System and method for activating an isolated device

• US 8,928,190 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2010
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ultralife Corporation
• Original Assignee: Ultralife Corporation
• Inventors: Karren, Kyle, Gkourlias, Athanasios
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham, Duc M
• Application Number:
  US12/981,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20110156497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,468 Days
• Field of Search: 307/139
• US Class Current: 307/139
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/0006 Permanent magnet actuating reed switches H01H35/147 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• 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 50/202 Casings or frames around the primary casing of a single cell or a single battery
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/24 adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/296 characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method for controlling the activation of isolated circuitry, and more particularly complete discharge devices for batteries, and similar circuits that are enclosed within sealed housings.

Claims

1. A battery system including a complete discharge device within a sealed housing, comprising:

a passive switch component sensitive to a non-mechanical stimuli, said switch component located within the sealed housing;

a magnetic field source, said magnetic field source being physically separated from said switch component by the sealed housing, wherein said switch component is responsive to a variation in the magnetic field caused by relative movement between the magnetic field source and switch component; and

a complete discharge circuit, located inside the sealed housing and operatively activated by said switch component, such that upon activation by said switch component the complete discharge circuit depletes the energy potential within the battery.

2. The battery system of claim 1 further comprising a non-magnetic sealed housing, the housing providing a sealed enclosure of the battery and electrical components contained therein.

3. The battery system of claim 1 further including a state of charge indicator.

4. The battery system of claim 2 wherein the housing includes battery terminals.

5. The battery system of claim 2 wherein the magnetic field source is movable relative to the housing.

6. The battery system of claim 2 wherein the housing is impermeable to liquid.

7. The battery system of claim 2 wherein the housing is impermeable to gas.

8. The battery system of claim 1 wherein the magnetic field source includes a material exhibiting magnetic properties.

9. The battery system of claim 1 wherein the magnetic field source is an electromagnet.

10. The battery system of claim 1 wherein said passive switch component includes a reed switch, and where at least one of the reeds thereof is responsive to a magnetic field.

11. A system for activating a device, comprising:

a passive switch, said switch being responsive to a non-mechanical stimuli;

a source of non-mechanical stimuli, the source being located in a position separated from said sensor and the device;

a sealed housing, the housing assuring separation between the source and the switch; and

a circuit, connected to said passive switch and contained within the housing, wherein the circuit is activated by said switch and where said switch is responsive to a variation in the non-mechanical stimuli.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the circuit includes a complete discharge device.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the circuit includes a state of charge indicator for a battery.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the circuit further includes the terminals of a battery to which the state of charge indicator is connected.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the source is movable relative to the housing.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the housing is impermeable to liquid.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein the housing is impermeable to gas.

18. The system of claim 11 wherein said source includes a magnetic field source and where said switch includes a magnetic material, the material being operatively positioned in the switch to cause a change in operation of the switch in response to a variation in the magnetic field.

19. A method for controlling the activation of a continuous discharge device in a sealed battery housing, comprising:

varying a non-mechanical stimuli, using a source located outside the housing and physically separated from the continuous discharge device, the housing being permeable to a magnetic field;

detecting, inside the sealed battery housing, a variance of the non-mechanical stimuli using a passive switch component; and

in response to the switch component, activating the continuous discharge device located inside the sealed battery housing.

20. The method of claim 19 where activating the continuous discharge device further comprises activating a state of charge indicator.

21. The method of claim 19 where varying the non-mechanical stimuli comprises moving a magnetic field source wherein motion of the magnetic field source causes a variance in a magnetic field to which the switch is exposed.