Method and Apparatus for Extending Service Life of a Battery Source

• US 20150155736A1
• Filed: 11/30/2013
• Published: 06/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alexander L. Cheng, Ying Sun
• Original Assignee: Alexander L. Cheng, Ying Sun
• Inventors: Sun, Ying, Cheng, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US14/093,416
• Publication Number:
  US 20150155736A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/00 Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere measuring superconductive properties G01R33/1238; testing or measuring semiconductors or solid state devices during manufacture H01L22/00; testing line transmission systems H04B3/46
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0063 with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00714 in response to battery charging or discharging current
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007182 in response to battery voltage

Abstract

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for extending the service life of a battery source by fully utilizing the energy in batteries and/or providing higher energy reserve using multiple batteries. The invention has economical and environmental benefits by reducing waste in batteries in addition to offering convenience and ease of maintenance in battery use. It also benefits the design of devices when replacing batteries is either difficult or impossible. A universal battery bank consists of an ensemble of possibly heterogeneous batteries all connected in series to provide a usable operational energy source. To exploit this power supply that may vary over a wide voltage range, electronics are designed to monitor the individual batteries, guard against excessive voltage and current, and provide constant current sources and/or constant voltage sources for various appliances.

Claims

1. A method of extending service life of a battery source comprising the steps of

a) providing a battery bank comprising one or more batteries connected in series,

b) regulating output voltage of said battery bank, and

c) providing an indication of the status of the battery bank.

3. In the method of extending service life of a battery source according to claim 1, said step of providing a battery bank further comprises providing a battery spacer with a jumper between positive and negative terminals.

4. In the method of extending service life of a battery source according to claim 1, said step of providing a battery bank further comprises providing a battery connector.

5. In the method of extending service life of a battery source according to claim 1, said step of providing a battery bank further comprises providing a carrier spacer for holding one or more smaller sized batteries.

6. In the method of extending service life of a battery source according to claim 1, said step of regulating output voltage of said battery bank further provides cutting off output voltage when voltage level reaches a predetermined threshold comprising the use of a voltage protection circuit.

11. In the method of extending service life of a battery source according to claim 1, further comprises calculating and setting a predetermined threshold by:

(a) monitoring discharge characteristics of said one or more batteries,

(b) comparing said discharge characteristics to a preset value, and

(c) setting said predetermined threshold.

2. A method of extending service life of a battery source comprising the steps of

a) providing a battery bank comprising one or more batteries connected in series,

b) regulating output current of said battery bank, and

c) providing an indication of the status of the battery bank.

7. In the method of extending service lire of a battery source according to claim 2, said step of regulating output current of said battery bank further provides cutting off output current when current level reaches a predetermined threshold comprising the use of a current protection circuit.

8. In the method of extending service life of a battery source according to claim 2, said step of providing a battery bank further comprises providing a battery spacer with a jumper between positive and negative terminals.

9. In the method of extending service life of a battery source according to claim 2, said step of providing a battery bank further comprises providing a battery connector.

10. In the method of extending service life of a battery source according to claim 2, said step of providing a battery bank further comprises providing a battery holder of one or more smaller sized batteries.

12. In the method of extending service life of a battery source according to claim 2, further comprising calculating and setting a predetermined threshold by:

(a) monitoring discharge characteristics of said one or more batteries,

(b) comparing said discharge characteristics to a preset value, and

(c) setting said predetermined threshold.

13. An apparatus for extending service life of a battery source comprising:

(a) a battery bank comprising one or more batteries connected in series;

(b) electronic circuitry to provide constant voltage source, and

(c) an indication of the status of the battery bank.

15. In the apparatus for extending service life of a battery source according to claim 13, said battery bank further comprises a battery spacer with a jumper between positive and negative terminals.

16. In the apparatus of extending service life of a battery source according to claim 13, said battery bank further comprises a battery connector.

17. In the apparatus of extending service life of a battery source according to claim 13, said battery bank further comprises a carrier spacer for holding smaller sized battery.

18. In the apparatus of extending service life of a battery source according to claim 13, said battery bank further comprises a voltage protection circuit to regulate output voltage of said battery bank by cutting off output voltage when voltage level reaches a predetermined threshold.

19. In the apparatus of extending service life of a battery source according to claim 13, further comprises circuitry to calculate and set a predetermined threshold by:

(a) monitoring discharge characteristics of said one or more batteries,

(b) comparing said discharge characteristics to a preset value, and

(c) setting said predetermined threshold.

14. An apparatus for extending service life of a battery source comprising:

(a) a battery bank comprising one or more batteries connected in series;

(b) electronic circuitry to provide constant current source, and

(c) an indication of the status of the battery bank.

20. In the apparatus of extending service life of a battery source according to claim 14, said battery bank further comprises circuitry current protection circuit to regulate output current of said battery bank by cutting off output current when current level reaches a predetermined threshold.