Dual output current sensor, system for providing short circuit protection having dual output current sensor, and related methods

Abstract

To provide a system that comprises a dual output current sensor for short circuit protection, and a method.SOLUTION: A dual output current sensor 300 may include a current sensing element 305 for detecting current, a current comparison circuit 315 for determining whether the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current, a first output channel 325 for outputting an indication of the detected current from the current sensor, a drive circuit 320 for generating an amplified output of the current comparison circuit, and a second output channel 330 for outputting the amplified output of the current comparison circuit from the current sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to sensing devices, and more particularly, to current sensors.

Background Art

[0002] Short-circuit protection systems are important in electrical systems. For example, such short-circuit protection systems are used in electric vehicles to protect motors and batteries from short circuits that can expose sensitive components to very high currents.

[0003] Such short-circuit protection systems are plagued by technical problems and limitations. Through the efforts, ingenuity, and innovations applied, many of these identified problems are solved by developing the solutions included in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and many of those examples are described in detail herein.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Various embodiments described herein relate to a dual-output current sensor, a system for providing short-circuit protection in an electric vehicle, and related methods for providing short-circuit protection.

[0005] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for providing short-circuit protection is provided. In some embodiments, the system includes a dual-output current sensor. The dual-output current sensor includes a current sensing element that detects current, a current comparison circuit that determines whether the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current, a first output channel that outputs an indication of the current detected from the current sensor, a drive circuit that generates an amplified output of the current comparison circuit, and a second output channel that outputs the amplified output of the current comparison circuit from the current sensor.

[0006] In some embodiments, the current sensing element outputs a voltage proportional to the detected current, and the current comparison circuit includes an analog voltage comparison circuit that compares the voltage proportional to the detected current with a reference voltage corresponding to the predetermined threshold current.

[0007] In some embodiments, the current sensing element outputs a voltage proportional to the detected current, and the current comparison circuit includes an analog to digital controller (ADC) and a controller. The ADC receives the voltage proportional to the detected current, converts the voltage proportional to the detected current into a digital value of the detected current, and the controller receives the digital value of the detected current and compares the digital value of the detected current with a predetermined threshold current.

[0008] In some embodiments, the system further includes a battery management system, an electrical bus bar for carrying the detected current, and a normally closed squib switch connected in series with the electrical bus bar. The first output channel outputs an indication of the detected current to the battery management system of the electric vehicle, and the second output channel outputs the amplified output of the current comparison circuit to the squib switch to open the squib switch and cut off the detected current on the electrical bus bar.

[0009] In some embodiments, when the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current, the current sensor receives a command from the battery management system to activate the squib switch, and the second output channel outputs the amplified output of the current comparison circuit to the squib switch in response to the current sensor receiving a command from the battery management system to activate the squib switch.

[0010] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for providing short - circuit protection in an electric vehicle is provided. In some embodiments, the system includes a battery management system, an electrical busbar, a normally - closed squib switch connected in series with the electrical busbar, and a dual - output current sensor for detecting current on the electrical busbar. The current sensor includes a current sensing element for detecting current on the electrical busbar, a current comparison circuit for determining whether the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current, a first output channel for outputting an indication of the detected current from the current sensor to the battery management system, a drive circuit for generating an amplified output of the current comparison circuit, and a second output channel for outputting the amplified output of the current comparison circuit from the current sensor to the squib switch to open the squib switch and cut off the current on the electrical busbar.

[0011] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for providing short - circuit protection in an electric vehicle is provided. In some embodiments, the method includes connecting a dual - output current sensor to the electrical busbar of the electric vehicle, detecting the current on the electrical busbar by a current sensing element of the current sensor, determining by a current comparison circuit of the current sensor whether the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current, outputting an indication of the detected current to a battery management system of the electric vehicle by a first output channel of the current sensor, generating an amplified output of the current comparison circuit by a drive circuit of the current sensor, and outputting the amplified output of the current comparison circuit from the current sensor to a squib switch of the electric vehicle by a second output channel of the current sensor to open the squib switch and cut off the current on the electrical busbar.

[0012] The foregoing example - serving summary, as well as other exemplary objects and / or advantages of the present disclosure, and the manner in which they are achieved, will be further described in the following detailed description of the invention and its accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] The description of the illustrated embodiments can be read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. It will be understood that, unless otherwise specified, the elements shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale for the sake of simplicity and clarity of the figures. For example, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporating the teachings of the present disclosure are shown and described in connection with the figures presented herein.

Figure 1

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Figure 6

[0014] Next, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. In fact, these disclosures may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0015] As used herein, terms such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," etc. are used for illustrative purposes to describe the relative position of a particular component or a part of a component in the examples provided below. Further, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the perspective of the present disclosure, the terms "substantially" and "approximately" indicate that the referenced element or the associated description is within the accuracy of applicable engineering tolerances.

[0016] As used herein, the term "comprising" means including but not limited to and should be construed as typically used in the patent context. It is to be understood that the use of broader terms such as "comprises," "includes," and "having" supports narrower terms such as "consisting of," "consisting essentially of," and "comprised substantially of."

[0017] Phrases such as "in one embodiment," "according to one embodiment," "in some embodiments," and similar phrases generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present disclosure (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment).

[0018] Phrases such as "in one example," "according to one example," "in some examples," and similar phrases generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one example of the present disclosure and may be included in more than one example of the present disclosure (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same example).

[0019] If a component or feature is described in this specification as being included or having a property "may", "can", "could", "should", "would", "preferably", "if possible", "typically", "optionally", "for example", "as an example", "in some embodiments", "in many cases", or "might" (or other such phrases), that particular component or feature is not required to be included or to have the property. Such a component or feature may optionally be included in some embodiments or may be excluded.

[0020] As used herein, the terms "example" or "exemplary" mean "serving as an instance, case, or illustration". Any embodiment described herein as "example" or "exemplary" should not necessarily be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments.

[0021] In the present disclosure, the terms "electronically coupled", "electronically coupling", "couple electronically", "communicate with", "communicate electronically with", or "connected" refer to two or more elements or components that are connected via wired means and / or wireless means such that signals, electrical voltages / currents, data, and / or information can be transmitted and / or received between these elements or components.

[0022] The term "component" can refer to an article, device, or apparatus that can comprise one or more surfaces, parts, layers, and / or elements. For example, an exemplary component can comprise one or more substrates that can provide a underlying layer for the component, can form a part of the substrate, and / or can comprise one or more elements disposed on the substrate. In the present disclosure, the term "element" can refer to an article, device, or apparatus that can provide one or more functions.

[0023] The term "sensor" or "sensing device" can refer to an article, device, or apparatus that measures physical input from its environment and converts that input into data that can be interpreted by either a human or a machine. Sensing devices can be utilized in a variety of applications, including the measurement of electric current.

[0024] The terms "sensing element", "sensor circuit", "sensing circuit", etc. can refer to one or more components, integrated circuits, etc. within a sensing device that interact with the environment, detect the input to be detected (e.g., electric current), and provide the output to be interpreted (e.g., voltage) to another component within the sensing device. In an exemplary current sensing device, the sensing circuit can comprise an open-loop Hall effect sensor, a closed-loop Hall effect sensor, a fluxgate sensor, or any suitable sensing element.

[0025] Providing short-circuit protection in an electrical device is important, particularly in an electric vehicle where a short circuit can result in a current exceeding 2000 amperes (amps or "A"). Such high currents can rapidly damage sensitive electrical and electronic components. Fuses are often used for short-circuit protection, but fuses can take 1 - 2 seconds to interrupt the circuit, which can be too slow to provide the desired protection. These fuses are often referred to as passive fuses. Pyrotechnic fuses are explosive switches that can interrupt the circuit more rapidly than passive fuses, but typically require a very large current (e.g., 4000 amperes or more) to operate and interrupt the circuit.

[0026] To address the problems and limitations associated with conventional short-circuit protection, various examples of the present disclosure can be provided. For example, various examples of the present disclosure can provide an exemplary dual-output current sensor, a system for short-circuit protection, and a method for short-circuit protection.

[0027] In various embodiments, an exemplary dual-output current sensor provides current monitoring for detecting a short circuit and provides two outputs as described herein. Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein in the context of an electric vehicle, but embodiments of the present disclosure may be used with any electrical device where rapid short-circuit protection is desired.

[0028] In various embodiments, an exemplary dual-output current sensor is connected to a busbar of an electric vehicle to measure a primary current on the busbar. In various embodiments, a first output of the exemplary dual-output current sensor provides an indication of the measured primary current to a battery management system (BMS) of the electric vehicle. In various embodiments, a second output of the exemplary dual-output current sensor provides a control signal to a pyrotechnic switch of the electric vehicle when the measured primary current exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an exemplary system for providing short-circuit protection in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, in various embodiments, such a system includes an electrical busbar 105 for carrying current from a battery (e.g., one large battery pack or a plurality of batteries connected to each other) of an electric vehicle to one or more load components (e.g., a drive motor), a pyrotechnic switch 110 connected in series with the busbar 105, a relay 115 connected in series with the busbar 105 for selectively enabling or disabling the flow of current to the load component, and a dual-output current sensor 100 arranged to measure a primary current flowing through the busbar 105. In various embodiments, the current sensor 100 is configured to perform and implement the operations described herein. The relay 115 is one exemplary component that is likely to be damaged (e.g., blown) by a high-current short circuit.

[0030] In some embodiments, the current sensor 100 defines a substantially circular through-hole, and the current sensor 100 is arranged such that a part of the busbar 105 protrudes through the through-hole of the current sensor 100 to enable the current sensor 100 to detect and measure the current flowing through the busbar 105.

[0031] In various embodiments, the squib switch 110 is normally closed and explodes open within a few microseconds when exposed to a very high current short circuit (e.g., exceeding 4000 amperes). However, in the case of a short circuit that causes a current high enough to damage components but not high enough to directly trigger the squib switch 110, it is desirable to have similarly fast short-circuit protection. Accordingly, the current sensors of various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a control signal to operate (i.e., open) the squib switch when the measured primary current exceeds a predetermined threshold such that the measured primary current is high enough to damage components but not high enough to directly trigger the squib switch.

[0032] In various embodiments as shown in FIG. 1, the current sensor 100 has two outputs, namely, a first output 120 that provides an indication of the measured primary current to the battery management system (BMS) of the electric vehicle, and a second output 125 that provides a control signal to the squib switch 110 to operate (i.e., open) the squib switch 110 when the measured primary current exceeds a predetermined threshold. In one exemplary embodiment, the threshold current is 2000 amperes, but any suitable threshold current can be used.

[0033] In various embodiments, the current sensor may have a digital version and an analog version. Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a digital version of an exemplary dual-output current sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the dual-output current sensor 200 includes a current sensing element 205, a signal conditioning element 210, an analog to digital controller (ADC) 215, a processing element (such as a microcontroller unit (MCU)) 220, a transceiver 225, and a drive circuit 230. The current sensor 200 has two outputs, namely, a first output channel 235 that provides an indication of the measured primary current to the BMS of the electric vehicle, and a second output channel 240 that provides a control signal to the squib switch to activate (i.e., open) the squib switch when the measured primary current exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0034] In various embodiments, the sensing element 205 may include a magnetic field current sensor configured to be magnetically coupled to a conductor (i.e., a busbar) and generate a magnetic field signal having a magnitude responsive to the current flowing through the conductor. In various alternative embodiments, the sensing element 205 may include a shunt interface having first and second input terminals electrically coupled to ends of a shunt configured to be disposed along a conductor (i.e., a busbar) and generate a shunt signal having a magnitude responsive to the current flowing through the conductor. In various embodiments, the sensing element 205 may include an open-loop Hall effect sensor, a closed-loop Hall effect sensor, a fluxgate sensor, or any suitable current sensing element.

[0035] In various embodiments, the sensing element 205 generates an analog voltage proportional to the primary current flowing through the busbar. In various embodiments, the signal conditioning element 210 includes an amplifier that amplifies the voltage from the current sensing element 205. In some embodiments, the signal conditioning element is not required.

[0036] In various embodiments, ADC215 converts an analog voltage from current sensing element 205 (which may be amplified by signal conditioning element 210 if present) into a digital signal that is a representation of the measured current. In various embodiments, MCU220 receives the digital signal from ADC215 and compares the signal to a predetermined stored threshold. In various embodiments, MCU220 transmits a representation of the measured current to transceiver 225, and transceiver 225 outputs a representation of the measured current to the BMS via first output channel 235. In various embodiments of an exemplary digital version of a dual output current sensor, the representation of the measured current is a digital output of the measurement value.

[0037] In various embodiments, if MCU220 determines that the measured current exceeds a predetermined threshold, MCU220 outputs an overcurrent signal (e.g., a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal) to drive circuit 230. In various embodiments, drive circuit 230 amplifies the overcurrent signal from MCU220 and outputs the amplified signal to the squib switch via second output channel 240, thereby activating the squib switch. In an exemplary embodiment, the drive circuit functionality is provided by a Bosch CG912 4-channel squib driver.

[0038] In various alternative embodiments, the decision to activate the squib switch is not made within the current sensor (e.g., within the MCU), but rather, the decision to activate the squib switch is made within the BMS. In various alternative embodiments, when the BMS makes the decision to activate the squib switch, the BMS transmits a control command to the current sensor, the control command is received by the current sensor via transceiver 225, and the control signal is transmitted from the current sensor to the squib switch via second output channel 240. In various other alternative embodiments, when the BMS makes the decision to activate the squib switch, the BMS transmits the control command directly to the squib switch.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a block diagram of an exemplary analog version of a dual output current sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the dual output current sensor 300 includes a current sensing element 305, a signal conditioning element 310, a comparison circuit 315, and a drive circuit 320. The current sensor 300 has two outputs, namely, a first output channel 325 that provides an indication of the measured primary current to the BMS of the electric vehicle, and a second output channel 330 that provides a control signal to the squib switch to activate (i.e., open) the squib switch when the measured primary current exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0040] In various embodiments, the sensing element 305 may include an open loop Hall effect sensor, a closed loop Hall effect sensor, a fluxgate sensor, or any suitable current sensing element. In various embodiments, the sensing element 305 generates an analog voltage proportional to the primary current flowing through the busbar. In various embodiments, the signal conditioning element 310 includes an amplifier that amplifies the voltage from the current sensing element 305. In some embodiments, the signal conditioning element is not required. In various embodiments, the analog voltage from the current sensing element 305 (which may be amplified by the signal conditioning element 310 if present) is output to the BMS via the first output channel 325. In various embodiments of the exemplary analog version of the dual output current sensor, the representation of the measured current is proportional to the primary current.

[0041] In various embodiments, an analog voltage from the current sensing element 305 (which may be amplified by the signal conditioning element 310 if present) is provided to the comparator circuit 315. In various embodiments, the comparator circuit 315 compares the analog voltage from the current sensing element 305 to a reference voltage selected such that when the primary current is equal to the threshold current, the analog voltage from the current sensing element 305 is equal to the reference voltage. In various embodiments, when the analog voltage from the current sensing element 305 is higher than the reference voltage, the comparator circuit 315 outputs a positive voltage to the drive circuit 320. In various embodiments, the drive circuit 320 amplifies the positive output voltage from the comparator circuit 315 and outputs the amplified signal to the squib switch via the second output channel 330, thereby activating the squib switch.

[0042] The dual output current sensor of embodiments of the present disclosure can use any suitable drive circuit that receives a signal from an MCU (such as MCU220) or a comparator circuit (such as comparator circuit 315) and can amplify the signal to the desired level required to activate the squib switch. Referring now to FIG. 4, a circuit diagram of an exemplary drive circuit that can be used in the exemplary dual output current sensor of FIG. 2 or the exemplary dual output current sensor of FIG. 3 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As seen in FIG. 4, the drive circuit 400 includes a first resistor 405, a first transistor 415 (such as an NPN low power silicon planar epitaxial transistor), a second resistor 420, a second transistor 425 (such as an NPN bipolar junction transistor), a diode 430, and a relay 435.

[0043] One end of the first resistor 405 is connected to the input of the drive circuit 400 to receive an input signal 410 that causes an input voltage (Vin) (for example, from the MCU 220 or the comparison circuit 315), and the other end is connected to the base of the first transistor 415. The emitter of the first transistor 415 is connected to one end of the second resistor 420 and the base of the second transistor 425. The other end of the second resistor 420 and the emitter of the second transistor 425 are connected to ground. The collectors of the first transistor 415 and the second transistor 425 are connected to the anode of the diode 430 and one end of the relay 435. The cathode of the diode 430 and the other end of the relay 435 are connected to the power supply voltage (Vcc). The relay 435 is connected to the pyrotechnic switch 440 and drives the operation of the pyrotechnic switch. During operation, when the drive circuit 400 receives a positive input signal 410 indicating that an overcurrent has been detected (for example, from the MCU 220 or the comparison circuit 315), the input signal is amplified, the relay 435 is actuated, and the relay actuates the pyrotechnic switch 440.

[0044] The dual-output current sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure receives an analog voltage from a current sensing element (such as the current sensing element 305), compares the analog voltage with a reference voltage equal to the analog voltage from the current sensing element when the primary current is equal to the threshold current, and can output a positive voltage to a drive circuit (such as the drive circuit 320) when the analog voltage from the current sensing element is higher than the reference voltage. Any suitable comparison circuit can be used. Referring to FIG. 5 here, a circuit diagram of an exemplary comparison circuit that can be used in the exemplary dual-output current sensor of FIG. 3 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As seen in FIG. 5, the comparison circuit 500 includes a first resistor 505 and a second resistor 510 connected in series between the power supply voltage (Vcc) and ground, and an operational amplifier 515. The negative input terminal of the operational amplifier 515 is connected between the first resistor 505 and the second resistor 510, and the positive input terminal of the operational amplifier 515 is connected to the analog voltage (Vin) from the current sensing element. The operational amplifier 515 has a positive power supply voltage (Vcc) and a negative power supply voltage (V EE) is connected to. The output of the operational amplifier 515 is Vout. In various embodiments, the value of the first resistor 505 and the value of the second resistor 510 are such that the reference voltage V REF is selected to be equal to the analog voltage from the current sensing element when the primary current is equal to a predetermined threshold current. During operation, when the analog voltage (Vin) from the current sensing element is greater than a predetermined threshold current, the output (Vout) of the operational amplifier 515 is positive. In various embodiments, this positive output is amplified by the drive circuit to activate the pyrotechnic switch.

[0045] The components are described in terms of functional limitations, but it should be understood that at least some of the specific embodiments necessarily involve the use of specific computing hardware. In some embodiments, it should also be understood that the specific components described herein may include similar or common hardware. For example, in some embodiments, two sets of circuits both utilize the same processor, memory, circuitry, etc. to perform related functions, so duplicate hardware in each set of circuits is not necessary.

[0046] The MCU 220 can be embodied in a number of different ways. In various embodiments, the use of the terms "processor" or "processing circuit" should be understood to include a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, multiple processors within the current sensor 100, and / or one or more remote or "cloud" processors external to the current sensor 100. In some exemplary embodiments, the MCU 220 may include one or more processing devices configured to execute independently. Additionally or alternatively, the MCU 220 may include one or more processors configured in tandem via a bus to enable independent execution of operations, instructions, pipelines, and / or multithreading.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the MCU 220 may be configured to execute instructions stored in a memory circuit (not shown) or, alternatively, instructions accessible to the processor in another way. Alternatively or additionally, the MCU 220 may be configured to execute hard-coded functions. Thus, regardless of whether it is configured by a hardware method or a software method, or a combination thereof, the MCU 220 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied within a circuit) that can perform operations according to the embodiments of the present disclosure while being configured accordingly. Alternatively or additionally, the MCU 220 may be embodied as an executor of software instructions, and the instructions may specifically configure the MCU 220 to execute various algorithms embodied in one or more operations described herein when such instructions are executed. In some embodiments, the MCU 220 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof that perform one or more operations described herein.

[0048] In some embodiments, two or more of a set of circuits can be combined. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of a set of circuits are described herein as performing some or all of the operations and / or functions associated with another circuit. In some embodiments, two or more of a set of circuits are combined into a single module embodied in hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof.

[0049] Note that the above description provides an exemplary current sensor 100, but it should be noted that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above description. In some examples, the exemplary current sensor 100 according to the present disclosure may be in other forms. In some examples, the exemplary current sensor 100 may include one or more additional and / or alternative elements and / or may be structured differently from those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0050] Refer to FIG. 6, which provides a flowchart showing exemplary steps, processes, procedures, and / or operations according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the various methods described herein, including the method as shown in FIG. 6, can provide various technical benefits and improvements.

[0051] Referring now to FIG. 6, an exemplary method 600 is shown. In some embodiments, the exemplary method includes a method for providing short-circuit protection using a dual-output current sensor. At step / operation 605, a dual-output current sensor (such as, but not limited to, the dual-output current sensor 200 described above in connection with FIG. 2 or the dual-output current sensor 300 described above in connection with FIG. 3) detects a primary current on an electrical busbar.

[0052] At step / operation 610, the dual-output current sensor (such as, but not limited to, the dual-output current sensor 200 described above in connection with FIG. 2 or the dual-output current sensor 300 described above in connection with FIG. 3) outputs an indication of the detected current to a battery management system via a first output channel.

[0053] At step / operation 615, the dual-output current sensor (such as, but not limited to, the dual-output current sensor 200 described above in connection with FIG. 2 or the dual-output current sensor 300 described above in connection with FIG. 3) determines whether the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current.

[0054] At step / operation 615, if it is determined that the detected current does not exceed the predetermined threshold current, method 600 returns to step / operation 605 and continues to monitor the primary current on the busbar. At step / operation 615, if it is determined that the detected current exceeds the predetermined threshold current, method 600 proceeds to step / operation 625.

[0055] In step / operation 625, a dual output current sensor (such as, but not limited to, the dual output current sensor 200 described above in connection with FIG. 2 or the dual output current sensor 300 described above in connection with FIG. 3) outputs an overcurrent error to the battery management system via a first output channel and outputs a control signal to the squib switch via a second output channel to activate the squib switch. In various alternative embodiments, the decision to activate the squib switch is made within the BMS, and when the BMS makes the decision to activate the squib switch, the BMS sends a control command to the current sensor, and the current sensor receives the control command from the BMS (such as, but not limited to, via the transceiver 225 of the dual output current sensor 200 described above in connection with FIG. 2). This portion of step / operation 625 is in parentheses to indicate that it is optional.

[0056] In some embodiments, method 600 repeats steps / operations 605 - 620 until an overcurrent is detected and the squib switch is activated.

[0057] The operations and processes described herein support a combination of means for performing the specified functions and a combination of operations for performing the specified functions. It will be understood that one or more operations, and combinations of operations, may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based computer system for performing the specified functions, or by a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0058] In some exemplary embodiments, certain of the operations herein may be modified or further extended as described below. Further, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may also be included. It should be understood that each of the modifications, optional additions, or extensions described herein may be included, either alone or in combination with any of the other features described herein, with the operations herein.

[0059] The foregoing descriptions of methods and processes are provided merely as examples and are not intended to require or imply that the steps of the various embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the order of the steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order. Words such as "thereafter," "then," "next," and the like are not intended to limit the order of the steps. These words are merely used to guide the reader through the description of the method. Further, any reference in the singular to a claim element using, for example, the articles "a," "an," or "the" should not be construed as limiting the element to the singular, and in some cases, may be construed in the plural.

[0060] Although various embodiments in accordance with the principles disclosed herein have been shown and described above, modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein are merely representative and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations, combinations, and modifications are possible and are within the scope of the present disclosure. Alternative embodiments resulting from combining, integrating, and / or omitting features of the embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the above description, but is defined by the claims that follow, and that scope includes all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated herein as a further disclosure, and the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, any of the above advantages and features may be associated with a particular embodiment, but the application of such issued claims is not limited to processes and structures that achieve any one or all of the above advantages or have any one or all of the above features.

[0061] In addition, the section headings used in this specification are provided to be consistent with the proposals based on 37 CFR § 1.77 or else to give structural cues. These headings do not limit or characterize the disclosure recited in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. For example, the recitation of a technique in the "Background Art" should not be construed as an admission that the particular technique is prior art to any disclosure in this disclosure. The "Summary" also should not be regarded as limiting features of the disclosure recited in the claims that will issue. Further, any reference in this disclosure to a singular "disclosure" or "embodiment" should not be used to claim that there is only one novel aspect in this disclosure. Multiple embodiments of this disclosure may be described and illustrated with respect to various ones individually or separately, and such claims accordingly define the disclosure and equivalents thereof that are protected thereby. In all cases, the claims should be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein.

[0062] Also, the systems, subsystems, devices, techniques, and methods described and illustrated individually or separately with respect to various embodiments may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Other devices or components shown or described as being coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled through some intermediate devices or components, whether electrical, mechanical, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope disclosed herein.

[0063] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure described herein will come to mind to those of ordinary skill in the art who are associated with these embodiments and who will benefit from the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the related drawings. The figures show only certain components of the devices and systems described herein, but various other components may be used in conjunction with the components and structures disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. For example, various elements or components may be combined, rearranged, or integrated in another system, or certain features may be omitted or not implemented. Further, the steps in any of the methods described above need not necessarily be performed in the order depicted in the accompanying drawings, and in some cases, one or more of the steps depicted may be performed substantially simultaneously or with additional steps. Certain terms are used herein, but they are used only in a general and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A system for providing short - circuit protection, comprising: A dual - output current sensor, comprising: A current sensing element for detecting current; A current comparison circuit for determining whether the detected current exceeds a predetermined threshold current; A first output channel for outputting an indication of the detected current from the current sensor; A drive circuit for generating an amplified output of the current comparison circuit; A second output channel for outputting the amplified output of the current comparison circuit from the current sensor. The system comprises the dual - output current sensor.

2. The current sensing element outputs a voltage proportional to the detected current. The current comparison circuit includes an analog - to - digital controller (ADC) and a controller. The ADC receives the voltage proportional to the detected current and converts the voltage proportional to the detected current into a digital value of the detected current. The controller receives the digital value of the detected current and compares the digital value of the detected current with the predetermined threshold current. The system according to claim 1. The current sensing element outputs a voltage proportional to the detected current, The current comparison circuit includes an analog - to - digital controller (ADC) and a controller, The ADC receives the voltage proportional to the detected current and converts the voltage proportional to the detected current into a digital value of the detected current,

3. A battery management system; An electrical busbar for carrying the detected current; A normally - closed squib switch connected in series with the electrical busbar. The first output channel outputs the indication of the detected current to the battery management system. When the detected current exceeds the predetermined threshold current, the current sensor receives a command from the battery management system and activates the squib switch. The second output channel outputs the amplified output of the current comparison circuit to the squib switch, and in response to the current sensor receiving the command from the battery management system and activating the squib switch, the squib switch is opened to cut off the detected current on the electrical busbar. The system according to claim 1. The first output channel outputs the indication of the detected current to the battery management system, When the detected current exceeds the predetermined threshold current, the current sensor receives a command from the battery management system and activates the squib switch, The second output channel outputs the amplified output of the current comparison circuit to the squib switch, and in response to the current sensor receiving the command from the battery management system and activating the squib switch, the squib switch is opened to cut off the detected current on the electrical busbar. The system according to claim 1.

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