Method and apparatus for supervising battery energy level
First Claim
1. In a circuit for supervising the energy level of a battery, means for periodically loading the battery to subject the battery to a momentarily increased current flow, means for monitoring the change in voltage across the battery from the condition prior to loading to during loading, and means for generating a signal whenever the change in voltage is at least equal to a predetermined magnitude, the change in voltage being equal to at least the predetermined magnitude only whenever the energy level of the battery decreases to at least a selected level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for supervising the energy level of a battery is characterized by circuitry for periodically loading the battery, monitoring the change in voltage across the battery from the condition prior to loading to during loading, and generating a signal whenever the change in voltage is at least equal to a predetermined magnitude. In one embodiment the apparatus is used with a fire detector powered by the battery, and the signal operates an alarm to indicate impending battery failure.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. In a circuit for supervising the energy level of a battery, means for periodically loading the battery to subject the battery to a momentarily increased current flow, means for monitoring the change in voltage across the battery from the condition prior to loading to during loading, and means for generating a signal whenever the change in voltage is at least equal to a predetermined magnitude, the change in voltage being equal to at least the predetermined magnitude only whenever the energy level of the battery decreases to at least a selected level.
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2. In a circuit for supervising the energy level of a battery, means for periodically loading the battery to subject it to a momentarily increased current flow;
- means for generating a first voltage signal, and means for comparing the magnitude of said first signal with the magnitude of the change in the output voltage of the battery from the condition prior to loading to during loading and for generating a second voltage signal whenever the magnitude of the battery voltage change is at least equal to the magnitude of said first signal, the magnitude of the battery voltage change being at least equal to the magnitude of said first signal only whenever the energy level of the battery decreases to at least a selected level.
- View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
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6. In a circuit for supervising the energy level of a battery, means for periodically loading the battery to momentarily subject it to an increased current flow;
- means for generating a first voltage signal;
means for generating a second voltage signal having a magnitude substantially equal to the difference in output voltage of the battery from the condition prior to loading to during loading, and means for comparing the magnitudes of said first and second signals and for generating a third voltage signal whenever their difference in magnitudes is at least equal to a predetermined value, said difference in magnitudes being at least equal to said predetermined value only whenever the energy level of the battery decreases below a selected level. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- means for generating a first voltage signal;
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16. In a battery powered detecting device having supervision of the energy level of the battery, means for detecting the occurrence of a predetermined phenomenon and for generating a first voltage signal in response thereto;
- means for periodically loading the battery to subject it to a momentarily increased current flow;
means for generating a second voltage signal;
means for generating a third voltage signal having a magnitude substantially equal to the difference in output voltage of the battery from the condition prior to loading to during loading;
means for comparing the magnitudes of said control and third signals and for generating a fourth voltage signal whenever their difference in magnitudes is at least equal to a predetermined value, said difference in magnitudes being equal to at least said predetermined value only when the energy level of the battery decreases to at least a selected level, and alarm means connected to receive said first and said fourth signals for generating sensually discermible indications representative thereof. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
- means for periodically loading the battery to subject it to a momentarily increased current flow;
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24. In a method of supervising the energy level of a battery, periodically loading the battery to subject the battery to a momentarily increased current flow;
- monitoring the change in voltage across the battery from the condition prior to loading to during loading, and generating a signal whenever the change in voltage is at least equal to a predetermined magnitude, the change in voltage being at least equal to the predetermined magnitude only whenever the energy level of the battery decreases to a selected level.
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25. In a method of monitoring the energy level of a battery, periodically loading the battery to subject it to a momentarily increased current flow;
- generating a first voltage signal;
generating a second voltage signal having a magnitude substantially equal to the magnitude of the change in output voltage of the battery from the condition prior to loading to the condition during loading, and comparing the magnitudes of the first and second signals and generating a third voltage signal whenever their difference in magnitudes is at least to a predetermined value, said difference being at least equal to said predetermined value whenever said energy level of said battery decreases to at least a selected level. - View Dependent Claims (26)
- generating a first voltage signal;
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27. In a method of monitoring the energy level of a battery, periodically loading the battery to subject it to a momentarily increased current flow;
- generating a first voltage signal;
generating a second voltage signal having a ma gnitude substantially equal to the change in battery output voltage from the condition prior to loading to during loading;
adding said second signal to said first signal to change the magnitude of said first signal by the magnitude of said second signal, and sensing the magnitude of said first signal and generating a third signal whenever the magnitude thereof has been changed by at least a predetermined amount, said magnitude of said first signal being changed by at least said predetermined amount whenever the energy level of the battery decreases to a selected level. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
- generating a first voltage signal;
Specification