In-situ Battery Monitoring System

• US 20140300363A1
• Filed: 04/04/2013
• Published: 10/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Thomas, Terrance L., Schaffner, Lowell W., Borumand, Mori M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,753,979 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/426
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/008 on air- or spacecraft, railway rolling stock or sea-going vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/11 using pulse reflection methods
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/382 Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/389 Measuring internal impedance, internal conductance or related variables
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/392 Determining battery ageing or deterioration, e.g. state of health
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system, method, and apparatus for battery monitoring. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves injecting at least one test signal into a battery, and receiving at least one response signal from the battery. In one or more embodiments, the response signal(s) comprises at least one reflected signal. The method further involves comparing, with at least one processor, the response signal(s) with at least one baseline signal to produce at least one comparison signal. Also, the method involves detecting, with at least one processor, at least one anomaly within the battery by using the comparison signal(s). Further, the method involves determining, with at least one processor, a location at least one anomaly within the battery by using the comparison signal(s).

Claims

1. A method for battery monitoring, the method comprising:

injecting at least one test signal into a battery;

receiving at least one response signal from the battery,

wherein the at least one response signal comprises at least one reflected signal;

comparing, with at least one processor, the at least one response signal with at least one baseline signal to produce at least one comparison signal;

detecting, with the at least one processor, at least one anomaly within the battery by using the at least one comparison signal; and

determining, with the at least one processor, a location of the at least one anomaly within the battery by using the at least one comparison signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises at least one of at least one battery cell and at least one battery case.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one test signal is injected into at least one of at least one anode of the at least one battery cell, at least one cathode of the at least one battery cell, and the at least one battery case.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one test signal is at least one of a radio frequency (RF) signal and a high frequency signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises generating, with at least one signal generator, the at least one test signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one test signal is coded with a code.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the code is one of a pseudorandom number code and a gold code.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one test signal is a spread-spectrum modulated signal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the spread-spectrum signal is a chirped signal.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises decoding, with at least one decoder, the at least one response signal.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the injecting of the at least one test signal into the battery is performed by at least one transmitter.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving of the at least one response signal from the battery is performed by at least one receiver.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one baseline signal is a function of at least one of an expected voltage for the battery, an expected temperature for the battery, and an expected impedance profile for the battery.

14. A system for battery monitoring, the system comprising:

at least one transmitter to inject at least one test signal into a battery;

at least one receiver to receive at least one response signal from the battery,

wherein the at least one response signal comprises at least one reflected signal; and

at least one processor to compare the at least one response signal with at least one baseline signal to produce at least one comparison signal, to detect at least one anomaly within the battery by using the at least one comparison signal, and to determine a location of the at least one anomaly within the battery by using the at least one comparison signal.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the battery comprises at least one of at least one battery cell and at least one battery case.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one transmitter is to inject the at least one test signal into at least one of at least one anode of the at least one battery cell, at least one cathode of the at least one battery cell, and the at least one battery case.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one test signal is at least one of a radio frequency (RF) signal and a high frequency signal.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the system further comprises at least one signal generator to generate the at least one test signal.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one test signal is coded with a code.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the code is one of a pseudorandom number code and a gold code.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one test signal is a spread-spectrum modulated signal.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the spread-spectrum signal is a chirped signal.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the system further comprises at least one decoder to decode the at least one response signal.

24. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one baseline signal is a function of at least one of an expected voltage for the battery, an expected temperature for the battery, and an expected impedance profile for the battery.