To Determine Load/no-load Voltage Patents (Class 324/429)
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Patent number: 7656163Abstract: A remaining-capacity dispersion detecting apparatus for a battery pack having a plurality of cells includes a total voltage sensing section adapted to sense a total voltage which is a terminal voltage of the whole of battery pack; a storing section adapted to store a value of the total voltage when the battery pack becomes under unloaded condition from loaded condition; and a dispersion detecting section. The dispersion detecting section is adapted to detect a value of the total voltage at a time of activation before the battery pack becomes under the loaded condition from the unloaded condition, to compare the currently-detected total voltage value with the total voltage value previously stored by the storing section, and to detect a dispersion in respective remaining capacities of the plurality of cells in the case where a difference between the currently-detected total voltage value and the previously-stored total voltage value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shinsuke Yoshida
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Publication number: 20100007351Abstract: A voltage measuring device includes a sample-and-hold circuit which alternates between (a) a sample mode in which a signal input from a cell to be measured is sampled so that a voltage across a first capacitor becomes equal to a voltage across the cell to be measured, and a voltage across a second capacitor having its one end connected to one end of the first capacitor becomes equal to zero volts and (b) a hold mode in which the connection between the first and second capacitors is opened, the first capacitor establishes a connection between an inverting input terminal and a non-inverting output terminal of an operational amplifier, and the second capacitor establishes a connection between a non-inverting input terminal and an inverting output terminal of the operational amplifier, and an analog-to-digital converter which converts a signal output from the operational amplifier into a digital signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: Daisuke Kurose, Tetsuro Itakura, Yoshinao Tatebayashi, Nobuo Shibuya
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Patent number: 7642787Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus includes first and second electrical connections configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of an automotive vehicle which includes a battery. Digital samples are obtained during operation of the vehicle which are related to the system. The digital samples are stored in memory.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Midtronics Inc.Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, William G. Sampson
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Publication number: 20090295397Abstract: When the load of a battery powered device is removed or significantly reduced, the voltage response may be recorded or analyzed in real time. The parameters of a battery's equivalent circuit can be found by fitting recorded or real time voltage response to a model function. The model function may describe the equivalent circuit voltage response to the load transition through equivalent circuit parameters. The model function may account for a duration of a load application prior to a transition as well as values of the load before and after the transition. Response of battery voltage to load application or load release is time dependent. Modeling of this time dependence can provide significant advantages in fuel gauging implementation, for example, to significantly reduce the waiting time before measured voltages can be used for state of charge (SOC) correlation and to improve the accuracy of the prediction of run-time for devices that drain a battery in short high-current pulses.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventor: Yevgen Pavlovich Barsukov
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Publication number: 20090295399Abstract: A battery condition estimation device estimates a pre-restart voltage drop amount ?Vjh+?Vbn of a battery mounted to a vehicle during period T1 to T2 from initiation of an engine stop until initiation of an engine restart based on detection values regarding the battery condition. The device estimates a voltage drop amount ?Vst during period T3 from initiation of the engine restart until completion of the engine restart based on the detection values regarding the battery condition. The device finally estimates a minimum voltage of the battery during period T1 to T3 from the initiation of the engine stop until the completion of the engine restart based on a voltage detection value Vj0 before the engine stop, the pre-restart voltage drop amount ?Vjh+?Vbn, and the voltage drop amount ?Vst.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicants: NIPPON SOKEN, INC., DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Kenji Ueda, Satoru Mizuno, Shigenori Saito
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Publication number: 20090295398Abstract: A voltage detecting device for battery modules can reduce the difference in frequency response of an anti-aliasing filter for each battery module whose voltage is measured, and provide an accurate voltage measurement. The voltage detecting device for battery modules includes a plurality of switches connected to battery modules constituting a secondary battery, resistors having an equal resistance value, and a filter composed of capacitors having equal capacitance and being disposed between the battery modules and the switches. The capacitors are divided into a first capacitor group and a second capacitor group which are symmetrical at the center of the secondary battery. The first capacitor group is on the positive terminal side of the second battery. The second capacitor is on the negative terminal side of the secondary battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO. LTD.Inventor: Yasumichi Ohnuki
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Patent number: 7615967Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus of estimating a state of health (SOH) of a battery using internal resistance, which has been found to act as a parameter exerting the greatest influence on the SOH of the battery. The method comprises the steps of: storing an SOH estimation table constructing SOH values corresponding to various values of internal resistance according to temperature and a state of charge (SOC) in a memory; performing measurement of the temperature and estimation of the SOC of the battery when a request is made to estimate the SOH; detecting the internal resistance value of the battery; and reading the SOH values corresponding to the measured temperature, the estimated SOC of the battery, and the detected internal resistance value of the battery from the SOH estimation table.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Il Cho, Do Youn Kim, Do Yang Jung
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Patent number: 7612538Abstract: Disclosed is a method for setting an initial SOC value, which initializes the SOC in consideration of not only the temperature change of the external environment of the battery but also the internal temperature change of the battery before the battery reaches a stable unloaded state, thereby enhancing the accuracy in the setup of the initial SOC value. The method includes: measuring internal temperatures of the battery and SOCs corresponding to voltages of the battery, which change according to the time passage after a loaded state is converted into an unloaded state, and constructing an SOC estimation table by using measured values, and storing the SOC estimation table; measuring the internal temperature and the voltage of the battery when estimation of an initial SOC value of the battery is required; and reading an SOC corresponding to the measured internal temperature and the voltage of the battery from the SOC estimation table.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Il Cho, Do Youn Kim, Do Yang Jung
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Publication number: 20090261837Abstract: A system and a method for estimating a state vector associated with a battery are provided. The method includes determining a time interval that the battery has been electrically decoupled from a load circuit. The time interval starts at a first time. The method further includes obtaining a first state vector associated with the battery from a memory. The first state vector is determined prior to the first time. The method further includes calculating a second predicted state vector associated with the battery based on the first state vector and the time interval.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.Inventor: Gregory L. Plett
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Publication number: 20090261836Abstract: An apparatus estimates charge/discharge electricity amount without being affected by current measurement error. Under specific selection conditions, a no-load voltage calculation part uses pairs of data consisting of current data I(n) and voltage data V(n) corresponding to the current data to calculate a no-load voltage Vsep as the voltage intercept at a current of zero in a straight-line approximation obtained by statistical processing such as regression analysis using a least squares method. If specific current conditions exist for a certain amount of time, an open circuit voltage calculation part calculates the terminal voltage of the secondary battery as the open circuit voltage Voc.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicant: PANASONIC EV ENERGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Yusai MURAKAMI, Norito YAMABE
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Patent number: 7605591Abstract: An invention is provided for determining a state of health of a battery. The invention includes applying a predefined load profile to a battery, and obtaining a plurality of battery response voltage data corresponding to points along the predefined load profile. A matrix of parameters, which includes, among other data, battery ohm resistance data, battery chemical resistance data, and battery electrical double layer capacity data, is calculated from the battery response voltage data. Thereafter, the matrix of parameters is utilized to determine the state of health of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: GEM Power, LLCInventors: Boris J. Tsenter, John E. James
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Patent number: 7595643Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating a battery tester with a fixed resistance load, such as a widely used Japanese load tester that rates the strength of Japanese batteries that are categorized under the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS), are provided. This invention simulates such a device without invoking large current loads, yields familiar results, utilizes an existing database and provides more conclusive testing. The method includes estimating a battery load test voltage as a function of a measured battery dynamic parameter, an open circuit voltage, the load resistance value of the load tester and the battery temperature. A bounceback voltage (BBV) of the battery is also predicted. The BBV, load voltage and battery temperature are utilized to rate the strength of the battery. Also, to improve the accuracy of test results for a substantially discharged battery, one embodiment projects the results of recharging discharged batteries without actually doing so.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2006Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventor: James K. Klang
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Patent number: 7589534Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for detecting a cell voltage of a battery pack. The method comprises the steps of storing an impedance of the conductive wire from a part connected to a voltage detector to a part connected with the corresponding battery cell existing between voltage measuring points of each battery cell, detecting current of the battery pack, multiplying the impedance of the conductive wire corresponding to each battery cell and the current to calculate a voltage correction value of each battery cell, detecting voltage of each battery cell, and correcting the voltage of each battery cell, with respect to the voltage correction value of each battery cell such that the voltage correction value corresponding to the voltage of each battery cell is subtracted during charging and the voltage correction value corresponding to the voltage of each battery cell is added during discharging.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2006Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventor: Jonathan Lee
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Patent number: 7589532Abstract: A system and a method for estimating a state vector associated with a battery are provided. The method includes determining a time interval that the battery has been electrically decoupled from a load circuit. The time interval starts at a first time. The method further includes obtaining a first state vector associated with the battery from a memory. The first state vector is determined prior to the first time. The method further includes calculating a second predicted state vector associated with the battery based on the first state vector and the time interval.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2005Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventor: Gregory L. Plett
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Patent number: 7586311Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: when a DC/DC converter is boosting the voltage, calculating a VB estimate value, and if a state, where an absolute value of a difference between the VB estimate value and a VB value sensed by a VB sensor is at least a voltage threshold value X, has been continuing for a predetermined time, determining that the VB sensor is tentatively abnormal; if a state, where an absolute value of a difference between a VH voltage instruct value and a VH value sensed by a VH sensor is at least a voltage threshold value Z, has been continuing for a predetermined time, determining that the VH sensor is tentatively abnormal; and if the sensor is tentatively abnormal, stopping boosting, and specifying the abnormal sensor based on the deviation of the VB value and the VH value.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Nozaki, Masahito Ozaki
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Patent number: 7576545Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there are systems and methods for predicting end of life of a Li-ion battery. The method can include at least one of partially charging and partially discharging a battery, measuring an open circuit voltage of the battery before and after at least one of partial charging and partial discharging, and determining a state of charge value of the battery corresponding to the open circuit voltage measured before and after at least one of partial charging and partial discharging. The method can also include correlating at least one of a charge energy and a discharge energy with a change in the state of charge value and extrapolating to get a full battery capacity, tracking the full battery capacity as a function of time, and performing trend analysis of the full battery capacity over time to predict the battery's end of life.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2006Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Harmohan N. Singh, James S. Johnson
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Patent number: 7567085Abstract: An emergency power diagnosis system measures the exact value of impedance voltage (Vis) from an AC actual waveform (VSM) includes circuits and software operable to measure the effective resistance of battery internal impedance to determine the expected life of a battery string. The system is configured to determine the cause of aging progress in advance and determine by unmanned monitoring the real-time status of emergency power system at a remote site.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2004Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Powertron Eng'g Co., Ltd.Inventors: Deuk-Soo Kim, Rae-Young Kim, Gi-Taek Kim
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Publication number: 20090184716Abstract: A battery-voltage detection circuit comprising: a first-capacitor; an operational-amplifier; a second-capacitor; a voltage-application-circuit to sequentially apply one and the other-battery-terminal-voltages to the other-first-capacitor-end; a discharge circuit to allow the second-capacitor to discharge before the other-battery-terminal-voltage is applied to the other-first-capacitor-end; a constant current circuit to output a constant-current causing predetermined-speed-discharge of electric charge accumulated in the second-capacitor in response to a discharge-start-signal input after voltage is applied to the other-first-capacitor-end; a comparator; and a measurement-circuit to measure a time-period from a time when the discharge-start-signal is input until a time when an comparator-output-signal changes to one logic level as a time-period corresponding to a battery-voltage, at least one of the operational-amplifier and the comparator being provided with an offset so that the comparator-output-signal changType: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Applicants: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshiaki Yonezawa
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Patent number: 7564223Abstract: A high frequency battery charger for charging a target battery is provided. The battery charger includes a charging circuit including a high frequency transformer, a switch switching the high frequency transformer, a filter coupled to the high frequency transformer for passing a DC voltage signal and a controller providing a high frequency driving signal to the switch. Measuring circuitry measures at least one of a voltage or a current at the target battery. A microprocessor receives the measured voltage or current and calculates diagnostics of the target battery based on at least one of the measured voltage or current.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2005Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Michael Krieger, Bruce Randolph, Roy Scott Vetitoe
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Patent number: 7557584Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that can estimate the charge/discharge electricity amount without being affected by current measurement error. If specific selection conditions are met, a no-load voltage calculation part (105) takes a plurality of pairs of data consisting of current data I(n) and voltage data V(n) corresponding to the current data and calculates a no-load voltage Vsep as the voltage intercept at a current of zero in a straight-line approximation obtained by statistical processing such as regression analysis using a least squares method with respect to the plurality of pairs of data. In addition, if specific current conditions continue to be met for a certain amount of time, an open circuit voltage calculation part (106) calculates the terminal voltage of the secondary battery as the open circuit voltage Voc.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yusai Murakami, Norito Yamabe
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Patent number: 7554297Abstract: A voltage control apparatus checks a battery voltage when an automotive generator gradually increases its output to be within a predetermined range after temporarily stopping the generator. Then, the battery voltage is picked up to calculate the charge rate. Further, a first charge rate and a first residual capacity of the battery is memorized when the engine is stopped. Periodically, a pseudo-open circuit voltage is checked when a charge/discharge current fits within a predetermined small range while the engine is not running, and a second charge rate calculated based on the checked pseudo-open circuit voltage. A second residual capacity is calculated using the first charge rate, the first residual capacity and the second charge rate.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2007Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Takeshi Sada, Makoto Taniguchi, Atsushi Ichikawa
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Patent number: 7504830Abstract: The apparatus relates to a dual load tester that is hand held and highly portable. The dual load tester includes two resistive loads, and the two resistive loads may be used in series or one of the resistive loads may be used individually to test batteries, charging systems and starter motors of different voltage and current ratings. The operator of the device may, by closing the appropriate switch, first test a 12-volt battery and then test a 24-volt battery. In a similar manner, the tester may be used to test charging systems and starter motors of different voltage and current ratings. The testing functions of the dual load tester may be automated for testing various devices. The dual load tester includes a first resistive load and a second resistive load. The resistive loads may be used together or individually to test a battery, charging system, starter motor or other device.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Associated Equipment Corp.Inventor: Steven D. Keuss
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Patent number: 7505856Abstract: A storage battery includes a battery housing and a plurality of electrochemical cells in the battery housing electrically connected to terminals of the battery. A battery test module is mounted to the battery housing and electrically coupled to the terminals through Kelvin connections. A display or other output is configured to output battery condition information from the battery test module. The battery test module is configured to automatically carry out a battery test when a voltage across the battery falls below a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2005Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventors: Harvey A. Restaino, Jamey L. Butteris
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Patent number: 7474103Abstract: At least one of continuous disconnection, intermittent disconnection, and temporary disconnection, of wireless communication between the input device and the game apparatus is detected. Remaining battery amount data representing a remaining battery amount of the input device is obtained via the wireless communication. It is determined that the power of the input device is insufficient based on that the wireless communication is detected to be disconnected and that the obtained remaining battery amount data represents a remaining battery amount of a predetermined level or lower. When it is determined that the power is insufficient, the power insufficiency is notified.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2007Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoichi Yamada, Kenji Matsutani, Toshio Iwawaki
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Patent number: 7466138Abstract: Disclosed is a method for structuring a comparative reference value used to estimate a residual charge (SOC; State of Charge) of a battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Il Cho, Do Youn Kim
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Patent number: 7453238Abstract: A battery control module for a battery system comprises a voltage measuring module that measures battery voltage and a current measuring module that measures battery current. A state of charge (SOC) module that communicates with the current and voltage measuring modules and that estimates SOC based on relaxation voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2005Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Cobasys, LLCInventor: Robert Melichar
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Patent number: 7432719Abstract: An ECU performs a program. In the program, in the case where a converter is performing an operation for increasing a voltage (i.e., YES in step S 102), when a difference between an estimated battery voltage VBE and a battery voltage VB has continued to be large (i.e., YES in step S 104), the ECU tentatively determines that a battery voltage sensor is abnormal (S 106), and stops voltage increasing control for the converter (S 108). If an absolute value of a difference between a battery voltage and an output side voltage is large (i.e., YES in step S 110), a difference A which is an absolute value between an estimated battery voltage and a battery voltage, and a difference B which is an absolute value between the estimated battery voltage and an output side voltage are calculated (S 112). If a value obtained by subtracting the difference B from the difference A has continued to be large (i.e., YES in step S 114), it is determined that the battery voltage sensor is abnormal (S 116).Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takeshi Nozaki
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Patent number: 7420374Abstract: This invention provides an electronic device that has a battery with a power storage unit and a display module, a power detector and a display control module. The power storage unit is for storing electrical power and the display module is placed on the surface of the battery. The power detector is selectively coupled to the battery, and generates a remaining power signal after detecting the remaining power in the battery. The remaining power signal is used to control the display control module. When the power detector is selectively coupled to the battery, the display module shows the current remaining power in response to the action of the display control module. When the power detector is separated from the battery, the display module is essentially capable of maintaining the showing of remaining power.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignees: QISDA Corporation, Benq CorporationInventor: Wei-jou Chen
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Patent number: 7405579Abstract: The present invention is to provide a voltage detector having a common communication line for reducing a manufacturing cost. A low voltage line CPU transmits a detection instruction including an assignment of one address among a plurality of blocks. The detection instruction is branched by a transmitting bus line for concurrently transmitting to a plurality of voltage detector units. When one of the voltage detector units receives the detection instruction with the address being same as a self-address thereof, the voltage detector unit detects output voltages of unit cells and transmits the detected result to the low voltage line CPU. When the received address is not the self-address, the voltage detector unit does not transmit the detected result.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Hajime Okamoto, Satoshi Ishikawa, Ryosuke Kawano
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Patent number: 7403016Abstract: A car power source apparatus is provided with a battery having a plurality of battery modules connected in series on positive and negative sides of a midpoint reference node, and a voltage detection circuit that detects the voltage of one or a plurality of battery modules with respect to the midpoint reference node of the battery. The battery midpoint reference node of the power source apparatus is connected to the voltage detection circuit via a plurality of reference connection lines. Further, one or a plurality of conduction detection circuits connect to the reference connection lines, supply a voltage to each reference connection line, and detect current. The connection status of each reference connection line to the midpoint reference node is determined by this conduction detection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2005Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kimihiko Furukawa, Masahiko Hashimoto
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Patent number: 7400149Abstract: After disconnection from the power supply system, a discharge characteristic of the no-load voltage is recorded automatically by means of a control unit across a discharge resistance during a stage-by-stage discharge cycle from a charged battery which is being operated for the first time on the power supply system. This stage-by-stage discharge cycle is repeated at times which can be defined, in order to record an instantaneous discharge characteristic of the no-load voltage, and an alarm no-load voltage is determined from the instantaneous discharge characteristic of the no-load voltage from a previously defined reserve time and from the final discharge voltage as determined in the first measurement, which alarm no-load voltage represents a measure of the energy which in each case still remains in the battery, and on reaching which during operation on the load, an alarm is produced for the operator of the power supply system.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Kay Köster, Harald Walter
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Publication number: 20080164881Abstract: A battery voltage monitoring apparatus monitoring an assembled battery voltage, the assembled battery including a plurality of battery cells, includes a voltage sensor detecting potential of the plurality of battery cells; an output logic circuit outputting a potential detect signal based on an output of the voltage sensor, the potential detect signal representing that abnormal potential is detected; and a delay circuit adding certain delay to the output of the voltage sensor and outputting the delayed voltage detect signal to the output logic circuit; wherein, the voltage sensor comprises at least one comparator having hysteresis characteristic, and detects the potential of the battery cell based on an output of the comparator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2008Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: NEC Electronics CorporationInventor: Manabu Miyamoto
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Patent number: 7352156Abstract: A state-of-charge (SOC) estimating device and method for a secondary battery that estimates the SOC of the battery with high precision when variation takes place in the parameters of the battery model, even if the input current is constant. A first SOC estimating part estimates the open-circuit voltage by estimating the battery parameters en bloc using an adaptive digital filter computing treatment from the measurement values of the current and the terminal voltage and computes a first estimated SOC of the secondary battery from the open-circuit voltage and a predetermined relationship between the open-circuit voltage and the SOC. A second SOC estimating part computes a second estimated SOC by means of current-integration. State-of-charge estimated value-selecting part selects the second SOC value as when the current is constant and otherwise selects the first SOC value.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Ashizawa, Hideo Nakamura, Hisafumi Asai
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Battery control device, battery control method, power source control device and electronic apparatus
Publication number: 20080054909Abstract: A battery control device 1 has an electric circuit control unit 6 controlling a power supply; a voltage measuring unit 7 measuring a voltage; a current measuring unit 8 measuring an electric current; and a power source control unit 9, wherein the power source control unit 9 measures a first voltage defined as the voltage of the battery 4 and a first current defined as the current of the battery 4 in a state where the battery 4 supplies electric power to the load 3, measures a second voltage defined as the voltage of the battery 4 in a state where the supply of the electric power to the load 3 from the battery 4 is cut off, and calculates internal impedance of the battery 4 by dividing a value, obtained in a way that subtracts the first voltage from the second voltage, by the first current.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Hideo Fukuda -
Patent number: 7235977Abstract: The hand-held portable tester provides an improved system and method for testing storage batteries, vehicle starting systems and vehicle charging systems. The system and method more accurately calculates tests results for multiple types of storage batteries. The system and method provides a convenient charging system test that is completed at a single engine speed. In addition, the hand-held portable tester provides a coded or encrypted output for battery tests that can be identified with the battery to ensure compliance with battery return policies and detour fraud. A system and method of decoding or decrypting the output is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2004Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: SPX CorporationInventors: Matthew H. Koran, Phillip Freshour
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Patent number: 7218118Abstract: A method for monitoring the condition of a battery of a marine propulsion system provides the measuring of a voltage characteristic of the battery, comparing the voltage characteristic to a preselected threshold value, and evaluating the condition of the battery as a function of the relative magnitudes of the voltage characteristic and the threshold value. The voltage characteristic of the battery is measured subsequent to a connection event when a connection relationship between the battery and an electrical load is changed. The electrical load is typically a starter motor which is connected in torque transmitting relation with an internal combustion engine. The voltage characteristic is preferably measured at its minimum value during the inrush current episode immediately prior to cranking the internal combustion engine shaft to start the engine.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventor: Steven J. Gonring
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Patent number: 7205746Abstract: A battery cover assembly having integrated battery condition monitoring for measuring electrical current passing to and from a battery post, including an electrically conductive collar for connecting to a post of a battery, and an electrically conductive terminal for receiving a connector of a load. An electrically conductive resistor having a known resistance extends between outer surfaces of the collar and the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Microchip Technology Inc.Inventor: David C. Batson
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Patent number: 7164272Abstract: Modular unit connectable to a battery for monitoring its condition and protecting, including a housing which is directly connectable to the B battery posts of by means of receptor terminals clamped to said posts, the housing containing a first BD module, used to perform a disconnection of the supply of energy from said B battery; a second electronic module BM, used for a dynamic measurement of the B battery's state of health (SOH) and charge (SOC); a third electronic LCM module, used to control and manage all or part of the charges that supply said B battery, and a fourth electronic PDFS module, used to control the distribution of power supplied by said B battery.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2000Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Lear Automotive (EEDS) Spain, S.L.Inventors: Carles Borrego Bel, Joan Fontanilles Pinas, Daniel Guasch Murillo, Gerard Vall Gendre
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Patent number: 7132833Abstract: An electrical cabinet for an uninterruptibe power supply (UPS) system includes universal slots that can receive power modules, battery packs, or chargers. The back plane of the slot has connector terminals for battery packs and power modules. The cabinet can be easily reconfigured as desired by changing the number of power modules chargers or battery packs installed. Circuitry is provided that indicates the capacity and operational readiness of the cabinet. This circuitry monitors the battery packs in each slot, and isolates any detected fault to a particular pack.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Powerware CorporationInventors: David Layden, Craig Edevold, Cary Winch, Donald Zahrte, Sr.
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Patent number: 7107161Abstract: A method and a system for accurately reporting battery capacity that do not rely on a coulomb counter are disclosed herein. The method comprises the steps of determining if the battery is in a transition phase and determining the battery capacity based on a transition phase battery capacity model when the battery is in the transition phase. The transition phase occurs upon one of attachment of the battery to a power source and disconnection of the battery from the power source. The behaviour described by the transition phase battery capacity model approaches the behaviour of real transition phase battery capacity so as to minimize the error of the determined battery capacity. The method and system accurately report battery capacity during a transition phase from discharging to charging and a transition phase from charging to discharging.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Farhad Ahmed, Runbo Fu
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Patent number: 7078907Abstract: A battery calculating method, apparatus, and program are provided. The battery capacity calculating method and apparatus can very accurately calculate a residual capacity of a secondary battery especially in the last stage of discharging independently of environmental conditions such as a temperature or a deteriorated state. the battery capacity calculating apparatus is equipped with a voltage measuring circuit which measures the terminal voltage (Vmea) of a battery at the time of discharging, a current measuring circuit which measures the current value (I) of the battery at the time of discharging, and a control circuit which calculates a residual capacity and/or residual power.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2003Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Shinichi Uesaka, Takashi Tomita, Tsuyonobu Hatazawa, Tamon Ikeda
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Patent number: 7078878Abstract: A method for determining a steady state battery terminal voltage is provided. An equivalent charge (or discharge) resistance is determined based on predetermined equivalent charge (or discharge) resistance data, and an effective no load charge (or discharge) voltage is determined based on predetermined effective no load charge (or discharger) voltage data. The steady state battery terminal voltage is calculated based on the calculated equivalent charge (or discharge) resistance and the calculated effective no load charge (or discharge) voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jae Seung Koo
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Patent number: 7062661Abstract: A power management method for a PDA (personal digital assistant) which can be connected with an external communication terminal is described. Upon detecting power-on of the external communication terminal, the PDA detects a battery voltage of the PDA and compares the battery voltage with a reference voltage which is slightly higher than an inoperable voltage of the PDA. If the battery voltage is lower than the reference voltage, the PDA generates a low-voltage alarm message. Otherwise, if the battery voltage is higher than the reference voltage, the PDA supplies electric power to the external communication terminal.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seong-Wuk Na
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Patent number: 7015699Abstract: The standby electric supply comprises an accumulator which comprises multiple interconnected blocks, a switching portion that conditionally connects the accumulator to a load or to a charging current supply and a measurement and control portion that produces measurement results for describing the state of the accumulator and that controls the switching portion on the basis of the measurement results produced. The measurement and control portion is arranged to measure, at an initial time, the initial value of the open cell voltage of each block from the accumulator when charged and to produce a threshold value from the measured block specific initial value of the open cell voltage. The measured open cell voltage at an observed time different from the initial time is compared with the threshold value. If the measured block specific value of the open cell voltage has reached the threshold value, the switching portion is controlled to connect the accumulator to the charging current supply.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Delta Energy Systems AGInventor: Teuvo Suntio
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Patent number: 7009401Abstract: Motor generator (MG) is controlled via motor controller by MG control processor of CPU, so that voltage and current of battery is detected while changing frequency of state detection current flowing in the secondary battery. According to the detection results, impedance is calculated in the impedance calculation unit. Remaining mount is calculated from the impedance obtained and the battery characteristics stored in memory. Furthermore, remaining amount change correction unit adds integration current between impedance measurements to the remaining amount for correcting the remaining amount. Weighting coefficient is determined from the standard deviation based on the corrected value and the remaining amount and weighted mean is calculated in weighted mean unit. Next, the result of the remaining amount calculation is used to perform service life calculation and service life correction calculation, and weighted mean is calculated in the same way as the remaining amount.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takuya Kinoshita, Hideki Miyazaki, Akihiko Emori, Tokiyoshi Hirasawa
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Patent number: 6888355Abstract: A voltage and internal resistance of a battery are measured in advance as its capacity decreases. In a flash memory of a device powered by the battery, voltages necessary to drive a motor, an EL display, and a bezel input unit are stored. By comparing the voltage of the battery with a resistor connected as a dummy load and the voltage read from the flash memory, it can be determined whether it is possible to drive the motor, the EL display, or the bezel input unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2001Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Koji Kitazawa, Hajime Kurihara, Motomu Hayakawa, Tsukasa Kosuda, Katsuyuki Honda
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Patent number: 6850038Abstract: A method of estimating a state of charge of a battery, a method of estimating an open circuit voltage of a battery, and a method and device for computing a degradation degree of a battery are provided. As a degradation degree, a ratio of a total electrical quantity chargeable or dischargeable of a battery at any time point to an initial electrical quantity that is a total electrical quantity chargeable or dischargeable of the battery upon non-degradation is computed, and by using the degradation degree, a state of charge or an open circuit voltage of the battery is accurately estimated.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Youichi Arai, Shuji Satake, Yoshiya Miyazaki
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Publication number: 20040178918Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring at least one battery. A reference ramp voltage signal is applied to a battery. A difference between a measurement ramp voltage signal output from the battery and the reference signal is compared with a threshold to determine battery condition. The determined battery condition can be transmitted remotely from the battery location.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Bradley W. Lockhart, Jason W. Toomey, Richard Campbell, Bruce R. Burry, Bradley D. Looy
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Patent number: 6791332Abstract: An alternator testing system is disclosed that includes a current source, a motor, and a drive belt. The drive belt couples the motor to an alternator, which operates outside of a motor vehicle, and the current source and the motor enable diodes of the alternator to output a current that is not limited by input power to the motor. Accordingly, defective diodes may be detected.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: SPX CorporationInventor: Kurt Raichle
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Patent number: RE39212Abstract: An abnormality detection apparatus for a power supply circuit associated with an internal combustion engine detects an abnormality that may occur in a power supply circuit, and controls the automatic stop and the automatic start of the engine based on the state of the power supply circuit. The state of charge/discharge of a battery determined based on the electric potential of a terminal located between the battery and a generator-motor or a load is compared with the current through the battery detected by an ammeter. If there is a contradiction therebetween, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred somewhere in the power supply circuit including the battery. When it is determined that the power supply circuit has an abnormality, the apparatus performs such a control as to prevent the automatic stop/start control in which the engine is automatically stopped if a predetermined condition is met, and in which the engine is automatically restarted when the condition is unmet after being met.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2004Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushki KaishaInventor: Hidenori Yokoyama