Thermal security for hybrid vehicle recharging cable plugs device and method

• US 7,944,667 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2008
• Issued: 05/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Ouwerkerk, David B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leja; Ronald W
• Application Number:
  US12/141,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20090316321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 361/106
• US Class Current: 361/106
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/547 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/80 Time limits
• 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 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/18 Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/665 with built-in electronic circuit H01R13/70, H01R13/719 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 5/046 using a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/228 for covered wires or cables
• 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 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A system is provided for interrupting current in an electrical cable having an end plug. The system comprises a sensor coupled to the plug and having an output indicative of the temperature of the plug, and a current interrupting device coupled to the sensor for interrupting current in the cable when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature.

Claims

1. A system for interrupting current in an electrical cable having an end plug, the system comprising:

a sensor coupled to the plug and having an output indicative of the temperature of the plug; and

a current interrupting device coupled to the sensor for interrupting current in the cable when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, wherein the predetermined temperature is in a range of about from 80°

C. to 150°

C.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is formed integrally with the plug.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the current interrupting device is formed integrally with the plug.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the current interrupting device and the plug are configured to be in a range of about from 2 inches to 24 inches apart.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a thermocouple.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a Wheatstone Bridge circuit.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a thermister or a resistance temperature detector.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the plug comprises a thermoplastic polymer.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises Ryton®

.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the current interrupting device comprises a solenoid.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the current interrupting device further comprises a ground fault circuit interrupter coupled to the solenoid.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor further comprises:

a temperature sensing circuit embedded within the cable; and

an operational amplifier having a first input coupled to a constant voltage source and a second input coupled to an output of the temperature sensing circuit,

wherein when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the output of the temperature sensing circuit causes the operational amplifier to output a signal causing the current interrupting device to interrupt the current in the cable.

13. A system for interrupting current in a vehicular recharging cable having a plug, the system comprising:

a temperature sensitive device encased in the plug and having an output indicative of the temperature of the plug; and

a current interrupting device coupled to the temperature sensing device for receiving the output and interrupting current in the vehicular recharging cable when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, wherein the predetermined temperature is in a range of about from 80°

C. to 150°

C.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the current interrupting device is integrated into the plug.

15. A system according to claim 13, wherein the current interrupting device comprises a solenoid.

16. A system according to claim 13, wherein the current interrupting device further comprises a ground fault circuit interrupter coupled to the solenoid.

17. A method for preventing a vehicular recharging cable plug attached to a cable from overheating during a recharging cycle, comprising the steps of:

generating a temperature-dependent signal in the plug indicative of the plug temperature;

directing the signal to a current interrupting device coupled to the recharging cable; and

interrupting the current flowing in the cable when the signal exceeds a predetermined temperature, wherein the predetermined temperature is in a range of about from 80°

C. to 150°

C.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of interrupting further comprises interrupting the current when the temperature of the plug reaches a predetermined temperature that is less than the heat-distortion temperature of the plug.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of interrupting further comprises interrupting the current when the temperature of the plug reaches a predetermined temperature that is about 100°

C.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising encasing a temperature sensor and the current interrupting device into the plug.