Electricity: single generator systems – Automatic control of generator or driving means – Voltage of generator or circuit supplied
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-02
2001-02-27
Ponomarenko, Nicholas (Department: 2834)
Electricity: single generator systems
Automatic control of generator or driving means
Voltage of generator or circuit supplied
C322S036000, C320S162000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06194877
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to motor vehicle charging systems and, more particularly, to the detection of faults in such systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a motor vehicle charging system, the connection between the power output terminal of an alternator and the power distribution system of the vehicle can occasionally be faulty. Such a faulty connection can be due to improper connection at the vehicle assembly plant, corrosion of the connection due to aging, loosening of the connection over time, or other factors.
A faulty connection which results in a completely “open” circuit at the output of the alternator will become quite readily apparent to the driver of the vehicle as his battery loses charge. However, faulty connections which result, not in an open circuit but in a high resistance connection or an intermittently open circuit, may not as readily manifest themselves to the driver of the vehicle. Thus, a system and method for diagnosing these classes of faulty connections at the output of an alternator will prove advantageous. The charging system can take appropriate action in its operation, and the driver can be made aware of the fault and have the vehicle repaired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to diagnose faults at the output of an alternator. More particularly, an object of the invention is to diagnose faults which manifest themselves as a high-resistance condition or an intermittently open-circuit condition.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a fault detection method for a motor vehicle charging system including a generator and an electrical component coupled to receive electrical current from the generator. The method comprises the step of sensing a first voltage at an output of the generator. The method further comprises the step of sensing a second voltage at the electrical component. In addition, the method comprises the step of comparing a difference of the first voltage and the second voltage to a predetermined voltage, the predetermined voltage indicative of a high resistance connection between the output of the generator and the component. If the difference is greater than the predetermined voltage, the method includes the step of reducing or suspending output of electrical current from the generator.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a fault detection method for a motor vehicle charging system including a generator and an electrical component coupled to receive electrical current from the generator. The method comprises sensing a first voltage at an output of the generator and sensing a second voltage at the electrical component. If the first voltage and the second voltage differ by more than a predetermined amount, the predetermined amount being a function of an output current of the generator, the method includes reducing or suspending output of electrical current from the generator.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a fault detection method for a motor vehicle charging system including a generator, a voltage regulator operatively coupled to the generator, an electrical component coupled to receive electrical current from the generator and a powertrain controller. If the charging system has an operational fault, the method comprises providing a fault indicating signal from the voltage regulator to the powertrain controller indicative of the operational fault. If the signal intermittently indicates the operational fault, the method also includes providing a first charging system control signal from the powertrain controller to the voltage regulator to limit or suspend output of the generator.
Designs according to the present invention provide the capability to diagnose alternator output connection faults which manifest themselves in a high-resistance, but not fully open circuit, condition. In doing so, the present invention provides advantages over alternative designs.
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Deljevic Zeljko
Judge Alan Francis
Renehan John Francis
McCoy-Pfau Rhonda L.
Ponomarenko Nicholas
Visteon Global Technologies Inc.
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