Method and apparatus for determining the condition of a battery through the use of multiple battery tests
First Claim
1. A method for determining the state of charge of a battery, the method comprising:
- a) obtaining voltage readings from the battery when a light load is coupled to the battery;
b) obtaining voltage readings from the battery when the light load is removed from the battery;
c) obtaining voltage readings from the battery when a heavy load is coupled to the battery;
d) obtaining voltage readings from the battery when the heavy load is removed from the battery;
e) coupling a conductance tester to the battery to obtain cold cranking amp readings from the battery; and
f) charging the battery and monitoring at least one battery parameter to determine whether the battery is capable of being charged.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining the state of charge of a battery include use of multiple battery tests to provide complementary insight into battery condition before, during, and after battery charging. Battery testing is performed using a light resistive load, a heavy resistive load, a conductance tester, and a battery charger. During a preliminary charging stage, average battery current and a predicted battery temperature are used to determine whether or not the battery is capable of being substantially fully charged, thereby permitting avoidance of unneeded charging. In the later charging stage, the rate of change of battery cold cranking amps is monitored to detect an end of charge condition.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for determining the state of charge of a battery, the method comprising:
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a) obtaining voltage readings from the battery when a light load is coupled to the battery; b) obtaining voltage readings from the battery when the light load is removed from the battery; c) obtaining voltage readings from the battery when a heavy load is coupled to the battery; d) obtaining voltage readings from the battery when the heavy load is removed from the battery; e) coupling a conductance tester to the battery to obtain cold cranking amp readings from the battery; and f) charging the battery and monitoring at least one battery parameter to determine whether the battery is capable of being charged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for testing the state of charge of a battery, comprising:
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a) a battery charger coupled to the battery; b) a light load coupled to the battery; c) a heavy load coupled to the battery; d) a conductance tester coupled to the battery; and e) a computer adapted to monitor battery parameters during battery testing by connecting the charger, the light load, the heavy load, and the conductance tester in a predetermined order with the battery, and to control battery charging in response to receipt of the parameters. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for charging and testing a battery comprising:
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a) a battery charger coupled to the battery; b) a resistive load coupled to the battery; c) a conductance tester coupled to the battery; and d) a controller testing whether a battery current reading obtained during the charging exceeds a predetermined level in a predetermined time. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification