Storage battery with integral battery tester

• US 20020010558A1
• Filed: 02/09/2001
• Published: 01/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I., Butteris, Jamey
• Application Number:
  US09/780,146
• Publication Number:
  US 20020010558A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/63
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/374 with means for correcting the measurement for temperature or ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/379 for lead-acid batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 35/005 Calibrating; Standards or reference devices, e.g. voltage or resistance standards, "golden" references G01R33/0035, G01R35/002 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/5044 Cells or batteries structurally combined with cell condition indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A storage battery includes a battery housing and a plurality of electrochemical cells in the battery housing electrically connected in series to a positive terminal of the battery and a negative terminal of the battery. A first connection is coupled to the positive terminal of the battery and a second connection is coupled to the negative terminal of the battery. A battery test module is mounted to the battery housing and electrically coupled to the positive and negative terminals through the respective first and second Kelvin connection. A display or other output is configured to output a battery test result from the battery test module.

Claims

1. A storage battery, comprising:

a battery housing;

a plurality of electrochemical cells in the battery housing electrically connected in series to a positive terminal of the battery and a negative terminal of the battery;

a first Kelvin connection coupled to the positive terminal of the battery;

a second Kelvin connection coupled to the negative terminal of the battery;

a battery test module mounted to the battery housing and electrically coupled to the positive and negative terminals through respective first and second Kelvin connection; and

an output from the test module configured to output a battery test result from the battery test module.

2. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the battery test module is configured to output information stored in a memory.

3. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the test module is attached to the battery after manufacture of the battery.

4. The storage battery of claim 2 wherein the information stored in a memory is output through an electrical connection.

5. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the Kelvin connections are external to the battery housing.

6. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the Kelvin connections are internal to the battery housing.

7. The storage battery of claim 3 wherein the test module is attached to posts of the battery.

8. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the test result is related to battery cold cranking amps (CCA).

9. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the test result is related to a dynamic parameter of the battery.

10. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the dynamic parameter is determined as a function of an electrical load to the battery.

11. The storage battery of claim 1 including a temperature sensor thermally coupled to the battery.

12. The storage battery of claim 11 wherein temperature measurements from the temperature sensor are stored in a memory.

13. The storage battery of claim 11 wherein the battery test result is a function of the measured temperature.

14. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the output comprises at least one LED.

15. The storage battery of claim 1 including a user operable switch configured to initiate output of a battery test result.

16. The storage battery of claim 15 wherein the output battery test result is retrieved from a memory.

17. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein a battery test is performed during periods of non-use of the battery.

18. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the battery test is performed during periods of reduced noise in the battery.

19. The storage battery of claim 14 wherein the at least one LED is turned on and off in a sequence to convey information.

20. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the output comprises an audio output.

21. The storage battery of claim 2 including a switch and wherein information is retrieved from the memory only after receipt of a coded input through the switch.

22. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the output comprises an IR link.

23. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the output comprises an optical output.

24. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the output comprises a hard wire output.

25. The storage battery of claim 1 including an input configured to receive a signal to initiate a battery test.

26. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the output was a proximity communication technique.

27. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the output is modulated onto a terminal of the battery.

28. The storage battery of claim 2 wherein information stored in the memory includes information related to a date.

29. The storage battery of claim 1 including a memory which stores information related to a rating of the battery and the battery test result is a function of the stored information.

30. An auxiliary power system, comprising:

an auxiliary battery;

a battery test module electrically coupled to the auxiliary battery and configured to perform a battery test on the auxiliary battery and responsively provide a battery test output; and

an output configured to output results of the battery test output.