Battery Data Logger And Display

• US 20090119038A1
• Filed: 11/01/2007
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Textron Inc
• Original Assignee: Textron Inc
• Inventors: Bell, Oliver A. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US11/933,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20090119038A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/62
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/12 Recording operating variables ; Monitoring of operating variables
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/005 Solid-state data loggers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A battery data-logging arrangement for use with an electric vehicle is disclosed. The arrangement includes a first analog-to-digital converter (A2D) that converts a battery voltage signal to battery voltage data. A second A2D converts a battery current signal to battery current data. A clock generates time data. A computer memory is associated with a central processing unit (CPU) that correlates and stores the battery voltage data, the battery current data, and the time data in the memory.

Claims

1. A battery data-logging arrangement for use with an electric vehicle, comprising:

a first analog-to-digital converter (A2D) that converts a battery voltage signal to battery voltage data;

a second A2D that converts a battery current signal to battery current data;

a clock that generates time data; and

computer memory with an associated central processing unit (CPU) that correlates and stores the battery voltage data, the battery current data, and the time data in the memory.

2. The battery data logging arrangement of claim 1 wherein the memory includes a circular buffer.

3. The battery data logging arrangement of claim 1 further comprising a first communication port that communicates battery recharge data with the CPU.

4. The battery data logging arrangement of claim 1 wherein the time data includes date data.

5. The battery data logging arrangement of claim 1 further comprising a second communication port that communicates the data stored in the computer memory to an external display.

6. The battery data logging arrangement of claim 5 wherein the external display includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel.

7. The battery data logging arrangement of claim 1 wherein the battery current data includes a magnitude and polarity indicated by the battery current signal.

8. A method for logging battery data, comprising:

converting a battery voltage signal to battery voltage data;

converting a battery current signal to battery current data;

generating time data;

correlating the battery voltage data, the battery current data, and the time data; and

storing the battery voltage data, the battery current data, and the time data.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the storing step includes overwriting the oldest battery voltage data, battery current data, and time data with the newest battery voltage data, battery current data, and time data.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising performing the storing step upon receiving a battery recharge indication.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the time data includes date data.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising displaying at least a portion of the battery voltage data, battery current data, and time data.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the battery current data includes a magnitude and polarity indicated by the battery current signal.

14. An electric utility vehicle, comprising:

a battery;

an alternating current (AC) motor controller that converts a direct current (DC) from the battery to a three-phase signal;

a three-phase AC motor that converts the three-phase signal to a mechanical torque; and

a battery data logging arrangement comprising

a first analog-to-digital converter (A2D) that generates battery voltage data based on a battery voltage signal generated by the battery;

a battery current sensor that generates a battery current signal based on the DC battery current;

a second A2D that converts the battery current signal to battery current data;

a clock that generates time data; and

computer memory with an associated central processing unit (CPU) that correlates and stores the battery voltage data, the battery current data, and the time data in the memory.

15. The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the memory includes a circular buffer.

16. The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the battery data logging arrangement further includes a first communication port that communicates with the AC motor controller.

17. The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the time data includes date data.

18. The vehicle of claim 14 further comprising a second communication port that communicates the data stored in the computer memory to an external display.

19. The vehicle of claim 18 wherein the external display includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel.

20. The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the battery current data includes a magnitude and polarity indicated by the battery current signal.