System and method for detecting sensor leakage
First Claim
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1. A sensor test system, comprising:
- a case configured to house a circuit;
a power source for producing a voltage;
a cable electrically connecting a first sensor to the circuit;
the first sensor comprising multiple connector pins and a grounded connector shell;
wherein the circuit comprises;
a high-impedance resistor connected between the power source and the multiple connector pins;
a return line from the grounded connector shell to the power source, such that the voltage produced from the power source renders a contaminant conductive, in that the contaminant provides conductive path between the multiple connector pins and the grounded connector shell and produces a contamination voltage across the high-impedance resistor, while the contaminant also provides a contaminant resistance;
a first comparator comparing the contamination voltage to a wire fault voltage;
a second comparator comparing the contamination voltage to a passing sensor voltage; and
a third comparator comparing the contamination voltage to a dirty sensor voltage;
wherein the dirty sensor voltage is greater than the passing sensor voltage and less than a wire fault voltage.
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Abstract
A test system for testing a sensor system includes a high-impedance resistor for forming a voltage divider with any corrosion or foreign substance that might be present between a signal conductor and a ground conductor. While a voltage is applied across the voltage divider, the voltage can be measured across the high-impedance resistor for determining whether an undesirable amount of conductance exists between the signal wire and ground. The test system also includes switching means for switching between any number of signal wires of a system undergoing testing.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A sensor test system, comprising:
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a case configured to house a circuit; a power source for producing a voltage; a cable electrically connecting a first sensor to the circuit;
the first sensor comprising multiple connector pins and a grounded connector shell;wherein the circuit comprises; a high-impedance resistor connected between the power source and the multiple connector pins; a return line from the grounded connector shell to the power source, such that the voltage produced from the power source renders a contaminant conductive, in that the contaminant provides conductive path between the multiple connector pins and the grounded connector shell and produces a contamination voltage across the high-impedance resistor, while the contaminant also provides a contaminant resistance; a first comparator comparing the contamination voltage to a wire fault voltage; a second comparator comparing the contamination voltage to a passing sensor voltage; and a third comparator comparing the contamination voltage to a dirty sensor voltage; wherein the dirty sensor voltage is greater than the passing sensor voltage and less than a wire fault voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification