METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING TEMPERATUE OF A POWER DISTRIBUTION CIRCUIT

• US 20100259242A1
• Filed: 04/14/2009
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Gale, Allan Roy, Degner, Michael W., Elie, Larry Dean
• Granted Patent: US 9,634,516 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 323/318
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/04 Cutting off the power supply under fault conditions protective devices and circuit arrangements in general H01H; H02H
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/18 Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/16 using resistive elements resistive elements per se H01C, H01L
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00309 Overheat or overtemperature protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007192 in response to temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/04 Regulation of charging current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A method for monitoring a temperature change of a power distribution circuit having a power line and return line includes measuring an output current and output voltage of the power distribution circuit at an input to a load electrically connected to the power distribution circuit, and determining a change in temperature of at least one of the power line and return line based on a change in at least one of the output current and output voltage.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a temperature change of a power distribution circuit including a power line and return line, the method comprising:

measuring an output current and output voltage of the power distribution circuit at an input to a load electrically connected to the power distribution circuit; and

determining a change in temperature of at least one of the power line and return line based on a change in at least one of the output current and output voltage.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling the output current based on the change in temperature.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the output voltage is measured between the power line and the return line.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the power distribution circuit further includes a ground line and wherein the output voltage is measured between the ground line and one of the power line and return line.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the return line comprises a neutral line.

6. An automotive vehicle including a power storage unit capable of receiving power from a power distribution circuit including a power line and return line, the vehicle comprising:

a monitoring circuit capable of being electrically connected between the power distribution circuit and the power storage unit, the monitoring circuit configured to (i) measure an output current and output voltage of the power distribution circuit and (ii) determine a change in temperature of at least one of the power line and return line based on a change in at least one of the output current and output voltage.

7. The vehicle of claim 6 further comprising a controller configured to control the output current based on the change in temperature.

8. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein the output voltage is measured between the power line and the return line.

9. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein the power distribution circuit further includes a ground line and wherein the output voltage is measured between the ground line and one of the power line and return line.

10. The vehicle of claim 6 wherein the return line comprises a neutral line.

11. A battery charger capable of (i) receiving power from a power distribution circuit including a power line and return line and (ii) transferring the power to a battery, the battery charger comprising:

a monitoring circuit configured to (i) measure an output current and output voltage of the power distribution circuit at the battery charger and (ii) determine a change in temperature of at least one of the power line and return line based on a change in at least one of the output current and output voltage.

12. The battery charger of claim 11 further comprising a controller configured to control the output current based on the change in temperature.

13. The battery charger of claim 11 wherein the output voltage is measured between the power line and the return line.

14. The battery charger of claim 11 wherein the power distribution circuit further includes a ground line and wherein the output voltage is measured between the ground line and one of the power line and return line.

15. The battery charger of claim 11 wherein the return line comprises a neutral line.

16. A method for monitoring a temperature change of a power distribution circuit including a power line and return line, the method comprising:

measuring an output current or output voltage of the power distribution circuit at an input to a load electrically connected to the power distribution circuit;

measuring an input current and input voltage to the load; and

determining a change in temperature of at least one of the power line and return line based on a change in at least one of the output current, output voltage, input current and input voltage.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising controlling the output current based on the change in temperature.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the output voltage is measured between the power line and the return line.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the power distribution circuit further includes a ground line and wherein the output voltage is measured between the ground line and one of the power line and return line.