Power pack remaining capacity level detection
First Claim
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1. A method for determining a remaining capacity state, the method comprising:
- determining, during discharge of a power pack, a first ratio of a change in voltage of the power pack to a change in remaining capacity of the power pack over a first time duration, the first time duration comprising a first time point;
determining, during discharge of the power pack, a second ratio of a change in voltage of the power pack to a change in remaining capacity of the power pack over a second time duration, the second time duration comprising a second time point, the second time point being subsequent to the first time point;
determining that the second ratio is greater than the first ratio;
indicating, based on determining that the second ratio is greater than the first ratio, that a power pack remaining capacity level is near depletion;
determining a power pack temperature is within a first range at the first time point and at the second time point;
determining, while the power pack temperature is within the first range, a third ratio of a change in voltage of the power pack to a change in remaining capacity of the power pack over a third time duration, the third time duration comprising a third time point, the third time point being subsequent to the second time point; and
indicating, in response to determining that the third ratio is less than the second ratio, and further in response to determining that the power pack temperature is within the first range during the first time duration and during the second time duration, that the power pack remaining capacity level is a low remaining capacity level, the low remaining capacity level corresponding to a greater level of remaining capacity than the remaining capacity level is near depletion.
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Abstract
Systems and methods to detect particular levels of remaining battery capacities. A ratio of changes in battery output voltage over changes in battery capacity (ΔV/ΔC) is calculated. Detected rises in the value of this ratio are used to detect that a battery has a remaining capacity level that is near depletion. In a certain temperature range, the ΔV/ΔC ratio is used to provide an indication that the battery is approaching a low remaining capacity state. In another temperature range, an increase in the ΔV/ΔC ratio indicates that the battery has reached a mid-range remaining capacity level.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for determining a remaining capacity state, the method comprising:
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determining, during discharge of a power pack, a first ratio of a change in voltage of the power pack to a change in remaining capacity of the power pack over a first time duration, the first time duration comprising a first time point; determining, during discharge of the power pack, a second ratio of a change in voltage of the power pack to a change in remaining capacity of the power pack over a second time duration, the second time duration comprising a second time point, the second time point being subsequent to the first time point; determining that the second ratio is greater than the first ratio; indicating, based on determining that the second ratio is greater than the first ratio, that a power pack remaining capacity level is near depletion; determining a power pack temperature is within a first range at the first time point and at the second time point; determining, while the power pack temperature is within the first range, a third ratio of a change in voltage of the power pack to a change in remaining capacity of the power pack over a third time duration, the third time duration comprising a third time point, the third time point being subsequent to the second time point; and indicating, in response to determining that the third ratio is less than the second ratio, and further in response to determining that the power pack temperature is within the first range during the first time duration and during the second time duration, that the power pack remaining capacity level is a low remaining capacity level, the low remaining capacity level corresponding to a greater level of remaining capacity than the remaining capacity level is near depletion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for determining a remaining capacity state, the apparatus comprising:
a capacity monitor adapted to; determine, during discharge of a power pack, a first ratio of a change in voltage of the power pack to a change in remaining capacity of the power pack over a first time duration, the first time duration comprising a first time point; determine, during discharge of the power pack, a second ratio of a change in voltage of the power pack to a change in remaining capacity of the power pack over a second time duration, the second time duration comprising a second time point, the second time point being subsequent to the first time point; determine that the second ratio is greater than the first ratio; indicate, based on determining that the second ratio is greater than the first ratio, that a power pack remaining capacity level is near depletion; determine a power pack temperature is within a first range at the first time point and at the second time point; determine, while the power pack temperature is within the first range, a third ratio of a change in voltage of the power pack to a change in remaining capacity of the power pack over a third time duration, the third time duration comprising a third time point, the third time point being subsequent to the second time point; and indicate, in response to determining that the third ratio is less than the second ratio, and further in response to determining that the power pack temperature is within the first range during the first time duration and during the second time duration, that the power pack remaining capacity level is a low remaining capacity level, the low remaining capacity level corresponding to a greater level of remaining capacity than the remaining capacity level is near depletion. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer program product for determining a remaining capacity state, the computer program product comprising:
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a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code comprising instructions for; determining, during discharge of a power pack, a first ratio of a change in voltage of the power pack to a change in remaining capacity of the power pack over a first time duration, the first time duration comprising a first time point; determining, during discharge of the power pack, a second ratio of a change in voltage of the power pack to a change in remaining capacity of the power pack over a second time duration, the second time duration comprising a second time point, the second time point being subsequent to the first time point; determining that the second ratio is greater than the first ratio; indicating, based on determining that the second ratio is greater than the first ratio, that a power pack remaining capacity level is near depletion; determine a power pack temperature is within a first range at the first time point and at the second time point; determine, while the power pack temperature is within the first range, a third ratio of a change in voltage of the power pack to a change in remaining capacity of the power pack over a third time duration, the third time duration comprising a third time point, the third time point being subsequent to the second time point; and indicate, in response to determining that the third ratio is less than the second ratio, and further in response to determining that the power pack temperature is within the first range during the first time duration and during the second time duration, that the power pack remaining capacity level is a low remaining capacity level, the low remaining capacity level corresponding to a greater level of remaining capacity than the remaining capacity level is near depletion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification