System and Method for Detecting Sensor Leakage
First Claim
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1. A sensor test system, comprising:
- a case configured to house a circuit;
a power source for producing a voltage;
a cable electrically connecting a first sensor to the circuit;
the first sensor comprising a first pin and a grounded connector shell;
wherein the circuit comprises;
a high-impedance resistor connected between the power source and the first pin;
a first voltage test point and a second voltage test point across the high-impedance resistor;
a return line from the grounded connector shell to the power source, such that the voltage produced from the power source renders a contaminant conductive, in that the contaminant provides conductive path between the first pin and the grounded connector shell, while the contaminant also provides a contaminant resistance;
wherein interpretation of a measured voltage between the first voltage test point and the second voltage test point provides an indication of the contaminant due to the contaminant resistance affecting the measured voltage.
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Abstract
A test system for testing a sensor system includes a high-impedance resistor for forming a voltage divider with any corrosion or foreign substance that might be present between a signal conductor and a ground conductor. While a voltage is applied across the voltage divider, the voltage can be measured across the high-impedance resistor for determining whether an undesirable amount of conductance exists between the signal wire and ground. The test system also includes switching means for switching between any number of signal wires of a system undergoing testing.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sensor test system, comprising:
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a case configured to house a circuit; a power source for producing a voltage; a cable electrically connecting a first sensor to the circuit;
the first sensor comprising a first pin and a grounded connector shell;wherein the circuit comprises; a high-impedance resistor connected between the power source and the first pin; a first voltage test point and a second voltage test point across the high-impedance resistor; a return line from the grounded connector shell to the power source, such that the voltage produced from the power source renders a contaminant conductive, in that the contaminant provides conductive path between the first pin and the grounded connector shell, while the contaminant also provides a contaminant resistance; wherein interpretation of a measured voltage between the first voltage test point and the second voltage test point provides an indication of the contaminant due to the contaminant resistance affecting the measured voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A tester for detecting contamination in a sensor, the tester comprising:
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a case for housing a circuitry; a cable for connecting a plurality of sensor lines, the sensor lines being in a connector shell, from the sensor to the circuitry, the circuitry comprising; a conductive connection between each of the plurality of sensor lines together so that each of the plurality of sensor wires are at the same electrical potential, thus protecting the sensor during operation of the tester; a high-impedance resistor conductively connecting a voltage source and the plurality of sensor lines; a first voltage test point and second voltage test point across the high-impedance resistor; and a return line from the connector shell to the voltage source; wherein the tester is configured such that a presence of a contamination in the connector shell acts to complete the circuitry by providing a conductive path between the voltage source and the plurality of sensor lines, such that current flow in the circuitry indicates the presence of the contamination in the connector shell. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method for detecting a leakage in a sensor with a tester, comprising:
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using a circuitry in the tester to electrically couple a plurality of sensor wires, the sensor wires being located in a connector shell; applying a source voltage to the circuitry, the circuitry including a high-impedance resistor located between the plurality of sensor wires and the source voltage, the circuitry being configured such that a contamination located in the connector shell becomes conductive upon applying the source voltage; taking a voltage reading across the high-impedance resistor; and interpreting the voltage reading so as to detect determine an amount of the leakage resulting from the contamination. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification