Auxiliary power unit diagnostic tool

• US 8,283,942 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2009
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Stanton, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vazquez, Arleen M
• Application Number:
  US12/509,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20110018579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 324/765.01, 324/772, 324/764.01, 322/28
• US Class Current: 324/764.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/343 in operation
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10

Abstract

A diagnostic tool for an auxiliary power unit comprising an alternating current generator having an exciter winding and an output winding and an automatic voltage regulator for providing control over the excitation winding of the generator includes a harness with plug connectors allowing the diagnostic tool to be directly introduced between the generator and automatic voltage regulator replacing the conventional connections without affecting operation of the auxiliary power unit. The diagnostic tool has a plurality of multimeters between the automatic voltage regulator and the alternating current generator providing voltage readings across and resistance readings for the generator'"'"'s stator exciter winding and main and auxiliary output windings. A protocol relates voltage and resistance readings taken with the multimeters when the auxiliary power unit is on and off to possible faults in the generator or with the automatic voltage regulator.

Claims

1. An auxiliary power unit with diagnostic facilities, comprising:

an alternating current generator having a direct current exciter winding and an output winding;

an automatic voltage regulator for maintaining control over an excitation voltage applied across the direct current exciter winding responsive to sensed voltage across the output winding;

a plurality of multimeters including multimeters providing readings for the voltage applied across the direct current excitation winding and the sensed voltage and resistance measurements for the direct current excitation winding and the output winding;

the automatic voltage regulator being further connected to an auxiliary output winding in the alternating current generator for supply of electrical power;

a multimeter from among the plurality of multimeters providing an auxiliary output voltage reading from across the auxiliary output winding and a resistance reading for the auxiliary output winding; and

means for relating voltage and resistance readings taken with the multimeters to faults in the generator or with the automatic voltage regulator.

2. An auxiliary power unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

the means for relating including a diagnostic list identifying deviations in voltage and resistance measurements for the auxiliary power unit to faults in the generator or automatic voltage regulator.

3. An auxiliary power unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a diagnostic list identifying deviations in voltage and resistance measurements for the auxiliary power unit to faults in the generator or automatic voltage regulator.

4. A diagnostic tool for an auxiliary power unit comprising an alternating current generator having an exciter winding and an output winding and an automatic voltage regulator for providing control over the excitation winding of the generator, the diagnostic tool comprising:

a plurality of multimeters;

wiring allowing connection of each of the plurality of multimeters between the automatic voltage regulator and the alternating current generator;

the plurality of multimeters including multimeters providing readings for voltage applied across the exciter winding and sensed voltage appearing across the output winding and resistances of the windings; and

means for relating voltage and resistance readings taken with multimeters from among the plurality of multimeters to faults in the generator or with the automatic voltage regulator.

5. The diagnostic tool of claim 4 wherein the automatic voltage regulator is connected for energization to an auxiliary output winding in the alternating current generator, the diagnostic tool further comprising:

a multimeter from among the plurality of multimeters for providing an auxiliary output voltage reading from across the auxiliary output voltage winding; and

the means for relating further relating voltage and resistance readings for the auxiliary output voltage winding to possible faults in the generator or with the automatic voltage regulator.

6. The diagnostic tool of claim 5, further comprising:

the means for relating including a diagnostic list identifying deviations in resistance and voltage readings for the auxiliary power unit to faults in the generator or automatic voltage regulator.

7. The diagnostic tool of claim 5, further comprising:

the wiring being bundled into a harness including a section terminating in first and second connectors for connection to the generator and the automatic voltage regulator.

8. The diagnostic tool of claim 7, further comprising:

the plurality of multimeters being assembled in an array.