Thermal security for hybrid vehicle recharging cable plugs device and method
A system is provided for interrupting current in an electrical cable having an end plug. The system comprises a sensor coupled to the plug and having an output indicative of the temperature of the plug, and a current interrupting device coupled to the sensor for interrupting current in the cable when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature.
1. A system for interrupting current in an electrical cable having an end plug, the system comprising:
a sensor coupled to the plug and having an output indicative of the temperature of the plug; and
a current interrupting device coupled to the sensor for interrupting current in the cable when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, wherein the predetermined temperature is in a range of about from 80° C. to 150° C.
2. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is formed integrally with the plug.
3. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the current interrupting device is formed integrally with the plug.
4. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the current interrupting device and the plug are configured to be in a range of about from 2 inches to 24 inches apart.
5. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a thermocouple.
6. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a Wheatstone Bridge circuit.
7. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a thermister or a resistance temperature detector.
8. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the plug comprises a thermoplastic polymer.
9. A system according to claim 8 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises Ryton®.
10. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the current interrupting device comprises a solenoid.
11. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the current interrupting device further comprises a ground fault circuit interrupter coupled to the solenoid.
12. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor further comprises:
a temperature sensing circuit embedded within the cable; and
an operational amplifier having a first input coupled to a constant voltage source and a second input coupled to an output of the temperature sensing circuit,
wherein when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the output of the temperature sensing circuit causes the operational amplifier to output a signal causing the current interrupting device to interrupt the current in the cable.
13. A system for interrupting current in a vehicular recharging cable having a plug, the system comprising:
a temperature sensitive device encased in the plug and having an output indicative of the temperature of the plug; and
a current interrupting device coupled to the temperature sensing device for receiving the output and interrupting current in the vehicular recharging cable when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, wherein the predetermined temperature is in a range of about from 80° C. to 150° C.
14. A system according to claim 13 , wherein the current interrupting device is integrated into the plug.
15. A system according to claim 13 , wherein the current interrupting device comprises a solenoid.
16. A system according to claim 13 , wherein the current interrupting device further comprises a ground fault circuit interrupter coupled to the solenoid.
17. A method for preventing a vehicular recharging cable plug attached to a cable from overheating during a recharging cycle, comprising the steps of:
generating a temperature-dependent signal in the plug indicative of the plug temperature;
directing the signal to a current interrupting device coupled to the recharging cable; and
interrupting the current flowing in the cable when the signal exceeds a predetermined temperature, wherein the predetermined temperature is in a range of about from 80° C. to 150° C.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the step of interrupting further comprises interrupting the current when the temperature of the plug reaches a predetermined temperature that is less than the heat-distortion temperature of the plug.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the step of interrupting further comprises interrupting the current when the temperature of the plug reaches a predetermined temperature that is about 100° C.
20. The method of claim 17 , further comprising encasing a temperature sensor and the current interrupting device into the plug.