Abstract: A battery strength indicating and switch means on a battery which is coupled across the terminals of the battery and which is provided with an indicating means to indicate the strength of the battery and in addition, the battery strength indicating means is also provided with an in-line switch which can easily be depressed to complete the circuit so as to place the indicator means across the terminals of the cell and display the charge of the battery.

Abstract: An electronic counting device for counting the charge cycles accumulated on a battery. The counting device is mounted on a battery intercell connector and senses the reversal in current through the battery which corresponds to a charge cycle.

Abstract: A battery system includes a battery pack having a plurality of batteries and electronic circuitry for monitoring battery parameters and producing an analog output signal related to the state of the charge in the batteries. An attachment is detachably mounted on the battery pack and produces a display indicating the state of charge in the batteries using the analog output signal from the battery pack. The attachment which includes a bracket and a display unit also serves as connector for connecting the battery pack to the device which is to be powered by the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery strength indicating and switch means on a battery which is coupled across the terminals of the battery and which is provided with an indicating means to indicate the strength of the battery and in addition, the battery strength indicating means is also provided with an in-line switch which can easily be depressed to complete the circuit so as to place the indicator means across the terminals of the cell and display the charge of the battery.

Abstract: A battery monitors by which an individual cell in a wet cell battery may be monitored for variations in the level of electrolyte contained in the cell. More specifically, the invention relates to a universal electrolyte level indicator which may be attached to, and made part of, battery powered mobile equipment of all types for the purposes of providing a warning indication to the operator of the equipment that water needs to be added to the batteries contained therein.

Abstract: An emergency battery monitor is adapted for use with at least one storage battery. The battery has first and second output terminals across which an output voltage is produced, the battery, when in normal operation, exhibiting an output voltage falling within a nominal value range having predetermined maximum and minimum values. The battery has at least one cell which contains a liquid electrolyte. The electrolyte, when the battery is in normal operation, has a predetermined minimum level in the cell. The monitor includes a member associated with the cell, which is electrically conductive when the level of the electrolyte is at least equal to the minimum level and is electrically non-conductive when the level of the electrolyte falls below the minimum level. Integrated circuits coupled to the output terminals and the member produce a first signal designating normal battery operation when the member is conductive and the value of the output voltage falls within the nominal value range.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery having a housing storing a rechargeable battery means and including a battery charge transfer measuring circuit within the battery housing. The battery means and the measuring circuit are sealed in the housing and are connectable to an external power pack for charging the discharged battery means. The measuring circuit controls signaling means visible from outside of the housing for signaling a charging condition to a fully charged condition of the housed battery means.

Abstract: An electrical battery is provided which includes a current sensing resistor situated in series with a plurality of battery cells located within a housing. The respective ends of the plurality of cells are coupled to positive and negative contacts on an external surface of the battery. The respective ends of the current sensing resistor are coupled to first and second sensing contacts on the external surface of the battery. A battery structure is thus provided which is capable of supplying electrical energy while permitting sensing of the magnitude of electrical current drawn from the battery.

Abstract: This invention provides a passive potentiostat which is adapted to function as a self-adjustable unipolar resistive load.The passive potentiostat is suitable for controlling the half-cell potential of a thermodynamically favorable electrochemical process, e.g., a process operating in a fuel cell mode or battery mode.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus and method are disclosed for monitoring and/or indicating energy that a battery power source has then remaining and/or can deliver for utilization purposes as, for example, to an electric vehicle. A battery mathematical model forms the basis for monitoring with a capacity prediction determined from measurement of the discharge current rate and stored battery parameters. The predicted capacity is used to provide a state-of-charge indication. Self-calibration over the life of the battery power supply is enacted through use of a feedback voltage based upon the difference between predicted and measured voltages to correct the battery mathematical model. Through use of a microprocessor with central information storage of temperature, current and voltage, system behavior is monitored, and system flexibility is enhanced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the sequential testing of series connected lead-acid storage batteries for short circuits between plates of opposite polarity within a cell and for electrical continuity between cells of said battery is disclosed. The apparatus comprises power and control circuitry working in conjunction with a terminal block containing a plurality of pins which are connected to the intercell lugs on the positive and negative straps which when welded together form the intercell connections within the battery. Within this block, the pins are partially wired together so that if there is complete continuity of the intercell welds a continuous electrical circuit is formed. Midway in the electrical wiring is a blocking diode which acts to permit the passage of a DC test current in only one direction. If a positive polarity voltage is impressed on the cathode side of the diode, current will only flow if there is a short circuit between plates of opposite polarity within the cell.

Abstract: A device to which a plurality of battery cases having different nominal voltages are selectively mountable and which checks the battery voltage of a mounted case comprises signal apparatus provided on each of the cases and which emits a discrimination signal capable of discriminating which of the cases has been mounted, voltage check apparatus including a plurality of voltage check circuits corresponding to the cases to check each of the output voltages of the batteries contained in the cases, and apparatus operatively associated with the signal apparatus during said mounting for selecting one of the voltage check circuits in accordance with the discrimination signal and applying to the selected voltage check circuit the output voltage of the battery contained in the mounted case as a voltage to be checked.

Abstract: An electric storage battery and a method for monitoring the operation of the battery and automatically replenishing chemicals employed to operate the battery and provide its electrical energy output. In one form, a computer or microprocessor receives, processes and automatically analyzes signals received from a plurality of sensors which sense the battery condition and operation. The microprocessor generates control signals for controlling the flow of chemicals to and from the battery operating chamber or chambers. As a result, the battery is kept in a predetermined state of charge or operating condition.

Abstract: A rechargable battery, system and method for controlling its operation and the recharging thereof in order to prolong the useful life of the battery and to optimize its operation. In one form, an electronic microprocessor is provided within or attached to the battery for receiving and processing electrical signals generated by one or more sensors of battery operational variable and for generating output signals which may be employed to control the charge of the battery and to display one or more variables concerned with the battery operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the sequential testing of series connected lead-acid storage batteries for short circuits between plates of opposite polarity within a cell and for electrical continuity between cells of said battery is disclosed. The apparatus comprises power and control circuitry working in conjunction with a terminal block containing a plurality of pins which are connected to the intercell lugs on the positive and negative straps which when welded together form the intercell connections within the battery. Within this block, the pins are partially wired together so that if there is complete continuity of the intercell welds a continuous electrical circuit is formed. Midway in the electrical wiring is a blocking diode which acts to permit the passage of a DC test current in only one direction. If a positive polarity voltage is impressed on the cathode side of the diode, current will only flow if there is a short circuit between plates of opposite polarity within the cell.

Abstract: An electrical device for use with electric storage batteries has a bi-level battery state-of-charge indicator incorporated therein. The electrical device is shown as a battery cable connector and a battery cable clamp. The built-in indicator provides an indication of the battery state-of-charge when the battery reads a preselected state-of-charge and continues to provide such an indication until the battery has been discharged to a preselected state. The indicator utilizes a light emitting diode to monitor the battery state-of-charge through the use of bi-level voltage comparator circuit.

Abstract: An electrical device for use with electric storage batteries has a bi-level battery state-of-charge indicator incorporated therein. The electrical device is shown as a battery cable connector and a battery cable clamp. The built-in indicator provides an indication of the battery state-of-charge when the battery reads a preselected state-of-charge and continues to provide such an indication until the battery has been discharged to a preselected state. The indicator utilizes a light emitting diode to monitor the battery state-of-charge through the use of bi-level voltage comparator circuit.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell pack is provided having a casing holding a plurality of electrically interconnected cells and having circuit breaking means to guard against the possibility of excessive supply and consumption of electrical power and the risk of damage or injury incident thereto. The circuit breaker comprises a small current fuse contained internally of the cell pack so as to give an external visible indication of its state and is removably mounted on an access door for replacement purposes.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the charge and/or discharge cycles of an alkali-metal/sulphur cell or battery has detecting means for detecting predetermined high and/or low levels of alkali-metal in the anode compartment of a cell or in an alkali-metal reservoir communicating with the anode compartment whereby the end of the charge and/or discharge cycles is determined. Alternatively, similar detecting means can be associated with an alkali-metal/alkali-metal cycling device which is connected electrically in series with a group of series-connected cells of an alkali-metal/sulphur battery to determine the end of the charge and/or discharge cycles of the battery.

Abstract: A warning system for indicating a critical charge condition of starter batteries in vehicles, especially in motor vehicles which operate according to the hydrometer principle; a specially constructed float is movably arranged on the inside of an areometer housing connected with the inside of the battery housing by way of apertures in such a manner that a warning signal is adapted to be triggered when the float sinks to a predetermined height corresponding to a predetermined acid concentration.

Abstract: A device for detecting the overdischarge of the accumulator as well as the surface level of electrolyte contained in the accumulator comprising a floating member, a case housing the floating member and having a hole through which the electrolyte in the accumulator passes, a means for sucking the electrolyte through the hole into the case, and a magnetically sensing switch arranged to be operated responding to movement of the floating member. At least one chamber communicated with the outside of the case is provided in the case outside the hole through which the electrolyte passes.

Abstract: An electrical measuring system for testing electrical components to receive a specially wrapped package containing the component to be tested, the console including a meter or other indicating system for providing an indication of the voltage characteristic of the component. The console includes a provision for testing different voltage components, for example, one and one-half, nine and thirty-five volt components, and the output indication of the voltage level of the component may be by meter needle or by a light system. The component is specially packaged in a container having a tab portion formed thereon, the component being packed with a film-like conductors which are led to the tab, the tab portion being adapted to be inserted into the test console. In certain circumstances, the tab portion is adapted to be varied in length depending on the voltage of the component packaged therein, the variation in length being utilized to switch the console circuitry to accommodate different voltages.