Patents by Inventor Christopher James Belcher

Christopher James Belcher has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9612287
    Abstract: Non-sequential monitoring of battery cells in battery monitoring systems, and related components, systems, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a battery monitoring system control unit is provided. The battery monitoring system control unit is configured to control battery monitoring devices. Each battery monitoring device is configured to be coupled to a subset of battery cells electrically connected in series in a sequential order to form a battery. The battery monitoring system control unit is further configured to instruct the battery monitoring devices to test an ohmic value of each battery cell of the battery cells of the battery in a non-sequential order. In this manner, heat generated in the battery monitoring devices from the testing may be more effectively dissipated, which can also allow for the battery monitoring devices to be employed in higher operating temperature environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: NDSL, Inc.
    Inventors: David Brown, Christopher James Belcher, Duncan Joseph Brown, Dat Tan Chau
  • Patent number: 9276298
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed include automatically determining alarm threshold settings for monitored battery cells in battery systems. Battery monitoring control units are provided that are configured to initiate battery performance tests (e.g., ohmic tests) on battery cells in a battery system. Failing battery cells are identified as those battery cells having battery performance characteristics outside defined battery performance threshold settings. An initial performance alarm threshold setting is established for each battery cell because of unique performance characteristics that can substantially change during initial charging cycles before the battery cells have settled. A settled performance alarm threshold setting specific to each battery cell is then established based on battery cell performance during the defined settling time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: NDSL, Inc.
    Inventors: David Brown, David Robert Battle, Christopher James Belcher, Duncan Joseph Brown, George Feller
  • Publication number: 20140242432
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed include automatically determining alarm threshold settings for monitored battery cells in battery systems. Battery monitoring control units are provided that are configured to initiate battery performance tests (e.g., ohmic tests) on battery cells in a battery system. Failing battery cells are identified as those battery cells having battery performance characteristics outside defined battery performance threshold settings. An initial performance alarm threshold setting is established for each battery cell because of unique performance characteristics that can substantially change during initial charging cycles before the battery cells have settled. A settled performance alarm threshold setting specific to each battery cell is then established based on battery cell performance during the defined settling time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: NDSL, Inc.
    Inventors: David Brown, David Robert Battle, Christopher James Belcher, Duncan Joseph Brown, George Feller
  • Publication number: 20130293995
    Abstract: Non-sequential monitoring of battery cells in battery monitoring systems, and related components, systems, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a battery monitoring system control unit is provided. The battery monitoring system control unit is configured to control battery monitoring devices. Each battery monitoring device is configured to be coupled to a subset of battery cells electrically connected in series in a sequential order to form a battery. The battery monitoring system control unit is further configured to instruct the battery monitoring devices to test an ohmic value of each battery cell of the battery cells of the battery in a non-sequential order. In this manner, heat generated in the battery monitoring devices from the testing may be more effectively dissipated, which can also allow for the battery monitoring devices to be employed in higher operating temperature environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: NDSL, Inc.
    Inventors: David Brown, Christopher James Belcher, Duncan Joseph Brown, Dat Tan Chau