High voltage indication system

• US 8,009,055 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Curtis Brian, Shults, Richard, Glover, Rex Aaron, Lindsey, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Labbees; Edny
• Application Number:
  US11/905,333
• Publication Number:
  US 20090085759A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,432 Days
• Field of Search: 340/662, 318/254, 318/798, 318/439, 318/800, 318/650, 318/108, 318/805
• 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 19/16542 for batteries charge condition monitoring in G01R31/36
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/005 Testing of electric installations on transport means

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting and indicating high-voltage presences on a machine. In one embodiment a high-voltage indication system is disclosed and may include a voltage detector configured to compare the voltage level associated with an element with a threshold voltage value, and provide an indication signal when the voltage level associated with the element is greater than the threshold voltage value. The system may also include an indicator powered by a separate power source independent from the voltage detector. The indicator may be configured to detect the indication signal provided by the voltage detector, and provide one or more warning signals in response to the indication signal.

Claims

1. A high-voltage indication system, comprising:

a voltage detector powered by a first power source and coupled to detect a voltage level of an energy storage device associated with an electric motor/generator, the voltage detector configured to;

measure the voltage level of the energy storage device;

compare the voltage level of the energy storage device to a threshold voltage value; and

provide an indication signal when the voltage level of the energy storage device is greater than the threshold voltage value; and

an indicator powered by a second power source independent from the voltage detector, the indicator configured to;

detect the indication signal provided by the voltage detector; and

provide one or more warning signals in response to the indication signal,

an electrical isolation device coupled to the voltage detector and the indicator and configured to facilitate the transfer of the indication signal from the voltage detector to the indicator via an electrically-isolated path through the electrical isolation device;

wherein the indicator includes a controller, electrically isolated from the voltage detector and configured to;

generate a test signal simulating a high-voltage indicator signal generated by the voltage detector;

monitor a response of the indicator to the generated test signal; and

determine, based on the monitored response, whether the indicator is operating within a normal operating range.

2. The indication system of claim 1, wherein the electrical isolation device includes at least one transmitter and receiver pair for transmitting the indication signal to the indicator.

3. The indication system of claim 1, wherein the electrical isolation device includes an optical device for wirelessly communicating the indication signal from the voltage detector to the indicator.

4. The indication system of claim 1, wherein the first power source has a voltage higher than that of the second power source.

5. The indication system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:

display one or more faults if the indicator is operating outside of the normal range.

6. The indication system of claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to perform one or more diagnostics if the indicator is operating outside of the normal range.

7. A method of indicating high-voltage, comprising a step of high-voltage detection comprising:

determining, by a controller associated with a voltage indicator, whether a key-on time is within a threshold period;

if the key-on time is within the threshold period, the method further comprising;

generating a test signal simulating a high-voltage indicator signal generated by the voltage detector;

monitoring a response of the indicator to the generated test signal; and

determining, based on the monitored response, whether the indicator is operating within a normal operating range;

if the key-on time is not within the threshold period or if the indicator is operating according to a normal operating range, the method further comprising;

measuring, by a voltage detector powered by a first power source, a voltage level of an energy storage device associated with an electric motor/generator;

comparing, by the voltage detector, the voltage level of the energy storage device with a threshold voltage value; and

generating and transmitting, by the voltage detector, an indication signal when the voltage level of the energy storage device exceeds the threshold voltage value; and

indicating, by the voltage indicator, a high-voltage condition of the energy storage device, the indicating comprising;

receiving the indication signal; and

generating one or more warning signals to indicate the high-voltage condition.

8. The method of claim 7, further including monitoring the indicator, and performing one or more diagnostic functions if the indicator is operating outside of the normal range.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the threshold voltage value is set by a user via a programmable interface.

10. A machine, comprising:

an electric motor/generator;

an energy storage device coupled to receive power from or provide power to the electric motor/generator;

a high-voltage indication system operatively coupled to detect a high-voltage associated with the energy storage device, wherein the high-voltage indication system includes;

a voltage detector powered by a first power source and coupled to detect a voltage level of the energy storage device, the voltage detector configured to;

measure a voltage level of the energy storage device;

compare the voltage level of the energy storage device to a threshold voltage value; and

provide an indication signal when the voltage level of the energy storage device is greater than the threshold voltage value; and

an indicator, powered by a second power source independent from the voltage detector, the indicator configured to;

detect the indication signal from the voltage detector; and

provide one or more warning signals in response to the indication signal;

an electrical isolation device coupled to the voltage detector and the indicator and configured to facilitate the transfer of the indication signal from the voltage detector to the indicator via an electrically-isolated path through the electrical isolation device;

wherein the indicator includes a controller, electrically isolated from the voltage detector and configured to;

generate a test signal simulating a high-voltage indicator signal generated by the voltage detector;

monitor a response of the indicator to the generated test signal; and

determine, based on the monitored response, whether the indicator is operating within a normal operating range.

11. The machine of claim 10, wherein the electrical isolation device includes at least one transmitter and receiver pair for transmitting the indication signal to the indicator.

12. The machine of claim 10, wherein the first power source has a voltage higher than that of the first power source.

13. The machine of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to:

display one or more faults if the indicator is indicator is operating outside of the normal operating range.

14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to perform one or more diagnostics if the indicator is operating outside of the normal range.