Battery condition monitoring method and apparatus
First Claim
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1. A battery condition monitoring device, comprising:
- an external load in selective engagement with the battery;
first circuit means connected to the battery for creating an output voltage which is a function of battery terminal voltage;
second circuit means connected to said first circuit means for receiving said output voltage and determining the time period necessary for the output voltage to change a predetermined amount after application of said external load to the battery; and
third circuit means connected to said second circuit means for comparing said time period to preset reference values and grading the battery according to such time period.
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Abstract
A battery condition monitoring device which senses battery terminal voltage and creates a function thereof and tests that function against predetermined criteria and determines battery condition as a result of such tests. Furthermore, the invention operates on the transient of the battery terminal voltage existant immediately upon the loading of the battery. The test is performed on the slope of the terminal voltage transient and a function of that transient during a test period is created, analyzed and evaluated against reference levels.
39 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A battery condition monitoring device, comprising:
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an external load in selective engagement with the battery; first circuit means connected to the battery for creating an output voltage which is a function of battery terminal voltage; second circuit means connected to said first circuit means for receiving said output voltage and determining the time period necessary for the output voltage to change a predetermined amount after application of said external load to the battery; and third circuit means connected to said second circuit means for comparing said time period to preset reference values and grading the battery according to such time period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for determining the condition of a wet well rechargeable battery, comprising the steps of:
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a. applying an external load to the terminals of the battery; b. creating a voltage signal which is a function of the battery terminal voltage under such external load; c. timing the period necessary for said voltage signal to change a predetermined amount; and d. grading the battery as a function of the length of said time period. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for monitoring the condition of a wet well rechargeable battery, comprising:
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a function generator connected to said battery and producing an output voltage which is a particular function of the battery terminal voltage under external load; a first voltage comparator circuit connected to said function generator and determining the time period required for the output voltage to change a predetermined amount; and a grading circuit connected to said voltage comparator for producing an indicia of battery condition based on the length of said time period. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification