Abstract: A vehicle control unit estimates a temperature of the vehicle's battery including the temperature of each of the battery's plurality of cells. The control unit includes a memory unit having stored therein heat transfer coefficients of three types. The first type is representative of heat transfer between the cells of the battery; the second type is representative of heat transfer between the surrounding air and the middle cells of the battery; and the third type is representative of heat transfer between the surrounding air and the end cells of the battery. A microprocessor retrieves the heat transfer coefficients from the memory unit and determines individual cell temperatures of the battery based on the heat transfer coefficients, temperature of the ambient air, and the drive state of the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery shield for a storage battery includes first and second members which are dimensioned to fit around the battery, forming a shield structure, that is open at its top and encloses the battery on all four sides and on the bottom, forming a heat shield for protecting the battery from hot temperatures, the first and second members being hinged to a common base and are adapted to be pivoted about respective hinges outwardly away from another to an open position to facilitate installation of a battery in the shield and to then be moved upwardly and toward one another, in the manner of a "clamshell", to a closed position for enclosing the battery within the battery shield, the bottom of the storage battery having a plurality of transverse channels therein extending between opposing sides for permitting air flow around the bottom of the storage battery when the battery is enclosed within the battery shield.

Abstract: A battery shield for a storage battery includes first and second members which are dimensioned to fit around the battery, forming a shield structure, that is open at its top and encloses the battery on all four sides and on the bottom, forming a heat shield for protecting the battery from hot temperatures, the first and second members being hinged to a common base and are adapted to be pivoted about respective hinges outwardly away from another to an open position to facilitate installation of a battery in the shield and to then be moved upwardly and toward one another, in the manner of a "clamshell", to a closed position for enclosing the battery within the battery shield.

Abstract: A split-shell enclosure for a storage battery for motor vehicle includes identical first and second enclosure members which are dimensioned to fit around the battery, forming a shell structure, that is open at its top and bottom and partially encloses the battery on two sides and completely encloses the battery on the other two sides, forming a heat shield for protecting the battery from hot underhood temperatures, the enclosure members being adapted to snap together upon installation and to be held together by interlocking tongue and groove portions of mating sides of the enclosure members, upper portions of the enclosure members being disposed in juxtaposed relation with the handle brackets of the battery so that if the battery is lifted by the enclosure, the enclosure members will engage the handle brackets of the battery and the battery will effectively be lifted by its handle brackets and no load will be placed on the latches that hold the two sections of the enclosure together, and lower portions of the

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a battery monitoring circuit on the cover of the battery and for connecting the terminal ends of first and second lead wires of a battery monitoring circuit to the positive and negative terminals of the battery, the arrangement including a cavity formed in the battery cover for mounting the battery monitoring circuit, first and second battery terminal bushings which are molded integrally with the cover and are adapted to be mounted on and connected to the positive and negative battery terminals when the battery cover is installed on the battery, each of the battery terminal bushings including a pad having an upwardly directed mounting post that is adapted to receive and secure the terminal end of one of the lead wires of the battery monitoring circuit, the battery cover having first and second lead wire slots in its surface which extend from the cavity in which the battery monitoring circuit is mounted, to the locations of the battery terminal bushings for directing the lead wires

Abstract: A state of charge indicator monitors a voltage produced by a depletable energy source and provides an indication when the state of charge of the depletable energy source falls below a predetermined threshold. The state of charge indicator includes an input circuit for sensing the voltage and producing a plurality of tap voltages. The state of charge indicator further includes a monitor circuit for comparing each tap voltage with a corresponding threshold voltage and producing a result for each tap voltage falling below its corresponding threshold. The state of charge indicator still further includes a storage device for storing each result and producing an accumulated status and an output circuit for producing the indication when the accumulated status exceeds an accumulated status threshold.

Abstract: A battery monitor which monitors the operating parameters of a battery to provide an indication of, for example, the absolute state of charge, the relative state of charge, and the capacity of the battery under battery discharge, rest, and recharge conditions. The battery monitor includes a current sensor for sensing battery current, a voltage sensor for sensing battery voltage, and a temperature sensor for sensing battery temperature. A processor approximates to a high level of accuracy the battery parameters utilizing an iterative process based upon predetermined relationships, employing empirically determined constants and parameters determined in the immediately proceeding iteration stored in memory. Output signals indicative of the determined parameters are provided and may be utilized for many different battery applications.

Abstract: A battery thermal control system and method is provided which selectively heats or cools a storage battery in accordance with the battery temperature and state of charge. The thermal control system includes a battery housing having an internal airspace between the battery and the housing which extends between two openings in the battery housing, a reversible fan configured to generate an airstream along the airspace, a temperature sensor mounted to detect the temperature of the battery, and a control circuit for monitoring battery temperature and voltage and for controlling the operation of the fan. Battery state of charge is approximated by measuring battery voltage and monitored to prevent excessive battery discharge by the thermal control system. When the battery voltage exceeds a predetermined voltage and the battery temperature is outside of a predetermined range of suitable operating and storage temperatures, the thermal control system operates the fan to heat or cool the battery, as needed.

Abstract: A voltage monitor and method enables the monitoring of a DC input voltage. The input voltage is continuously scanned and compared to a predetermined threshold. The result of the comparison is periodically stored in a shift register along with previous scan results. When a predetermined number of stored scan results indicate an out of range input voltage, a digital output changes state to provide indication of the abnormal condition.