Method and apparatus for analyzing nickel-cadmium batteries
First Claim
1. A system for analyzing a multi-cell battery on either an individual cell level basis or overall battery basis comprising:
- means for testing whether one or more cells are shorted or reversed;
means for testing individual cells for sufficient electrolyte; and
means for testing the battery for overall internal resistance (IR) to determine if the battery overall IR exceeds a given maximum value internal resistance which indicates that the battery is defective.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for comprehensive analysis of a multi-cell battery, such as of the nickel-cadmium type, on an individual cell level basis and overall battery basis. For an unsealed battery, which affords access to the individual battery cells, (FIG. 2) tests are carried out to determine the presence of any shorted or reversed cells, and these can be repaired or replaced ((6)-(11)). The individual cells are then tested for sufficient electrolyte on the basis of comparing the cell internal resistance to a maximum internal resistance for the cell and electrolyte added as needed ((12)-(15)). A sealed battery, to which there is no access to the individual cells, is first tested for shorted or reversed cells on a battery level basis ((16)-(19)). A sealed battery that passes this test ((20)-(22)) and an unsealed battery whose individual cells have been found to be satisfactory in its prior tests are subjected to further testing on a battery level basis for: (a) overall internal resistance to determine if it exceeds a given maximum value internal resistance, this indicating that the battery is defective (23); and (b) actual capacity as compared to its rated capacity ((24)-(30)). A battery whose actual capacity is greater than its rated capacity is tested for a memory effect and the memory effect problem is corrected if found to be present ((31)-(36)).
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for analyzing a multi-cell battery on either an individual cell level basis or overall battery basis comprising:
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means for testing whether one or more cells are shorted or reversed; means for testing individual cells for sufficient electrolyte; and means for testing the battery for overall internal resistance (IR) to determine if the battery overall IR exceeds a given maximum value internal resistance which indicates that the battery is defective. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for comprehensive analysis of a multi-cell battery, on an individual cell level basis for an unsealed battery which affords access to the individual battery cells and an overall battery level basis for both an unsealed and a sealed battery, comprising:
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for an unsealed battery, (a) determining the presence of any shorted or reversed cells and repairing or replacing such cells, testing the individual cells for sufficient electrolyte and adding electrolyte as needed, for a sealed battery, to which there is no access to the individual cells, testing for shorted or reversed cells on a battery level basis; subjecting both a sealed battery found to have no shorted or reversed cells and an unsealed battery whose individual cells have been found to be satisfactory in its prior tests (a) and (b) to further testing on a battery level basis by (c) determining if the battery overall internal resistance exceeds a given maximum value internal resistance, this indicating that the battery is defective, (d) determining the actual capacity of a battery whose overall internal resistance is determined in step (c) to be less than said given maximum value internal resistance and comparing the actual capacity to the battery rated capacity, e) testing a battery whose actual capacity is less than its rated capacity for a memory effect, and (f) correcting the memory effect problem if found to be present in step (e). - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification