Abstract: In an arrangement for use in an electronic circuit controllably put into operation by a battery and for indicating a consumption status of the battery, a measuring circuit measures a total time interval of operation of the electronic circuit. A processing circuit processes the total time interval into a calculated status for the battery. An indicator indicates the consumption status based on the calculated status. The processing circuit may comprise a memory for memorizing various current rates which are used in the electronic circuit and on which an arithmetic circuit calculates the calculated status. Alternatively, first and second measuring circuits may be used with first and second current rates memorized in the memory for the first and the second measuring circuits. Instead of the measuring circuits, a summing circuit may be supplied with a succession of the current rates repeatedly read out of the memory to sum up a total amount of current consumed by the electric circuit.

Abstract: An improved self-contained electronic device for testing storage batteries and other dc sources is disclosed. The testing device accurately performs small-signal measurements of the battery's dynamic conductance and provides for displaying either a numerical reading proportional to the battery's available power, or a qualitative assessment of the battery's condition. Special design features permit powering all active circuit elements by means of common power terminals and allow circuit implementation with medium scale integrated (MSI) circuits.

Abstract: The monitor is a circuit including an integrator for storing a state-of-charge measurement and a charge signal channel and a separate discharge signal channel both arranged for connection to receive a battery terminal voltage signal. The charge signal channel is operable in response to a battery terminal voltage signal above a charge threshold function voltage to produce a charge output signal to change the integrated measurement in the integrator in a first direction to indicate an increased charge. The discharge signal channel is operable in response to a battery terminal voltage signal below a discharge threshold function voltage to produce a discharge output signal to change the integrated measurement in the integrator in a second direction to indicate a decreased charge. Both the charge and discharge threshold function voltages are functions of the stored integrator state-of-charge measurement.

Abstract: A bidirectional current-time integrator device comprises a shunt for connection in a circuit and an integrating circuit having inputs connected to opposite ends of the shunt through a switching device. The integrating circuit integrates an input signal from the shunt with time to produce a stream of pulses at a frequency proportional to the current with each pulse representing a given unit of current time. A bidirectional counter assembly counts the pulses from the integrating circuit in one direction when the current is in one direction, and in the opposite direction when the current reverses. The integrator circuit includes means for storing any partial unit of current time accumulated whenever the current direction changes and adding that partial unit to the subsequent accumulation of the signal when the current changes back to the original direction. The device may be used as a battery discharge state monitor.

Abstract: The system includes a digital integrator having a plurality of digital stages operable to store a numerical value in binary digital form which is indicative of state of charge. A switching circuit is provided for generating a series of voltage pulses on a single output line with each pulse corresponding in length to the binary digital value stored in the integrator to provide a time based resultant indication of the stored binary digital value. A filtering means is included to provide a substantially smooth analog output voltage having an amplitude corresponding to the summation of the pulses.The system preferably includes a delayed high voltage reset feature to set the integrator to a full charge state in response to voltage levels accompanying charging of the battery.

Abstract: Battery terminal voltage is measured on a continuing basis during both positive and negative voltage excursions with relation to a summed reference value to obtain a measured difference. The resultant measured difference causes the generation of convergence function signals which vary dependent upon the magnitude and polarity of the measured difference and a bi-directional integrator is connected to receive the convergence function signals to integrate in either direction dependent upon the polarity of the convergence function signals. A feedback is provided from the integrator to modify the summed reference value and the output of the integrator is indicated as a measure of the state-of-charge.

Abstract: An improved coulometer is disclosed wherein a precision amplifier and integrator section provide to a logic section and a detector section a signal representative of charge provided to or from one or more storage batteries. When the integrator output reaches a predetermined threshold, the detector section causes a threshold signal to be generated which in turn generates a signal to reset the integrator and increment or decrement a counter. The output of the counter corresponds to ampere-hours of available charge and may be displayed as well as used to determine whether to continue charging or other control functions. Errors are minimized through the use of temperature compensation and fine adjustment circuits. In addition, alternate cycles of the input to the integrator logic are inverted to prevent errors due to offset voltages, drift and imbalance in detection circuits from being cumulative.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing storage batteries under no-load and load conditions is provided which limits the duration of a test of any battery having adequate charge capacity and thereby protects both the apparatus and the battery from the hazards of excessive current. The battery testing apparatus includes a load circuit having current responsive switch means that automatically opens when its predetermined amperage rating is exceeded to provide a load test having a duration corresponding to the reaction time of the switch means. A voltage indicator, including a lamp or a voltmeter, detects and indicates the relative magnitude of the voltage available between the terminals of the battery so that the charge capacity of the battery can be determined both under no-load and load conditions. An ammeter may be also included for measuring the current passing through the load circuit during the load test.

Abstract: A bidirectional integrator is described comprising first and second programmable pulse-forming channels (20, 40), a bidirectional counter (60) and an output display (78). Each pulse forming channel provides means for making both continuous and discrete adjustments in the repetition rate of the pulses formed thereby. In the preferred embodiment, each pulse forming channel comprises an integrator (26, 46) for forming a pulsed output signal, means (24, 44) for varying the pulse repetition rate of the output signal by varying the input signal to the integrator, and a programmable digital divider circuit (30, 50) for dividing the repetition rate of the output signal by any power of two from one to 4096.

Abstract: An amp-hour meter for a load driven by direct current, such as an electric vehicle, comprises a modulator connected across a resistor in series with the load for amplitude-modulating a pulse train from a multivibrator translated by a demodulator into a unipolar voltage varying with the load current. A sampler converts this voltage into a train of output pulses, generated at a rate proportional to the voltage level, whose count is numerically displayed as a measure of current consumption. The multivibrator, the demodulator, an intervening amplifier, the sampler and the display unit are serially energized with stabilized voltage and reduced current via a supply network connected across the load, this network including a ballast lamp in series with a Zener diode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring the state of charge of a battery. The apparatus comprises threshold means for sensing reductions below a threshold level in the output terminal voltage of the battery and for producing a signal in response thereto and means for integrating said signal over a plurality of such reductions. The output of the integrating means is indicative of the state of charge of the battery. In a preferred embodiment the signal comprises a series of pulses whose number is proportional to the time that the terminal voltage is below the threshold value and the integrating means counts such pulses. Alternatively, a single pulse may be produced and counted for each time the output terminal voltage is reduced below the threshold level. In another embodiment, the signal from the threshold means is integrated directly to develop a representation of the state of charge of the battery. Circuits are also disclosed using a plurality of threshold means connected in series or in parallel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the charge energy available from electrochemical cells (batteries) of the type that exhibits a substantially constant discharge voltage characteristic over its charge life, such as zinc-silver oxide cells. Within several seconds following a brief period of shorting out for reactivation, two to four seconds in the case of zinc-silver oxide cells, short circuit current from the test cell flowing for a period of time just sufficient for complete charging of the internal capacitance of such test cell is sensed, integrated over such period, and used to control display of information as to the charge level of the cell under test.