Electrical Connection Monitoring Using Cable Shielding

Abstract

Systems and methods for electrical connection monitoring using cable shielding are described. For example, a system may include a high-voltage power supply; a first high-voltage cable including a first conductor connected to the high-voltage power supply and a first shielding that encircles the first conductor; a second high-voltage cable including a second conductor connected to the high-voltage power supply and a second shielding that encircles the second conductor; and a continuity detection circuit connected to the first shielding and to the second shielding, wherein the second shielding is connected to the first shielding to form a loop with the continuity detection circuit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 applying a voltage to a shielding of a cable;   monitoring connectivity of the cable by sensing changes in current flow through the shielding of the cable, wherein the current flow through the shielding of the cable returns via a chassis of a vehicle; and   responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity of the cable, stopping current flow from a power supply through a conductor of the cable that is encircled by the shielding.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein monitoring connectivity of the cable comprises:
 detecting a state from among a set of states including an open circuit state and a state indicating a short circuit of the shielding to the chassis of the vehicle.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising:
 responsive to detection of a state indicating a short circuit of the shielding to the chassis of the vehicle, stopping current flow to many adjacent load modules in the vehicle.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising:
 responsive to detection of an open circuit state, stopping current flow to a single load module while continuing to allow current flow to other load modules in the vehicle.   
     
     
         5 . A method comprising:
 applying a voltage to a shielding of a cable; and   monitoring connectivity of the cable by sensing changes in current flow through the shielding of the cable.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising:
 responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity of the cable, stopping current flow from a power supply through a conductor of the cable that is encircled by the shielding.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising:
 responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity of the cable, presenting a warning message or a maintenance needed prompt to user via a user interface.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein monitoring connectivity of the cable comprises:
 detecting a state from among a set of states including an open circuit state and a state indicating a short circuit of the shielding to a chassis of a vehicle.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising:
 responsive to detection of a state indicating a short circuit of the shielding to the chassis of the vehicle, stopping current flow to many adjacent load modules in the vehicle.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , comprising:
 responsive to detection of an open circuit state, stopping current flow to a single load module while continuing to allow current flow to other load modules in the vehicle.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the voltage applied to the shielding is at least a factor often smaller than high voltage applied to a conductor of the cable that is encircled by the shielding. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the cable is an Ethernet cable. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the current flow through the shielding of the cable returns via a chassis of a vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the voltage applied to the shielding is 5 volts or lower. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the voltage applied to the shielding is a direct current voltage. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein monitoring connectivity of the cable comprises:
 detecting a disruption of continuity when an indication of current flow through the shielding deviates from an expected value by more than a threshold amount for more than a threshold period of time.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the indication of current flow through the shielding is a measured voltage in a continuity detection circuit connected to the shielding. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 applying a voltage to a shielding of a cable;   monitoring connectivity of the cable by sensing changes in current flow through the shielding of the cable, wherein the voltage applied to the shielding is at least a factor often smaller than high voltage applied to a conductor of the cable that is encircled by the shielding; and   responsive to detection of a disruption of continuity of the cable, stopping current flow from a power supply through a conductor of the cable that is encircled by the shielding.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein monitoring connectivity of the cable comprises:
 detecting a disruption of continuity when an indication of current flow through the shielding deviates from an expected value by more than a threshold amount for more than a threshold period of time.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the indication of current flow through the shielding is a measured voltage in a continuity detection circuit connected to the shielding.