Battery pack tester and connected app for bluetooth connected smart device

• US 20170315183A1
• Filed: 04/28/2017
• Published: 11/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2016
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Global Technology Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Global Technology Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Chao, Chien-Chih, Rockett, Danny, Murray, Lawrence A.
• Application Number:
  US15/581,955
• Publication Number:
  US 20170315183A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/392 Determining battery ageing or deterioration, e.g. state of health

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for managing and replacing batteries. In particular, a rapid field tester that pairs via Bluetooth with a smart device, such as a mobile phone. The smart device containing an APP that further interfaces with a remote server to provide management of the battery. A user can test their battery and receive a visual indication if the battery passes or fails predetermined conditions. If the battery fails the test, a replacement battery will be automatically sent to the user. All of the test data is logged through the server and provided to the user in order to facilitate effective battery management.

Claims

1. A method of testing a battery state of health comprising the steps of:

measuring a battery isolating barriers that develop at the interface between an electrode and electrolyte by a tester coupled to a smart device;

checking said battery isolating barriers against predicted values for said battery;

indicating on said smart device if said battery is outside said predicted values.

2. The method of testing a battery state of health according to claim 1 wherein smart device indicates a pass condition if within said predicted values or a fail condition if outside said predicted values.

3. The method of testing a battery state of health according to claim 1 wherein said predicted values are adjustable to accommodate battery usage and user operating patterns.

4. The method of testing a battery state of health according to claim 1 including the steps of:

establishing a base level of electrochemical polarization caused by the isolating barriers;

repeat testing of said battery isolating barriers to detect changes from said base level;

displaying a pass/fail condition on the smart device;

replacing said battery upon notice of a fail condition;

wherein said battery is tested, managing and replaced before total failure.

5. The method of testing a battery according to claim 1 wherein said battery isolating barrier is a measurement of the chemical kinetics of corrosion and metal deposition within the battery.

6. The method of testing a battery according to claim 1 wherein said battery is lithium chemistry based.

7. The method of testing a battery state of health according to claim 1 wherein the step of measuring battery isolating barriers is performed by:

placing a temporary known load of voltage and current on the battery terminals and measuring the deformation of voltage bounce back.

8. The method of testing a battery according to claim 1 wherein said step of measuring comprising the steps of:

installing an APP on a smart device, said APP programmed with a database to record battery testing levels;

pairing said smart device with said tester;

selecting a battery model to be tested;

touching probes of said battery with said tester;

sending data collected by said tester to a remote database, said database having preprogrammed levels to determine if the battery is in a failure mode;

reporting battery condition.

9. The method of testing a battery according to claim 2 including the step of automatically sending replacement batteries upon a failure condition.

10. The method of testing a battery according to claim 2 wherein said step of measuring includes a tester having an op-amp that drives a load transistor wherein a feedback voltage is generated, measured and compared across a shunt.