor having a first terminal and a second terminal; a test circuit connected to the first and second terminals of said motor and configured to test whether an electrical problem exists at said motor; and a processor in communication with said test circuit and be configured to determine whether an electrical problem exists at said motor prior to activation of the motor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for determining if an electrical problem exists at a motor of a vehicle, said method comprising:
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prior to activation of a motor, applying a bias voltage to terminals of the motor to maintain a static state of the motor; measuring at least one voltage being applied to the terminals of the motor; and determining if a short circuit exists at the motor based on said at least one measured voltage. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for determining if an electrical problem exists at a motor of a vehicle, said method comprising:
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applying a first voltage to a conductor connected to a first terminal of the motor; applying a second voltage to a conductor connected to a second terminal of the motor, said first and second voltages being applied to the terminal of the motor causing the motor to be in a dynamic state; measuring a voltage on at least one of the conductors connected to the first and second terminals of the motor; and determining if a short circuit exists based on the measurement of the voltage on the at least one conductor. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification