Methods and apparatus for measuring battery characteristics
AssigneeSemiconductor Components Industries, LLC
InventorHideo Kondo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various embodiments of the present technology comprise a method and apparatus for measuring battery characteristics. In various embodiments, the apparatus comprises a lithium ion battery and a fuel gauge circuit to control charging, relaxing, and discharging operations of the battery. The fuel gauge performs priming steps comprising: charging the battery during a first time period; creating an open state during a second time period; and discharging the battery during a third time period.
Claims20
An apparatus for controlling a battery, comprising:
- a charger selectively connected to the battery via a first switch;
- a load selectively connected to the battery via a second switch;
- and
- a fuel gauge circuit connected to the battery and configured to:
- detect a first open state;
- and
- prime the battery by controlling the first and second switches, comprising:
- a first priming step of charging the battery during a first time period by operating the first switch;
- a second priming step of creating a second open state during a second time period by operating the first and second switches;
- and
- a third priming step of discharging the battery during a third time period by operating the second switch;
- wherein the first, second, and third time periods are consecutive.
A method for priming a battery, comprising:
- detecting a first open state of the battery;
- and
- sequentially performing:
- a first priming step of charging the battery during a first time period by selectively coupling a charger to the battery;
- a second priming step of creating a second open state during a second time period by disconnecting both the charger and a load from the battery;
- and
- a third priming step of discharging the battery during a third time period by selectively coupling the load to the battery.
A system for controlling charging, relaxing, and discharging operations of a battery, comprising:
- a charger selectively connected to the battery;
- a load selectively connected to the battery;
- and
- a fuel gauge circuit connected to the battery and communicatively coupled to the charger and the load, wherein the fuel gauge circuit is configured to:
- prime the battery, comprising:
- a first priming step of charging the battery during a first time period by selectively connecting the charger to the battery;
- a second priming step of creating an open state during a second time period by disconnecting both the charger and the load from the battery;
- and
- a third priming step of discharging the battery during a third time period by selectively connecting the load to the battery;
- wherein the first, second, and third time periods are sequential.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.