Abstract: A battery monitoring system continuously calculates the estimated runtime of a bank of batteries in a battery backup system during both a period of operation when the load current is supplied by a commercial source of AC power and during a period of operation when the commercial source of AC power is not present and the load current is supplied by the bank. The estimated runtime may be displayed to an operator and used to alert the operator if the cutoff voltage of a battery in the bank is at or near its cutoff voltage. The system may open a circuit breaker to avoid catastrophic damage before the cutoff voltage is reached.

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: 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: 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).

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for converting a legacy cable television subscriber passive tap into an enhanced addressable tap. The apparatus includes an addressable control module, one or more RF switch modules and a probe assembly. Additionally, a set of methods is provided for using the present invention to adapt an existing passive tap to an enhanced addressable tap.

Abstract: An RF network has an RF isolation switch and an RF isolation switch control box coupled to each other by a single cable. The single cable coupling the isolation switch and the control box performs the dual functions of (1) applying power from the RF isolation switch to the control box and (2) applying control signals from the control box to the RF isolation switch. The control box may receive control information from a remote location and control the isolation switch in accordance with the received information. Additionally, a local manual switch is provided within the control box for local control of the isolation switch. Further in accordance with the invention, a method is provided for automatically determining at the headend of the network and at units distributed throughout the network that ingress is present and for systematically controlling RF isolation switches to locate the source of ingress.