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US 2024/0405583 A1Published application
Systems and methods for extending battery life
AssigneeStored Energy Systems
InventorsWilliam KAEWERT, Sam COLEMAN, Kyle MILLER
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system generally comprising a charger with an integrated battery is provided that may be associated with a generator starter. The system is configured to maintain battery charge with the charger that monitors battery temperature before initiating a boost charge. Battery charge is thereafter maintained with the charger supplying a float or eco-float current to the battery, which maximizes system life.
Claims21
(canceled)
A method of charging a battery comprising:
- providing a system configured to selectively transfer current to at least one battery;
- obtaining a current transfer measurement associated with the at least one battery via a monitoring component of the system, the current transfer measurement reflecting an output current delivered by the system to the at least one battery;
- obtaining a time measurement associated with the at least one battery via a timing component of the system;
- obtaining a temperature measurement associated with the at least one battery;
- transmitting at least one of the current transfer measurement, the time measurement, and the temperature measurement to a control system of the system;
- initiating current transfer, wherein the control system directs the system to direct current to the battery;
- determining, by the control system and based on at least one of the current transfer measurement, the time measurement, and the temperature measurement, a charge to complete a charge mode cycle and/or a time to complete the charge mode cycle, the charge mode cycle being tailored to achieve a desired charge status of the at least one battery;
- selectively regulating, by a voltage regulator in communication with the control system, an output voltage of the system to one of a number of pre-set output voltages until the time to complete the charge mode cycle has passed or the charge to complete the charge mode cycle has been provided, the pre-set output voltages comprising a boost output voltage setting, a float voltage output setting, and an eco-float output voltage setting;
- wherein the eco-float output voltage setting is associated with a voltage less than the float voltage output setting and nominally higher than an open-circuit voltage of the at least one battery, with a near zero charge current provided to the battery to maintain the battery at a partial charge state, while allowing the at least one battery to support an external load;
- wherein the float output voltage setting comprises a transition from the boost output voltage setting to the eco-float output voltage setting in a series of incremental voltage changes;
- and
- ceasing current transfer to the at least one battery if the temperature measurement indicates a temperature above a predetermined maximum temperature.
9 more elements
A method of charging a battery comprising:
- providing a system configured to selectively transfer current to at least one battery;
- obtaining a current transfer measurement associated with the at least one battery via a monitoring component of the system;
- obtaining a time measurement associated with the at least one battery via a timing component of the system;
- obtaining a temperature measurement associated with the at least one battery;
- transmitting at least one of the current transfer measurement, the time measurement, and the temperature measurement to a control system of the system;
- initiating current transfer;
- determining, by the control system and based on at least one of the current transfer measurement, the time measurement, and the temperature measurement, a charge to complete a charge mode cycle and/or a time to complete the charge mode cycle, the charge mode cycle being tailored to achieve a desired charge status of the at least one battery;
- selectively regulating, by a voltage regulator in communication with the control system, an output voltage of the system to one of several pre-set output voltages until the time to complete the charge mode cycle has passed or the charge to complete the charge mode cycle has been provided, the pre-set output voltages comprising a boost output voltage setting, a float voltage output setting, and an eco-float output voltage setting;
- wherein the eco-float output voltage setting is associated with a voltage less than the float voltage output setting and nominally higher than an open-circuit voltage of the at least one battery, with a near zero charge current provided to the battery to maintain the battery at a partial charge state, while allowing the at least one battery to support an external load;
- wherein the float output voltage setting comprises a transition from the boost output voltage setting to the eco-float output voltage setting in a series of incremental voltage changes;
- and
- ceasing current transfer to the at least one battery if the temperature measurement indicates a temperature above a predetermined maximum temperature.
9 more elements
A method of transferring current comprising:
- providing a system configured to selectively transfer current to an electrical device;
- obtaining a current transfer measurement associated with the electrical device via a monitoring component of the system;
- obtaining a time measurement associated with the electrical device via a timing component of the system;
- obtaining a temperature measurement associated with the electrical device;
- transmitting at least one of the current transfer measurement, the time measurement, and the temperature measurement to a control system of the system;
- initiating current transfer;
- determining, by the control system and based on at least one of the current transfer measurement, the time measurement, and the temperature measurement, a charge to complete a charge mode cycle and/or a time to complete the charge mode cycle, the charge mode cycle being tailored to achieve a desired charge status of the electrical device;
- selectively regulating, by a voltage regulator in communication with the control system, an output voltage of the system to one of several pre-set output voltages until the time to complete the charge mode cycle has passed or the charge to complete the charge mode cycle has been provided, the pre-set output voltages comprising a boost output voltage setting, a float voltage output setting, and an eco-float output voltage setting;
- wherein the eco-float output voltage setting is associated with a voltage less than the float voltage output setting and nominally higher than an open-circuit voltage of the electrical device, with a near zero charge current provided to the electrical device to maintain the electrical device at a partial charge state, while allowing the electrical device to support an external load;
- wherein the float output voltage setting comprises a transition from the boost output voltage setting to the eco-float output voltage setting in a series of incremental voltage changes;
- and
- ceasing current transfer to the electrical device if the temperature measurement indicates a temperature above a predetermined maximum temperature.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.