Method and apparatus for acquiring battery temperature measurements using stereographic or single sensor thermal imaging
First Claim
1. A battery charger, comprising:
- a module having electrical contacts configured to deliver energy to a battery;
charging circuitry configured to deliver the energy to the electrical contacts and charge the battery; and
at least one infrared sensor configured to sense a temperature of a portion of the battery and generate a signal indicative of the temperature, the charging circuitry charging the battery as a function of the signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for acquiring battery temperature measurements using stereographic thermal imaging sensors or a simple single thermal imaging sensor which can detect increases in battery heat within the field of view of any single thermal sensor, or any combination of a plurality of thermal imaging sensors is presented. Infrared Detection (ID) using the thermal imaging sensor (pyrometer) is used to focus on certain parts of a housing thereby providing an ability to “see through” or “partially see through” the battery housing to battery cells enclosed by the battery housing. Advantageously, this affords the unique capability of measuring the battery temperature before heat propagates from an individual battery cell or a plurality of battery cells to the battery housing, allowing faster heat gradient detection. Moreover, universality of battery temperature monitoring is achieved by elimination of proprietary communication between the manufacturer of the battery and the charger.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A battery charger, comprising:
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a module having electrical contacts configured to deliver energy to a battery; charging circuitry configured to deliver the energy to the electrical contacts and charge the battery; and at least one infrared sensor configured to sense a temperature of a portion of the battery and generate a signal indicative of the temperature, the charging circuitry charging the battery as a function of the signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of charging a battery, comprising the steps of:
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sensing a portion of a battery using at least one infrared detector generating a signal; and charging the battery as a function of the signal. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification