High voltage detection system

• US 7,667,611 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Issued: 02/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Andris, Eric Matthew, Lindsey, Robert Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Goins; Davetta W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Labbees; Edny
• Application Number:
  US11/289,291
• Publication Number:
  US 20070120694A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,546 Days
• Field of Search: 340635-664, 318/254, 318/798, 318/439, 318/800
• 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 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;

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 for a period of time sufficient to allow the voltage level associated with the element to dissipate below the predetermined threshold value; and

a backup power supply for providing backup power to the high-voltage detection system,

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 based on the determined power level.

2. The machine 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 machine of claim 1, wherein the element includes an electric motor.

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

5. The machine of claim 1, wherein the isolation device includes one of an optical device, a magnetic device, and a wireless device.

6. The machine of claim 1, wherein the isolation device includes at least one transmitter/detector pair.

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

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

10. The machine of claim 9, wherein the actuator includes a locking mechanism adapted to lock a compartment associated with the element.

11. 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 threshold value associated with the element, and

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

a backup power supply for providing backup power to the high-voltage detection system; and

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

detect the threshold indicator,

provide one or more warning signals in response to the threshold indicator for a period of time sufficient to allow the voltage level associated with the element to dissipate below the threshold value associated with the element,

detect when the high-voltage detection system is operating on backup power provided by the backup power supply,

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

provide the one or more warning signals based on the determined power level associated with the backup power supply.

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

13. The detection system of claim 11, 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.

14. The detection system of claim 11, wherein the isolation device includes one of an optical device, a magnetic device, and a wireless device.

15. The detection system of claim 11, wherein the isolation device includes at least one transmitter/detector pair.

16. The detection system of claim 11, wherein the element includes an electric motor.

17. The detection system of claim 11, wherein the element includes one or more charge storing devices associated with an electric motor.

18. The detection system of claim 11, 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.

19. The detection system of claim 11, wherein the threshold detector includes an interface configured to allow a user to modify one or more threshold conditions.

20. The detection system of claim 11, further including an actuator operatively coupled to the controller and configured to operate in response to the threshold indicator, wherein the actuator includes a locking mechanism adapted to lock a compartment associated with the element.