US 12,614,766 B2 · Battery backup capacity detection

Abstract

A method, system, and integrated circuit are provided for monitoring a battery capacity within a battery backup system. A battery degradation profile is provided for a battery including first data associating operating temperature over accumulated time with second battery degradation data. The battery is kept charged in a failover battery backup circuit. The operating temperature of the battery is measured over time and third data is stored for the operating temperature over accumulated time. While the battery is operated in the backup system, the battery degradation profile is accessed based on the third data to obtain an associated battery degradation estimate. Responsive to the battery degradation estimate meeting a designated condition, the battery is electronically switched from operation to a test circuit, and the internal impedance of the battery is measured. Responsive to an unacceptable value of the internal impedance, an alert is issued.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of operating a battery backup system to reduce unavailability, the method comprising:

loading onto a battery monitoring device a predetermined a battery degradation profile for a battery including first data associating operating temperature over accumulated time with second battery degradation data;
under control of the battery monitoring device, operating the battery in a failover battery backup circuit by:
during operation:
a) maintaining the battery in a charged state;
b) measuring an operating temperature of the battery over time and storing third data associated with the operating temperature over accumulated time;
and
c) accessing the battery degradation profile based on the third data to obtain a battery degradation estimate;
and
responsive to the battery degradation estimate meeting a designated condition, electronically switching the battery from operation to a test circuit, measuring an internal impedance of the battery with the test circuit, and returning the battery to operation;
and
responsive to an unacceptable value of the internal impedance, issuing an alert.

8 more elements

An integrated circuit (IC) for monitoring a failover battery backup system, comprising:

a first input for receiving temperature signal associated with a battery temperature;
a second input receiving a battery voltage;
a non-volatile memory including a predetermined battery degradation profile for a battery including first data associating operating temperature over accumulated time with second battery degradation data;
and
a hazard detection circuit operable to monitor the battery while it is maintained in the failover battery backup system in a charged state by:
measuring an operating temperature of the battery over time and storing third data associated with the operating temperature over accumulated time;
accessing the battery degradation profile based on the third data to obtain a battery degradation estimate;
responsive to the battery degradation estimate meeting a designated condition, electronically switching the battery from operation to a test circuit, measuring an internal impedance of the battery with the test circuit, and returning the battery to operation;
and
responsive to an unacceptable value of the internal impedance, issuing an alert.

7 more elements

An apparatus comprising:

a memory device including a power supply, non-volatile memory powered by the power supply, a volatile memory powered by the power supply;
and
a battery backup system for the power supply comprising a battery, a charger coupled to the battery, and a battery monitor circuit including a first temperature sensor thermally coupled to the battery for providing a battery temperature, a voltage monitor for measuring a battery voltage, a non-volatile local memory holding a predetermined battery degradation profile for a battery including first data associating operating temperature over accumulated time with second battery degradation data, and a hazard detection circuit, wherein the hazard detection circuit is operable monitor the battery while it is maintained in the battery backup system in a charged state by:
measuring an operating temperature of the battery over time and storing third data associated with the operating temperature over accumulated time;
accessing the battery degradation profile based on the third data to obtain a battery degradation estimate;
responsive to the battery degradation estimate meeting a designated condition, electronically switching the battery from operation to a test circuit, measuring an internal impedance of the battery with the test circuit, and returning the battery to operation;
and
responsive to an unacceptable value of the internal impedance, issuing an alert.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Battery backup capacity detection

Life of this patent

Battery backup capacity detection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20