Patent ID: 9645186
Date: 2017-05-09
CPC Classifications: B60L,G01R,Y02T

Claim:
1. A method for characterizing an electrical connection between an energy storage device of an electrical or hybrid vehicle and an external power supply, said method comprising: in said vehicle, receiving an alternating waveform from said power supply; determining a fundamental frequency of said waveform; determining that said waveform is distorted if a frequency of said waveform is different from said fundamental frequency, or if transients or pulses deviating from the fundamental frequency are detected in said waveform; and if it is determined that said waveform is distorted, integrating a portion of said waveform, determining an average amplitude of said integrated portion, and if a difference between said average amplitude exceeds a reference amplitude, determining that the waveform is distorted and that said distortion is an indication of a loose connection between said vehicle and said power supply; and if a transient of said waveform is identified, and if said transient has a slope different from a slope of said waveform at said fundamental frequency, determining that said distortion is an indication of a loose connection between said vehicle and said power supply.