System and method for electric current and power monitoring and control of a generator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle electrical system comprising:
- (a) a generator comprising a conductor operative to generate a first signal indicative of an electrical potential across the conductor and wherein a total electrical output current generated by the generator is substantially proportional to the electrical potential; and
(b) means to generate a second signal indicative of a temperature of the conductor;
(c) means to generate a third signal indicative of electrical current through a field coil included in the generator; and
(d) means to generate a fourth signal indicative of a rotational speed of the generator; and
(e) a control device responsive to the first, second, third, and fourth signal and operative to (i) obtain a first value of the total electrical current according to at least one of the first, second, and third signal, (ii) obtain a second value of the total electrical current according to at least one of the second, third, and fourth signal, and (iii) generate an error signal indicative of a fault condition when a difference between the first and second values of the total electrical current is substantially above a predetermined value.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control device measures a voltage drop across a conductor in a generator to determine and control the total generator output current. A temperature of the conductor is also measured to improve the accuracy. The control device may further improve on the accuracy by compensating for the electrical current through a field coil that may power the generator. The control device may be used in combination with a generator in a vehicle electrical system. Other system parameters may be monitored to improve on the system monitoring, diagnostics, and control. The generator may include a conductor comprising a process-controlled geometric shape.
28 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A vehicle electrical system comprising:
-
(a) a generator comprising a conductor operative to generate a first signal indicative of an electrical potential across the conductor and wherein a total electrical output current generated by the generator is substantially proportional to the electrical potential; and (b) means to generate a second signal indicative of a temperature of the conductor; (c) means to generate a third signal indicative of electrical current through a field coil included in the generator; and (d) means to generate a fourth signal indicative of a rotational speed of the generator; and (e) a control device responsive to the first, second, third, and fourth signal and operative to (i) obtain a first value of the total electrical current according to at least one of the first, second, and third signal, (ii) obtain a second value of the total electrical current according to at least one of the second, third, and fourth signal, and (iii) generate an error signal indicative of a fault condition when a difference between the first and second values of the total electrical current is substantially above a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A method for controlling a vehicle electrical system, said system comprising a generator, said method comprising:
-
(a) generating a first signal indicative of an electrical potential across a conductor included in the generator and wherein a total electrical output current generated by the generator is substantially proportional to the electrical potential; (b) generating a second signal indicative of a temperature of the conductor; (c) generating a third signal indicative of electrical current through a field coil included in the generator; (d) generating a fourth signal indicative of a rotational speed of the generator; (e) obtaining a first value of the total electrical current according to at least one of the first, second, and third signal; (f) obtaining a second value of the total electrical current according to at least one of the second, third, and fourth signal; and (g) generating an error signal indicative of a fault condition when a difference between the first and second values of the total electrical current is substantially above a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (7)
-
-
8. A control device for a generator, said generator comprising:
-
(a) a conductor operative to generate a first signal indicative of an electrical potential across the conductor and wherein a total electrical output current generated by the generator is substantially proportional to the electrical potential; (b) a first sensor capable of generating a second signal indicative of a temperature of the conductor; (c) a second sensor capable of generating a third signal indicative of electrical current through a field coil included in the generator; and (d) a third sensor capable of generating a fourth signal indicative of a rotational speed of the generator; said control device comprising; a processor, including a programming code operable on the processor; wherein said processor is configured to measure the first, second, third, and fourth signal, via a first, second, third, and fourth line, to (i) determine a first value of the total electrical current according to at least one of the first, second, and third signal, (ii) determine a second value of the total electrical current according to at least one of the second, third, and fourth signal, and (iii) generate an error signal indicative of a fault condition, via a communication line, when a difference between the first and second values of the total electrical current is substantially above a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
11. A method for controlling a generator, said generator comprising (i) a conductor operative to generate a first signal indicative of an electrical potential across the conductor and wherein a total electrical output current generated by the generator is substantially proportional to the electrical potential, (ii) means to generate a second signal indicative of a temperature of the conductor, (iii) means to generate a third signal indicative of electrical current through a field coil included in the generator, and (iv) means to generate a fourth signal indicative of a rotational speed of the generator, said method comprising:
-
(a) measuring the first signal, via a first line; (b) measuring the second signal, via a second line; (c) measuring the third signal, via a third line; (d) measuring the fourth signal, via a fourth line; (e) determining a first value of the total electrical current according to at least one of the first, second, and third signal; (f) determining a second value of the total electrical current according to at least one of the second, third, and fourth signal; and (g) generating an error signal indicative of a fault condition when a difference between the first and second values of the total electrical current is substantially above a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
Specification