Battery management system and apparatus

• US 20050168226A1
• Filed: 12/29/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• 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 7,317,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/426
• 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 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• 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. The OMS™ system employs algorithmic testing to determine whether a particular battery unit needs to be replaced or whether it can be advantageously redeployed. These components work together to provide a platform for managing a large number of perishable, expensive, and geographically dispersed assets.

Claims

1. A battery testing and redeployment notification method comprising the steps of:

identifying batteries and a site for each identified battery;

creating a unique identifier for each identified battery;

testing each identified battery to acquire test results and loading the test results in a computer;

generating a set of matching rules;

the set of matching rules having a plurality of values;

applying the set of matching rules to the test results;

generating a redeployment notification signal based on a comparison of the test results to a value.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of examining each battery for physical indicia of damage.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of values comprises an age value and a float voltage value.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the age value is about 36 months.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a redeployment notification signal comprises instructions for battery replacement keyed to a battery unit to be redeployed.

6. A battery testing and redeployment notification method comprising the steps of:

identifying batteries and a site for each identified battery;

creating a unique identifier for each identified battery;

testing each identified battery to acquire test results and loading the test results in a computer;

generating a set of business rules;

applying the set of business rules to determine battery status;

generating a pass signal;

generating a set of matching rules;

the set of matching rules having a value;

applying the set of matching rules to the test results;

generating a redeployment notification signal based on a comparison of the test results to the value.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of examining each battery for physical indicia of damage to determine battery status.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the value comprises an age value.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the age value is about 36 months.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the value comprises a float voltage value.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein a redeployment notification signal comprises instructions for battery replacement keyed to a battery unit to be redeployed.