Dielectric breakdown detector for HEV battery application
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A circuit that indicates an impedance of a dielectric housing of a battery, comprising:
- a signal generator module that has a first terminal connected to ground and a second terminal that connects to a first terminal of the battery and that flows a first current from ground to the first terminal of the battery;
a sensor circuit that has a first terminal connected to a second terminal of the battery and a second terminal connected to ground via a resistance connected in series with the sensor circuit and that generates a signal based on a second current that flows from the second terminal of the battery through the second terminal of the battery though the resistance to ground; and
a signal conversion module that generates an output signal based on the signal, wherein the output signal represents the impedance presented by the dielectric housing; and
a fault detection module that receives the output signal and that determines whether the dielectric housing is intact based on whether the impedance of the dielectric hosing is greater than a threshold impedance, wherein the threshold impedance is based on a voltage of the battery.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit that indicates an impedance of a battery dielectric includes a signal generator module that flows a first current from a ground to a first terminal of a battery. A sensor circuit generates a signal based on a second current that flows from a second terminal of the battery through a resistance to ground. The second current includes the first current and a third current that flows to ground via an impedance presented by a battery dielectric housing. A signal conversion module generates an output signal based on the signal. The output signal represents the impedance presented by the battery dielectric housing.
7 Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A circuit that indicates an impedance of a dielectric housing of a battery, comprising:
-
a signal generator module that has a first terminal connected to ground and a second terminal that connects to a first terminal of the battery and that flows a first current from ground to the first terminal of the battery; a sensor circuit that has a first terminal connected to a second terminal of the battery and a second terminal connected to ground via a resistance connected in series with the sensor circuit and that generates a signal based on a second current that flows from the second terminal of the battery through the second terminal of the battery though the resistance to ground; and a signal conversion module that generates an output signal based on the signal, wherein the output signal represents the impedance presented by the dielectric housing; and
a fault detection module that receives the output signal and that determines whether the dielectric housing is intact based on whether the impedance of the dielectric hosing is greater than a threshold impedance, wherein the threshold impedance is based on a voltage of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 25, 26)
-
-
9. A circuit that indicates an impedance of a dielectric housing of a battery, comprising:
-
a bias circuit that establishes a bias current through first and second terminals of the battery; a sensor circuit that generates a signal based on the bias current and a leakage current that flows through the impedance presented by the dielectric housing of the battery; a signal conversion module that generates an output signal based on the signal wherein the output signal represents the impedance presented by the dielectric housing; and a fault detection module that receives the output signal and that determines whether the dielectric housing is intact based on whether the impedance of the dielectric housing is greater than a threshold impedance, wherein the threshold impedance is based on a voltage of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of indicating an impedance of a dielectric housing of a battery, comprising:
-
establishing a bias current through first and second terminals of the battery; generating a signal based on the bias current and a leakage current that flows through the impedance presented by the dielectric housing of the battery; generating an output signal based on the signal wherein the output signal represents the impedance presented by the dielectric housing; and determining whether the dielectric housing is intact based on whether the impedance of the dielectric housing is greater than a threshold impedance, wherein the threshold impedance is based on a voltage of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
-
-
19. A circuit that indicates an impedance of a dielectric housing of a battery, comprising:
-
bias circuit means for establishing a bias current through first and second terminals of the battery; sensor circuit means for generating a signal based on the bias current and a leakage current that flows through the impedance presented by the dielectric housing of the battery; signal conversion means for generating an output signal based on the signal wherein the output signal represents the impedance presented by the dielectric housing; and fault detection means for receiving the output signal and for determining whether the dielectric housing is intact based on the impedance of the dielectric housing is greater than a threshold impedance, wherein the threshold impedance is based on a voltage of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification