Charging monitoring systems

• US 7,039,534 B1
• Filed: 10/20/2004
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald A. Ryno, Shirlee M. Ryno
• Original Assignee: Ronald A. Ryno, Shirlee M. Ryno
• Inventors: Ryno, Ronald A., Ryno, Shirlee M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): VO, HIEN XUAN
• Application Number:
  US10/970,583
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 702/63, 702/64, 702/65, 702/66, 324/427, 324/430, 324/433, 320/150, 320/164, 320/134, 320/161, 320/136, 320/135, 320/163
• US Class Current: 702/63
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16542 for batteries charge condition monitoring in G01R31/36
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/005 Testing of electric installations on transport means
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/371 with remote indication, e.g. on external chargers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/14 for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

An electronic system for the continuous monitoring of voltage charge within the electrical system of a motor vehicle having an electrical generation source and a secondary electrochemical cell or battery. The system comprises a programmable in-vehicle monitor having a flashing LED indicator that alerts the vehicle operator of the condition of the electrical system. An example of the invention comprises a plug-in housing for use in a vehicle accessory-power-socket. Additionally, a method of market distribution is disclosed.

Claims

1. A monitoring system, relating to monitoring of at least one electrical system having at least one current-carrying circuit, such circuit comprising at least one variable operating voltage, such system comprising:

a) continuous-accessor means for continuously accessing the at least one variable operating voltage of the at least one current-carrying circuit;

b) sampler means, electrically coupled to said continuous-accessor means, for sampling the at least one variable operating voltage;

c) sample-voltage valuer means, electrically coupled to said sampler means, for providing at least one sampled voltage value for the at least one variable operating voltage;

d) benchmark memory storage means for storing a plurality of programmable benchmark voltage values for the at least one variable operating voltage;

e) sampled-voltage-value storage means, electrically coupled to said sampler means, for storing the at least one sampled voltage value;

f) logic-processor means, electrically coupled to said benchmark memory storage means and said sampled-voltage-value storage means, for logically processing the at least one sampled voltage value, wherein said logic-processor means comprises

i) sampled-voltage indicator means for providing at least one indication of the at least one sampled voltage value,

ii) comparator means for comparing the at least one indication of the at least one sampled voltage value with at least one of the plurality of programmable benchmark voltage values, and

iii) output signal generator means for generating at least one output signal from said comparator means; and

g) user-sensable signalling device controller means, electrically coupled with said output signal generator means, for controlling at least one user-sensable signalling device.

2. A monitoring system, relating to vehicle-user monitoring of at least one vehicular electrical charging system having at least one current-carrying circuit, such circuit comprising at least one operating voltage and at least one rechargeable energy storage battery, such system comprising:

a) at least one continuous-accessor adapted to continuously access the at least one operating voltage of the at least one current-carrying circuit;

b) at least one sampler, electrically coupled to said at least one continuous-accessor, adapted to sample the at least one operating voltage;

c) at least one sample-voltage valuer, electrically coupled to said at least one sampler, structured and arranged to provide at least one sampled voltage value for the at least one operating voltage;

d) at least one benchmark memory storage to store a plurality of programmable benchmark voltage values for the at least one operating voltage;

e) at least one sampled-voltage-value storage, electrically coupled to said at least one sampler, to store the at least one sampled voltage value;

f) at least one logic-processor, electrically coupled to said at least one benchmark memory storage and said at least one sampled-voltage-value storage, for logically processing the at least one sampled voltage value, wherein said at least one logic-processor comprises

i) at least one sampled-voltage indicator structured and arranged to provide at least one indication of the at least one sampled voltage value,

ii) at least one comparator to compare the at least one indication of the at least one sampled voltage value with at least one of the plurality of programmable benchmark voltage values, and

iii) at least one output signal generator to generate at least one output signal from said at least one comparator; and

g) at least one user-sensable signaling-device controller, electrically coupled with said at least one output signal generator, structured and arranged to control at least one user-sensable signalling device.

3. The monitoring system according to claim 2 further comprising at least one user-sensable signalling device, coupled to said at least one output signal generator, structured and arranged to provide at least one user-sensable signal.

4. The monitoring system according to claim 3 wherein said at least one user-sensable signalling device is adapted to provide at least four unique user-sensable signals.

5. The monitoring system according to claim 3 wherein said at least one user-sensable signalling device comprises a single illumination source.

6. The monitoring system according to claim 2 wherein said at least one logic-processor is programmable.

7. The monitoring system according to claim 2 wherein said at least one logic-processor comprises electrically erasable, programmable read-only memory.

8. The monitoring system according to claim 2 wherein said at least one sample-voltage valuer comprises at least one analog-to-digital converter structured and arranged to convert the at least one operating voltage from at least one analog signal to at least one digital value.

9. The monitoring system according to claim 2 wherein said at least one continuous-accessor is adapted to sample the at least one operating voltage of exactly one of the at least one current-carrying circuits.

10. The monitoring system according to claim 2 wherein said at least one sampler comprises at least one circuit structured and arranged to electrically process the at least one operating voltage.

11. The monitoring system according to claim 10 further comprising:

a) at least one calibration tester adapted to perform at least one calibration test to measure actual performance of at least one monitoring function of said monitoring system;

b) wherein said at least one calibration tester is adapted to produce calibration test data on performing the at least one calibration test.

12. The monitoring system according to claim 11 further comprising at least one programmer adapted to program said at least one logic-processor.

13. The monitoring system according to claim 12 wherein said at least one programmer comprises at least one control program adapted to control the logical processing of the at least one sampled voltage value.

14. The monitoring system according to claim 13 wherein:

a) said at least one control program comprises at least one calibrator adapted to calibrate the monitoring performance of said monitoring system to match at least one target monitoring performance; and

b) said at least one calibrator calibrates the operational performance of said monitoring system by utilizing the at least one set of calibration test data.

15. The monitoring system according to claim 13 further comprising:

a) at least one circuit-supporting substrate adapted to support said at least one circuit;

b) wherein said at least one circuit-supporting substrate comprises at least one peripheral edge; and

c) said at least one peripheral edge comprises at least one electrical edge-coupler adapted to permit at least one removably engageable electrical coupling between said at least one circuit and at least one other circuit of at least one other device.

16. The monitoring system according to claim 15 wherein said at least one other device comprises said at least one calibration tester.

17. The monitoring system according to claim 15 wherein said at least one other device comprises said at least one programmer.

18. The monitoring system according to claim 15 wherein said at least one other device comprises the at least one vehicular electrical charging system.

19. The monitoring system according to claim 13 wherein said at least one calibration tester comprises said at least one programmer.

20. The monitoring system according to claim 15 wherein said at least one edge connector comprises at least one electrically conductive contact electrically coupled to said at least one circuit.

21. The monitoring system according to claim 20 wherein said at least one edge connector comprises:

a) at least one electrically conductive data contact adapted to conduct at least one data signal to at least one data-using component of said monitoring system; and

b) at least one electrically conductive power contact adapted to conduct electrical power to said at least one circuit.

22. The monitoring system according to claim 10 wherein said at least one circuit comprises at least one first filter adapted to filter radio frequency energy from the at least one operating voltage.

23. The monitoring system according to claim 22 wherein said at least one circuit further comprises:

a) at least one second filter adapted to filter out conducted high frequency noise from the at least one operating voltage; and

b) at least one third filter adapted to filter out conducted low frequency noise from the at least one operating voltage.

24. The monitoring system according to claim 2 wherein said at least one continuous-accessor requires only one positive electrical connection and only one grounded connection to the at least one current-carrying circuit.

25. The monitoring system according to claim 2 wherein said at least one continuous-accessor comprises at least one vehicular accessory power socket adapter to electrically engage at least one vehicular accessory power socket.

26. The monitoring system according to claim 25 wherein:

a) said at least one vehicular accessory power socket adapter comprises at least one cylindrical housing; and

b) said at least one cylindrical housing comprises at least one interior cavity portion adapted to essentially contain said monitoring system.

27. A monitoring system, relating to vehicle-user monitoring of at least one vehicular electrical charging system having at least one current-carrying circuit, such circuit comprising at least one operating voltage, at least one rechargeable energy storage battery and at least one accessory power socket, such system comprising:

a) at least one continuous-accessor adapted to continuously access the at least one operating voltage of the at least one current-carrying circuit by engaging the at least one accessory power socket;

b) at least one sampler, electrically coupled to said at least one continuous-accessor, adapted to sample the at least one operating voltage;

c) at least one sample-voltage valuer, electrically coupled to said at least one sampler, structured and arranged to provide at least one sampled voltage value for the at least one operating voltage;

d) at least one benchmark memory storage to store a plurality of programmable benchmark voltage values for the at least one operating voltage;

e) at least one sampled-voltage-value storage, electrically coupled to said at least one sampler, to store the at least one sampled voltage value;

f) at least one logic-processor, electrically coupled to said at least one benchmark memory storage and said at least one sampled-voltage-value storage, for logically processing the at least one sampled voltage value, wherein said at least one logic-processor comprises

i) at least one sampled-voltage indicator structured and arranged to provide at least one indication of the at least one sampled voltage value,

ii) at least one comparator to compare the at least one indication of the at least one sampled voltage value with at least one of the plurality of programmable benchmark voltage values, and

iii) at least one output signal generator to generate at least one output signal from said at least one comparator; and

iv) at least one user-sensable signalling device controller, electrically coupled with said at least one output signal generator, structured and arranged to control at least one user-sensable signalling device.

28. A kit system, containing at least one monitoring device for monitoring at least one vehicular electrical charging system, such kit system comprising:

a) at least one continuous-accessor adapted to continuously access at least one operating voltage of the at least one current-carrying circuit by engaging the at least one accessory power socket;

b) at least one sampler, electrically coupled to said at least one continuous-accessor, adapted to sample the at least one operating voltage;

c) at least one sample-voltage valuer, electrically coupled to said sampler means, structured and arranged to provide at least one sampled voltage value for the at least one operating voltage;

d) at least one benchmark memory storage to store a plurality of programmable benchmark voltage values for the at least one operating voltage;

e) at least one sampled-voltage-value storage, electrically coupled to said at least one sampling means, to store the at least one sampled voltage value;

f) at least one logic-processor, electrically coupled to said at least one benchmark memory storage and said at least one sampled-voltage-value storage, for logically processing the at least one sampled voltage value, wherein said at least one logic-processor comprises

i) at least one sampled-voltage indicator structured and arranged to provide at least one indication of the at least one sampled voltage value,

ii) at least one comparator to compare the at least one indication of the at least one sampled voltage value with at least one of the plurality of programmable benchmark voltage values, and

iii) at least one output signal generator to generate at least one output signal from said at least one comparator; and

iv) at least one user-sensable signalling device controller, electrically coupled with said at least one output signal generator, structured and arranged to control at least one LED;

g) at least one LED socket having at least one retaining ring;

h) at least one ring connector;

i) at least one butt connector;

j) at least one cable tie;

k) at least one installation and operating instruction; and

l) at least one consumer package.

29. A kit system, containing at least one monitoring device for monitoring at least one vehicular electrical charging system, such kit system comprising:

a) at least one monitoring device comprising;

i) at least one continuous-accessor adapted to continuously access at least one operating voltage of said at least one vehicular electrical charging system by engaging at least one vehicular accessory power socket,

ii) at least one sampler, electrically coupled to said at least one continuous-accessor, structured and arranged to sample the at least one operating voltage,

iii) at least one sampled voltage-value generator, electrically coupled to said at least one sampler, to provide at least one sampled voltage value for the at least one operating voltage,

iv) at least one benchmark memory device to store a plurality of programmable benchmark voltage values for the at least one operating voltage,

v) at least one storage memory, electrically coupled to said at least one sampler, to store the at least one sampled voltage value, and

vi) at least one logic-processor, electrically coupled to said at least one benchmark memory device and said at least one storage memory, structured and arranged to logically process the at least one sampled voltage value, wherein said at least one logic-processor comprises,

(a) at least one sampled voltage indicator adapted to provide at least one indication of sampled voltage value,

(b) at least one comparator to compare the at least one indication of sampled voltage value with at least one of the plurality of programmable benchmark voltage values,

(c) at least one output signal device adapted to provide at least one output signal from said at least one comparator, and

vii) at least one visual signal device controller, electrically coupled with said at least one output signal device, structured and arranged to control at least one visual signal device;

b) at least one installation and operating instruction; and

c) at least one consumer package.

30. A method for providing vehicle-specific voltage monitoring systems for each of a plurality of differing motor vehicles each having at least one electrical charging system, such method comprising the steps of:

a) identifying at least one plurality of such differing motor vehicles;

b) assembling vehicle-specific benchmark voltage data for each one of such plurality of differing motor vehicles;

c) providing at least one programmable device, adapted to in-vehicle use, structured and arranged to

i) sample voltage from such electrical charging system and

ii) compare such sampled voltage to the vehicle-specific benchmark voltage data;

d) providing vehicle-specific software, using the vehicle-specific benchmark voltage data, such vehicle-specific software being downloadable to provide at least one program to such at least one in-vehicle programmable device; and

e) providing to vehicle aftermarkets such vehicle-specific voltage monitoring systems.