Abstract: The proposed mechanism for weld detection, uses isolation monitoring circuits (which is used for measurement of the leakage current between battery positive and negative to the chassis ground (on pack or link side) and checks the health status of the contactors. The mechanism connects isolation monitoring circuit between two points on the battery pack (between two sides of the high current contactors) and measures the resistance of two points, therefore checking the continuity of the contactors in the system. Since it can measure a range of resistance, it can also check if a contactor is completely welded or it has been partially welded. This would be important because in case of partial weld, the car can fix the problem and remove the partial weld by activating and deactivating the contactors for several time, with or without inserting high current in the coil of the contactors.

Abstract: The proposed mechanism for weld detection, uses isolation monitoring circuits (which is used for measurement of the leakage current between battery positive and negative to the chassis ground (on pack or link side) and checks the health status of the contactors. The mechanism connects isolation monitoring circuit between two points on the battery pack (between two sides of the high current contactors) and measures the resistance of two points, therefore checking the continuity of the contactors in the system. Since it can measure a range of resistance, it can also check if a contactor is completely welded or it has been partially welded. This would be important because in case of partial weld, the car can fix the problem and remove the partial weld by activating and deactivating the contactors for several time, with or without inserting high current in the coil of the contactors.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to fault-tolerant controller architectures for multi-level converters. In one example, a multi-level converter includes an array of power modules. The power modules can include a controller communicatively coupled to controllers of adjacent power modules in the array of power modules. Circuitry of the controllers can receive operational data from the adjacent power modules; identify a fault condition in an adjacent power module using the operational data; and initiate reconfiguration of the array of power modules in response to an indication of the fault condition, where the reconfiguration bypasses the adjacent power module. In another example, a method includes identifying a fault condition in an adjacent power module in an array of power modules based upon operational data from one or more adjacent power modules of the array; and initiating reconfiguration of the array of power modules in response to an indication of the fault condition.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to fault-tolerant controller architectures for multi-level converters. In one example, a multi-level converter includes an array of power modules. The power modules can include a controller communicatively coupled to controllers of adjacent power modules in the array of power modules. Circuitry of the controllers can receive operational data from the adjacent power modules; identify a fault condition in an adjacent power module using the operational data; and initiate reconfiguration of the array of power modules in response to an indication of the fault condition, where the reconfiguration bypasses the adjacent power module. In another example, a method includes identifying a fault condition in an adjacent power module in an array of power modules based upon operational data from one or more adjacent power modules of the array; and initiating reconfiguration of the array of power modules in response to an indication of the fault condition.