New Algorithm to Detect and Quantify Resistance Degradation in the Power Delivery System for Electric Machines

High-power automotive energy delivery systems are known to degrade over time due to environmental stressors like temperature, vibration, humidity, and other corrosive agents. Still, an in-situ monitor of this degradation is difficult due to the noisy electrical environment and the very miniscule changes in resistance in the harness and electrical connections. A new and novel approach using the Clarke and Park transformations for three-phase motor control in combination with a narrow frequency spectrum perturb and observe algorithm provides the perfect methodology for this challenging situation. The data presented proves the accuracy and practicality of this approach for many high-power automotive electrical systems in the areas of prognostics, detection, and safety system robustness.