Battery monitor with wireless remote communication

• US 7,394,394 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2004
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CPG Beyond, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tarma, LLC
• Inventors: Lockhart, Bradley W., Toomey, Jason W., Burry, Bruce R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goins; Davetta W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Labbees; Edny
• Application Number:
  US10/924,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20050151657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,408 Days
• Field of Search: 340/636.11, 340/636.1, 340/636.12, 340/636.13, 340/636.21, 702/63, 702/64, 702/65, 320/116, 320/48, 320/134, 320/136, 324/430, 324/432
• US Class Current: 340/636.11
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16542 for batteries charge condition monitoring in G01R31/36
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/371 with remote indication, e.g. on external chargers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/389 Measuring internal impedance, internal conductance or related variables
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/396 Acquisition or processing of data for testing or for monitoring individual cells or groups of cells within a battery
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence

Abstract

An apparatus and method for monitoring at least one battery condition. A ac signal is applied to a battery. A difference between a signal output from the battery and a threshold determines a battery condition. The determined battery condition is transmitted remotely from the battery location through a controller to a network server and/or is visibly displayed at the battery location.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring an operative condition of a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, the method comprising the steps of:

determining the battery internal resistance by connecting a test load across the battery positive and negative terminals through a first pair of Kelvin connections to generate a battery test current and test voltage;

generating an AC test signal;

superimposing the AC test signal on the battery test voltage using the battery current to determine the battery internal resistance;

comparing the battery internal resistance with a threshold resistance to determine an operative condition of the battery;

fixedly mounting a control means on the battery, the control means executing the steps of determining and comparing; and

supplying electric power to operate the control means from the battery undergoing test by connecting a second pair of Kelvin connections between the control means and the positive and negative terminals on the battery.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

providing wireless communication means for communicating the determined operative condition of the battery from the control means to a remote controller.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

providing a visual indication on the control means fixed on the battery of the determined operative condition of the battery.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of providing a visual indication further comprises:

providing at least one illuminatable means to indicate one of a battery test state and at least one battery operating condition.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of providing an illuminatable means further comprises the step of:

providing at least one light emitting device.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

associating one control means with each of a plurality of batteries located in one location.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

determining at least one of the nominal battery voltage test and a battery terminal temperature test.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of

associating a discrete identification for the control means and the attached battery.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

means for initiating monitoring an operative condition of the battery on a preset, periodic time schedule.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

means, coupled to a control means, for wirelessly communicating the determined operative condition of the battery from the control means to a remote controller.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

momentarily shorting the battery terminals during the connection of the test load across the battery terminals.

10. An apparatus for monitoring an operative condition of a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal comprising:

means for determining the battery internal resistance by connecting a test load across the battery positive and negative terminals through a first pair of Kelvin connections to generate a battery test current and test voltage;

means for generating an AC test signal;

means for superimposing the AC test signal on the battery test voltage using the battery current to determine the battery internal resistance;

means for comparing the battery internal resistance with a threshold resistance to determine an operative condition of the battery;

controlling means for controlling the determining means and the comparing means, the control means fixedly mounted on the battery; and

wherein electric power for operating the control means is supplied from the battery undergoing test through a second pair of Kelvin connections between the control means and the positive and negative terminals on the battery.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:

means for providing the visual indication on the control means fixed on the battery of the determined operative condition of the battery.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising:

the visual indication providing means carried on the control means; and

an illuminatable means, activated by the control means, to provide a visual indication of at least one of a battery test state and the determined battery operative condition.