Vehicle electrical system fault detection

• US 9,081,039 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2012
• Issued: 07/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Julson, Timothy D., Makarewicz, Nathan P., Taraski, Gary W., Capalau, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, DHARTI HARIDAS
• Application Number:
  US13/473,950
• Publication Number:
  US 20130308237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 361/93.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16571 comparing AC or DC current with one threshold, e.g. load current, over-current, surge current or fault current G01R19/16514, G01R19/16519, G01R19/16528, G01R19/16533, G01R19/1659 take precedence; measuring currents by using elements sensitive to the magnetic field generated G01R15/14; measuring earth resistance G01R27/18; testing for leakage or short circuits in electrical apparatus G01R31/52
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2837 Characterising or performance testing, e.g. of frequency response transient response G01R27/28

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for sensing electrical faults. The system includes a current sensor disposed between a battery and at least one electrical load. The current sensor is capable of sensing electrical current flowing from the battery to the load at a sensitivity sufficient to detect a current transient. The system also includes a controller in communication with the current sensor. The controller is capable of comparing the sensed current transient to a predetermined current transient for the load and signaling a fault when the sensed current transient and the predetermined current transient vary by a predetermined amount.

Claims

1. A method for detecting electrical faults, comprising:

activating a load;

sensing electrical current flowing from a battery to the load at sensitivity sufficient to detect a current transient;

comparing the sensed current transient to a predetermined current transient for the load; and

signaling a fault when the sensed current transient and the predetermined current transient vary by a predetermined amount.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising disabling the load in response to the signaling of the fault.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sensitivity is sufficient to detect a 0.01 ampere (A) change in current.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sensitivity is sufficient to detect a one milliampere (mA) change in current.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising directing a user to manually activate the load.

6. A method as set forth in claim 5 further comprising directing the user to manually deactivate the load after the electrical current flowing from the battery to the load has been sensed.

7. An electrical fault detection system, comprising:

a current sensor configured to be disposed between a battery and at least one electrical load and further configured to sense electrical current flowing from the battery to the load at a sensitivity sufficient to detect a current transient; and

a controller in communication with said current sensor for comparing the sensed current transient to a predetermined current transient for the load and signaling a fault when the sensed current transient and the predetermined current transient vary by a predetermined amount.

8. A system as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a connector electrically connected to said controller for allowing a remote control unit to be electrically connected to said controller, the remote control unit capable of directing a user to manually activate and/or deactivate the load.

9. A system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the sensitivity is sufficient to detect a 0.01 ampere (A) change in current.

10. A system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the sensitivity is sufficient to detect a one milliampere (mA) change in current.

11. A vehicle, comprising:

at least one electrical load;

a battery electrically connected to the at least one electrical load for supplying electrical power to the at least one electrical load;

a current sensor disposed between said battery and said at least one electrical load for sensing electrical current flowing from said battery to said at least one electrical load at a sample rate sufficient to detect a current transient;

a controller in communication with said current sensor for comparing the sensed current transient to a predetermined current transient for said at least one electrical load and producing a fault signal when the sensed current transient and the predetermined current transient vary by a predetermined amount.

12. A vehicle as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a connector electrically connected to said controller for allowing a remote control unit to be electrically connected to said controller, the remote control unit capable of directing a user to manually activate and/or deactivate said at least one electrical load.

13. A vehicle as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a generator electrically connected to said battery for charging said battery.

14. A vehicle as set forth in claim 11 wherein the sensitivity is sufficient to detect a 0.01 ampere (A) change in current.

15. A vehicle as set forth in claim 11 wherein the sensitivity is sufficient to detect a one milliampere (mA) change in current.