U.S. patent application number 15/005862 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-27 for redundant circuit disconnection for electric vehicles.
The applicant listed for this patent is Faraday&Future Inc.. Invention is credited to Caio D. Gubel, Phillip John Weicker.
Application Number | 20170213681 15/005862 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59359091 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170213681 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gubel; Caio D. ; et
al. |
July 27, 2017 |
REDUNDANT CIRCUIT DISCONNECTION FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Abstract
Systems and methods for redundant circuit disconnection in
electric vehicles are disclosed. Systems can include a resistive
metallic fuse connected within an electrical circuit for a battery
or otherwise, an inductor comprising a coil of at least one turn of
wire about a longitudinal axis, and an AC power source configured
to provide an alternating current across the inductor. The
resistive metallic fuse may be disposed within the inductor along
the longitudinal axis, and the AC power source may be configured to
cause the inductor to induce within the resistive metallic fuse
eddy currents of sufficient magnitude to melt or vaporize at least
a portion of the resistive metallic fuse disposed therein.
Inventors: |
Gubel; Caio D.; (San
Clemente, CA) ; Weicker; Phillip John; (Pasadena,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Faraday&Future Inc. |
Gardena |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59359091 |
Appl. No.: |
15/005862 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02T 10/70 20130101;
H01H 61/02 20130101; H01H 85/055 20130101; H02H 3/044 20130101;
B60L 3/04 20130101; H02H 9/02 20130101; H02H 3/05 20130101; H01H
9/102 20130101; H02H 3/087 20130101; H02H 3/046 20130101; B60L
58/10 20190201; H01H 89/00 20130101; B60L 3/0092 20130101; H02H
7/0844 20130101; H01H 85/0047 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01H 85/00 20060101
H01H085/00; B60L 11/18 20060101 B60L011/18; B60L 3/04 20060101
B60L003/04; H01H 89/00 20060101 H01H089/00; B60R 16/04 20060101
B60R016/04 |
Claims
1. A redundant disconnection system for use in an electrical
circuit, the system comprising: a switch; a resistive metallic fuse
connected within the electrical circuit in series with the switch;
an inductor comprising a coil of at least one turn of wire about a
longitudinal axis; and an AC power source configured to provide an
alternating current across the inductor; wherein the resistive
metallic fuse is disposed within the inductor along the
longitudinal axis, and the AC power source is configured to cause
the inductor to induce within the resistive metallic fuse eddy
currents of sufficient magnitude to melt or vaporize at least a
portion of the resistive metallic fuse disposed therein.
2. The redundant disconnection system of claim 1, wherein the
switch is a magnetic contactor.
3. The redundant disconnection system of claim 1, further
comprising a layer of electrically insulating material disposed
between the resistive metallic fuse and the inductor.
4. The redundant disconnection system of claim 3, further
comprising an air gap disposed between the resistive metallic fuse
and the layer of electrically insulating material.
5. The redundant disconnection system of claim 1, wherein the coil
comprises a plurality of turns of wire.
6. The redundant disconnection system of claim 1, further
comprising a battery connected within the electrical circuit in
series with the switch and the resistive metallic fuse.
7. The redundant disconnection system of claim 6, wherein the
system further comprises a plurality of separately switchable
parallel battery strings, and wherein each battery string
comprises: a battery; a switch connected in series with the
battery; a resistive metallic fuse connected in series with the
switch and the battery; an inductor comprising a coil of at least
one turn of wire about a longitudinal axis; and an AC power source
configured to provide an alternating current across the inductor;
wherein the resistive metallic fuse is disposed within the inductor
along the longitudinal axis, and the AC power source is configured
to cause the inductor to induce within the resistive metallic fuse
eddy currents of sufficient magnitude to melt or vaporize at least
a portion of the resistive metallic fuse disposed therein.
8. The redundant disconnection system of claim 7, wherein the
switch is a magnetic contactor.
9. A redundant disconnection method for use in an electrical
circuit, the method comprising: providing a switch connected within
the electrical circuit; providing a resistive metallic fuse
connected within the electrical circuit in series with the switch;
providing an inductor comprising a coil of at least one turn of
wire wound about the resistive metallic fuse; commanding the switch
to open the electrical circuit; detecting a failure of the switch
to open the electrical circuit; and applying an alternating current
through the inductor; wherein the alternating current in the
inductor induces within the resistive metallic fuse eddy currents
of sufficient magnitude to melt or vaporize at least a portion of
the resistive metallic fuse.
10. The redundant disconnection method of claim 9, wherein the
switch is a magnetic contactor.
11. The redundant disconnection method of claim 9, wherein the coil
comprises a plurality of turns of wire.
12. The redundant disconnection method of claim 9, further
comprising providing a battery connected within the electrical
circuit in series with the switch and the resistive metallic
fuse.
13. The redundant disconnection method of claim 12, wherein the
step of commanding the switch to open the electrical circuit is
performed in response to a malfunction of the battery.
14. A vehicle with redundant battery protection, the vehicle
comprising: at least one electrical circuit at least one battery
connected within the electrical circuit; a switch connected within
the electrical circuit in series with the battery; a resistive
metallic fuse connected within the electrical circuit in series
with the battery and the switch; an inductor comprising a coil of
at least one turn of wire about a longitudinal axis; and an AC
power source configured to provide an alternating current across
the inductor; wherein the resistive metallic fuse is disposed
within the inductor along the longitudinal axis, and the AC power
source is configured to cause the inductor to induce within the
resistive metallic fuse eddy currents of sufficient magnitude to
melt or vaporize at least a portion of the resistive metallic fuse
disposed therein.
15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the switch is a magnetic
contactor.
16. The vehicle of claim 14, further comprising a layer of
electrically insulating material disposed between the resistive
metallic fuse and the inductor.
17. The vehicle of claim 14, further comprising an air gap disposed
between the resistive metallic fuse and the layer of electrically
insulating material.
18. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the coil comprises a plurality
of turns of wire.
19. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the vehicle further comprises
a plurality of separately switchable parallel battery strings, and
wherein each battery string comprises: a battery; a switch
connected in series with the battery; a resistive metallic fuse
connected in series with the switch and the battery; an inductor
comprising a coil of at least one turn of wire about a longitudinal
axis; and an AC power source configured to provide an alternating
current across the inductor; wherein the resistive metallic fuse is
disposed within the inductor along the longitudinal axis, and the
AC power source is configured to cause the inductor to induce
within the resistive metallic fuse eddy currents of sufficient
magnitude to melt or vaporize at least a portion of the resistive
metallic fuse disposed therein.
20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the switch is a magnetic
contactor.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Field
[0002] This disclosure relates to vehicle battery systems, and more
specifically to systems and methods for redundant battery
disconnect protection with induction-heated fuses.
[0003] Description of the Related Art
[0004] Electric vehicle batteries are typically protected by
magnetic contactors allowing the battery circuit to be opened when
necessary. In some battery systems, two contactors may be provided
in series in order to provide redundancy, allowing the circuit to
be opened if one contactor becomes welded or otherwise stuck in the
closed position.
SUMMARY
[0005] The systems and methods of this disclosure each have several
innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible
for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope as
expressed by the claims that follow, its more prominent features
will now be discussed briefly.
[0006] In one embodiment, a redundant disconnection system for use
in an electrical circuit is described. The system may include a
switch. The system may further include a resistive metallic fuse
connected within the electrical circuit in series with the switch,
and an inductor including a coil of at least one turn of wire about
a longitudinal axis. The system may also include an AC power source
configured to provide an alternating current across the inductor.
The resistive metallic fuse may be disposed within the conductor
along the longitudinal axis, and the AC power source may be
configured to cause the inductor to induce within the resistive
metallic fuse eddy currents of sufficient magnitude to melt or
vaporize at least a portion of the resistive metallic fuse.
[0007] In another embodiment, a redundant disconnection method for
use in an electrical circuit is described. The method may include
providing a switch connected within the electrical circuit,
providing a resistive metallic fuse connected within the electrical
circuit in series with the switch, and providing an inductor
comprising at least one turn of wire wound about the resistive
metallic fuse. The method may further include commanding the switch
to open the electrical circuit, detecting a failure of the switch
to open the electrical circuit, and applying an alternating current
through the inductor. The alternating current applied through the
inductor may induce within the resistive metallic fuse eddy
currents of sufficient magnitude to melt or vaporize at least a
portion of the resistive metallic fuse.
[0008] In another embodiment, a vehicle with redundant battery
protection is described. The vehicle may include at least one
electrical circuit, at least one battery connected within the
electrical circuit, and a switch connected within the electrical
circuit in series with the battery. The vehicle may also include a
resistive metallic fuse connected within the electrical circuit in
series with the battery and the switch, an inductor including a
coil of at least one turn of wire about a longitudinal axis, and an
AC power source configured to provide an alternating current across
the inductor. The resistive metallic fuse may be disposed within
the inductor along the longitudinal axis, and the AC power source
may be configured to cause the inductor to induce within the
resistive metallic fuse eddy currents of sufficient magnitude to
melt or vaporize at least a portion of the resistive metallic
fuse.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The above-mentioned aspects, as well as other features,
aspects, and advantages of the present technology will now be
described in connection with various implementations, with
reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrated
implementations are merely examples and are not intended to be
limiting. Throughout the drawings, similar symbols typically
identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram depicting a redundant
disconnection system in a simple battery circuit in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram depicting an example
configuration of multiple redundant disconnection systems in a
multi-string electric vehicle battery circuit in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 3 depicts a detail view of an induction-heated blowable
fuse device for use in a redundant circuit disconnection system in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting a redundant disconnection
method for an electrical circuit in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] The following description is directed to certain
implementations for the purpose of describing the innovative
aspects of this disclosure. However, a person having ordinary skill
in the art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be
applied in a multitude of different ways. The described
implementations may be implemented in any electrical circuit. In
some implementations, the word "battery" or "batteries" will used
to describe certain elements of the embodiments described herein.
It is noted that "battery" does not necessarily refer to only a
single battery cell. Rather, any element described as a "battery"
or illustrated in the Figures as a single battery in a circuit
diagram may equally be made up of any larger number of individual
battery cells without departing from the spirit or scope of the
disclosed systems and methods.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram depicting a redundant
disconnection device 100 in a simple battery circuit 102 in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, a
circuit 102 may include at least one battery 104 and a primary
disconnector 106, such as a magnetic contactor or any other type of
electrical switch capable of opening and closing a circuit. In some
embodiments, a battery circuit may further comprise an electric
motor 108. The electric motor 108 may include a DC electric motor,
a combination of an AC electric motor and a power inverter, or any
other type of motor or motor system capable of drawing power from a
DC circuit.
[0016] A contactor or other electrical switch 106 is susceptible to
occasional failure, such as by welding or other mechanical failure.
Such a failure may prevent an open switch 106 from closing, or it
may prevent a closed switch 106 from opening. When switch 106 is
closed and a mechanical failure prevents switch 106 from opening, a
redundant disconnection device 100 may be able to disrupt the
circuit 102 instead.
[0017] Redundant disconnection device 100, described in greater
detail below with reference to FIG. 3, may include a resistive
metallic fuse 110. The fuse 110 may be disposed within a wire coil
112, which may be electrically and/or thermally isolated from the
fuse 110 and the DC circuit 102. As described below, the fuse may
have a rated current sufficient to carry at least the DC current
regularly flowing through the fuse 110 during ordinary operation of
the DC battery circuit 102. The two ends of the wire coil 112 may
be connected across an AC power source 114 configured to generate
an alternating current through the wire of the coil 112. As will be
described below, the AC power source may be able to generate an
alternating current with sufficient magnitude to induce enough eddy
current to melt or vaporize the fuse 110.
[0018] In some embodiments, fuse 110 may be connected within the DC
circuit 102 in series with the at least one battery 104 so that
there is no possible closed circuit path through the at least one
battery 104 that bypasses the fuse 110. Thus, after the AC power
source 114 is activated and the fuse 110 has melted or vaporized,
the DC battery circuit 102 is open because current is no longer
able to flow through the fuse 110.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram depicting an example
configuration of multiple redundant disconnection systems 202 in a
multi-string electric vehicle battery circuit 200 in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment. The multi-string electric vehicle
battery circuit 200 may include at least one electric motor 204.
Motor 204 may be any type of motor capable of drawing power from a
DC battery circuit, such as a DC motor or a combination of an AC
motor and a power inverter. In some embodiments, motor 204 may
include one or more motors of an electronic vehicle powertrain, or
may include motors configured for non-powertrain functions.
[0020] In various embodiments, battery circuit 200 may include a
single battery 206, or multiple batteries 206. In some embodiments,
as many as six or more batteries 206 may be included in a battery
circuit 200 in order to provide a large amount of power to the
motor 204 or to provide redundancy in case one or more batteries
206 are damaged, discharged, malfunctioning, or otherwise unable to
safely provide power to the motor. In some embodiments, multiple
batteries 206 may be arranged in separately switchable strings 208.
Each battery string 208 may comprise at least one battery 206, and
at least one switch 210 for removing the at least one battery 206
from the current in the battery circuit. A switch 210 may be any
device capable of opening an electrical circuit. For example, in
some embodiments the switch 210 may be a magnetic contactor or a
mechanically operated switch. In some embodiments, any number of
switches 210 may be actuated automatically by a battery management
system, string management system, or other type of computer device
configured to control or protect the battery circuit 200.
[0021] In a complex battery circuit 200 including multiple strings
208 of batteries 206, the failure of a switch 210 to operate when
desired may cause a significant risk of damage. This risk is
especially great when the batteries 206 are high-voltage batteries
capable of powering an electric vehicle powertrain. Engaging
battery strings 208 with the main battery circuit 200 in the wrong
order, engaging a string 208 containing a damaged or malfunctioning
battery 206, or allowing a battery string 208 to remain connected
within the battery circuit 200 when it should be disconnected for
any safety or performance-related reason, may cause damage to the
motor 204 or to other batteries 206. These conditions may also
cause damage to other parts of an electric vehicle, and may even
create a risk of bodily harm to occupants of the vehicle or others
nearby, as serious battery malfunctions may cause fire or
explosion.
[0022] The risks related to failure of a switch 210 in a battery
string 208 may be significantly reduced by including a redundant
disconnection device 202 in each string 208, in series with the
switch 210 and battery 206. Various types of redundant
disconnection devices 202 may be used. In some embodiments, a
redundant disconnection device 202 could be a contactor. However,
extra contactors are fairly large and add cost. Providing two
contactors in the battery circuit may add significant weight and
cost to a vehicle if the vehicle contains multiple battery
circuits. Additionally, the benefit of including a second contactor
in the battery circuit is relatively small because the second
contactor is equally susceptible to welding or other failure as the
first contactor in the circuit.
[0023] In some embodiments, the redundant disconnection device 202
may be an induction-blowable fuse device as described above with
reference to FIG. 1 and below with reference to FIG. 3. If the
redundant disconnection device 202 is an induction-blowable fuse,
the required AC current may be derived from a number of possible
sources. In some embodiments, each disconnection device 202 may
have its own AC power source. In some embodiments, the
disconnection devices 202 may draw AC power from a single source.
The single AC power source may be an inverter providing AC current
to the motor 204, an inverter coupled to other high-voltage battery
strings 208, an inverter coupled to a separate lower-voltage power
source for other vehicle systems, an AC induction motor configured
for regenerative braking, or any other AC power source that may be
located within an electric vehicle.
[0024] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of an induction-heated
blowable fuse device 300 in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment. In some embodiments, the device 300 may include a
central resistive metallic fuse 302. The central resistive metallic
fuse 302 may be connected within a battery circuit such that
current may flow through the resistive metallic fuse 302 during
ordinary operation of the battery circuit. Thus, the resistive
metallic fuse 302 should have a rated current high enough to carry
at least the ordinary current 302 occurring during ordinary
operation of the battery circuit.
[0025] The resistive metallic fuse 302 may be disposed along the
longitudinal axis 304 of a wire coil 306. In some embodiments, the
wire coil 306 may include a single loop of wire. In other
embodiments, the wire coil 306 may include two or more loops, up to
dozens, hundreds, or thousands of loops. The coil 306 may be
composed of wire of any metal capable of conducting electricity. In
some embodiments, the coil 306 may be made of copper wire. In some
embodiments, the coil 306 may be wound around a solid insulator 308
composed of an electrically insulating material. For example, in
some embodiments the insulator 308 may be made of a ceramic. In
some embodiments, the insulator 308 may include a plastic, glass,
or any other electrically insulating material. In some embodiments,
the insulator 308 may be composed of a material that is both
electrically and thermally insulating. In some embodiments, the
insulator 308 may be in the form of a hollow tube surrounding the
resistive metallic fuse 302. The insulator 308 may be immediately
surrounding the resistive metallic fuse 302. In other embodiments,
an air gap 310 may be disposed between the insulator 308 and the
resistive metallic fuse 302. An air gap 310 may improve the
function of the device 300 by allowing space for the dissipation of
material released by the melting or vaporization of at least a
portion of the resistive metallic fuse 302.
[0026] When blowing the fuse 302 is desired, an alternating current
may be applied through the wire coil 306 by an AC power source 312.
When a changing electrical current, such as a standard sinusoidal
alternating current, flows through a wire loop or coil of multiple
wire loops, a magnetic field is created flowing through the loop.
In the case of a wire coil 306 consisting of multiple loops of
wire, the current within each loop adds to the overall magnetic
field created through the coil 306. Because an alternating current
varies sinusoidally in magnitude and direction, the magnetic field
will not remain constant, but will also vary sinusoidally with
time. Thus, if the resistive metallic fuse 302 is disposed within
the wire coil 306 along its longitudinal axis 304, the fuse 302
will be exposed to a magnetic field oriented along the longitudinal
axis 304. However, this magnetic field will be constantly changing
in magnitude.
[0027] Generally, subjecting a conducting material to a
time-varying magnetic field induces eddy currents in the conducting
material. Eddy currents occur naturally as a result of the electric
field associated with the time-varying magnetic field within the
conductor. Eddy currents flow in planes perpendicular to the
magnetic field and behave generally like closed loops of current
within these perpendicular planes. Thus, when the resistive
metallic fuse 302 is exposed to a sinusoidally time-varying
magnetic field along the longitudinal axis 304, eddy currents 314
will flow circumferentially within the fuse 302, in planes
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 304.
[0028] The amount of eddy current 314 induced is directly related
to the magnitude of the time-varying magnetic field. The magnitude
of the time-varying magnetic field in turn is directly related to
the magnitude of the alternating electric current in the induction
coil 306. Accordingly, a high-magnitude alternating current within
the induction coil 306 may induce sufficient current in the
resistive metallic fuse 302 to create significant resistive heating
within the fuse 302. Resistive heating may cause the fuse 302 to
melt or vaporize in a similar manner to a conventional electrical
fuse, interrupting the battery circuit.
[0029] In some embodiments, the resistive metallic fuse 302 may be
a part of a battery circuit of an electric vehicle. In some
embodiments, the battery circuit may be a high-voltage battery
circuit configured to provide electrical power for the vehicle
powertrain. In high-current applications such as an electric
vehicle powertrain, the fuse 302 should preferably have a rated
current sufficient to carry the current required for operation of
the powertrain. In some embodiments, operation of the powertrain
may require a current of up to several hundred amps flowing through
a battery circuit. In embodiments where the fuse 302 has a rated
current in the range of 300 amps, the induced eddy currents 314 may
have a root mean square (RMS) value in the range of 500 to 600 amps
to cause the necessary melting or vaporization in approximately 0.1
to 100 milliseconds through resistive heating. Various embodiments
of the induction coil 306 and AC power source 312 may produce eddy
currents of this magnitude. For example, a coil including 1000
turns of 30 gauge wire may produce the necessary amount of eddy
current when the current in the induction coil has an RMS value of
25 milliamps at frequency 150 kilohertz. Accordingly, the AC power
source 312 providing the alternating current to the wire coil 306
may be powerful enough to provide at least the necessary amount of
AC current.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting a redundant disconnection
method 400 for an electrical circuit in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, the method 400 may be
employed with induction-blowable fuse devices as described above
with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. In some embodiments, the method
400 may be used in simple or complex battery circuits as described
above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0031] The method 400 may begin at block 405, where a switch in an
electrical circuit is commanded to open at least a portion of the
electrical circuit. In some embodiments, the relevant switch may be
configured to stop all current in the circuit when opened. In some
embodiments, the switch may be in a branch of a parallel circuit,
so that its opening will stop current from flowing through one
branch of the circuit while allowing current to continue or begin
flowing through other parallel branches of the circuit. In the case
of a multi-string electric vehicle battery circuit, the command to
open a portion of the circuit may be given for various reasons,
including detection of a battery malfunction in one string, routine
activation and deactivation of battery strings, or any other reason
requiring a single battery to be switched out of the battery
circuit current.
[0032] After the command to open a switch is given, the method 400
may continue to block 410 or block 425. If the switch opens as
commanded, the method 400 may continue to block 425, where the
circuit or portion of a circuit is open, current stops flowing, and
the method 400 may terminate. However, if the switch fails to open
as commanded, the method 400 may continue to block 410, where the
failure may be detected. The failure of a switch to open in
response to an open command may be detected in various ways. In
some embodiments, a current detector may measure a continued
current through the string, either directly or through a shunt, to
determine that the circuit has not been opened by the switch. In
some embodiments, a sensor may be able to detect a physical
position of the switch in a closed position, or otherwise determine
that the switch remains closed after the open command is
delivered.
[0033] After the failure of the switch to open the electrical
circuit is detected, the method 400 may continue to block 415,
where an AC current is applied through an induction coil to induce
eddy current in a resistive metallic fuse within the circuit. In
some embodiments, the resistive metallic fuse and induction coil
may be configured as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and
3. The amount of AC current may be determined at least in part
based on the amount of DC current already flowing through the fuse
and the rated current of the fuse. The amount of AC current may be
determined so as to induce eddy current in the fuse sufficient to
exceed the rated current of the fuse.
[0034] After an AC current is applied through an induction coil,
the method may continue to block 420, where at least a portion of
the resistive metallic fuse is melted and/or vaporized. The melting
and/or vaporization of at least a portion of the resistive metallic
fuse may occur shortly after the AC current is applied due to the
nearly immediate induction of eddy currents exceeding the rated
current of the fuse. The melting and/or vaporization may occur as a
result of resistive heating caused by the eddy currents flowing
circumferentially within the metal of the fuse, as described above
with reference to FIG. 3. Because the eddy currents flow
circumferentially, no additional current will be added to the
existing DC current within the fuse. When a portion of the fuse
melts and/or vaporizes due to inductive heating, the melted and/or
vaporized metal may move. For example, melted metal may flow along
the fuse and/or other circuitry or fall into an air gap as a result
of gravity. In some embodiments, where an air gap is present
between the fuse and a surrounding insulator, vaporized metal may
be propelled outward across the air gap from its original location
in the fuse and may collect or be deposited on the interior surface
of a surrounding insulator. In addition, some vaporized fuse metal
may be expelled from the fuse assembly entirely.
[0035] After at least a portion of the resistive metallic fuse is
melted and/or vaporized, the method 400 may continue to block 425,
where the electrical circuit is open and the method terminates.
Here, the outcome is effectively the same as if the switch had
opened as commanded in block 405. The melted and/or vaporized
portion of the fuse may have changed the geometry of the fuse so as
to create a gap in the electrical circuit. Thus, the circuit will
be open, and current will stop flowing through the portion of the
circuit containing the fuse. Repairs may later be performed
including replacing or repairing the blown fuse. In some
embodiments, fuse repairs may be performed in addition to or
concurrent with repairs to the battery or battery string, which may
in some embodiments address battery damage or malfunction which
required the fuse to be blown.
[0036] It is noted that the examples may be described as a process.
Although the operations may be described as a sequential process,
many of the operations can be performed in parallel, or
concurrently, and the process can be repeated. In addition, the
order of the operations may be rearranged. A process is terminated
when its operations are completed. A process may correspond to a
method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc.
When a process corresponds to a software function, its termination
corresponds to a return of the function to the calling function or
the main function.
[0037] The previous description of the disclosed implementations is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
present disclosed process and system. Various modifications to
these implementations will be readily apparent to those skilled in
the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied
to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope
of the disclosed process and system. Thus, the present disclosed
process and system is not intended to be limited to the
implementations shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed
herein.
* * * * *