Remote battery discharge testing method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of obtaining remotely located operational battery condition data comprising:
- removing charging power from a remotely located battery;
checking the voltage versus time characteristic;
comparing the obtained voltage versus time characteristic against one of a previously obtained voltage versus time characteristic for that remotely located battery or a known good battery of the same type as said remotely located battery; and
providing a warning signal when the comparison exceeds predetermined limits.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus for providing remote testing and monitoring of equipment backup batteries at the location of the batteries. The testing can be accomplished upon command from a remote terminal or remote agent as well as in accordance with predetermined parameters programmed into a processor at the remote site. The test is accomplished using the normal site load while reducing the amplitude of the DC (direct current) output voltage, obtained from an AC (alternating current) rectifier used at the site, from a battery charging “float” level amplitude during the duration of the test. The discharge curve obtained during the test is compared with previous and/or standardized curves to ascertain the condition of the battery tested and/or the likelihood of near future failure of the battery tested.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of obtaining remotely located operational battery condition data comprising:
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removing charging power from a remotely located battery;
checking the voltage versus time characteristic;
comparing the obtained voltage versus time characteristic against one of a previously obtained voltage versus time characteristic for that remotely located battery or a known good battery of the same type as said remotely located battery; and
providing a warning signal when the comparison exceeds predetermined limits.
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2. A method of checking the operational condition of a battery at a remote location comprising:
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maintaining a set of computer generated records of latest and prior battery condition test results at a site in proximity to a battery being tested; and
retrieving at least some portion of said set of test results, over a communication path, to a location remote from the location of the battery being tested.
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3. A method of monitoring the operational condition of a battery at a remote location comprising:
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maintaining a set of computer generated records of latest and prior battery condition test results at a site in proximity to a battery being tested;
comparing the latest record and at least one prior record of test results for differences; and
sending a warning over a communication path to an entity remote from the battery site when a predetermined set of differences is ascertained upon comparison. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. A method of ascertaining the condition of a battery situated at a remote location from a user comprising:
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ascertaining and storing data representing a set of battery voltages at said remote location, while the battery is under a load condition, over a period of time when charging power is not being supplied to said battery for each time that charging power is removed from said battery whereby a history of results is maintained at said remote location;
operationally connecting to a remote computer, via a communication path;
retrieving at least the most recent set of data and one prior set of data;
generating at least one of a graphically visible presentation for each set of data retrieved; and
comparing the presentations presented to determine the condition of the battery as of the latest data collected.
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7. A method of checking the operational condition of a battery at a remote location comprising:
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maintaining a set of computer generated records of latest and prior battery condition test results at a site in proximity to a battery being tested;
comparing the latest obtained record against one of the previously records; and
providing a warning signal over a communication path, to an authorized entity, when differences ascertained in the comparing exceeds predetermined limits.
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8. Apparatus for providing remote testing of backup batteries used in connection with a load normally powered by a rectified AC (alternating current) power source comprising:
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backup battery means;
controllable DC (direct current) voltage supply means operable to normally supply a float voltage to a load and to said backup battery means and, upon command, to supply a lesser amplitude voltage;
control and monitor means operable monitor the voltage of said backup battery means when the battery is being discharged after the voltage supply means to caused to supply said lesser amplitude voltage. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer program product for checking the operational condition of a battery at a remote location, the computer program product having a medium with a computer program embodied thereon, the computer program comprising:
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computer code for maintaining a set of computer generated records of latest and prior battery condition test results at a site in proximity to a battery being tested; and
computer code for retrieving at least some portion of said set of test results, over a communication path, to a location remote from the location of the battery being tested.
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14. A computer program product for ascertaining the condition of a battery situated at a remote location from a user, the computer program product having a medium with a computer program embodied thereon, the computer program comprising:
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computer code for ascertaining and storing data representing a set of battery voltages at said remote location, while the battery is under a load condition, over a period of time when charging power is not being supplied to said battery for each time that charging power is removed from said battery whereby a history of results is maintained at said remote location;
computer code for operationally connecting to a remote computer, via a communication path;
computer code for retrieving at least the most recent set of data and one prior set of data;
computer code for generating at least one of a graphically visible presentation for each set of data retrieved; and
computer code for comparing the presentations presented to determine the condition of the battery as of the latest data collected.
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15. Apparatus for ascertaining the condition of a battery at a site remote from a computer terminal comprising:
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a battery operationally connected to a load;
a controller configured to retrieve test data comprising battery voltage, current and time of test data retrieval;
a remote agent terminal operable to display a graph indicating a battery'"'"'s condition based upon voltage and current data obtained over a period of time;
test actuation means, operable, in response to either one of a remote agent command or a battery site test schedule, to initiate a BDT (battery discharge test) storage means including data pertaining to past BDTs;
comparison means configured to determine present battery condition in relation to at least one of, past BDTs on the battery presently being tested, and stored data obtained from known good and failed batteries; and
communication means operable to transmit BDT data to a requesting remote agent.
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Specification