Method of determining battery life

• US 4,438,182 A
• Filed: 09/30/1982
• Issued: 03/20/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Inventors: Papazian, Harold A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Skapars, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US06/431,496
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 429/91, 429/50, 429/90, 429/92, 429/93
• US Class Current: 429/91
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/484 for measuring electrolyte level, electrolyte density or electrolyte conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/50 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance, e.g. for maintaining operating temperature constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method of determining battery life is shown wherein a dielectric constant sensor measures the dielectric constant value of the electrolyte of the battery. The measured dielectric constant value is compared to empirical values to provide battery status. In particular, a fluid electrolyte initially composed of thionyl chloride changes during discharge or aging to an electrolyte having sulfur monochloride therein. Based upon the changes in dielectric constant between the initial fully charged state to the fully discharged state, the battery status is obtained.

Claims

1. A method of determining the status of a battery comprising the steps of:

measuring a dielectric constant of an electrolyte of the battery;

comparing the dielectric constant obtained during said measuring to predetermined values, the predetermined values indicating battery status at the measured dielectric constant; and

outputting the status of the battery based upon said step of comparing the measured dielectric constant to said predetermined values.

2. A method of determining the status of a battery as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrolyte is a fluid.

4. A method of determining the status of a battery as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of measuring occurs when said battery is not discharging.

3. A method of determining the status of a battery as defined in claim 3 wherein said fluid is initially composed of thionyl chloride.