Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the temperature of a liquid are disclosed herein. Systems can include a thermistor in contact with a liquid coolant and circuitry configured to measure a temperature of the thermistor by applying a nominal current through the thermistor and detecting a voltage drop across the thermistor. The circuitry may be further configured to apply a current pulse greater than the nominal current through the thermistor, detect a transient thermistor response to the current pulse, and compare the detected transient thermistor response to an expected transient response. The circuitry may be capable of determining if the thermistor is immersed in a fluid or at least partially located within a fluid-free region based on comparing the detected transient thermistor response to the expected transient response.

Abstract: A vehicle can use controlled area network (CAN) buses for communications within a subsystem but connect different subsystems using Ethernet connections. For example, a network interface (NIC) of a subsystem can receive a CAN message from a CAN bus and incorporate the CAN message into a user diagram protocol (UDP) message which can be then packaged into an Ethernet packet. The UDP message may include a table of contents (TOC). The TOC may include the message ID and the length of the CAN message. Once a NIC receives the message, the receiving NIC can extract the UDP message from the Ethernet packet, parse through the TOC to identify a CAN message relevant to the control units of the receiving NIC's subsystem, extract the relevant CAN message based on the TOC, and put the CAN message onto CAN buses to be sent to destination CAN devices.

Abstract: A system for detecting a condition of a contactor configured to connect a battery string to a direct-current bus in a vehicle may include a controller configured to open or close the contactor. The system may also include an alternating-current (AC) signal source configured to provide an AC test signal when the controller opens the contactor. The system may further include an AC coupling circuit. The AC coupling circuit may include a primary side of the AC coupling circuit connected to the AC test signal source, and a secondary side connected to the contactor. The system may also include a detection circuit configured to receive an AC return signal corresponding to the AC test signal, and determine a defective condition of the contactor based on the AC return signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the temperature of a liquid are disclosed herein. Systems can include a thermistor in contact with a liquid coolant and circuitry configured to measure a temperature of the thermistor by applying a nominal current through the thermistor and detecting a voltage drop across the thermistor. The circuitry may be further configured to apply a current pulse greater than the nominal current through the thermistor, detect a transient thermistor response to the current pulse, and compare the detected transient thermistor response to an expected transient response. The circuitry may be capable of determining if the thermistor is immersed in a fluid or at least partially located within a fluid-free region based on comparing the detected transient thermistor response to the expected transient response.

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.

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.

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.