Electrolytic storage cell monitoring system
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring electrolytic parameters of one or more electrolytic storage cells, each storage cell including a plurality of conductive metal plates immersed in an electrolyte, comprising:
- a monitoring module associated with each storage cell, each monitoring module having;
a. one or more sensors attached to the associated storage cell,b. means for making a measurement of the complex impedance of each of the attached sensors at a single predetermined frequency, the complex impedance being a function of frequency and at least one of the electrolytic parameters of the associated storage cell, andc. means for producing signals representative of the electrolytic parameters of the associated storage cell from the measurement of the complex impedance of each attached sensor at the single predetermined frequency;
means for addressing each monitoring module to collect the signals representative of the electrolytic parameters of each storage cell; and
means for processing the collected signals to monitor the electrolytic parameters of each storage cell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Nonintrusive sensors capable of measuring various storage cell parameters such as voltage, state-of-charge, electrolyte level, internal resistance, and temperature are attached to a monitoring module which gathers and processes signals representative of information concerning the condition of electrolytic storage cells and transmits the information to a central computer for further processing. In response to commands issued by the central computer, appropriate maintenance and/or repair operations can be initiated. Alternatively, the system described can be used to automatically perform such maintenance tasks as checking and adding electrolyte levels, reducing the voltage in cells whose output voltage is too high, and leveling the state-of-charge of each cell in an array of electrolytic storage cells. The system can monitor other functions of the electrolytic storage cells, including the evolution of hydrogen gas and the accumulation of sediments in individual electrolytic storage cells.
38 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring electrolytic parameters of one or more electrolytic storage cells, each storage cell including a plurality of conductive metal plates immersed in an electrolyte, comprising:
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a monitoring module associated with each storage cell, each monitoring module having; a. one or more sensors attached to the associated storage cell, b. means for making a measurement of the complex impedance of each of the attached sensors at a single predetermined frequency, the complex impedance being a function of frequency and at least one of the electrolytic parameters of the associated storage cell, and c. means for producing signals representative of the electrolytic parameters of the associated storage cell from the measurement of the complex impedance of each attached sensor at the single predetermined frequency; means for addressing each monitoring module to collect the signals representative of the electrolytic parameters of each storage cell; and means for processing the collected signals to monitor the electrolytic parameters of each storage cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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14. A system for monitoring electrolytic parameters of one or more electrolytic storage cells, comprising:
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a monitoring module attached to each storage cell, each monitoring module having; a. means for generating a signal including at least a single predetermined frequency, b. a sensor attached to the associated storage cell, c. means for coupling the signal to the sensor, d. means for making a measurement of the complex impedance of the sensor at the single predetermined frequency, the complex impedance being a function of frequency and at least one of the electrolytic parameters of the associated storage cell, and e. means for producing signals representative of the electrolytic parameters of the associated storage cell from the measurement of the complex impedance of each attached sensor at the single predetermined frequency; means for addressing each monitoring module to collect the signals representative of the electrolytic parameters of each storage cell; and means for processing the collected signals to monitor the electrolytic parameters of each storage cell. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for monitoring electrolytic parameters of one or more electrolytic storage cells including a plurality of conductive metal plates immersed in an electrolyte, comprising:
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a monitoring module attached to each storage cell, each monitoring module having; a. means for generating a signal including at least a single predetermined frequency, b. coupling means for coupling the signal into each storage cell, c. a sensor attached to the associated storage cell, d. means for measuring the complex impedance of the sensor at the single predetermined frequency, the complex impedance being a function of the electrolytic parameters of the associated storage cell, e. means for producing signals representative of the electrolytic parameters of the associated storage cell; and f. means for sensing the state-of-charge of the associated storage cell, including a multi-turn planar coil lying substantially in a horizontal plane that intersects the plurality of conductive metal plates and the electrolyte of the associated storage cell below its surface; means for addressing each monitoring module to collect the signals representative of the electrolytic condition of each storage cell; and means for processing the collected signals to monitor the condition of each storage cell.
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Specification