Faulty circuit detection of shut off valve

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017139010-A1
Application number	US-201514941114-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 13, 2015
Priority date	Nov 13, 2015
Publication date	May 18, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and methods for detecting circuit conditions are provided. A method for detecting a condition of a circuit may comprise: applying electrical energy to at least a circuit element in the circuit, a level of the electrical energy being insufficient to fully actuate the circuit element. The method may further comprise verifying integrity of the circuit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for detecting a fault in a circuit comprising:
applying electrical energy to at least a circuit element in the circuit, the electrical energy being insufficient to fully actuate the circuit element; and verifying integrity of the circuit by measuring a current through the circuit, wherein the applying is performed for a pre-determined duration, the pre-determined duration being less than or equal to a time constant of the circuit, the time constant being equal to a time for at least a portion of the circuit to reach 63.2% of a steady state value, and the circuit element comprises an electro-mechanical actuator for a brake control system configured to actuate in response to the circuit reaching the steady state value and configured to remain non-actuated in response to the circuit being below the steady state value.

2 - 3 . (canceled)

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-determined duration is less than half of the time constant of the circuit.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the pre-determined duration is less than one tenth of the time constant of the circuit.

6 - 7 . (canceled)

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fault comprises at least one of a short circuit condition or an open circuit condition.

9 . A system comprising:
a valve in fluid communication with a brake assembly, wherein the valve is configured to actuate in response to a current comprising at least a full engagement value; a controller in electronic communication with the valve, the controller comprising at least a circuit; and a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller, the tangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the controller, cause the controller to perform operations comprising: applying a voltage across at least a portion of the circuit for a pre-determined duration, wherein the pre-determined duration is less than or equal to a time constant of the circuit, wherein the current is less than the full engagement value in response to the voltage being applied for the pre-determined duration; and measuring a current through the circuit.

10 . (canceled)

11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the time constant is equal to a time for a circuit element to reach 63.2% of a steady state value.

12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the pre-determined duration is less than half of the time constant of the circuit.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the pre-determined duration is less than one tenth of the time constant of the circuit.

14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the valve is a shut-off valve (SOV).

15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to control the valve.

16 . A method for detecting a condition of a shut-off valve (SOV) in a brake control system comprising a circuit, the method comprising:
applying a voltage across the SOV for a pre-determined duration, wherein the pre-determined duration is less than or equal to a time constant of the circuit; and measuring a current through the SOV.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the time constant is equal to a time for the current through the SOV to reach 63.2% of a steady state value.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the pre-determined duration is less than half of the time constant of the SOV.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the pre-determined duration is less than one tenth of the time constant of the SOV.

20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the SOV comprises an electro-mechanical actuator.

Assignees

• Goodrich Corproation
• Goodrich Corp

Inventors

• Zell Brian Keith

Classifications

• G01R31/54

  Testing for continuity · CPC title

• G01R31/025

  Physics · mapped topic

• G01R31/3277 Primary

  of low voltage devices, e.g. domestic or industrial devices, such as motor protections, relays, rotation switches · CPC title

• G01R31/2829 Primary

  Testing of circuits in sensor or actuator systems (testing of apparatus for measuring electric or magnetic variables G01R35/00; testing of indicating or recording apparatus G01D; in airbag systems B60R21/0173; checking gas analysers G01N33/007; monitoring or fail-safe circuits for electromagnets H01F7/1844) · CPC title

• G01R31/50

  Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections (testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58) · CPC title