Interface control for storage battery based alternate energy systems
First Claim
1. Interface apparatus for selectively applying power generated by an energy source to a storage battery exhibiting variable battery voltage values including values representing fully charged and predetermined chargeable conditions, said source having given currents and levels of voltage, said apparatus comprising:
- charge switch means actuable between open and closed conditions for electrically coupling said storage battery and said source;
first monitoring means for monitoring said source for the presence of said current and having enable and disable conditions in the respective presence and absence thereof;
second monitoring means for monitoring said source for the presence of said source voltage and said storage battery for said voltage values and having an enable signal when said source voltage level is at least equal with a monitored said battery voltage value;
third monitoring means for monitoring said storage battery and having a charge start output when said battery voltage value represents said predetermined chargeable condition; and
control means responsive to said second monitoring means enable signal and to said third monitoring means charge start output to transition from a non-charge condition to a charge condition for actuating said charge switch means to said closed condition for a predetermined sampling interval of time, responsive to said first monitoring means enable condition in the presence of said second monitoring means enable signal and further in the presence of said third monitoring means charge start output to maintain said charge condition said control means being responsive at the termination of said sampling interval in the absence of said first monitoring means enable condition to actuate said charge switch means from said closed condition to said open condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alternate energy interface control for implementation with utility derived power sources and alternate power sources such as are provided by solar panels, windmills, and the like employed with systems utilizing storage batteries. The system monitors the current level of photovoltaic solar panels within intervals during such panels are connected with the battery storage source and further monitors the voltage levels developed by such panels during normal open circuit conditions thereof. A logic control is provided which monitors alternate source currents and voltage as well as storage battery voltage levels to prioritize the use of available alternate energy sources. Battery charging during periods of alternate power source availability is with a pulsed technique to enhance battery lifespans.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. Interface apparatus for selectively applying power generated by an energy source to a storage battery exhibiting variable battery voltage values including values representing fully charged and predetermined chargeable conditions, said source having given currents and levels of voltage, said apparatus comprising:
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charge switch means actuable between open and closed conditions for electrically coupling said storage battery and said source; first monitoring means for monitoring said source for the presence of said current and having enable and disable conditions in the respective presence and absence thereof; second monitoring means for monitoring said source for the presence of said source voltage and said storage battery for said voltage values and having an enable signal when said source voltage level is at least equal with a monitored said battery voltage value; third monitoring means for monitoring said storage battery and having a charge start output when said battery voltage value represents said predetermined chargeable condition; and control means responsive to said second monitoring means enable signal and to said third monitoring means charge start output to transition from a non-charge condition to a charge condition for actuating said charge switch means to said closed condition for a predetermined sampling interval of time, responsive to said first monitoring means enable condition in the presence of said second monitoring means enable signal and further in the presence of said third monitoring means charge start output to maintain said charge condition said control means being responsive at the termination of said sampling interval in the absence of said first monitoring means enable condition to actuate said charge switch means from said closed condition to said open condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15)
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11. In an electrical power distribution system for a facility having an a.c. powered input, an alternate d.c. power source having given intermittently available levels of voltage and current, battery storage means exhibiting variable battery voltage values including values representing fully charged and predetermined chargeable conditions, an inverter for providing an alternate a.c. power input, and a distribution switch arrangement actuable to alternatively connect and disconnect select said a.c. power inputs with a primary load, an improved interface apparatus comprising:
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charge switch means actuable between open and closed conditions for electrically coupling said battery storage means and said d.c. source; battery voltage sensing means for monitoring said battery storage means battery voltage value and having a sensed battery voltage level output; voltage monitoring means for monitoring said d.c. source for the presence of a said voltage level and said sensed battery voltage level output when said charge switch means is in said open condition and having an enable signal when said d.c. source voltage level is at least equal with a said sensed battery voltage level output; first charge monitoring means for monitoring said battery storage means and having a charge start output when said sensed battery voltage level output represents said predetermined chargeable condition; control means responsive to the occurrence of said voltage monitoring means enable signal with said first charge monitoring means charge start output for transitioning in the presence of an enable condition from a non-charge to a charge condition to effect actuation of said charge switch means to said closed condition and responsive to a disable condition for transitioning from said charge to said non-charge condition to effect actuation of said charge switch means to said open condition; current detector means responsive to the generation of said current by said d.c. source when said charge switch means is in said closed condition and having a current detect signal in the presence thereof; and delay means responsive to said control means charge condition to provide an output representing said enable condition for a predetermined sample interval and providing an output representing said disable condition at the termination of said interval and responsive in the presence of said current detect signal to prevent derivation of said disable condition. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18)
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19. Apparatus for charging a storage battery exhibiting battery voltage values representing fully charged and predetermined chargeable conditions from an energy source having given current and levels of voltage, comprising:
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charge switch means actuable between open and closed conditions for electrically coupling said battery and said source; voltage monitoring means for monitoring said source for the presence of a said voltage level and said battery voltage when said charge switch means is in said open condition and having an enable signal when said source voltage level is at least equal with a said battery voltage value; first charge monitoring means for monitoring said battery and having a charge start output when said battery voltage value represents said predetermined chargeable condition; control means responsive to the occurrence of said voltage monitoring means enable signal with said first charge monitoring means charge start output for transitioning from a non-charge to a charge condition to effect actuation of said charge switch means to said closed condition and responsive to a disable condition for transitioning from said charge to said non-charge condition to effect actuation of said charge swtich means to said open condition; current detector means responsive to the generation of said current by said source when said charge switch means is in said closed condition and having a current detect signal in the presence thereof; and delay means responsive to said control means charge condition for a predetermined sample interval and deriving said disable condition at the termination of said interval and responsive in the presence of said current detect signal to prevent derivation of said disable condition. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. Apparatus for selectively applying power from an energy source to a rechargeable storage battery having an electrolyte and exhibiting variable voltage values including values representing a fully charged condition wherein the gassing potential said electrolyte is approached and a predetermined chargeable condition corresponding with a rest voltage level;
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charge switch means actuable between open and closed conditions for electrically coupling said storage battery and said source; battery voltage sensing means for monitoring said storage battery voltage values and having a sensed battery voltage level output; charge start monitoring means including first reference voltage network means for providing a first reference voltage, and first comparator means responsive to said first reference voltage and to said sensed battery voltage level output for deriving a charge start signal at an output when said sensed battery voltage level output is equal with said first reference voltage; charge stop monitoring means including second reference voltage network means for providing a second reference voltage of predetermined value greater than said first reference voltage, and second comparator means responsive to said second reference voltage and to said sensed battery voltage level output for deriving a charge stop signal at an output when said sensed battery voltage level output is equal wih said second reference voltage, so as to derive a pulsed charging of said battery; and control means responsive to said charge start signal for actuating said charge switch means into said closed condition and responsive to said charge stop signal for causing said charge switch means to derive said open condition, said control means including regulated power supply circuit means including regulating switch means connectable with said storage battery and actuable to provide a pulsed current output, filter means for filtering said pulsed current output to provide a regulated voltage output comparator means having a first input responsive to said regulated voltage output and a second input responsive to said storage battery voltage value for actuating said regulating switch means. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification