System and method for monitoring electrolyte levels in a battery

• US 9,147,914 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2012
• Issued: 09/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philadelphia Scientific LLC (Philadelphia Scientific)
• Original Assignee: Philadelphia Scientific LLC (Philadelphia Scientific)
• Inventors: Jones, Duncan, Worthington, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Boateng, Alexis A
• Application Number:
  US13/681,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20130229187A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 320/112, 320/132, 320/134, 320/135, 320/136, 320/137, 320/113, 320/114, 324/435, 324/425, 324/426, 324/429, 324/525, 324/430, 429/89, 429/91, 429/61, 429/64, 429/90, 429/92, 340/620
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/24 Electrical devices or systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/80 Arrangements for signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/484 for measuring electrolyte level, electrolyte density or electrolyte conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/505 Cells combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light intensity
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A measuring device is used in conjunction with a programmable controller for monitoring electrolyte levels in the battery. According to one implementation, the measuring device is located in a battery and is configured to detect when the electrolyte level in the battery falls below a particular level. The controller is in electrical communication with the electrolyte detection device. The controller is configured to: (i) receive a signal from the electrolyte level detection device indicating when the electrolyte level in the battery has fallen below the particular level; (ii) introduce a wait-period after the signal is received; and (iii) enable an indicator to indicate that the electrolyte level in the battery should be refilled when the wait-period expires.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the electrolyte level in a battery, comprising:

a measuring device for sensing whether the electrolyte level in the battery is above or below the measuring device; and

a controller, in electrical communication with the measuring device, operable in one of a selectable test mode and non-test mode, wherein when the test mode is selected the controller enables the measuring device to be energized for sensing whether the electrolyte level in the battery is above or below the measuring device, and wherein when the non-test mode is selected the controller enables the measuring device to be de-energized.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to repetitively switch between the test mode and the non-test mode and consequently cause the measuring device to be energized and de-energized repetitively over time.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a switch and a power supply, wherein the controller is configured to cause the switch to couple the power supply to the measuring device when the controller is in the test mode.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a switch and a power supply, wherein the controller is configured to cause the switch to decouple the power supply from the measuring device when the controller is in the non-test mode.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein when the controller causes the measuring device to be energized, a high current is supplied to the measuring device.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein when the controller causes the measuring device to be energized, a high current is supplied to the measuring device, wherein the high current is approximately 100 milliamperes.

7. A power management system for managing current usage of a probe, the

probe used for sensing the electrolyte level in a battery, comprising:

means for enabling the probe to be energized;

means for receiving a signal from the probe indicating whether the electrolyte level in the battery is above or below the probe when the probe is energized;

means for enabling the probe to be de-energized; and

means for enabling the probe to be repetitively energized and de-energized over time.

8. The power management system as recited in claim 7, wherein the means for enabling the probe to be repetitively energized and de-energized over time comprises a programmable controller.

9. The power management system as recited in claim 7, wherein the means for receiving the signal is an input terminal of a programmable controller.

10. The power management system as recited in claim 7, wherein when the probe is enabled to be energized, a high current is supplied to the probe.

11. A battery, comprising:

a system for monitoring the electrolyte level in the battery, the system comprising;

a probe for sensing the electrolyte level in the battery; and

a controller, in electrical communication with the probe, operable in one of a selectable test mode and non-test mode, wherein when the test mode is selected the controller enables the probe to be energized for sensing whether the electrolyte level in the battery is above or below the probe, and wherein when the non-test mode is selected the controller enables the probe to be de-energized.