GB2346020A - Vehicle monitoring system - Google Patents

Vehicle monitoring system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2346020A
GB2346020A GB9901102A GB9901102A GB2346020A GB 2346020 A GB2346020 A GB 2346020A GB 9901102 A GB9901102 A GB 9901102A GB 9901102 A GB9901102 A GB 9901102A GB 2346020 A GB2346020 A GB 2346020A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
isolation
engine
control means
vehicle
electrical
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9901102A
Other versions
GB9901102D0 (en
Inventor
Carl Charles Bourne
Martin Ranson
Christopher Mellors
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MG Rover Group Ltd
Original Assignee
MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MG Rover Group Ltd filed Critical MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority to GB9901102A priority Critical patent/GB2346020A/en
Publication of GB9901102D0 publication Critical patent/GB9901102D0/en
Publication of GB2346020A publication Critical patent/GB2346020A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W20/00—Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K28/00—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions
    • B60K28/10—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle 
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K6/00—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00
    • B60K6/20—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs
    • B60K6/22—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs
    • B60K6/34—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs characterised by the absence of energy storing means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K6/00—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00
    • B60K6/20—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs
    • B60K6/42—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines ; Control systems therefor, i.e. systems controlling two or more prime movers, or controlling one of these prime movers and any of the transmission, drive or drive units Informative references: mechanical gearings with secondary electric drive F16H3/72; arrangements for handling mechanical energy structurally associated with the dynamo-electric machine H02K7/00; machines comprising structurally interrelated motor and generator parts H02K51/00; dynamo-electric machines not otherwise provided for in H02K see H02K99/00 the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs characterised by the architecture of the hybrid electric vehicle
    • B60K6/46—Series type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L3/00—Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposes; Monitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption
    • B60L3/0023—Detecting, eliminating, remedying or compensating for drive train abnormalities, e.g. failures within the drive train
    • B60L3/0069—Detecting, eliminating, remedying or compensating for drive train abnormalities, e.g. failures within the drive train relating to the isolation, e.g. ground fault or leak current
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L3/00—Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposes; Monitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption
    • B60L3/04—Cutting off the power supply under fault conditions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/60—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries
    • B60L50/61—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries by batteries charged by engine-driven generators, e.g. series hybrid electric vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W10/00—Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function
    • B60W10/04—Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units
    • B60W10/06—Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of combustion engines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W10/00—Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function
    • B60W10/04—Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units
    • B60W10/08—Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units including control of electric propulsion units, e.g. motors or generators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W20/00—Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles
    • B60W20/50—Control strategies for responding to system failures, e.g. for fault diagnosis, failsafe operation or limp mode
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/005—Testing of electric installations on transport means
    • G01R31/006—Testing of electric installations on transport means on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2710/00—Output or target parameters relating to a particular sub-units
    • B60W2710/06—Combustion engines, Gas turbines
    • B60W2710/0616—Position of fuel or air injector
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W50/00—Details of control systems for road vehicle drive control not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. process diagnostic or vehicle driver interfaces
    • B60W50/04—Monitoring the functioning of the control system
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/62—Hybrid vehicles
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/16—Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Hybrid Electric Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A series hybrid vehicle 10 has no traction batteries. Busbars 16, 18 are substantially encased in respective conductive housings, which are electrically linked to the vehicle chassis 52, 54 through a monitor circuit 48, 50. If there is a breakdown in isolation of a busbar 16, 18, the associated housing will become live and the monitor circuit 48, 50 will detect electrical communication between the housing and the chassis 52, 54. If a breakdown in isolation is detected, the monitor circuit 48, 52 causes the engine 12 to be shut down. Because drive from the engine 12 to the generator 14 is the only source of electrical tractive power and the engine 12 is shut down in the event of a breakdown in isolation of a busbar 16, 18, user safety is improved.

Description

A Vehicle This invention relates to vehicles and in particular to a hybrid vehicle which includes an engine and a generator.
In a hybrid vehicle, there is a danger of electrocution if electrical isolation breaks down between certain live parts of the electrical system and the isolated parts such as the casing or the chassis. The live parts which pose the greatest danger to a user are those known in the art as phase conductors, which include the cables/busbars supplying traction motors and their associated terminal posts and connections.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved vehicle.
Accordingly, the invention provides a vehicle comprising an engine which is arranged in use to drive a generator, the generator being arranged in use to supply, on at least one phase conductor, electrical power to at least one electrical machine, wherein the vehicle further comprises a control means which is arranged in use to monitor the isolation of at least part of said at least one phase conductor.
The control means may be arranged in use to shut down said engine if the engine is running and if said isolation falls below a predetermined level and may be arranged in use to inhibit the starting of said engine if the engine is not running and said isolation is determined to be below a predetermined level.
Said part of at least one phase conductor may be substantially encased in a conductive housing and the control means may comprise an electrical link between said conductive housing and a chassis member, wherein the control means is arranged to monitor the isolation of said at least part of said at least one phase conductor by monitoring for electrical communication between the housing and the chassis member across said link.
Said link may comprise a resistive or capacitive link such that, if there is a reduction in isolation at one or more portions of said substantially encased part of said phase conductor, an electrical voltage is dropped across said link and thereby provides a signal to the control means, which signal is indicative of said reduction in isolation.
The degree of breakdown in said isolation at which the control means shuts the engine down may be pre-set in said control means. Such pre-setting may be by programming and may be varied in use.
The control means may be arranged to shut down said engine by interrupting at least one of a fuel supply or an ignition circuit.
The vehicle may comprise a series hybrid vehicle in which the generator comprises the only source of electrical tractive power.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle according to the invention.
Referring to the figure, a series hybrid vehicle 10 comprises an engine 12 which drives a generator 14. The generator supplies a pair of phase conductors in the form of a positive busbar 16 and a negative busbar 18 though a respective fused link 20,22.
A separate electrical machine in the form of a traction motor 24,26,28,30 and an associated motor control unit 32,34,36,38 is provided for each wheel 40, 42,44,46. The control units 32,34,36,38 each draw electrical power off the busbars 16,18 for their respective motors 24,26,28,30.
Each busbar 16,18 is substantially encased in an associated conductive housing (not shown). The housing is only accessible using a specially configured access tool and is interlocked with the engine 12 such that the engine 12 cannot run if the sealing of one or more of the busbar housings is/are compromised.
The vehicle 10 further comprises control means in the form of a monitor circuit 48,50 associated with each busbar 16,18. Each monitor circuit 48,50 links the conductive housing associated with its busbar 16, 18 with a vehicle chassis member 52,54 though a very high impedance.
If the isolation of the busbars 16,18 fails along any portion which is encased in the conductive housing, then the housing becomes live in proportion to the breakdown in isolation. Thus if the isolation of a busbar 16,18 from the chassis 52,54 fails at a point which is electrically downstream of the generator 14 and within the part of the busbar 16,18 which is encased in the housing, a small current will flow through the high impedance link and will be detected by the associated monitor circuit 48,50.
The detection of the current can be by monitoring for a voltage drop across the resistance or, as the current will-be small due to the high impedance, it may be found possible to use direct current monitoring. It would be possible to use a different impedance to the resistance, such as for example a capacitor. If a capacitor were to be-used, the monitor circuit 48,50 would assess the state of isolation by monitoring for a voltage rise across the capacitor if it was being charged up.
Electrical communication which may take place between the housing and the chassis member 52,54 across the high impedance link will be indicative of a breakdown in isolation of the associated busbar 16, 18 and the monitor circuit 48, 50 which detects the fault will cause the engine 12 to be shut down.
The level of isolation necessary to prevent engine shut down is set by presetting the monitor circuit 48, 50 at a level appropriate for the use to which the vehicle 10 will be put. For example, an off-road vehicle might be permitted to suffer a greater reduction in isolation than a road vehicle so as to reduce the likelihood of false alarms when it goes wading.
The monitor circuits 48,50 can use any convenient way to shut down the engine 12, such as interrupting a fuel supply and/or cutting out an ignition circuit.
The monitor circuits 48,50 are also arranged to prevent starting of the engine 12 if it is not running and the isolation is found, e. g. on power-up of the system, to be below the required level for safe operation.
The vehicle 10 includes no traction batteries and so the generator 14 is the only source of tractive power for the motors 24,26,28,30. This means that, once drive from the engine 12 to the generator 14 is removed, the busbars 16,18 are without power and the safety of a user is increased.

Claims (9)

  1. CLAIMS 1. A vehicle comprising an engine which is arranged in use to drive a generator, the generator being arranged in use to supply, on at least one phase conductor, electrical power to at least one electrical machine, wherein the vehicle further comprises a control means which is arranged in use to monitor the isolation of at least part of said at least one phase conductor.
  2. 2. A vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein the control means is arranged in use to shut down said engine if the engine is running and if said isolation falls below a predetermined level.
  3. 3. A vehicle according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the control means is arranged in use to inhibit the starting of said engine if the engine is not running and said isolation is determined to be below a predetermined level.
  4. 4. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, said part of at least one phase conductor being substantially encased in a conductive housing and the control means comprising an electrical link between said conductive housing and a chassis member, wherein the control means is arranged to monitor the isolation of said at least part of said at least one phase conductor by monitoring for electrical communication between the housing and the chassis member across said link.
  5. 5. A vehicle according to Claim 4, wherein said link comprises a resistive or capacitive link such that, if there is a reduction in isolation at one or more portions of said substantially encased part of said phase conductor, an electrical voltage is dropped across said link and thereby provides a signal to the control means, which signal is indicative of said reduction in isolation.
  6. 6. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the degree of breakdown in said isolation at which the control means shuts the engine down can be pre-set in said control means.
  7. 7. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the control means is arranged to shut down said engine by interrupting at least one of a fuel supply or an ignition circuit.
  8. 8. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, the vehicle comprising a series hybrid vehicle in which the generator comprises the only source of electrical tractive power.
  9. 9. A vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB9901102A 1999-01-20 1999-01-20 Vehicle monitoring system Withdrawn GB2346020A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9901102A GB2346020A (en) 1999-01-20 1999-01-20 Vehicle monitoring system

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
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GB2346020A true GB2346020A (en) 2000-07-26

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2375143A (en) * 2001-05-03 2002-11-06 Ford Global Tech Inc A method and system to control a hybrid vehicle engine shutdown
EP1759913A2 (en) * 2005-09-01 2007-03-07 Vossloh Kiepe GmbH Method and apparatus for detecting and monitoring the isolation distances and chassis-contact voltage of a trolley-bus
WO2015022256A2 (en) * 2013-08-14 2015-02-19 Jaguar Land Rover Limited Method and system for controlling an isolated hv circuit

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995034824A1 (en) * 1994-06-10 1995-12-21 Northrop Grumman Corporation Fault detection circuit for sensing leakage currents between power source and chassis

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995034824A1 (en) * 1994-06-10 1995-12-21 Northrop Grumman Corporation Fault detection circuit for sensing leakage currents between power source and chassis

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2375143A (en) * 2001-05-03 2002-11-06 Ford Global Tech Inc A method and system to control a hybrid vehicle engine shutdown
US6763298B2 (en) 2001-05-03 2004-07-13 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Controlled engine shutdown for a hybrid electric vehicle
GB2375143B (en) * 2001-05-03 2004-10-20 Ford Global Tech Inc A method and system to control an HEV engine shutdown
US6961654B2 (en) 2001-05-03 2005-11-01 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Controlled engine shutdown for a hybrid electric vehicle
EP1759913A2 (en) * 2005-09-01 2007-03-07 Vossloh Kiepe GmbH Method and apparatus for detecting and monitoring the isolation distances and chassis-contact voltage of a trolley-bus
EP1759913A3 (en) * 2005-09-01 2008-07-09 Vossloh Kiepe GmbH Method and apparatus for detecting and monitoring the isolation distances and chassis-contact voltage of a trolley-bus
WO2015022256A2 (en) * 2013-08-14 2015-02-19 Jaguar Land Rover Limited Method and system for controlling an isolated hv circuit
WO2015022256A3 (en) * 2013-08-14 2015-04-16 Jaguar Land Rover Limited Method and system for controlling an isolated hv circuit
CN105531143A (en) * 2013-08-14 2016-04-27 捷豹路虎有限公司 Method and system for controlling an isolated hv circuit
CN105531143B (en) * 2013-08-14 2018-09-18 捷豹路虎有限公司 Method and system for controlling isolation high-tension circuit
US10155448B2 (en) 2013-08-14 2018-12-18 Jaguar Land Rover Limited Method and system for controlling an isolated HV circuit

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