Abstract: A method for determining the state of charge of rechargeable batteries by measuring the rechargeable battery voltage and comparing it with predetermined families of characteristic curves, the rechargeable battery voltage UBi, the charging time tLi and, from comparison with characteristic curves &Dgr;Qi=f(SOC,tL,UB) the charge increase are determined in each charging phase. In a subsequent discharge phase, the rechargeable battery voltage UBi is measured in time intervals, a rechargeable battery voltage value UBij+1 at the end of a time interval is determined from the rechargeable battery voltage UBij at the beginning of the time interval by means of an assumed current value IBij by comparison with families of characteristic curves UB=f(IB,Ri,SOC), and a corrected current value IBij+1 is determined by iteration from the deviation of the value thus determined of UBij+1 and the rechargeable battery voltage actually measured at the end of the time interval.

Abstract: In a method for predicting the equilibrated open-circuit voltage of an electrochemical energy store by measuring the voltage settling response Uo(t) in a load-free period, a formulaic relationship between the equilibrated open-circuit voltage Uoo and the decaying voltage Uo(t) of the form Uoo=Uo(t)−w*ln(t)−w*F(T) is used, the prefactor w being the experimentally determined slope of the dependency of Uo on ln(t) at the time t, w=−(uo(t2)−Uo(t1))/ln(t2/t1), and Uo(t1) being the unloaded voltage Uo at the time t1 and Uo(t2) being the unloaded voltage Uo at the later time t2>t1, and F(T) being a function which depends only on the absolute temperature T of the energy store. The function F(T) has the general form F(T)=(K|E/T)/(1+q*w)/f(T), K, E and q being experimentally determined constants, T being the absolute temperature in kelvin, and f(T) being a function which contains only the absolute temperature T as a free parameter.

Abstract: A method for predicting the loading capability of an accumulator by measuring the current I, voltage U and temperature T of the accumulator, and comparing the measured values with the corresponding values of the response of an equivalent circuit diagram of the accumulator, the parameters of the components of the equivalent circuit diagram and the state variables are varied so that a match with the measured values is obtain. The loading capability is deduced from the matched parameters and state variables determined in this way. The equivalent circuit diagram has the form -Uo-R-CS- and the input voltage U′ of the equivalent circuit diagram is a voltage that is corrected with respect to the measured battery voltage U, the correction function containing as variables only the current I, the voltage U and the temperature T and as a nonlinear term a logarithmic dependency on I. By using the equivalent circuit diagram, the instantaneous loading capability, i.e.

Abstract: An energy management system for an electrical system of a motor vehicle subjected to a large number of loads including at least one generator, at least one storage battery, a controller of energy distribution in the system which bases such control at least on efficiency of individual components of the motor vehicle involved in power generation, energy storage and power consumption. In order to determine the overall efficiency of the energy storage unit, which comprises at least one energy store, the state of charge, the temperature of the store and the absolute magnitude of the charging and discharging currents are taken into account. In addition to mechanically driven generators, the system can possess a fuel cell and, in addition to an electrochemical energy store, further physical stores such as double-layer capacitors.

Abstract: An electrical rechargeable battery has an end pole, which is provided with an external thread and to which a flat cable lug of a cable connection is connected. The end pole is arranged in a circular recess in the cover such that the end pole is surrounded on all sides by the plastic material of the cover and is accessible only from above and through at least one narrow slot, through which a flat cable connection can be inserted. A covering cap, which is designed to be insulating at least in the region which is accessible from above, is screwed onto the end pole. The covering cap is arranged in a captive manner on the cover.

Abstract: A rechargeable electric battery including a plate block arranged in a plastic block box, positive and negative electrodes located in the box and electrically isolated by separators and conductively connected by sulfuric acid electrolyte, a cover for the box which has closure plugs and/or acid state indicators fitted in a gas-tight manner to openings therein, wherein at least a portion of an inner surface of the battery is electrically conductive or is provided with an electrically conductive layer, beginning in an area of a sealing seat of the closure plug or of the acid state indicator, and is electrically conductively connected to the electrolyte.

Abstract: A method for measuring fitness for use of a storage battery subject to electric loading including determining a load profile (current profile I(t) or power profile P(t)) as a function of time t, for the storage battery, recording an actual voltage response U(t) of the storage battery to the load profile or calculating a voltage response U(t) of the storage battery to the load profile, and determining a fitness for use value SOH for the storage battery based on the difference between a lowest (highest) voltage value Umin (Umax) during application of the load profile to the storage battery, and based on a voltage limiting value U1, wherein U1 is a voltage value which may not be undershot (overshot) by the voltage U(t) at any time t during which the load profile is applied to the storage battery.

Abstract: A method for determining performance of a storage battery including evaluating a time profile of voltage drop in the storage battery by application of a heavy current load, determining a voltage A from voltage response U(t) of the storage battery after switching on the heavy current load, determining a state value A1 from the voltage value A, battery temperature TBAT and state of charge SOC, comparing state value A1 with a preset value A1x which depends at least on associated battery temperature (TBAT) and associated state of charge (SOC) of the storage battery, wherein the present value A1x is calculated from comparison values A1T which are determined from the state values A1 for previous heavy current loads applied to the storage battery, and determining performance of the storage battery from the difference between the present value A1x and the state value A1.

Abstract: A method for determining the state of charge of lead-acid rechargeable batteries comprising a) substantially simultaneously measuring measured-value pairs (Ui, Ii) of the rechargeable battery voltage and current flowing at time ti over time interval dt, b) selecting a group of said measured-value pairs (Ui, Ii) for which only a discharge current flowed in the last time interval dt, c) varying parameters Uo, R and C such that a residual sum of squares between values Ui given by formula (1) Ui=Uo−R*Ii+1/C∫Idt  (1) and measured values U(ti) is minimized, wherein Uo represents no-load voltage, R represents resistance and C represents capacitance, and d) calculating the state of charge of the rechargeable battery from the no load voltage obtained from formula (1).

Abstract: A method for determining the state of charge of a storage battery, wherein at least two methods of different approach for determining state of charge are simultaneously applied. The individually obtained results of the different methods are weighted in accordance with their respective reliability in the respective current or former operating situation of the storage battery, and the weighted mean value of the individual methods thus obtained is used as final output variable of the method and displayed. The voltage of the storage battery, the current flowing through it and its temperatures are measured, and the different methods use these input variables and variables derived from these input variables as final input variables. At least one of the different methods uses the integration of the current flowing through the storage battery to determine the changes in the charge content of the storage battery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the state of charge and loading capacity of an electrical storage battery by measuring current, voltage and temperature and comparing the measured values with the corresponding values for the response of an equivalent circuit diagram of the storage battery, the parameters of the components in the equivalent circuit diagram and the state variables being varied such that the measured values are matched and that the state of charge and loading capacity are determined from the adjusted parameters and state variables determined.

Abstract: A separator for lead storage batteries is formed from a strip material, having main ribs arranged at regular intervals on the base sheet of the separator as spacers with respect to the positive electrode and reinforcing ribs which lie close together and are of a lower height than the main ribs arranged in the region which covers the lateral electrode edge. In the region of the reinforcing ribs, an additional rib which is of the same height as the main ribs bears against the lateral edge of the positive electrode and may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the main ribs, is provided at each separator edge, parallel to the main ribs.

Abstract: A method for determining the starting ability of the starter battery in a motor vehicle. The current and voltage of the storage battery are measured before starting is begun, shortly after starting is begun and at short intervals of time during the starting procedure. The current/voltage value pairs for each instant are used to calculate a resistance value and the quantity of charge drawn from the storage battery, and the rate of rise in the resistance values as a function of the quantity of charge drawn is used to derive a measure of the availability of the storage battery during the starting procedure. In particular, the gradient &Dgr;RQ of the internal resistance as a function of the quantity of charge drawn and the turn-on internal resistance RE are stored in an arithmetical memory as a field as a function of the charge state or of the equivalent no-load voltage (UR) and the battery temperature and are compared with already recorded values or typical normal values.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an electrode grid for lead batteries with a rectangular grid frame, pasting accessory rails arranged on it, and a group of grid cross members which form the skeleton to hold the active mass, the pasting accessory rails extending on both sides of the electrode grid solely in the pasting direction and, especially on the front and back side of the electrode grid, are arranged offset from each other.

Abstract: A lead acid cell including a positive plate or grid has been discovered involving Pb/Ca/Sn/Ag alloy. An interaction between tin and silver which leads to optimum tin and silver levels which are substantially different than those indicated in the prior art. The described optimum tin and silver levels results in a positive alloy with superior mechanical properties and improved corrosion resistance which leads to superior battery life in present day SLI applications. In a preferred manner, the alloy includes lead, tin in the range of about 0.8% to about 1.17%, and silver in the range of grater than 0 to about 0.015%, the percentages being based upon the total weight of the lead-based alloy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for determining the starting capacity of a starter battery of a motor vehicle for which the mean value for the voltage surge during the starting of an internal combustion engine, is determined as a function of mean values for the battery and engine temperatures, compared with the voltage surge values of a characteristic line field which records determined voltage surges as a function of corresponding battery and engine temperatures, a deviation of the actually determined voltage surge from the voltage surge stored in the characteristic line field is determined and compared to a preassigned value, and an indicator or an alarm is triggered as soon as the preassigned value is exceeded.

Abstract: In an electric battery, an electronic clock is integrated in the battery container in order to monitor battery functions. The frequency of the electronic clock is varied as a function of at least one characteristic value of the battery. In one embodiment, the frequency of the electronic clock increases with increasing electrolyte temperature and increasing deviation of the terminal voltage from the open-circuit voltage of the battery. Specifically, the electronic clock may be connected to a measurement probe immersed in the electrolyte through which voltage is supplied to the electronic clock and the battery temperature and the electrolyte level are measured. The electronic clock signals its stopping as soon as a pre-assigned nominal running time is reached.

Abstract: A method for charging an electric storage cell, in particular a lead acid battery, as the starter battery in a motor vehicle, involves the generator voltage being controlled, using the charge state of the accumulator as a controlled variable, the charge state being derived from a measurement of the no-load voltage of the storage cell at the instant of the zero crossing of the current flowing in the storage cell. The measurement of the no-load voltage is carried out within a period of from 0.1 ms to 1 ms after a zero crossing of the current in the storage cell.

Abstract: A lead storage battery with a monobloc container receives plate groups in cell compartments which are adjustable in width using a series of side wall ribs. Each rib includes a cell connector formed on the container wall, which is in turn provided with support portions which extend into the container compartment to define a roughly T-shaped cross-section. Each rib is further joined to the bottom of the container along its cross-section. Since the support portions are aligned with, or substantially aligned with the container wall, a large-surface support is provided for receiving a plate group, preventing the potential for wearing into the outermost electrodes of the plate group during vibrational stress, and the failure of the mass which can then result.