Methods for common mode voltage-based AC fault detection, verification and/or identification
First Claim
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1. A method for processing a high-voltage DC input signal received from a bus coupled to a module, the method comprising:
- receiving the high-voltage DC input signal from the bus;
generating a common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) by removing a differential mode voltage component from the high-voltage DC input signal;
measuring a magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM);
determining whether a measured magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) is greater than or equal to a fault detection threshold voltage (VTH);
generating an AC fault (ACF) detection signal when the measured magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) is greater than or equal to the fault detection threshold voltage (VTH);
receiving the ACF detection signal and the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM);
maintaining a count which indicates a number of consecutive periods that the magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) is greater than or equal to the fault detection threshold voltage (VTH); and
incrementing the count maintained by a register in a cycle counter each time an ACF voltage spike is present in the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) while the cycle counter is enabled by the ACF detection signal.
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Abstract
Methods for AC fault (ACF) detection are provided. In addition, methods for AC fault (ACF) detection and verification are provided. In addition, methods for identification of a module which is the cause of an AC fault (ACF) are provided. In one implementation, one or more of these methods can be combined to provide a fast, simple, low cost and reliable ACF detection, verification and/or identification.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for processing a high-voltage DC input signal received from a bus coupled to a module, the method comprising:
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receiving the high-voltage DC input signal from the bus; generating a common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) by removing a differential mode voltage component from the high-voltage DC input signal; measuring a magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM); determining whether a measured magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) is greater than or equal to a fault detection threshold voltage (VTH); generating an AC fault (ACF) detection signal when the measured magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) is greater than or equal to the fault detection threshold voltage (VTH); receiving the ACF detection signal and the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM); maintaining a count which indicates a number of consecutive periods that the magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) is greater than or equal to the fault detection threshold voltage (VTH); and incrementing the count maintained by a register in a cycle counter each time an ACF voltage spike is present in the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) while the cycle counter is enabled by the ACF detection signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for detecting an AC fault (ACF) caused by a module coupled to a bus of a hybrid/electric power train system, the method comprising:
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receiving a high-voltage DC input signal from the bus; generating a common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) by removing a differential mode voltage component from the high-voltage DC input signal; measuring a magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM); determining whether a measured magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) is greater than or equal to a fault detection threshold voltage (VTH); and generating an AC fault (ACF) detection signal when the measured magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) is greater than or equal to the fault detection threshold voltage (VTH). - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method for detecting and verifying an AC fault (ACF) caused by a module coupled to a bus of a hybrid/electric power train system, wherein each module has a fundamental operating frequency (fCM) associated therewith, the method comprising:
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receiving a high-voltage DC input signal from the bus; generating a common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) by removing a differential mode voltage component from the high-voltage DC input signal; measuring a magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM); determining whether a measured magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) is greater than or equal to a fault detection threshold voltage (VTH); and generating an AC fault (ACF) detection signal when the measured magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) is greater than or equal to the fault detection threshold voltage (VTH); receiving the ACF detection signal and the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM); maintaining a count which indicates a number of consecutive periods that the magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) is greater than or equal to the fault detection threshold voltage (VTH); incrementing the count each time an ACF voltage spike is present in the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) while the ACF detection signal is being received; and generating a fault verification signal to indicate that detection of the ACF has been verified when the count is greater than or equal to a particular threshold number, wherein the count is greater than or equal to a particular threshold number when the number of consecutive periods during which an ACF voltage spike is detected is greater than or equal to the particular threshold number thereby indicating that the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) includes a consecutive number of ACF pulses.
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14. A method for processing a DC input signal received from a bus coupled to a module, the method comprising:
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receiving the DC input signal from the bus; removing a differential mode voltage component from the DC input signal to generate a common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) biased at approximately zero volts; measuring a magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM); generating an AC fault (ACF) detection signal when the measured magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) is greater than or equal to a threshold voltage (VTH), maintaining a count which indicates a number of consecutive periods that the magnitude of the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) is greater than or equal to the threshold voltage (VTH); and incrementing the count each time an ACF voltage spike is present in the common mode AC voltage signal (VCM) while the ACF detection signal is generated. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification