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

• US 5,508,599 A
• Filed: 10/12/1993
• Issued: 04/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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): HAN, YOUNGHUIE JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US08/134,881
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 320/21, 320/36, 320/40, 320/43, 320/35, 320/39
• US Class Current: 320/138
• 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 system comprising a data terminal device, rechargeable battery means capable of providing power to said system, processor means capable of measuring the amount of current discharged from said battery means during portable operation, sensing means for sensing a variety of battery parameters, and non-portable charging means comprising

i. a receptacle adapted to receive said portable system and operative to supply a charging current, and,

ii. computer processing means for controlling the charging of said portable system based on the parameters sensed by said sensing means.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensing means measures the amount of current discharged from said device.

3. A hand-held data terminal collection device, comprising computer processing means for collecting data, removable rechargeable battery means connected to said computer processing means and operable to provide operating current thereto, charging means associated with said battery means capable of recharging said battery means, said charging means comprising

i. means for supplying a variable rate charging current to said battery means, and

ii. means for monitoring battery parameters, and

iii. means for adjusting said charging current based on said battery parameters,

wherein said battery means is adapted to receive charging current from either the portable utilization device or a separate current source.

4. A hand-held data collection device, comprising computer processing means for processing collected data, removable rechargeable battery means connected to said computer processing means and operable to provide operating current thereto, charging control means associated with said battery means capable of controlling recharging of said battery means, said charging control means comprising

i. charging current-supplying means for supplying a variable rate charging current to said battery means,

ii. means for monitoring a battery parameter, and

iii. means for adjusting said charging current based on said battery parameter.

5. A hand-held data collection terminal device according to claim 4 wherein said battery means is adapted to receive charging current from either the charging current supplying means or a separate current source.

6. A hand-held data collection terminal device, comprising computer processing means for processing collected data, removable rechargeable battery means connected to said computer processing means and operable to provide operating current thereto, charging control means associated with said battery means capable of controlling recharging of said battery means, said charging control means comprising

i. charging current supplying means for supplying a variable rate charging current to said battery means,

ii. means for monitoring a battery parameter, and

iii. means for adjusting said charging current based on said battery parameter.

7. A hand-held data collection terminal device according to claim 6 wherein said battery means has external contacts, and is adapted to receive charging current via said external contacts.

8. A hand-held data collection terminal device, comprising computer processing means for processing collected data, removable rechargeable battery means connected to said computer processing means and operable to provide operating current thereto, and charging control means associated with said battery means for controlling the rate of charging of said battery means, said battery means comprising a battery pack having an external battery charge contact for supplying charging current to said charging control means during charging of said battery pack.

9. A portable battery powered device, comprising,

a portable terminal device with processor means,

removable, rechargeable battery means operable to provide operating current to said device and connected thereto, charging control means associated with said battery means, said charging control means comprising

i. means for sensing battery parameters, and

ii. control means responsive to said sensing means for regulating said rate of charge after a period of portable operation.

10. The device of claim 9, with said parameter sensing means being operative to sense battery parameters during a charging operation.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said control means comprises a microprocessor.

12. The device of claim 10 or 11, wherein said parameter sensing means includes means for increasing the temperature of said battery means.

13. The device of claim 10 or 11 wherein said parameter sensing means includes means for measuring the current into said battery means during charging.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein said control means receives information from said parameter sensing means from an analog to digital converter.

15. A hand-held data collection terminal device, comprising computer processing means for processing collected data, removable rechargeable battery means and operable to provide operating current thereto during portable operation, and charging current control means associated with said battery means for controlling the rate of recharging of said battery means, said battery means comprising a battery pack having an external battery charge contact for supplying charging current to said charging current control means during charging of said battery pack.

16. A device according to claim 15 wherein said charging current control means comprises variable impedance means for regulating charging current flow and said variable impedance means is permanently associated with said battery pack.