POWER PACK PARTIAL FAILURE DETECTION AND REMEDIAL CHARGING CONTROL
First Claim
1. A method for controlling power pack charging, the method comprising:
- performing the following with a processor;
determining at least one parameter of a charging current provided to a rechargeable power pack, the rechargeable power pack comprising a plurality of component power packs, the charging current being provided for a time duration;
estimating a measured capacity change quantity for the rechargeable power pack during the time duration;
comparing, after the time duration, the measured capacity change quantity to an expected capacity change quantity, the expected capacity change quantity based upon the at least one parameter;
determining, based on a difference between the measured capacity change quantity and the expected capacity change quantity, that at least one component power pack has failed, the at least one component power pack comprising fewer than all of the plurality of component power packs; and
modifying a charging current parameter in response to the determining that the at least one component power pack has failed.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods to detect a failure of a subset of component power packs within a multiple component rechargeable power pack. At least one parameter of a charging current that is provided for a time duration to a rechargeable power pack is determined. A measured capacity change quantity for the rechargeable power pack during the time duration is estimated. The measured capacity change quantity is compared, after the time duration, to an expected capacity change quantity that is based upon the at least one parameter. A determination is made that at least one component power pack within the rechargeable power pack has failed based on a difference between the measured capacity change quantity and the expected capacity change quantity. A charging current parameter is modified in response to the determining that the at least one component power pack has failed.
22 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for controlling power pack charging, the method comprising:
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performing the following with a processor; determining at least one parameter of a charging current provided to a rechargeable power pack, the rechargeable power pack comprising a plurality of component power packs, the charging current being provided for a time duration; estimating a measured capacity change quantity for the rechargeable power pack during the time duration; comparing, after the time duration, the measured capacity change quantity to an expected capacity change quantity, the expected capacity change quantity based upon the at least one parameter; determining, based on a difference between the measured capacity change quantity and the expected capacity change quantity, that at least one component power pack has failed, the at least one component power pack comprising fewer than all of the plurality of component power packs; and modifying a charging current parameter in response to the determining that the at least one component power pack has failed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for charging a power pack, the apparatus comprising:
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a power pack charging monitor configured to determine at least one parameter of a charging current provided to a rechargeable power pack, the rechargeable power pack comprising a plurality of component power packs, the charging current being provided for a time duration; a power pack capacity monitor configured to estimate a measured capacity change quantity for the rechargeable power pack during the time duration; and a power pack charging controller configured to; compare, after the time duration, the measured capacity change quantity to an expected capacity change quantity, the expected capacity change quantity based upon the at least one parameter; determine, based on a difference between the measured capacity change quantity and the expected capacity change quantity, that at least one component power pack has failed, the at least one component power pack comprising fewer than all of the plurality of component power packs; and modify a charging current parameter in response to the determining that the at least one component power pack has failed. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code comprising instructions for:
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determining at least one parameter of a charging current provided to a rechargeable power pack, the rechargeable power pack comprising a plurality of component power packs, the charging current being provided for a time duration; estimating a measured capacity change quantity for the rechargeable power pack during the time duration; comparing, after the time duration, the measured capacity change quantity to an expected capacity change quantity, the expected capacity change quantity based upon the at least one parameter; determining, based on a difference between the measured capacity change quantity and the expected capacity change quantity, that at least one component power pack has failed, the at least one component power pack comprising fewer than all of the plurality of component power packs; and modifying a charging current parameter in response to the determining that the at least one component power pack has failed. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A portable electronic device, comprising:
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a housing; a rechargeable power pack, contained within the housing, the rechargeable power pack comprising a plurality of component power packs; an operating circuit, contained within the housing, operating with power obtained from the power pack; a power pack charging monitor, contained within the housing, configured to determine at least one parameter of a charging current provided to the rechargeable power pack, the charging current being provided for a time duration; power pack capacity monitor, contained within the housing, configured to estimate a measured capacity change quantity for the rechargeable power pack during the time duration; and a power pack charging controller, contained within the housing, configured to; compare, after the time duration, the measured capacity change quantity to an expected capacity change quantity, the expected capacity change quantity based upon the at least one parameter; determine, based on a difference between the measured capacity change quantity and the expected capacity change quantity, that at least one component power pack has failed, the at least one component power pack comprising fewer than all of the plurality of component power packs; and modify a charging current parameter in response to the determining that the at least one component power pack has failed. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification