Automated programmable battery balancing system and method of use

• US 10,263,455 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2016
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: B&B Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: B&B Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: Brookshire, Bruce Garnett, Shirvaikar, Mukul, Lindsey, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Pelton, Nathaniel
• Application Number:
  US15/185,874
• Publication Number:
  US 20170366020A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 320134, 307 43, 307 46, 307 48, 307 66, 307 80, 307 85, 307 86
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00022 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00024 by means of mobile telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00026 involving a local wireless network, e.g. Wi-Fi, ZigBee or Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/18 The network being internal to a power source or plant
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0025 Sequential battery discharge in systems with a plurality of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0063 with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007182 in response to battery voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/70 Smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the energy generation sector
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/123 the energy generation units being or involving renewable energy sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 using wireless data transmission

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a programmable controller for monitoring battery performance and usage at a remote pump jack location. The disclosure provides an energy efficient controller and display system which allows the operator to quickly and accurately test batteries in an installation. It uses programmable logic to switch between system modes and decide which battery supplies power to the output. Further it will sense any high voltages at and disable the input from the faulty source. Further, the programmable logic is designed such that the mode selection process is automatic when the system is in operation. The purpose is to elongate battery and connected equipment life by preventing battery failure. The present disclosure also provides an easy and economical method of communicating potential battery failure and status to an operator via cell phone communication.

Claims

1. A system for balancing power supplied to a load by a first battery through a first switch, and a second battery through a second switch, comprising:

a microcontroller;

a memory connected to the microcontroller;

a first sensor connected to the microcontroller and the first battery;

the first battery connected to the first switch;

a second sensor connected to the microcontroller and the second battery;

the second battery connected to the second switch;

the microcontroller configured to;

measure a first voltage level of the first battery with the first sensor;

measure a second voltage level of the second battery with the second sensor;

compare the first voltage level and the second voltage level to a voltage table to determine a system mode;

set the first switch according to the system mode;

set the second switch according to the system mode;

whereby one of the group of the first battery, the second battery and a combination of the first battery and the second battery is connected to the load;

wherein the voltage table comprises;

a first set of voltage ranges related to the first battery;

a second set of voltage ranges related to the second battery; and

,

a set of system modes corresponding to at least one voltage range from the first set of voltage ranges and at least one voltage range from the second set of voltage ranges;

wherein the set of system modes comprises;

a first system mode wherein one condition is met of the group of;

the first voltage level is between about 11.5 and about 16 volts and the second voltage level is between about 12.16 and about 16 volts; and

,

the first voltage level is between about 12.16 and about 16 volts and the second voltage level is between about 11.5 and about 12.16 volts;

a second system mode wherein the first voltage level is between about 11.5 and about 12.16 volts and the second voltage level is between about 11.5 and about 12.16 volts;

a third system mode wherein;

the first voltage level is between about 11.5 and about 16 volts and the second voltage level is between about 0 and about 11.5 volts or above about 16 volts;

a fourth system mode wherein;

the first voltage level is between about 0 and about 11.5 volts or above about 16 volts and the second voltage level is between about 11.5 and about 16 volts, and,

a fifth system mode wherein;

the first voltage level is between about 0 and about 11.5 volts or above about 16 volts and the second voltage level is between about 0 and about 11.5 volts or above about 16 volts.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to:

set the first switch and the second switch to supply power to the load from the first battery in the third system mode; and

,

set the first switch and the second switch to supply power to the load from the second battery in the fourth system mode.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to:

set the first switch and the second switch to alternate a supply power to the load from the first battery and the second battery in the first system mode; and

,

set the first switch and the second switch to supply power to the load from either the first battery or the second battery dependent on the first voltage level is and the second voltage level is in the second system mode;

set the first switch and the second switch to supply power to the load from both the first battery and the second battery in the third system mode.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a fourth system mode wherein;

the first voltage level is between about 11.5 and about 16 volts and the second voltage level is between about 0 and about 11.5 volts or above about 16 volts;

a fifth system mode wherein;

the first voltage level is between about 0 and about 11.5 volts or above about 16 volts and the second voltage level is between about 11.5 and about 16 volts; and

,

a sixth system mode wherein;

the first voltage level is between about 0 and about 11.5 volts or above about 16 volts and the second voltage level is between about 0 and about 11.5 volts or above about 16 volts.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the processor is further configured to:

set the first switch and the second switch to supply power from the first battery in the fourth system mode; and

,

set the first switch and the second switch to supply power from the second battery in the fifth system mode.

6. A method for balancing the power supplied to a load from a first battery and a second battery comprising:

measuring a first voltage level from the first battery;

measuring a second voltage level from the second battery;

determining a system mode by comparing the first voltage level and the second voltage level to a voltage look-up table;

setting a first switch connected between the first battery and the load, according to the system mode;

setting a second switch connected between the second battery and the load, according to the system mode; and

,

wherein the system mode comprises a first system mode and a second system mode;

wherein the first system mode further comprises one of the group of;

the first voltage level is one of the group of V0, V25, V50, V75, V100, and VCHARGING and the second voltage level is one of the group of V75, V100, and VCHARGING; and

,

the first voltage level is one of the group of V75, V100, and VCHARGING and the second voltage level is one of the group of V0, V25, and V50; and

wherein the second system mode further comprises the first voltage level is one of the group of V0, V25, and V50 and the second voltage level is one of the group of V0, V25, and V50;

where;

V0 is between about 0.0 and about 2.0 volts;

V25 is between about 11.5 and about 11.62 volts;

V50 is between about 11.86 and about 12.16 volts;

V75 is between about 12.16 and about 12.49 volts;

V100 is between about 12.49 and about 12.75 volts; and

,

VCHARGING is between about 17.75 and about 16.0 volts.