Portable battery powered system

• US 4,553,081 A
• Filed: 05/21/1984
• Issued: 11/12/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unova Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Koenck, Steven E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ault, Anita M.
• Application Number:
  US06/612,588
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 320/35, 320/39, 320/43, 320/48, 340/636
• US Class Current: 320/131
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/36 Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/374 with means for correcting the measurement for temperature or ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3842 combining voltage and current measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• 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 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/284 with incorporated circuit boards, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/50 Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/5044 Cells or batteries structurally combined with cell condition indicating means
• 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: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00038 using passive battery identification means, e.g. resistors or capacitors identification by mechanical connections H02J7/0045
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 : Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0071 : with a programmable schedule
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00711 : with introduction of pulses during the charging process
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00712 : the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00714 : in response to battery charging or discharging current
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007194 : of the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 : for DC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/21 : State of charge of battery

Abstract

In a exemplary embodiment, a battery conditioning system monitors battery conditioning and includes a memory for storing data based thereon; for example, data may be stored representative of available battery capacity as measured during a deep discharge cycle. With a microprocessor monitoring battery operation of a portable unit, a measure of remaining battery capacity can be calculated and displayed. Where the microprocessor is permanently secured to the battery so as to receive operating power therefrom during storage and handling, the performance of a given battery in actual use can be accurately judged since the battery system can itself maintain a count of accumulated hours of use and other relevant parameters.

Claims

1. In a portable battery powered system,

a portable battery powered utilization device for operating from battery power during portable operation thereof,

battery means operatively coupled with said utilization device for supplying operating power thereto, and

battery conditioning system means operatively coupled with said battery means and comprising battery conditioning means for controlling conditioning of said battery means, and battery parameter sensing means for sensing battery parameters,

said utilization device together with said battery means and said battery conditioning system means having a size and weight to be carried by an individual person, and

said battery conditioning system means including operating means operatively coupled with said battery conditioning means and controlling conditioning of said battery means in conjunction with said battery parameter sensing means.

2. A portable battery powered system according to claim 1, with

said utilization device having battery receiving means for removably receiving said battery means and having charging voltage receiving means coupled with said battery conditioning means for supplying a charging voltage to said battery means under the control of said battery parameter sensing means.

3. A portable battery powered system according to claim 1, with

said utilization device having a housing, and said battery conditioning system means being contained in said housing as an integral part of said utilization device during portable operation thereof.

4. A portable battery powered system in accordance with claim 1, with

said operating means comprising data processing mseans operatively coupled with said battery means for operation from battery power.

5. A portable battery powered system in accordance with claim 4, with

said battery conditioning system means including display means operatively coupled with said data processing means and providing for the display of data messages pertaining to the condition of said battery means.

6. A portable battery powered system according to claim 1, with

said operating means comprising data processing means operatively coupled with said battery means for operation from battery power,

said data processing means requiring a minimum battery voltage value from said battery means,

said utilization device having battery receiving means for removably receiving said battery means and having charging voltage receiving means coupled with said battery conditioning means for supplying a charging voltage to said battery means under the control of said battery parameter sensing means then, and

said charging voltage receiving means supplying operating voltage to said data processing means during a discharge of said battery means to a battery voltage substantially less than said minimum battery voltage value under the control of said battery conditioning means.

7. A portable battery powered system according to claim 1, with

said operating means including memory means electrically powered by said battery means during portable operation of said battery means, and said memory means being operable for storing data based on a deep discharge conditioning of said battery means under the control of said battery conditioning means.

8. A portable battery powered system according to claim 1, with

said battery conditioning means comprising battery charge flow control means operatively coupled with said battery means for controlling the charge flow from the battery means during a conditioning operation,

said operating means including memory means for storing battery operation data and said operating means being operatively coupled with said battery means for storing data in said memory means representative of the use of said battery means during portable operation.

9. A portable battery powered system according to claim 1, with said battery conditioning means further comprising

charging control means operatively coupled with said battery means for controlling the rate of charging of said battery means.

10. A portable battery powered system according to claim 9, with

said charging control means being controllable by said operating means to effect charging of said battery means at selectable different rates.

11. A portable battery powered system according to claim 1, with

said battery conditioning system means having a battery charging voltage input forming part of a battery charging current path for said battery means,

charging current regulating means operatively coupled with said batttery charging voltage input and operative to control the magnitude of the charging current supplied to said battery means via said battery charging current path, and

said charging current regulating means having a control input for receiving a charging level control signal and being operative to control the charging current supplied to said battery means in accordance with said charging level control signal.

12. A portable battery powered system according to claim 1, with said battery parameter sensing means comprising

battery voltage sensing means operatively coupled with said battery means for sensing battery voltage during a battery conditioning operation.

13. A portable battery powered system according to claim 1, with said battery parameter sensing means comprising

battery temperature sensing means operatively coupled with said battery means for sensing the temperature of the battery means during a battery conditioning operation.

14. A portable battery powered system according to claim 1, with said battery conditioning means comprising

battery discharge mode control means operatively coupled with said battery means for controlling discharge of the battery means prior to recharge thereof, for the purpose of conditioning of the battery means and prolonging its useful life.

15. A portable battery powered system according to claim 14, with

said battery discharge mode control means comprising discharge current control means operatively coupled with said battery means and providing a battery current discharge path capable of discharging the battery means down to a deep discharge level during a deep discharge cycle having a time duration of not more than ten hours.

16. In a battery conditioning system,

rechargeable battery receiving means for receiving a rechargeable battery means for conditioning,

battery conditioning system means coupled with said battery receiving means for effecting deep discharge and recharging cycles of a battery means received thereby,

said battery conditioning system means comprising battery discharge means for effecting a deep discharge cycle of the battery means and including battery condition sensing means for sensing a battery discharge condition, and comprising memory means operatively coupled with said battery condition sensing means and operative for storing data based on a deep discharge cycle of a battery means so as to provide a measure of its capacity.

17. A battery conditioning system according to claim 16, with said battery conditioning sensing means comprising

battery voltage sensing means operatively coupled with said battery receiving means and operative to sense the output voltage of a battery means during a deep discharge cycle.

18. A battery conditioning system according to claim 16, with said battery conditioning system means comprising a microprocessor operatively coupled with said battery condition sensing means and operable for controlling said memory means to effect the storage therein of said data based on a deep discharge cycle of a battery means.

19. In a battery conditioning system,

battery receiving means for operative coupling with a portable battery pack of a size and weight such as to be operatively coupled to and carried with a portable battery powered device by an individual person, during a conditioning operation, and

battery conditioning system means operatively coupled with said battery receiving means and operative for automatically effecting a deep discharge and a recharging of a battery pack coupled with said receiving means.

20. A battery conditioning system in accordance with claim 19, with said battery conditioning system means comprising programmed processor means for effecting a deep discharge cycle of said battery pack as a measure of battery capacity.

21. A battery conditioning system in accordance with claim 19, with said battery conditioning system means being operative to sense battery parameters during a battery charging operation.

22. A battery conditioning system in accordance with claim 19, with said battery conditioning system means comprising digital processor means and memory means controlled by said processor means for obtaining a measure of battery capacity during a deep discharge cycle of a battery pack received by said receiving means.

23. In a battery conditioning system,

battery receiving means for operative coupling with a battery means comprising a rechargeable electrochemical energy storage medium having an output voltage which is a function not only of the energy stored thereby but also of the number of shallow energy discharge cycles which have occurred after its last deep discharge cycle,

battery conditioning system means operatively coupled with said battery receiving means and automatically operable for effecting a deep discharge cycle wherein the battery output voltage is reduced to a value below its minimum operating voltage for reliable operation.

24. A battery conditioning system in accordance with claim 23, with

said battery conditioning system means comprising digital processor means operatively coupled with said battery receiving means for sensing when the battery output voltage is reduced to a value below said minimum operating voltage so as to terminate the deep discharge cycle.

25. A battery conditioning system in accordance with claim 24, with said digital processor means having display means for displaying a measure of battery capacity based on a deep discharge cycle of a battery means received by said receiving means.

26. A battery conditioning system according to claim 23, with

said battery conditioning system means comprising battery discharge circuit means operatively coupled with said battery receiving means and controllable to effect a deep discharge cycle of a battery means such that the output voltage of the battery means falls below said minimum operating voltage.

27. A battery conditioning system according to claim 26, with

said battery conditioning system means comprising automatic discharge energy determining means operatively coupled with said battery receiving means for determining a measure of the amount of energy supplied by a battery means during a deep discharge cycle as a measure of the condition of the battery means.

28. A battery conditioning system in accordance with claim 27, with said battery conditioning system means further comprising

memory means operatively coupled with said discharge energy determining means to store a battery capacity indication based on the amount of energy supplied by a battery means during a deep discharge cycle.

29. In a battery conditioning system, a portable battery powered utilization device for operating from battery power during portable operation thereof,

battery means operatively coupled with said utilization device for supplying operating power thereto, and

battery conditioning system means operatively coupled with said battery means for effecting deep discharge and recharging cycles thereof,

said battery conditioning system means comprising battery condition sensing means for sensing a battery discharge condition and comprising memory means operatively coupled with said battery condition sensing means and operative for storing data based on a deep discharge cycle so as to provide a measure of battery capacity.

30. A battery conditioning system according to claim 29, with said battery discharge condition sensing means comprising

battery voltage sensing means coupled with said battery means, and said battery conditioning system means being coupled with said battery voltage sensing means for terminating a deep discharge cycle when the battery voltage is reduced to a predetermined value.