System and Method for Monitoring Electrolyte Levels in a Battery
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Abstract
A measuring device is used in conjunction with a programmable controller for monitoring electrolyte levels in the battery. According to one implementation, the measuring device is located in a battery and is configured to detect when the electrolyte level in the battery falls below a particular level. The controller is in electrical communication with the electrolyte detection device. The controller is configured to: (i) receive a signal from the electrolyte level detection device indicating when the electrolyte level in the battery has fallen below the particular level; (ii) introduce a wait-period after the signal is received; and (iii) enable an indicator to indicate that the electrolyte level in the battery should be refilled when the wait-period expires.
5 Citations
67 Claims
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1-43. -43. (canceled)
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44. A method of monitoring an electrolyte level in a battery having plates immersed within the electrolyte, said method comprising:
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(a) detecting when the electrolyte level in the battery has fallen below a first level due to a loss of electrolyte, said first level being above a second level which is the lowest safe level of electrolyte for the battery; (b) introducing a wait-period after satisfaction of step (a), said wait period providing an amount of time for the electrolyte to fall further below said first level but not fall below said second level; and (c) providing an indication after the wait-period expires. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 63, 64)
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58. An apparatus for monitoring an electrolyte level in a battery cell, comprising:
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an electrolyte detection member positionable in the cell and configured to detect when the electrolyte level in the cell falls below a first level, said first level being above a second level which is the lowest safe level of electrolyte for the cell; a controller, coupled to the electrolyte detection member, configured to (i) introduce a first wait-period when the electrolyte level in the battery is detected to have fallen below the first level, said wait period providing time for the electrolyte to fall further below said first level but not fall below said second level; and
(ii) provide an indication after the wait-period expires; andan indicator in communication with said controller to be enabled thereby. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62)
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65. A method of monitoring an electrolyte level in a battery cell having plates immersed within an electrolyte, said method comprising:
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(a) detecting when the electrolyte level in the battery cell has fallen below a first level due to a loss of the electrolyte, said first level being above a second level which is the lowest safe level of electrolyte for the battery cell; (b) initiating a wait-period after satisfaction of step (a), said wait-period comprising at least about 1 hour; and (c) providing an indication after the wait-period expires. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67)
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Specification