Method and system for battery charging and testing with semi-automatic calibration
First Claim
1. A system for calibrating each of a plurality of electrical circuits used to charge and test a plurality of battery cells, comprising:
- a memory device for storing data representative of operational characteristics for each battery cell and each electrical circuit;
charging and testing means including a data processing circuit electrically connected to said memory device for performing a sequence of operations on data stored in said memory device;
at least one calibration tray having a first electrically conductive contact plate and a second electrically conductive contact plate that is electrically insulated from the first contact plate;
means for electrically connecting said contact plates to each of said electrical circuits used to test and charge said battery cell;
calibration circuitry for generating one or more known calibration standards, said calibration circuitry being electrically connected to said contact plates and said charging and testing means, said data processing circuit actuating said calibration circuitry to alternately apply one of the calibration standards to said contact plates, said charging and testing means monitoring and evaluating operational characteristics for each electrical circuit based upon the calibration standard applied to said contact plates by said calibration circuitry, and generating one or more correction factors to be applied to each electrical circuit during charging and testing of the battery cells based upon the operational characteristics of each electrical circuit when connected to said contact plates via said electrical connecting means, said data processing circuit storing data representative of operational characteristics and correction factors for each electrical circuit in said memory device, said data processing circuit applying appropriate correction factors to each electrical circuit during subsequent testing and charging of each battery cell; and
at least one cell rack module, each cell rack module being adapted to removably receive and support one of said calibration trays therein.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system is provided for calibrating a plurality of electrical circuits used to charge and test a plurality of battery cells. An improved cell rack module includes at least one movable platen having a plurality of pin assemblies removably secured thereto. The movable platen is slidably movable within the cell rack module between an extended position or a retracted position. Extension mechanisms are used to force the movable platen into the extended position during calibration, charging and testing procedures, and retraction mechanisms return the platen to the retracted position when the extension mechanisms are not actuated. When the movable platen is in the extended position, the pin assemblies are maintained in electrical contact with either the battery cells associated with a conventional cell tray or contact plates associated with a calibration tray. In this situation, the pin assemblies allow for current and voltage signal transmission between charging and testing circuitry and the battery cells or contact plates. Each pin assembly can be quickly and easily disconnected from the movable platen and replaced if it becomes damaged or worn out. Each calibration tray includes control circuitry that is electrically connected to the charging and testing circuitry via certain pin assemblies. The control circuitry allows for selective application of one or more known calibration standards across the contact plates during the calibration procedures.
21 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for calibrating each of a plurality of electrical circuits used to charge and test a plurality of battery cells, comprising:
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a memory device for storing data representative of operational characteristics for each battery cell and each electrical circuit; charging and testing means including a data processing circuit electrically connected to said memory device for performing a sequence of operations on data stored in said memory device; at least one calibration tray having a first electrically conductive contact plate and a second electrically conductive contact plate that is electrically insulated from the first contact plate; means for electrically connecting said contact plates to each of said electrical circuits used to test and charge said battery cell; calibration circuitry for generating one or more known calibration standards, said calibration circuitry being electrically connected to said contact plates and said charging and testing means, said data processing circuit actuating said calibration circuitry to alternately apply one of the calibration standards to said contact plates, said charging and testing means monitoring and evaluating operational characteristics for each electrical circuit based upon the calibration standard applied to said contact plates by said calibration circuitry, and generating one or more correction factors to be applied to each electrical circuit during charging and testing of the battery cells based upon the operational characteristics of each electrical circuit when connected to said contact plates via said electrical connecting means, said data processing circuit storing data representative of operational characteristics and correction factors for each electrical circuit in said memory device, said data processing circuit applying appropriate correction factors to each electrical circuit during subsequent testing and charging of each battery cell; and at least one cell rack module, each cell rack module being adapted to removably receive and support one of said calibration trays therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for calibrating each of a plurality of electrical circuits used to charge and test one of a plurality of battery cells, comprising:
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memory means for storing data indicative of operational characteristics associated with each battery cell and electrical circuit; a microprocessor electrically connected to said memory means for performing a sequence of operations on data stored in said memory means, said microprocessor further being electrically connected to said electrical circuits for controlling subsequent charging and testing of said battery cells, and controlling calibration of said electrical circuits; a calibration tray for calibrating said electrical circuits including a pair of oppositely charged, electrically conductive plates that are electrically isolated from each other, and further including control circuitry for applying one or more known calibration standards across said electrically conductive plates; and a plurality of pin assemblies for electrically connecting said electrically conductive plates to said microprocessor via said electrical circuits, whereby said microprocessor evaluates electrical signals transmitted by each pin assembly from said contact plates when one of said calibration standards is applied thereto to determine whether one or more correction factors should be applied to electrical signals transmitted to and from said battery cells via each electrical circuit during subsequent charging and testing of said battery cells, said microprocessor storing data representative of said correction factors in said memory means.
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10. A system for calibrating each of a plurality of electrical circuits used for charging and testing a plurality of battery cells, comprising:
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a memory device for storing data representative of operational characteristics for each battery cell and each electrical circuit; a microprocessor electrically connected to said memory device for performing a sequence of operations on data stored in said memory device, said microprocessor further being electrically connected to said electrical circuits for controlling charging and testing of said battery cells, and controlling calibration of said electrical circuits; at least one calibration tray having a first electrically conductive contact plate and a second electrically conductive contact plate that is electrically insulated from the first contact plate; connecting means for electrically connecting said contact plates to each of said electrical circuits; and calibration circuitry for generating one or more known calibration standards, said calibration circuitry being electrically connected to said contact plates and said microprocessor, said microprocessor actuating said calibration circuitry to alternately apply one of the calibration standards to said contact plates, said microprocessor monitoring and evaluating operational characteristics for each electrical circuit based upon the calibration standard applied to said contact plates by said calibration circuitry, and generating one or more correction factors to be applied to each electrical circuit during subsequent charging and testing of the battery cells based upon the operational characteristics of each circuit when connected to said contact plates via said connecting means, said microprocessor storing data representative of operational characteristics and correction factors for each electrical circuit in said memory device, said microprocessor applying appropriate correction factors to each electrical circuit during subsequent testing and charging of each battery cell.
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11. A system for calibrating each of a plurality of electrical circuits for charging and testing a plurality of battery cells mounted on at least one cell tray, comprising:
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data processing means electrically connected to said electrical circuits for controlling calibration of said electrical circuits, controlling subsequent charging and testing of said battery cells; a memory device electrically connected to said data processing means for storing data representative of operational characteristics for each circuit; at least one calibration tray having a first electrically conductive contact plate and a second electrically conductive contact plate that is electrically insulated from the first conductive plate; at least one cell rack module adapted to removably receive and support one of said calibration trays when said data processing means calibrates said electrical circuits, or one of said cell trays when said data processing means tests and charges said battery cells; connecting assemblies for electrically connecting said electrical circuits to said calibration tray when said data processing means calibrates said electrical circuits, and to said battery cells when said data processing means tests and charges said battery cells; calibration circuitry electrically connected to said data processing means and said contact plates for applying one or more known calibration standards across said contact plates, said data processing means monitoring and evaluating operational characteristics for each electrical circuit based upon the calibration standard applied to the contact plates, generating one or more correction factors based upon operational characteristics of each electrical circuit, and storing data representative of correction factors in said memory device, said data processing means applying appropriate correction factors to each electrical circuit during testing and charging of said battery cells.
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12. A system for calibrating each of a plurality of electrical circuits for charging and testing a plurality of battery cells, comprising:
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a memory device for storing data representative of operational characteristics for each battery cell and each electrical circuit; a microprocessor electrically connected to said memory device for performing a sequence of operations on data stored in said memory device; at least one calibration tray having a first electrically conductive contact plate and a second electrically conductive contact plate; connecting means for electrically connecting said contact plates to each of said electrical circuits; calibration circuitry for generating one or more known calibration standards, said calibration circuitry being electrically connected to said contact plates and said microprocessor, said microprocessor actuating said calibration circuitry to apply one of the calibration standards to said contact plates, said microprocessor monitoring and evaluating operational characteristics for each electrical circuit based upon the calibration standard applied to said contact plates by said calibration circuitry, and generating one or more correction factors to be applied to each electrical circuit during charging and testing of the battery cells based upon the operational characteristics of each electrical circuit when connected to said contact plates via said connecting means, said microprocessor storing data representative of operational characteristics and correction factors for each electrical circuit in said memory device, said microprocessor applying appropriate correction factors to each electrical circuit during subsequent testing and charging of each battery cell; and at least one cell rack module, each cell rack module being adapted to removably receive and support one of said calibration trays therein.
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Specification