Battery conditioning system having communication with battery parameter memory means in conjunction with battery conditioning

• US 5,278,487 A
• Filed: 10/01/1991
• Issued: 01/11/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intermec (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Koenck, Steven E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel T.
• Application Number:
  US07/769,337
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 320/21, 320/35, 320/36, 320/39, 320/40, 320/43, 320/44
• US Class Current: 320/132
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• 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 10/48 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 50/50 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 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0069 Charging or discharging for charge maintenance, battery initiation or rejuvenation
• 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 320/16 : Removal of memory effect in batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/21 : State of charge of battery

Abstract

In an 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 and battery conditioning system memory are 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. In the case of a non-portable conditioning system, two-way communication may be established with a memory associated with the portable unit so that the portable unit can transmit to the conditioning system information concerning battery parameters (e.g. rated battery capacity) and/or battery usage (e.g. numbers of shallow discharge and recharge cycles), and after a conditioning operation, the conditioning system can transmit to the portable unit a measured value of battery capacity, for example.

Claims

1. A portable battery powered system comprising a portable battery powered utilization device operating from battery power during portable operation, battery means operatively coupled with said utilization device for supplying operating power thereto during portable operation, and conditioning control means comprising computer operating means having computer output means for coupling with an external battery conditioning circuit during conditioning of the battery means, with said computer operating means of said portable utilization device supplying a computer generated control signal according to rated battery capacity of said battery means, to an external battery charging circuit to control charging current supplied to said battery means during battery charging operation.

2. 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 monitoring means operatively coupled with said battery means for monitoring battery operation,

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

said battery monitoring means comprising memory means operative for storing data based on said battery operation and representative of available battery capacity, and

means comprising said memory means for indicating remaining battery capacity.

3. A portable battery powered system in accordance with claim 2, with

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

said battery monitoring means having data communication means operatively coupled with said data processing means of said utilization device, and providing for the transmission of data messages to said data processing means concerning available battery capacity.

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

said utilization device 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, and

said memory means being electrically connected with said battery means for receiving operating power therefrom during portable operation of said utilization device and being operable with a battery voltage substantially less than said minimum battery voltage value.

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

said battery monitoring means comprising battery charge flow measurement means operatively coupled with said battery means for measuring the charge flow from the battery means during portable operation of said utilization device and for supplying battery charge flow data to said memory means, said memory means being operatively coupled with said battery charge flow measurement means for storing data representative of the quantities of charge supplied by said battery means during a portable operating cycle thereof.

6. A portable battery powered system according to claim 2, further comprising

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

7. The battery monitoring means of claim 2 wherein the battery monitoring means stores data related to the remaining capacity of said battery means for visual display to the operator of said portable battery powered utilization device.

8. The battery monitoring means of claim 2 wherein the battery monitoring means collects and stores data related to the remaining capacity of said battery means for use by the battery conditioning circuitry.

9. The battery monitoring means of claim 2 wherein said capacity is a nominal capacity of the battery means.

10. The battery monitoring means of claim 2 wherein said capacity is a measured capacity of said battery means.

11. The battery monitoring means of claim 2 wherein the remaining battery capacity is equal to nominal capacity of said battery means minus net charge supplied by said battery means subsequent to fully charging said battery means.

12. The battery monitoring means of claim 2 wherein said remaining capacity is given by the measured capacity of said battery means minus net charge supplied by said battery means subsequent to said battery means being fully charged.

13. The battery monitoring means of claim 2 wherein said storage means is a nonvolatile memory storage means.

14. The battery monitoring means of claim 6 wherein said charging control means pulse-width-modulates said charging current in order to supply a desired average charging current to said battery means.

15. The battery monitoring means of claim 2 wherein the battery monitoring means includes display means for allowing a human sensory perception of remaining battery capacity.

16. In a portable battery-powered system a portable battery-powered utilization device for operating from battery power during portable operation thereof;

battery means operationally coupled with said utilization device for supplying operating power thereto; and

battery monitoring means operationally coupled with said battery means for monitoring battery parameters which include inherent battery capacity, rate of discharge, and elapsed time relative to said rate of discharge;

said utilization device together with said battery means and said battery monitoring means having a size and weight to be carried by an individual person; and

said battery monitoring means comprising battery parameter sensing means for sensing battery parameters, memory means operationally coupled with said battery parameter sensing means operative for storing data based on said battery parameters which include battery parameters which are representative of said battery state of charge, and means comprising said memory means for indicating said battery means'"'"' state of charge.

17. A portable battery-powered system in accordance with claim 16 wherein;

said utilization device comprising data processing means is operatively coupled with said battery means for operation from battery power;

said battery monitoring means having data communication means operatively coupled with said data processing mean of said utilization device and providing for the transmission of data messages to said data processing means concerning state of charge of the battery means.

18. A portable battery-powered system according to claim 16 wherein;

said utilization device comprising data processing means is 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; and

said memory means electrically connected with said battery means for receiving operating power therefrom during portable operation of said utilization device and being operable with battery voltage substantially less than said minimum battery voltage value.

19. A portable battery-powered system according to claim 16 wherein said battery parameter sensing means comprises battery charge flow measurement means operatively coupled with said battery means for measuring charge flow from the battery means during portable operation of said utilization device and for supplying battery charge flow data to said memory means, said memory means being operatively coupled with said battery charge flow measurement means for storing data representative of quantities of charge supplied by said battery means during a portable operating cycle thereof.

20. A portable battery-powered system according to claim 16 further comprising charging control means operatively coupled with said battery means for controlling rate of charging of said battery means.