Abstract: An intelligent battery charge equalization and monitoring system may assist in the management of battery string health by detecting individual batteries within a string that may need servicing. The system may detect a battery within a string that is charged to a higher voltage than other batteries within the string and discharge the overcharged battery until the battery's charge is equalized with the other batteries in the string. The system may use metrics related to how often individual batteries within a string of batteries must be equalized and utilize these metrics to perform maintenance actions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for determining whether a battery or battery system has encountered a thermal failure and/or end of service life condition. The battery monitoring system is configured to generate a plurality of alarms based on the occurrence of a number of conditions in the battery system.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring batteries is disclosed. There is provided a plurality of sensors each adapted to communicate with one of the batteries, and to provide information concerning a characteristic of the battery in response to application of a stimulus to the battery. A controller that communicates with the sensors is also provided. In one embodiment, the sensor includes the battery.

Abstract: Battery testing sensors, and systems and methods for testing batteries, are disclosed. Each battery sensor has a microcontroller programmed to analyze the frequencies of noise or other undesirable signals (“background noise”) present at a battery to be tested, and to determine the duty cycle of a desired pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to be applied to the battery in view of the background noise. Duty cycles of desired PWM signals are selected such that, when applied to the battery, they will at least approximate an AC signal having a frequency that has been determined to provide optimal test results in view of the background noise. The microcontroller analyzes the battery's response from application of the PWM signal thereto. Consequently, measurement errors from background noise present at the battery are minimized. Based on the response, attributes of the battery, such as internal admittance, voltage, current, and temperature, are determined.

Abstract: Battery testing sensors, and systems and methods for testing batteries, are disclosed. Each battery sensor has a microcontroller programmed to analyze the frequencies of noise or other undesirable signals (“background noise”) present at a battery to be tested, and to determine the duty cycle of a desired pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to be applied to the battery in view of the background noise. Duty cycles of desired PWM signals are selected such that, when applied to the battery, they will at least approximate an AC signal having a frequency that has been determined to provide optimal test results in view of the background noise. The microcontroller analyzes the battery's response from application of the PWM signal thereto. Consequently, measurement errors from background noise present at the battery are minimized. Based on the response, attributes of the battery, such as internal admittance, voltage, current, and temperature, are determined.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring batteries is disclosed. There is provided a plurality of sensors each adapted to communicate with one of the batteries, and to provide information concerning a characteristic of the battery in response to application of a stimulus to the battery. A controller that communicates with the sensors is also provided. In one embodiment, the sensor includes the battery.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring power sources, such as the batteries making up a bank of batteries, is disclosed. There is provided a plurality of addressable sensors each adapted to communicate with one of the power sources, and to provide information concerning a characteristic of the power source in response to application of an event to the power source by the sensor. A controller that addressably communicates with the sensors, and that determines additional information, is also provided. In one embodiment, the sensor includes the power source, such as the battery.

Abstract: The disclosed battery monitoring systems and methods may minimize measurement errors due to noise and/or other disruptions. The sensor may generate a pulse width modulated signal that when applied to the battery forms an AC test signal having a defined waveform, frequency, amplitude, and/or duration. The sensor may measure the battery's response to the test signal. The resultant response signal may be measured to determine the health of the battery, including its internal admittance. The sensor may determine an optimum frequency to test the battery by scanning a frequency range and measuring the amount of noise present.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a power source using a site controller and first and second sensors are described herein. The system may include a first power source in communication with a second power source. The system may include a first sensor in communication with the first power source and the first sensor may calculate an exponential discharge characteristic of the first power source. The system may include a second sensor in communication with the second power source and the second sensor may calculate an exponential discharge characteristic of the second power source. The system may include a controller in communication with the first sensor via the second sensor wherein the controller may determine the characteristics of the first power source as a function of the exponential discharge characteristic of the first power source.

Abstract: The disclosed battery monitoring systems and methods may minimize measurement errors due to noise and/or other disruptions. The sensor may generate a pulse width modulated signal that when applied to the battery forms an AC test signal having a defined waveform, frequency, amplitude, and/or duration. The sensor may measure the battery's response to the test signal. The resultant response signal may be measured to determine the health of the battery, including its internal admittance. The sensor may determine an optimum frequency to test the battery by scanning a frequency range and measuring the amount of noise present.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a power source using a site controller (905) and first and second sensors. The system includes a first power source in communication with a second power source. The system further includes a first sensor in communication with the first power source and the first sensor calculates an exponential discharge characteristic of the first power source. The system farther includes a second sensor in communication with the second power source and the second sensor calculates an exponential discharge characteristic of the second power source (902). The system further includes a controller in communications with the first sensor via the second sensor wherein the controller determines the characteristics of the first power source as a function of the exponential discharge characteristic of the first power source (901).

Abstract: An intelligent battery charge equalization and monitoring system may assist in the management of battery string health by detecting individual batteries within a string that may need servicing. The system may detect a battery within a string that is charged to a higher voltage than other batteries within the string and discharge the overcharged battery until the battery's charge is equalized with the other batteries in the string. The system may use metrics related to how often individual batteries within a string of batteries must be equalized and utilize these metrics to perform maintenance actions.

Abstract: The disclosed battery monitoring systems and methods may minimize measurement errors due to noise and/or other disruptions. The sensor may generate a pulse width modulated signal that when applied to the battery forms an AC test signal having a defined waveform, frequency, amplitude, and/or duration. The sensor may measure the battery's response to the test signal. The resultant response signal may be measured to determine the health of the battery, including its internal admittance. The sensor may determine an optimum frequency to test the battery by scanning a frequency range and measuring the amount of noise present.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a power source using a site controller (905) and first and second sensors. The system includes a first power source in communication with a second power source. The system further includes a first sensor in communication with the first power source and the first sensor calculates an exponential discharge characteristic of the first power source. The system farther includes a second sensor in communication with the second power source and the second sensor calculates an exponential discharge characteristic of the second power source (902). The system further includes a controller in communications with the first sensor via the second sensor wherein the controller determines the characteristics of the first power source as a function of the exponential discharge characteristic of the first power source (901).