Abstract: A battery monitoring system has an LED matrix displaying plural battery group conditions. The matrix has a column defining reference row of LED indicators, each active LED representing an adjacent voltage range. The reference row is responsive to an average battery voltage of plural battery groups. Aligned in columns with the reference row LED's are plural LED rows, each row representing an individual battery group. An active LED indicates an individual battery group voltage of the corresponding individual battery group. Analog multiplexing of scanned battery group voltages are sequentially applied to the matrix rows at a scan rate greater than the visual persistence of the LED's so that at any given moment, an LED appears active in each row as well as in the reference row. To focus on a single battery group, a scan switch interrupts application of scanned battery voltages. A digital display also selectively indicates either overall plural battery groups voltage or individual battery group voltage.

Abstract: There is disclosed a battery monitor for monitoring a plurality of conditions of a battery utilized within a system as the primary or auxiliary power source of the system. The battery monitor includes a voltage measuring means for measuring the voltage of the battery and a processor coupled to the voltage measuring means. The processor utilizes the voltage measurement of the voltage measuring means to determine the presence or the absence of the battery, whether the battery voltage is equal to or greater than a nominal voltage level, and whether the discharge rate of the battery is greater than a selected discharge rate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus which can detect progress of degradation of a sodium-sulfur cell and predict possibility of final breakdown of the cell in a very near future before such a final breakdown of the cell actually occurs. The method and apparatus for diagnosing the presence or absence of an abnormal state in the sodium-sulfur cell, containing a porous electrical conductive material impregnated with molten sulfur or sodium polysulfide as its positive electrode reactant and containing sodium as its negative electrode reactant, comprises observing the operating voltage of the cell during charging and discharging so as to detect occurrence of a minute ripple in the operating voltage, and, when the amplitude of the ripple and the frequency of occurrence of the ripple increases as a result of repeated cycles of charging and discharging, deciding that degradation of the cell has progressed to an extent that final breakdown of the cell will occur in a very near future.

Abstract: Disclosed is a supply voltage monitor for detecting the asymmetric decay of one voltage source (V.sub.dd) with respect to another voltage source (V.sub.ss). The monitor circuit (24) includes a resistive voltage divider (26) having a plurality of voltage tap positions (32,35,38). A sensor transistor (40) monitors the voltage between a common connection (16) connecting the voltage sources and the voltage at a desired tap position (38) of the divider network (26). On detecting an imbalance between the voltage sources (V.sub.dd, V.sub.ss), the sensor transistor (40) drives a current mirror circuit (42). The current mirror circuit (42) defines an output (50) of the monitor circuit (24), together with a reference transistor (48) biased by a voltage of the divider network (26).

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for individually monitoring the condition of a single battery or each battery and related supply cables in a multi-battery battery pack. The system includes a means for positively indicating the condition of each battery in the battery pack. To monitor the condition of each battery, the system includes a means for comparing the voltage applied at the two terminals of each battery in the battery pack, and if this comparison reveals a deviation from a normal voltage difference, the system will indicate that the battery or related cables are faulty. For a properly operating battery the system will provide an indication that the battery is supplying the proper voltage, and when the voltage of any one of the batteries deviates from the standard, a system provides an indication that the particular batteries so deviate and will continue to show a deviation until reset even though the defective battery shows a normal voltage under a no load condition.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for monitoring charging and discharging currents of a storage battery employing a current sensing resistor (shunt) adapted to be connected in series with a battery, the voltage and its polarity across the resistor being proportional to charging and discharging current through the battery and the direction of its flow. Amplifiers are employed for selectively amplifying charging and discharging currents with voltage to frequency converters providing trains of pulses responsive thereto which are compared by a microprocessor with stored programs for interpretation.

Abstract: An improved battery tester for determining the acceptability of a Lithium lfur Dioxide (LiSO.sub.2) storage battery at a given temperature and with one or more cells therein. The tester is generally made up of a first comparison circuit having a series of series interconnected components, namely a comparator, first and second flip-flops, and an AND gate. A first resistor is parallel connected to the first comparison circuit. A second comparison circuit is also parallel connected to the first comparison circuit and is generally made up of a series of series interconnected components, namely a second resistor, a capacitor, a buffer, and a second comparator. A first switch is connected to the first resistor and a second switch is parallel connected to the second comparison circuit between the capacitor and the buffer.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented for performing standard cell intercomparisons. An operator selects two cells in order to compare their relative voltage values. A first terminal on each cell is coupled through a common line switch associated with that cell to a common line. A second terminal on each cell is similarly coupled through an associated A switch to an A line and through an associated B switch to a B line. A potentiometer can be used to compare the voltage on line A with the voltage on line B to determine the relative voltage difference between the cells. Various mechanisms within the apparatus insure protection of the cells.

Abstract: This is a method for control, fault detection, fault isolation, and state-of-health monitoring of batteries and battery arrays. The method consists of measuring all of the battery, cell, or cell group voltages, using statistics to determine a means voltage and a standard deviation voltage, then comparing all of the measured voltages to the mean voltage. If the measured voltage deviates from the mean voltage by an arbitrary amount (number of standard deviations) corrective action can be implemented or an alarm signal given. The measurements need to be made rapidly enough to eliminate battery or cell voltage changes due to state of charge or temperature changes and, in most cases, require a computerized data collection/reduction system. Absolute high and/or low voltage limits can be included to prevent catastrophic events. The concept can be expanded to include similar temperature, pressure and/or battery current measurements in an array.

Abstract: A method of computing the state of charge for a battery including the steps of sensing the battery voltage and current, and computing the used battery capacity, C.sub.u, and the average battery current, I. The total battery capacity, C.sub.t is calculated from average current using the Peukert equation. The state of charge is calculated as a function of C.sub.u /C.sub.t to account for temperature and aging effects, recuperation effects, regeneration effects, and current variation effects.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring the capacity of a battery of series-connected storage cells (10) which are tested by discharging the battery at constant current. The apparatus comprises: sequencer means (30, 40, 50) for cyclically addressing each battery cell in turn, and delivering a single measurement signal (V.sub.M) representative of the voltage across the terminals of the cell being addressed; comparator means (60) connected to receive said single measurement signal and to deliver an active output condition when said single measurement signal (V.sub.M) is below a threshold value (V.sub.REF) representing the end-of-discharge voltage for the cells under test; and timer means (90, 91) responsive to said active output condition to indicate the discharge time of the cell responsible for causing said active output condition to be delivered.Cyclic operation of the apparatus is interrupted each time a cell is encountered with less than the threshold voltage across its terminals.

Abstract: A battery scanning system which is capable of monitoring and displaying the oltage of each cell in a battery or upon command provides the cell voltage distribution by displaying the cell number and voltage value of highest and lowest cell. The system has a digital logic system, display, input switches for operator generated variables, an alarm, relays, relay selection gates, an optically coupled isolation amplifier, power source and an analog-digital converter. The optically coupled analog amplifier electrically isolates the system from the battery so that large voltage offsets will not adversely affect the automatic measuring of the cells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically testing individual elements of multi-cell batteries comprises sequentially locating batteries at a test location whereat they are engaged by test probes which are sequentially associated with a testing device which tests the individual cells. If faults are detected, the individual faulty cell is marked. Auxiliary test indicator lights provide a visual indication of the individual testing of each cell as it occurs.

Abstract: A device for indicating and preventing damage to voltage cells such as galvanic cells and fuel cells connected in series by detecting sequential voltages and comparing these voltages to adjacent voltage cells. The device is implemented by using operational amplifiers and switching circuitry is provided by transistors. The device can be utilized in battery powered electric vehicles to prevent galvanic cell damage and also in series connected fuel cells to prevent fuel cell damage.

Abstract: A monitoring system for measuring the phase currents of a filter circuit, the monitoring system having current measuring transformers coupled to respective filter sections for suppressing the harmonic content. Voltage measuring transformers are provided for measuring the network phase voltages, each such voltage measuring transformer being coupled to an electronic filter simulator and a filtering section for suppressing harmonic content. The fundamental frequency component of the measured phase currents and the simulated phase currents are conducted to transient comparator circuitry which is coupled to indicating and triggering circuitry having individual counter stages. Only rapid variations between the measured and simulated phase currents will result in fault indications, thereby preventing false indications resulting from variations in temperature.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a capacitor battery, the capacitor battery having a plurality of parallel legs, each with a plurality of sectional capacitors connected in series with fuses. Adjacent ones of the sectional capacitors are connected to one another by continuous cross lines. Electronic simulation circuitry is provided for producing a signal corresponding to the fundamental frequency component of a simulated capacitor voltage. A transient comparator circuit compares the fundamental frequency component of the simulated capacitor voltage with the fundamental frequency component of a measured capacitor voltage. Only rapid changes between the simulated capacitor voltage and the measured capacitor voltage are signaled as indicative of failures of one or more sectional capacitors in the capacitor battery. Slowly occurring voltage changes, which may correspond to variations in ambient temperature, do not lead to fault signaling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for measuring the different potential drops in electrochemical cells (EC), i.e. measuring independently the following: anodic and cathodic over potentials (IR free) each half cell ohmic solution resistance and each half cell solution potential drop (IR drop). This invention is applicable to electrochemical cells such as: batteries, electroplating baths, water electrolyzers and other EC operating continuously.

Abstract: A battery analyzer for testing industrial batteries under a constant current load. The analyzer includes a load bank consisting of a plurality of resistors in selective parallel interconnection. The load bank is placed across the battery terminals. Sensors are connected to each of the cells of the battery, as well as the battery terminals, and a multiplexer scans each of the cells and the battery terminals to monitor load current, battery voltage, and the cell voltage of each of the cells. The load bank is continually adjusted to maintain a constant current. The principal control element of the battery analyzer is a microprocessor chip which interrelates with a keyboard for receiving data from an operator. A printer, controlled by the microprocessor, presents a permanent record of the battery analysis, while a display unit, under program control, directs an operator in the use of the analyzer.

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: A battery monitor circuit for rechargeable multicell batteries that provides a reliable indication of battery failure independent of temperature, load and age, by continuously comparing the impedance of the cells of the battery against each other. Comparison means are provided responsive to a first voltage at a tapped terminal of the battery that divides the battery cells into two groups, and to a second voltage that represents a fraction of the battery voltage corresponding to the ratio of the number of cells in each group, said comparison means generating an error signal when said first and second voltages change so as to experience a reversal in relative magnitude, which is indicative of cell deterioration.

Abstract: A battery tester for testing individual batteries on an electrically driven vehicle such that as the vehicle is in motion, the condition of each battery in a series connected power source maybe analyzed. The device briefly comprises indicator device such as the meter and connection devices to isolate individual battery to determine the voltage of each battery as the vehicle is being driven.

Abstract: In a system for quality control evaluation of energized electrical power sources, a waveform analysis apparatus and method is employed permitting greatly increased capability for the detection, measurement and evaluation of the signal characteristics, especially the noise signal, of the tested units. A high-speed magnetic tape recorder stores the output signal of the unit under test. A high-speed AC-to-DC converter receives the output noise signal and inputs it to a fast-responding, track-and-hold peak detector. The peak level output signal of the peak detector may be displayed for any desired time interval and the peak detector reset resulting in discrete time interval printouts of peak noise output. Noise levels of interest may be rapidly located and a complete display of the power source output signals during that time interval of interest obtained from the magnetic tape recorder allowing detailed waveform analysis.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrically isolating a DC voltage source while the voltage f the source is being measured or otherwise monitored. An electronic switch is provided for selectively coupling the apparatus to the source, and a first optical device coupled to the switch receives a control signal which directs switch operation. The first optical device electrically isolates the switch from electrical equipment which generates the control signal. A device for generating an internal voltage data signal is also coupled to the switch, the frequency of such signal varying according to the voltage of the source. A second optical device receives the internal data signal, and couples an external data signal to voltage monitoring equipment, the external data signal having a frequency which varies according to the frequency of the internal data signal, the second optical device electrically isolating the switch from the voltage monitoring equipment.

Abstract: A detector for sensing defective cells among a plurality of voltage producing cells which together form a source of DC electrical power. A series of light emitting diodes are coupled to the positive and negative junctions of each voltage producing cell so that they are biased to a nonconducting state so long as the cell has a positive output voltage. In the event that a cell becomes defective causing its voltage output to drop, the voltage produced by the remaining cells create a load current by which the defective cell goes negative and forward biases the corresponding light emitting diode. In turn, the light emitting diode changes to its conducting state whereupon it emits light and identifies the defective cell.