Battery control architecture with standardized language

• US 5,917,305 A
• Filed: 12/11/1997
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Faulk, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US08/989,086
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 320/106, 320/124, 320/132, 320/135, 320/FOR 104, 320/FOR 111, 320/FOR 118, 320/FOR 121, 320/FOR 130, 320/FOR 142, 320/FOR 147
• US Class Current: 320/106
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/367 Software therefor, e.g. for battery testing using modelling or look-up tables
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/374 with means for correcting the measurement for temperature or ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3842 combining voltage and current measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte 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: H01M 2200/10 Temperature sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A standardized and universal application-specific language for operation of any battery type where measured values of voltage, current, temperature, and/or power are used to control battery operation to optimize battery life, and prevent damage to the battery and the system in which it resides.

Claims

1. A method for controlling operation of a battery, comprising the actions of:

(a.) providing for each new battery type, a customized control procedure in an application-specific high-level language;

wherein said procedure specifies values for controlled variables, including voltage, current, temperature, and/or power, in dependence on measured variables which can include voltage, current, temperature, and/or power of the battery; and

(b.) executing said procedure in programmable logic which is connected to at least partly controls charge transfer at the terminals of said battery;

wherein said application-specific language operates said battery within predetermined limits to optimize the lifetime of said battery and to prevent damage to said battery and said system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said programmable logic is packaged integrally with said battery in a removable module.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said procedure, in said high-level language, is hardware-independent.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said procedure conditionally executes a shutdown routine when the temperature of said battery reaches a predetermined limit, and abnormally terminates operation of said battery.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said procedure conditionally executes a doomsday routine which permanently and irrevocably disconnects said battery when said temperature of said battery reaches a predetermined limit.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said procedure can be executed in an architecture of said computer which is external to said battery subsystem.

7. A method for controlling operation of a battery, comprising the actions of:

(a.) providing, for each new battery type, a customized control procedure in an application-specific high-level language;

wherein said procedure includes multiple states, and commands control sequence in each said state, until a specified condition for transition to another state is met;

respective ones of said control sequences respectively specifying voltage, current, temperature, and/or power as controlled variables, and using voltage, current, temperature, and/or power as measured variables; and

(b.) executing said procedure in programmable logic which is connected to at least partly control charge transfer at the terminals of said battery;

wherein said application-specific language operates said battery within predetermined limits to optimize the lifetime of said battery and to prevent damage to said battery and said system.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said programmable logic is packaged integrally with said battery in a removable module.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said procedure, in said high-level language, is hardware-independent.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said procedure conditionally executes a shutdown routine when the temperature of said battery reaches a predetermined limit, and terminates operation of said battery.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said procedure conditionally executes a doomsday routine which permanently and irrevocably disconnects said battery when said temperature of said battery reaches a predetermined limit.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein said procedure can be executed in an architecture of said computer which is external to said battery subsystem.

13. A portable computer system, comprising:

a user input device;

a microprocessor operatively connected to detect inputs from said input device;

memory which is connected to be read/write accessible by said microprocessor;

a video controller connected to said microprocessor;

a display operatively connected to display data generated by said video controller at a first refresh rate; and

a power system connected to provide power to said microprocessor, said memory, and said display, and comprising;

a battery subsystem comprising a battery and programmable logic;

said programmable logic, under at least some circumstances, selectably executing a procedure in an application-specific high-level battery-control language;

wherein said procedure includes multiple states, and commands control sequence in each said state, until a specified condition for transition to another state is met;

respective ones of said control sequences respectively specifying voltage, current, temperature, and/or power as controlled variables, and using voltage, current, temperature, and/or power as measured variables; and

whereby said programmable logic operates said battery optimally in accordance with said procedure.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said programmable logic is packaged integrally with said battery in a removable module.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said procedure, in said high-level language, is hardware-independent.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said procedure conditionally executes a shutdown routine when the temperature of said battery reaches a predetermined limit, and terminates operation of said battery.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said procedure executes a doomsday routine which permanently and irrevocably disconnects said battery when said temperature of said battery reaches a predetermined limit.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein said procedure can be executed in an architecture of said computer which is external to said battery subsystem.

19. A portable computer system, comprising:

a user input device;

a microprocessor operatively connected to detect inputs from said input device;

memory which is connected to be read/write accessible by said microprocessor;

a video controller connected to said microprocessor;

a display operatively connected to display data generated by said video controller at a first refresh rate; and

a power system connected to provide power to said microprocessor, said memory, and said display, and comprising;

a battery subsystem comprising a battery and programmable logic;

said programmable logic, under at least some circumstances, selectably executing a procedure in an application-specific high-level battery-control language;

wherein said procedure includes multiple states, and commands control sequence in each said state, until a specified condition for transition to another state is met;

respective ones of said control sequences respectively specifying voltage, current, temperature, and/or power as controlled variables, and using voltage, current, temperature, and/or power as measured variables; and

whereby said programmable logic operates said battery optimally in accordance with said procedure.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said procedure, in said high-level language, is hardware-independent.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said procedure conditionally executes a shutdown routine when the temperature of said battery reaches a predetermined limit, and terminates operation of said battery.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein said procedure conditionally executes a doomsday routine which permanently and irrevocably disconnects said battery when said temperature of said battery reaches a predetermined limit.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein said procedure can be executed in an architecture of said computer which is external to said battery subsystem.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein said programmable logic is packaged integrally with said battery in a removable module.

25. A smart battery subsystem, comprising:

a battery of electrochemical cells; and

programmable logic and program storage;

said programmable logic, under at least some circumstances, selectably executing, from said program storage, a battery control procedure in an application-specific high-level battery-control language;

wherein said procedure at least partly controls charge transfer at the terminals of said battery, in dependence upon measured values of voltage, current, temperature, and/or power, using controlled variables which can include voltage, current, temperature, and/or power;

wherein said application-specific language operates said battery optimally in accordance with said procedure;

wherein said programmable logic and said battery cells are packaged together as a single integral unit.

26. The subsystem of claim 25, wherein said procedure, in said high-level language, is hardware-independent.

27. The subsystem of claim 25, wherein said procedure conditionally executes a shutdown routine when the temperature of said battery reaches a predetermined limit, and terminates operation of said battery.

28. The subsystem of claim 25, wherein said procedure conditionally executes a doomsday routine which permanently and irrevocably disconnects said battery when said temperature of said battery reaches a predetermined limit.

29. The subsystem of claim 25, wherein said procedure can be executed in an architecture of said computer which is external to said battery subsystem.

30. A smart battery subsystem, comprising:

a battery of electrochemical cells; and

programmable logic and program storage;

said programmable logic, under at least some circumstances, selectably executing, from said program storage, a battery control procedure in an application-specific high-level battery-control language;

wherein said procedure includes multiple states, and commands control sequence in each said state, until a specified condition for transition to another state is met;

respective ones of said control sequences respectively specifying voltage, current, temperature, and/or power as controlled variables, and using voltage, current, temperature, and/or power as measured variables;

wherein said programmable logic and said battery cells are packaged together as a single integral unit.

31. The subsystem of claim 30, wherein said procedure, in said high-level language, is hardware-independent.

32. The subsystem of claim 30, wherein said procedure conditionally executes a shutdown routine when the temperature of said battery reaches a predetermined limit, and terminates operation of said battery.

33. The subsystem of claim 30, wherein said procedure conditionally executes a doomsday routine which permanently and irrevocably disconnects said battery when said temperature of said battery reaches a predetermined limit.

34. The subsystem of claim 30, wherein said procedure can be executed in an architecture of said computer which is external to said battery subsystem.