Abstract: A detecting method for detecting internal resistance of an inspective rechargeable battery when said inspective rechargeable battery is charged by the constant current-constant voltage charging regime, said detecting method comprising at least a step (a) wherein an accumulated, charged electricity quantity of said inspective rechargeable battery in the constant voltage charging mode is obtained and a step (b) wherein said charged electricity quantity of said inspective rechargeable battery obtained in the constant voltage charging mode in said step (a) is referred to previously acquired data of a normal rechargeable battery, which corresponds to said inspective rechargeable battery, with respect to relationships of charged electricity quantities Qcv thereof versus internal resistances thereof when increased or decreased or their increased or decreased magnitudes in the constant voltage charging mode.

Abstract: A probe assembly for use with a battery impedance meter which minimizes excitation pick-up voltages by routing the wires from the meter to the battery cell terminals without forming a loop within a changing magnetic field caused by current drawn from the battery cell.

Abstract: A method for predicting the internal resistance of an energy storage battery in assumed environmental and battery state conditions includes subdividing the internal resistance into a first resistance component which represents the electrical resistance of the energy storage battery for the region of electron conduction and a second resistance component which represents the electrical resistance of the energy storage battery for the region of ion conduction. The method also includes determining the first and second resistance components to be expected for the assumed environmental and battery state conditions. Each of the first and second resistance components are determined as a function of parameters of the assumed environmental and battery state conditions. Monitoring devices or computer programs may be utilized to carry out the method.

Abstract: A method for selecting unit cells to make an optimal battery pack improves the performance of the battery pack with primary or secondary batteries connected to one another in series, in parallel, or in a combination of them. The method for selecting unit cells to make the optimal battery pack includes measuring the impedance spectrum of the individual unit cells in a predetermined frequency region, fitting the impedance spectrum to an equivalent circuit model composed of parameters including resistance and capacitance components, calculating total resistances from the fitted parameters, and making the battery pack with unit cells of a similar total resistance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for projecting the useful life Yproj of an ultracapacitor undergoing at least one ON period after an OFF period. The apparatus comprises sensors coupled to the ultracapacitor for measuring the instantaneous voltage V(t) and temperature T(t) thereof as a function of time t, and a measuring system coupled to the sensors, the measuring system receiving V(t), T(t) and computing Yproj based at least in part on combining values of the instantaneous ultracapacitor life Y(V(t),T(t))=10(aT+bV+c) where a, b and c are constants, for different values of t. The measuring system preferably includes program, temporary and non-volitile memory, a processor, a timer and an I/O for communicating with the sensors and other vehicle systems. In a preferred embodiment, values of V(t), T(t) at the beginning and end of the OFF period are also used in determining Yproj.

Abstract: An apparatus supporting both identification of a battery type and communications over an interface between a battery and an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a processor for communicating with communications circuitry of the battery. Identification circuitry associated with the processor enables a determination of the type of battery with which the electronic device is connected. If a “smart” battery capable of carrying out serial communications with the electronic device is connected, the electronic device further provides means for carrying out communications between the processor and the communication circuitry of the battery.

Abstract: A power control apparatus for controlling charging and discharging of a plurality of storage means devices has a voltage measuring arrangement for measuring voltages of each of the storage devices, a current measuring arrangement for measuring currents flowing through each of the storage devices, a status detector for detecting the operating status of each storage device from values measured by the voltage and current measuring arrangements, and a charging/discharging control device for controlling currents, voltages, or power according to the operating status of each storage devices detected by the status detector to charge or discharge the storage devices.

Abstract: The internal resistance related value which is related to the internal resistance of a secondary battery is compared with a previously obtained relation between the internal resistance related value and battery condition to judge the battery condition of the secondary battery. Since the internal resistance related value is a value related to the internal resistance which closely depends on the battery condition, the battery condition can be judged in detail based on the above relation. And the internal resistance related value can be obtained more speedily with a predetermined method. On the other hand, when the level of the degradation of a negative electrode is low, an electrolyte is supplemented, and when the level of the degradation of the negative electrode is high, a reducing agent is added to the electrolyte to regenerate the secondary battery. With this regenerating method, the performance of the negative electrode can be recovered without degrading a positive electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for evaluating an initial capacity of secondary batteries and, more specifically, to a method for evaluating an initial capacity of secondary batteries that involves mathematical operation of specific internal resistance components obtained from an equivalent circuit model of an impedance spectrum measured for a short time period instead of using direct discharge characteristics, thereby allowing selection of batteries having a different initial discharge characteristic.

Abstract: A power generating system for a vehicle is configured to include a power generator, a voltage control device which controls an output voltage of the power generator, a battery which is charged by output power of the power generator, and an ECU which transmits a power generation suppression signal for suppressing power generation by the power generator when a predetermined condition is satisfied toward the voltage control device. The ECU detects a state of the battery, and inhibits transmission of the power generation suppression signal when quantity of this state is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: An electronic system for the continuous monitoring of voltage charge within the electrical system of a motor vehicle having an electrical generation source and a secondary electrochemical cell or battery. The system comprises a programmable in-vehicle monitor having a flashing LED indicator that alerts the vehicle operator of the condition of the electrical system. An example of the invention comprises a plug-in housing for use in a vehicle accessory-power-socket. Additionally, a method of market distribution is disclosed.

Abstract: The internal resistance related value which is related to the internal resistance of a secondary battery is compared with a previously obtained relation between the internal resistance related value and battery condition to judge the battery condition of the secondary battery. Since the internal resistance related value is a value related to the internal resistance which closely depends on the battery condition, the battery condition can be judged in detail based on the above relation. And the internal resistance related value can be obtained more speedily with a predetermined method. On the other hand, when the level of the degradation of a negative electrode is low, an electrolyte is supplemented, and when the level of the degradation of the negative electrode is high, a reducing agent is added to the electrolyte to regenerate the secondary battery. With this regenerating method, the performance of the negative electrode can be recovered without degrading a positive electrode.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for testing battery connectivity in a battery-backed up system, the method includes inducing a step increase in a battery bus voltage, and monitoring a magnitude of a corresponding current pulse of a battery charge due to the step increase in the battery bus voltage, where the magnitude of the current pulse provides an indicator of battery connectivity.

Abstract: A method for determining the internal impedance of each battery cell within a system including at least one parallel string of serially connected battery cells without disconnecting the battery cells from the system, which initially makes measurements of two battery cells within each string to calculate the internal impedance of each of those two battery cells and to calculate a common impedance multiplier term for the rest of the battery cells in each string. The remaining battery cells in each string are individually measured and the common impedance multiplier term for that string is used to account for measured current which comes from the Thevenin equivalent voltage source of the rest of the system, in addition to current drawn from the battery cell being measured.

Abstract: A battery ECU includes i) a circuit connected to a plurality of battery temperature sensors provided on a plurality of battery cells which make up a battery, and a cooling fan, the circuit detecting operation of the cooling fan, and ii) a circuit that determines that there is a temperature abnormality in a battery based on the difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of battery temperatures measured by the battery temperature sensors only when the period of time during which temperature increases within a predetermined period of time in the battery temperatures measured by the battery temperature sensors continue to be less than a threshold value is longer than a predetermined period of time, and the cooling fan has been operating for a longer period of time than a suitable cooling fan operating time obtained based on the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the measured battery temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus supporting both identification of a battery type and communications over an interface between a battery and an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a processor for communicating with communications circuitry of the battery. Identification circuitry associated with the processor enables a determination of the type of battery with which the electronic device is connected. If a “smart” battery capable of carrying out serial communications with the electronic device is connected, the electronic device further provides means for carrying out communications between the processor and the communication circuitry of the battery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining at least one operating parameter of the power battery of a vehicle having an electric traction motor. The battery parameter includes at least one of the following parameters: charging capacity, discharge power, state of overcharge or state of total discharge. The power battery's internal resistance and the intensity of the current supplied or received are determined in order to calculate the parameter(s). This internal resistance is calculated, for example, using a low voltage auxiliary battery.

Abstract: A discharge current and terminal voltage of the battery are periodically measured while a rush current flows into a predetermined constant load of the loads. The rush current first monotonically increases from zero to a peak value and subsequently monotonically decreases from the peak value to a steady value. A first approximate expression of a current-voltage characteristic for the increasing discharge current and a second approximate expression of a current-voltage characteristic for the decreasing discharge current are computed. An intermediate value of two values of the terminal voltage change per unit current change at points corresponding to the peak values of the first and second approximate expressions excluding a voltage drop caused by a concentration polarization component is computed when the first and second approximate expressions include the voltage drop. The intermediate value computed is measured as the pure resistance of the battery.

Abstract: A method for predicting the internal resistance of an energy storage battery in assumed environmental and battery state conditions includes subdividing the internal resistance into a first resistance component which represents the electrical resistance of the energy storage battery for the region of electron conduction and a second resistance component which represents the electrical resistance of the energy storage battery for the region of ion conduction. The method also includes determining the first and second resistance components to be expected for the assumed environmental and battery state conditions. Each of the first and second resistance components are determined as a function of parameters of the assumed environmental and battery state conditions. Monitoring devices or computer programs may be utilized to carry out the method.

Abstract: An energy system is formed of a plurality of battery cells, and has an application associated therewith that draws power from the energy system. As the application is being used, voltage and current measurements are taken at a predetermined rate, and stored in a history table to create a series of time-based measurements. The measurements stored in the history table are then processed to compute an impedance parameter value corresponding to the AC impedance of the energy system This impedance parameter value is then stored in a memory buffer where it can be used to carry out various diagnotic and control functions.

Abstract: The electrical resistance aging properties of a coating intended for use on a base material in a primary alkaline cell battery are be tested by manufacturing at least one test device, measuring a first and a second electrical resistance across two distinct circuits in the device, and calculating the effective electrical resistance at the interface between a cathode mix and a coated surface of the base material as the difference between the two electrical resistances. By storing the test device at temperatures above ambient, the aging properties of the coated surface resistance are estimated by repeating the electrical resistance measurements at predetermined time intervals at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A portable instrument capable of evaluating the electro-chemical deterioration of an object under test such as a multi-cell valve regulated battery (10) and comprising means capable of temporarily applying across a battery cell a controlled frequency electrical signal derived from an internal battery (11) within the instrument, the signal being an oscillatory current or voltage controlled injected signal, further means for detecting returned data resultant from the signal application, and utilizing the data and a tailored mathematical algorithm in dedicated computer software to derive the data required. Such an instrument may be used to test battery systems of the type required for uninterruptible back-up power supplies in large industrial installations.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A charging efficiency, which is a ratio of an electrical quantity charged in a battery as an electromotive force to a total electrical quantity supplied to the battery, is computed at a plurality of measuring points between a start and an end of charging of the battery. A resistance difference of the battery between a resistance at the charge start point and a resistance at one of the measuring points is obtained, and a full charged state resistance is obtained at a full charged state of the battery. By using a ratio of the resistance difference to the full charged state resistance, a charging efficiency of the battery is computed at the one of the measuring points. The battery is in an active state where no passivating film is formed on poles of the battery. A charged electrical quantity of the battery is obtained based on the charging efficiencies sequentially obtained during the charging of the battery when the battery is in the active state.

Abstract: A laptop computer system comprising an apparatus and related method for monitoring a battery gauge of a laptop computer and notifying the computer system user if the battery gauge is out of calibration by monitoring a calculated remaining battery capacity value in relation to a system battery charging or discharging such that if the calculated remaining battery capacity does not properly indicate a remaining charge capacity at either of a charge cycle of a system battery or discharge cycle of the system battery. If the battery gauge is out of calibration, a unique scan code identifying that a battery gauge calibration needs to be run is generated which triggers some form of user notification.

Abstract: A battery-monitoring system in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes one or more cell sensors modules linked to a battery sensor module via a data interface. In turn, the one or more battery sensor modules may be linked to an alarm interface. Each cell sensor module includes one or more sensors that monitor physical parameters, such as cell voltage and temperature, related to the corresponding cell. Each battery sensor module monitors physical parameters, such as battery voltage, discharge current, and temperature related to the battery. The battery sensor module also gather cell monitoring information from the plurality of cell sensor modules. Various battery monitor-related analytical, control, and reporting functions may be performed by the various modules.

Abstract: A method for grouping unit cells of a similar impedance spectrum uses pattern matching technology to optimize the performance of a battery pack made of primary or secondary batteries as the unit cells connected in series, in parallel or in combination of them. To make an optimal battery pack with unit cells of a different internal characteristic, the method includes measuring the impedance spectrum of the individual unit cell in a wide frequency region at the same temperature and in the same state of charge (SOC), digitizing the difference in impedance spectrum among the unit cells into a relative value using the pattern matching technology, and selecting unit cells of a most similar impedance spectrum (i.e., a smallest relative difference in impedance spectrum) to make a battery pack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving estimation of battery impedance when determining the state of charge of a battery including injecting a wide spectrum signal continuously across a battery when the battery is in generator mode. Additionally, the wide spectrum signal may be injected across an alternator of a conventional internal combustion engine to improve estimation of battery impedance and subsequent state of charge the battery.

Abstract: A microcomputer 23 monitors, on the basis of outputs from a current sensor 15 and voltage sensor 17, a voltage drop due to an internal resistance when the drop in the terminal voltage due to polarization occurring during the discharge of a battery is saturated, and a dischargeable capacity of the battery corresponding to the value resulting when the saturated voltage drop of the terminal voltage is subtracted from the chargeable capacity of the battery. Such a configuration provide a battery status monitoring device capable of knowing the battery status correctly, a saturation polarization detecting method which is useful to know the charging state of the battery and a dischargeable capacity detecting method.

Abstract: A method of predicting by non-invasive testing the available energy of a battery at any state of charge by acquiring data of the parameters of internal resistance (IR), open circuit voltage (OCV) and temperature (T), the points of voltage and current of the slope on a positive current ramp of Vup and Iup at the transition from charge to overcharge and on a negative current ramp of Vdn and Idn at the transition from overcharge to charge for a plurality of batteries. Next an algorithm in the form of a linear equation is developed using this data. The available energy of a battery under test is predicted by acquiring from it the numerical data values of these parameters and applying them to the algorithm.

Abstract: Battery life estimation can be performed by using an algorithm and parameter values for the algorithm, scaled according to the type, e.g. capacity and chemistry, of the battery actually being used. The result of the algorithm may be scaled according to the expected current demand of the apparatus being powered by the battery. A parameter of the algorithm may also be varied if it fails to meet a predetermined fitness criterion during discharging of the battery.

Abstract: A method for grouping unit cells of a similar impedance spectrum uses pattern matching technology to optimize the performance of a battery pack made of primary or secondary batteries as the unit cells connected in series, in parallel or in combination of them. To make an optimal battery pack with unit cells of a different internal characteristic, the method includes measuring the impedance spectrum of the individual unit cell in a wide frequency region at the same temperature and in the same state of charge (SOC), digitizing the difference in impedance spectrum among the unit cells into a relative value using the pattern matching technology, and selecting unit cells of a most similar impedance spectrum (i.e., a smallest relative difference in impedance spectrum) to make a battery pack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for estimating the state of charge of a rechargeable battery (BAT) by means of a measuring circuit (MES). This measuring circuit has at least two initial threshold values corresponding to given states of charge of the battery and which, by comparison with the voltage on the terminals of the battery, permit to give an indication of the state of charge of the battery. The invention comprises making a correction of these initial threshold values as a function of an accumulated operating time of the battery so as to obtain a set of corrected threshold values. The voltage on the terminals of the battery is then compared with these corrected threshold values.

Abstract: A method for determining the effect of load impedance on the magnitude and phase of loop gain of a power converter apparatus to aid in predicting stability of the converter apparatus under various operating conditions. The converter apparatus has an open-loop output impedance and provides an output signal to an output locus.

Abstract: The present invention is electronic apparatus using removable batteries as a drive source, the apparatus comprising a control section for detecting an internal resistance value of the batteries and using this value to determine how the batteries are consumed, a memory that stores a result of the determination made by the determination circuit, a display section for showing how the batteries are consumed, and a control circuit for controlling the display section. In particular, the control circuit determines display contents depending on information stored in the memory.

Abstract: A method for predicting the loading capability of an accumulator by measuring the current I, voltage U and temperature T of the accumulator, and comparing the measured values with the corresponding values of the response of an equivalent circuit diagram of the accumulator, the parameters of the components of the equivalent circuit diagram and the state variables are varied so that a match with the measured values is obtain. The loading capability is deduced from the matched parameters and state variables determined in this way. The equivalent circuit diagram has the form -Uo-R-CS- and the input voltage U′ of the equivalent circuit diagram is a voltage that is corrected with respect to the measured battery voltage U, the correction function containing as variables only the current I, the voltage U and the temperature T and as a nonlinear term a logarithmic dependency on I. By using the equivalent circuit diagram, the instantaneous loading capability, i.e.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving estimation of battery impedance when determining the state of charge of a battery including injecting a wide spectrum signal continuously across a battery when the battery is in generator mode. Additionally, the wide spectrum signal may be injected across an alternator of a conventional internal combustion engine to improve estimation of battery impedance and subsequent state of charge the battery.

Abstract: The present invention is a deterioration detecting method for an electrochemical device comprising electrodes and an ion conductor, wherein an electrochemical characteristic of the electrochemical device is detected, and an obtained value is then compared with a standard electrochemical characteristic of the electrochemical device to estimate the degree of deterioration of the electrochemical device. Further, the capacity of the device is found based on the detected degree of deterioration, and using this and the output of the device, a remaining capacity of the device is estimated. Accordingly, the degree of deterioration and the remaining capacity of an electrochemical device such as a secondary battery can be accurately detected.

Abstract: This invention includes a method for sensing the parasitic impedance in a battery charging system and compensating for these parasitic impedances. In one embodiment, the voltage of the system is measured with no charging current applied. Next, a charging current is applied and a second voltage is measured. The parasitic impedance is then extrapolated and multiplied by a predetermined rapid charging current. The product is added to a predetermined cell termination voltage. The charging means remains in a rapid charge current mode until a voltage equal to the sum of the impedance-current product and the predetermined voltage is reached, wherein the current is reduced to a maintenance charging level.

Abstract: By finding a voltage difference &Dgr;V between the maximum value and the minimum value of voltage of each cell constituting a battery set and then combining the voltage difference &Dgr;V with current I passing through the battery set into a value pair and store a plurality of the value pairs, the relationship between the voltage difference &Dgr;V and the current I is a relation represented by a straight line with the slope &Dgr;R thereof corresponding to an internal-resistance difference. Therefore, fault in the battery set can be determined from the magnitude of the slope &Dgr;R computed by a least-squares method. Fault determination for a battery set is made more accurate because variations in electromotive force caused by charge-and-discharge patterns and by changes in temperature are canceled when the voltage difference &Dgr;V is determined.

Abstract: An exciter of periodic square-wave current for measurement of complex ac impedance or admittance is described. A microcontroller/processor outputs two digital words that define upper and lower current levels. These words are latched and converted to analog voltages by D/A converter circuitry. A timing signal at the measurement frequency, also outputted by the microprocessor/controller, controls a multiplexer arranged to select either analog voltage. The multiplexer output thus toggles between the two programmed analog voltages at the measurement frequency. By virtue of negative feedback, the toggled multiplexer output voltage equals the voltage developed across a resistance in series with the cell/battery.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and reporting on the condition of a vehicle battery which measures battery voltage and current drain during engine start, and computes the battery dynamic internal resistance (IR) and dynamic polarization resistance (PR) from these quantities. Also, the quiescent voltage (QV) of the battery, which is that measured while the vehicle electrical system has a current drain of from 0 to a predetermined amount, is measured and the battery state-of-charge (SoC) is computed from the QV. From these quantities, calculations are made of quantities such as rate of change of dynamic IR and PR to analyze battery condition, rate of change of QV and SoC to predict the time during which the battery can still start the engine, and minimum ambient temperature at which the battery will be able to start the engine, and of other conditions.

Abstract: In an apparatus for measuring a pure resistance of an in-vehicle battery, a terminal voltage and a discharging current of the battery are measured when the discharging current flows from the battery. A first approximate equation of a voltage-current characteristic curve is acquired for an increasing discharging current, and a second approximate equation is the voltage-current characteristic curve is acquired for a decreasing discharging current. Two points providing equal synthesized resistances each composed of the pure resistance and polarization resistance component are set on the voltage-current characteristic curves represented by the first and the second approximate equations, respectively. The gradients between the two points in each of the voltage-current characteristic curves are corrected to provide two corrected gradients each exclusive of a voltage drop due to the polarization resistance component.

Abstract: A method of measuring a condition of a battery is disclosed comprising the steps of: inducing an AC signal across the terminals of the battery by applying an AC current load thereto; measuring the induced AC signal and converting it to a first voltage potential signal which is a measure of the battery's internal resistance; applying the first voltage potential signal across a voltage divider network calibrated in accordance with a predetermined battery rating scale to render a multiplicity of second voltage potential signals at a corresponding multiplicity of taps along the voltage divider network, values of the second voltage potential signals being representative of the calibrated battery rating scale; and sequentially selecting the second voltage potential signals along the taps for comparison with a threshold voltage potential signal to determine a measure of the condition of the battery.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes first and second Kelvin connections configured to couple to the battery. A forcing function applies a time varying signal to the battery through the first and second Kelvin connections. Further, a resistive load is configured to couple across the first and second terminals of the battery and draw a relatively large current. The storage battery is tested as a function of a dynamic parameter measured through the first and second Kelvin connections and as a function of a response of the storage battery to the relatively large current drawn through the resistive load.

Abstract: A microprocessor couples to a voltage sensor through an analog to digital converter. The voltage sensor is adapted to be coupled across terminals of a battery. A small current source is also provided and adapted to be coupled across the terminal to the battery. The current source is momentarily applied to the battery and the resulting change in voltage is monitored using the microprocessor. The microprocessor calculates battery conductance based upon the magnitude of the differential current and the change in voltage and thereby determines the condition of the battery.

Abstract: A device for testing a battery of the type which consists of a string of individual cells includes circuitry adapted to measure a dynamic parameter of the cells or groups of cells that make up the battery. Measurements are used to construct a reference standard or to calculate a statistical parameter of a cell or group of cells that make up the battery. A output is provided which relates to the condition of the battery.

Abstract: A battery monitor is provided for use with a battery of an automotive vehicle. The battery monitor can provide real time battery condition measurements and can selectively control the charging of the battery through an alternator of the vehicle based upon the measured battery condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a battery, includes a first electrical connector configured to couple to a positive terminal of the battery and a second electrical connector configured to couple to a negative terminal of the battery. The first and second connectors are used to charge the battery. A microprocessor is configured to test the battery and provide an encrypted output related to the battery test.