Method and system for monitoring temperature of a power distribution circuit

• US 9,634,516 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2009
• Issued: 04/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Gale, Allan Roy, Degner, Michael W., Elie, Larry Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodas, Richard Isla
• Assistant Examiner(s): HERNANDEZ, MANUEL J
• Application Number:
  US12/423,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20100259242A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,933 Days
• Field of Search: 320150
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/36 Temperature of vehicle components or parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/04 Cutting off the power supply under fault conditions protective devices and circuit arrangements in general H01H; H02H
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/18 Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/16 using resistive elements resistive elements per se H01C, H01L
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00309 Overheat or overtemperature protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007192 in response to temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/04 Regulation of charging current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A method for monitoring a temperature change of a power distribution circuit having a power line and return line includes measuring an output current and output voltage of the power distribution circuit at an input to a load electrically connected to the power distribution circuit, and determining a change in temperature of at least one of the power line and return line based on a change in at least one of the output current and output voltage.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a temperature change of a power distribution circuit including a power line, return line and ground line, the method comprising:

measuring an output current and output voltage of the power distribution circuit at an input to a load electrically connected to the power distribution circuit, wherein the output voltage is measured between the ground line and one of the power line and return line; and

determining a change in temperature of at least one of the power line and return line based on a change in at least one of the output current and output voltage.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling the output current based on the change in temperature.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the return line comprises a neutral line.

4. A method for monitoring a temperature change of a power distribution circuit including a power line, return line and ground line, the method comprising:

measuring an output current or output voltage of the power distribution circuit at an input to a load electrically connected to the power distribution circuit, wherein the output voltage is measured between the ground line and one of the power line and return line;

measuring an input current and input voltage to the load; and

determining a change in temperature of at least one of the power line and return line based on a change in at least one of the output current, output voltage, input current and input voltage.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising controlling the output current based on the change in temperature.