Battery management system and apparatus

• US 20050149279A1
• Filed: 12/30/2003
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Askality, LLC
• Original Assignee: BatteryCorp, Inc.
• Inventors: Quint, Jonathan B., Dworkin, Steven H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,003,431 B2
• 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 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• 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: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The invention relates to the management of large stationary batteries. The invention is a comprehensive process for the management of stationary batteries that are used for backup power and are deployed in widely dispersed locations. The OMS™ (Optimization Management System) solution is comprised of Mega-Tags (preferably serialized bar-coded identification labels), a battery testing and data acquisition device, and web-based software. These components work together to provide a platform for managing a large number of perishable, expensive, and geographically dispersed assets.

Claims

1. A battery management system comprising:

a tag associated with a battery;

said tag bearing a unique identifier;

a battery tester for performing tests on said battery;

said battery tester having an input for capturing said unique identifier;

a communication interface between said battery tester and a computer network;

a server having a database for storing battery-related data associated with said unique identifier transmitted over said computer network.

2. The battery management system of claim 1, wherein said unique identifier is in the form of a bar code.

3. The battery management system of claim 2, wherein said input of said battery tester is a bar code reader.

4. The battery management system of claim 1, wherein said battery-related data comprises:

said unique identifier;

a date and a time of a battery test;

an indication of test type;

a test measurement value;

a voltage reading.

5. The battery management system of claim 4, wherein said battery-related data further comprises an ambient temperature reading.

6. The battery management system of claim 4, wherein said battery-related data further comprises a battery temperature reading.

7. The battery management system of claim 4, wherein said battery-related data further comprises a strap measurement value.

8. The battery management system of claim 4, wherein said battery-related data further comprises battery recycling information.

9. A battery management system comprising:

a tag associated with a battery;

said tag bearing a unique identifier;

a battery tester for performing tests on said battery;

said battery tester having an input for capturing said unique identifier;

a communication interface between said battery tester and a computer network;

a server having a database for storing battery-related data associated with said unique identifier transmitted over said computer network;

software for generating a report from said battery-related data;

said server having a port for outputting said report to said computer network.

10. The battery management system of claim 9, wherein said software comprises an automatic notification feature that transmits said report automatically upon input of said battery-related data.

11. The battery management system of claim 9, wherein said battery tester is interfaced with a server having a network communication pathway, storing said battery-related data and selectively transmitting the battery-related data across the network communication pathway and receiving data from the network communication pathway for transmission to a user.

12. The battery management system of claim 9, wherein said server communicates over said computer network to a manufacturer website and transmits battery-related data.

13. The battery management system of claim 9, wherein said unique identifier is in the form of a bar code.

14. The battery management system of claim 13, wherein said input of said battery tester is a bar code reader.

15. The battery management system of claim 9, wherein said battery-related data comprises:

a date and a time of a battery test;

an indication of test type;

a test measurement value;

a voltage reading.

16. The battery management system of claim 15, wherein said battery-related data further comprises an ambient temperature reading.

17. The battery management system of claim 15, wherein said battery-related data further comprises a battery temperature reading.

18. The battery management system of claim 15, wherein said battery-related data further comprises a strap measurement value.

19. The battery management system of claim 15, wherein said battery-related data further comprises battery recycling information.

20. A battery testing device for use in a battery management system, comprising:

a housing having a tester for obtaining test data concerning a battery;

a bar code reader in communication with said tester for capturing a unique identifier associated with said battery, said unique identifier bourn by a bar code associated with said battery;

a communication port for transmitting said test data from said tester.

21. The battery testing device of claim 20, further comprising a thermometer in operable communication with said tester for transmitting a temperature reading of said battery.

22. A battery management process comprising the steps of:

associating a tag with a battery, said tag bearing a unique identifier;

inputting said unique identifier into said battery tester;

performing tests on said battery with a battery tester;

generating test data with said battery tester;

associating said test data with said unique identifier;

uploading said test data to a computer network;

storing said test data in a database.

23. The battery management process of claim 22, further comprising the steps of:

generating a report from said test data;

outputting said report to said computer network.

24. The battery management system of claim 23, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting said report automatically upon input of said test data from said computer network.