Energy management system for automotive vehicle

• US 20030025481A1
• Filed: 10/29/2001
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kevin I. Bertness
• Original Assignee: Kevin I. Bertness
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I.
• Granted Patent: US 6,909,287 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/155
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3647 for determining the ability of a battery to perform a critical function, e.g. cranking
• 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 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/389 Measuring internal impedance, internal conductance or related variables
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00041 in response to measured battery parameters, e.g. voltage, current or temperature profile
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00712 the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/163 with special means for initiating or limiting the excitation current

Abstract

A battery monitor is provided for use with a battery of an automotive vehicle. The battery monitor can provide real time battery condition measurements and can selectively control the charging of the battery through an alternator of the vehicle based upon the measured battery condition.

Claims

1. A method of charging a battery in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine configured to drive an alternator electrically coupled to the battery and adapted to charge the battery with a charge signal applied to the battery, the method comprising:

coupling to the battery through a four point Kelvin connection;

measuring a dynamic parameter of the battery using the Kelvin connection, the dynamic parameter measurement a function of a time varying signal;

determining a condition of the battery as a function of the measured dynamic parameter; and

controlling the charge signal in response to the determined condition of the battery.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining a condition of the battery includes determining a state of charge of the battery and wherein the charge signal is controlled according to the determined state of charge.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein controlling the charge signal comprises regulating a charging voltage applied to the battery according to the determined condition of the battery.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein controlling the charge signal comprises regulating a charging voltage applied to the battery according to the determined state of charge.

5. An apparatus for monitoring the condition of a storage battery while the storage battery is coupled in parallel to an electrical system of an operating vehicle, comprising:

a first electrical connection directly coupled to a positive terminal of the battery;

a second electrical connection directly coupled to a negative terminal of the battery, the first and second electrical connections coupled to a voltmeter to measure a time varying voltage across the battery;

a third electrical connection directly coupled to the positive terminal of the battery;

a fourth electrical connection directly coupled to a negative terminal of the battery, the third and fourth electrical connections coupled to a forcing function having a time varying component;

a current sensor electrically in series with the battery; and

a microprocessor configured to determine the condition of the battery as a function of a dynamic parameter of the battery based upon the measured voltage, the forcing function and the current sensed by the current sensor.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising an alternator electrically coupled to the battery and adapted to charge the battery with a charge signal applied to the battery in response to an alternator control signal, wherein the alternator control signal is produced by the microprocessor as a function of the dynamic parameter.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the charge signal comprises a charging voltage.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the microprocessor is configured to determine a state of charge of the battery as a function of a dynamic parameter of the battery based upon the measured voltage, the forcing function and the current sensed by the current sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising an alternator electrically coupled to the battery and adapted to charge the battery with a charge signal applied to the battery in response to an alternator control signal, wherein the alternator control signal is produced by the microprocessor as a function of the determined state of charge.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the charge signal comprises a charging voltage.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the microprocessor is further configured to produce a vehicle-performance-parameter control signal based upon the determined state of charge, wherein the vehicle-performance-parameter control signal controls a vehicle performance parameter that affects the magnitude of the charge signal applied to the battery.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the microprocessor is further configured to determine a state of health of the battery as a function of a dynamic parameter of the battery based upon the measured voltage, the forcing function and the current sensed by the current sensor, wherein the apparatus further comprises a computer memory device configured to store data regarding the starting performance of the battery as a function of state of health and state of charge, and wherein the microprocessor is further configured to determine a likelihood that the vehicle will start based upon the determined state of health, the determined state of charge and the stored starting performance data.

13. A method of determining the starring capability of a vehicle, comprising:

determining a state of charge of a vehicle battery;

determining a state of health of the vehicle battery;

determining a previous starting performance of the vehicle under similar conditions to the determined state of charge and state of health; and

determining a likelihood that the vehicle will start based upon the previous starting performance.

14. A method of controlling the charging rate of a vehicle storage battery during operation of the vehicle, comprising:

determining the state of charge of the battery;

charging the battery with a charge signal generated by an alternator; and

controlling a vehicle performance parameter based upon the determined state of charge, wherein the vehicle performance parameter is a parameter that affects the magnitude of the charge signal generated by the alternator.

15. A method of detecting that an initially installed vehicle battery has been replaced with a second vehicle battery, comprising:

measuring a value of a battery performance parameter;

calculating the difference between the measured value of the performance parameter and a predetermined value of the performance parameter; and

determining whether the initially installed vehicle battery has been replaced by a second battery based upon the difference between the measured value of the performance parameter and the predetermined value of the performance parameter.

16. A vehicle storage battery comprising:

a plurality of electrochemical cells, each having a plurality of positive plates and a plurality of negative plates;

an enclosure housing the electrochemical cells and having a positive terminal and a negative terminal disposed thereon;

a first connector electrically coupling adjacent cells to one another and electrically coupled to the positive terminal;

a second connector electrically coupling adjacent cells to one another and electrically coupled to the negative terminal; and

a computer data storage device contained in or coupled to the enclosure and adapted to store information regarding the battery, the storage device further configured to communicate with a device for testing the battery.