Method and apparatus for monitoring and maintaining a plurality of batteries

• US 6,181,109 B1
• Filed: 09/30/1999
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Alliedsignal Inc.
• Inventors: Palanisamy, Thirumalai G., Singh, Harmohan, Tegge, Rainer, Maio, Stephen T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TIBBITS, PIA FLORENCE
• Application Number:
  US09/408,675
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 320/150
• US Class Current: 320/150
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/367 Software therefor, e.g. for battery testing using modelling or look-up tables
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/374 with means for correcting the measurement for temperature or ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/379 for lead-acid batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3842 combining voltage and current measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/396 Acquisition or processing of data for testing or for monitoring individual cells or groups of cells within a battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0014 Circuits for equalisation of charge between batteries

Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring and maintaining a plurality of batteries. The batteries are maintained according to a two-part method. In the first part, a normal analysis is performed on all of the batteries. In the normal analysis, it is determined if any one of the batteries has marginal conditions. The marginal battery (which can be one or more batteries) is selected for a second part of the method, which includes a detailed analysis. The detailed analysis is performed on the marginal battery. The marginal battery is then serviced according to the results of the detailed analysis.

Claims

1. A two-part method for maintaining a plurality of batteries, having a first part comprising a normal analysis and a second part comprising a detailed analysis, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring battery conditions of the plurality of batteries;

performing the normal analysis on the plurality of batteries using the monitored battery conditions;

selecting at least one battery which is detected as being marginal by the normal analysis;

measuring battery parameters of the marginal battery;

performing the detailed analysis on the marginal battery using the measured battery parameters; and

flagging for service the marginal battery according to the results of the detailed analysis.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the battery conditions of the plurality of batteries are monitored continuously.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the detailed analysis overrides the normal analysis.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

selectively supplying a voltage charge to each of the batteries;

monitoring state of charge (SOC) of the plurality of batteries; and

adjusting the voltage charge according to the state of charge (SOC) monitored.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of recommending actions to service the marginal battery.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of increasing voltage charge to the marginal battery if the marginal battery has low state of charge (SOC).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the conditions monitored consist of battery terminal voltage, battery ambient temperature, charge and discharge current.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the battery parameters measured consist of mismatched cells, soft-shorted cells, reverse connections, high terminal resistance, low electrolyte level, corroded terminals, power system status, battery capacity, state of charge, and time to maintain/replace battery.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of determining if the marginal battery can be taken offline.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising additional steps of:

performing a charge/discharge cycle on the marginal battery; and

verifying battery capacity of the marginal battery;

provided it is determined that the marginal battery can be taken offline.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising a step of evaluating results of the charge/discharge cycle performed.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of charging the marginal battery if the evaluated results are within a prescribed range.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of replacing the marginal battery if the evaluated results are outside of a prescribed range.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising additional steps of:

analyzing internal resistance (IR) of the batteries; and

anticipating a time when the IR reaches an IR limit.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein useful life of the batteries is predicted based on the internal resistance analysis and the IR limit.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps in a programmed machine of:

determining an internal resistance (IR) versus temperature curve;

comparing the IR versus temperature curve with a reference IR versus temperature curve; and

extrapolating from the comparison a time when an IR limit is reached.