Universal battery monitor
First Claim
1. A multiple nominal voltage direct current energy source monitor, comprising:
- an analog-to-digital converter configured to measure voltage from a direct current energy source being monitored by the voltage monitor and generate a digital output corresponding thereto; and
a programmable control device configured to receive the digital output from the analog-to-digital converter and to look up a nominal voltage from a range of nominal voltages anticipated to be encountered by the direct current energy source monitor, the nominal voltage corresponding to the digital output, and further configured to calculate a relative charge of the direct current energy source as compared to a full charge on the direct current energy source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention includes a direct current energy source monitor which automatically detects the nominal voltage of the direct current energy source to which it is attached. The invention further includes a direct current energy source monitor which is self-powered from the direct current energy source being monitored. The multiple nominal voltage direct current energy source monitor includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to measure voltage from a direct current energy source being monitored and generate a digital output corresponding thereto. The apparatus includes a programmable control device configured to receive the digital output from the analog-to-digital converter and to look up a nominal voltage corresponding to the digital output, and is further configured to calculate a relative charge of the direct current energy source as compared to a full charge on the direct current energy source. The direct current energy source monitor can include a voltage controlled oscillator configured to receive the voltage of the direct current energy source being monitored and generate a frequency output proportional to the received voltage. The programmable control device is configured use the frequency output to determine the received voltage from the direct current energy source. The direct current energy source monitor preferably includes a calibration circuit configured to periodically calibrate the voltage controlled oscillator. The calibration circuit is configured to generate known voltages which are supplied to the voltage controlled oscillator. The voltage controlled oscillator is governed by a transfer function, wherein its output is a function of the input. The coefficients of the transfer function are calculated by the programmable control device based on the known voltages applied to the voltage controlled oscillator and the output produced by the voltage controlled oscillator in response thereto.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A multiple nominal voltage direct current energy source monitor, comprising:
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an analog-to-digital converter configured to measure voltage from a direct current energy source being monitored by the voltage monitor and generate a digital output corresponding thereto; and
a programmable control device configured to receive the digital output from the analog-to-digital converter and to look up a nominal voltage from a range of nominal voltages anticipated to be encountered by the direct current energy source monitor, the nominal voltage corresponding to the digital output, and further configured to calculate a relative charge of the direct current energy source as compared to a full charge on the direct current energy source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A multiple nominal voltage direct current energy source conductance monitor for monitoring a direct current energy source, comprising:
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an analog-to-digital converter configured to measure conductance of a direct current energy source being monitored by the conductance monitor and generate a digital output signal corresponding thereto; and
a programmable control device configured to received the digital output signal from the analog-to-digital converter and to look up a nominal conductance from a range of nominal conductances anticipated to be encountered by the direct current energy source conductance monitor, the nominal conductance corresponding to the digital output signal, and further configured to calculate a relative state-of-health of the direct current energy source relating to at least one of age, charge capacity, or capability for instantaneous current supply of the direct current energy source as compared to a nominal direct current energy source. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. Method for determining a nominal voltage of a direct current energy source having a charge, comprising:
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providing a programmable control device having stored ranges of numbers, each range corresponding to an associated nominal direct current energy source voltage anticipated to be encountered, the programmable control device further including a series of machine executable steps for comparing a received signal to the stored ranges of numbers to identify an associated nominal direct current energy source voltage;
measuring the charge on the direct current energy source;
generating a signal based on the charge measured on the direct current energy source;
providing the signal to the programmable control device;
looking up from the stored ranges of numbers a nominal direct current energy source voltage which is associated with the signal; and
receiving an output from the programmable control device indicative of the nominal voltage of the direct current energy source. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification