Functional high-voltage interlock system and method

摘要

Methods and apparatus are provided for a functional high-voltage interlock system. The apparatus includes an enclosure, a high-voltage terminal, a low-voltage circuit, and a control circuit. The enclosure includes an access point that may be breached. The high-voltage terminal is disposed at least partially within the enclosure, is accessible by breaching the high-voltage access point, and is configured to be energized from a high-voltage electrical power source. The low-voltage circuit is disposed within the enclosure, and is coupled to selectively receive a low-voltage electrical signal. The control circuit is coupled to, and is configured to supply the low-voltage electrical signal to, the low-voltage circuit only when the high-voltage access point is not breached. The control circuit implements a first function and a disparate second function. The first function determines whether the access point is breached and, if so, prevents the high-voltage terminal from being energized from the high-voltage electrical source.

主权项

1. A functional high-voltage interlock system, comprising:
an enclosure having an access point that may be breached; a high-voltage terminal disposed at least partially within the enclosure and being accessible by breaching the high-voltage access point, the high-voltage terminal configured to be energized from a high-voltage electrical power source; a low-voltage circuit disposed within the enclosure, the low-voltage circuit coupled to selectively receive a low-voltage electrical signal; and a control circuit coupled to, and configured to supply the low-voltage electrical signal to, the low-voltage circuit only when the high-voltage access point is not breached, the control circuit further configured to implement a first function and a disparate second function, wherein the first function comprises:
determining whether the access point is breached, andupon determining that the access point is breached, preventing the high-voltage electrical power source from energizing the high-voltage terminal, and the disparate second function comprises sensing one of a temperature, a pressure, or a liquid level.