US 5,633,573 A · Battery pack having a processor controlled battery operating system

Abstract

A battery pack and a method of operating a battery system. The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery and a processor for monitoring the battery during charging and discharging. The processor receives data values representing the battery voltage, temperature and current, and the processor performs a series of calculations using those data values. The processor has normal, standby and sleep modes. In the normal mode, the processor performs the series of calculations at first regular cycles, and in the standby mode, the processor performs the series of calculations at second regular cycles, which are longer than the first cycles. Preferably, the processor enters the standby mode when the battery current falls below a predetermined current level, and the processor enters the sleep mode when the battery voltage falls below a first predetermined voltage level. Also, the processor exits the sleep mode when the battery voltage rises above a second predetermined voltage level higher than the first predetermined voltage level.

Claims48

Dependent claims

A smart battery having a power management system capable of self powered operation, even when nominally fully discharged, said smart battery comprising:

(a) a plurality of rechargeable cells connected to a pair of terminals to provide electrical power to an external device during a discharge mode and to receive electrical power during a charge mode, as provided or determined by said remote device;
(c) an analog means for generating analog signals representative of battery voltage, temperature and current at said terminals,
(d) a hybrid integrated circuit (IC) having an analog to digital convertor, a first clock and a microprocessor having a first algorithm for sampling the analog signals at a first period and converting them to digital signals representative of battery voltage, current and temperature;
a second algorithm for sampling the analog signals at predetermined intervals of said first period when battery current has dropped below a predetermined value;
and a third algorithm for disabling said analog to digital convertor, said first clock and said microprocessor when the battery voltage drops below a predetermined sleep mode value;
(e) a data memory defined within said hybrid IC for storing a plurality of calculated charge parameters, even when said battery is nominally fully discharged, said charge parameters including at least a learned full charge capacity and remaining capacity,
(f) a second clock means for initializing said first clock and said microprocessor during said first and said second algorithm, said clock means also initializing a comparator circuit for enabling a start signal for said microprocessor, said first clock and said analog to digital convertor whenever said battery voltage rises above a predetermined value.

4 more elements

A battery pack comprising:

terminal means for connecting the battery pack to a battery powered device;
a battery including at least one rechargeable battery cell connected to the terminal means, said battery having
i) a discharge mode for supplying electrical power to the battery powered device, and
ii) a charge mode for receiving electrical power from the terminal means;
means to sense and to generate signals representing battery voltage, battery temperature, and battery current;
a memory area for storing data values including at least values representing battery voltage, battery temperature and battery current;
an internal oscillator for generating internal clock signals at a first frequency,
a processor for receiving the signals representing battery voltage, battery temperature and battery current, and for performing a predefined series of calculations using said signals;
wherein each of said calculations includes a series of timed steps, and the timing of said steps is controlled by the clock signals from the internal oscillator;
an external oscillator for generating clock signals at a second frequency;
and
means connecting the external oscillator to the processor to transmit signals from the external oscillator to the internal oscillator;
wherein the processor performs said series of calculations at regular cycles, each of said cycles being started by receipt by the processor of one of the clock signals from the external oscillator.

10 more elements

A battery pack comprising:

terminal means for connecting the battery pack to a battery powered device;
a battery including at least one rechargeable battery cell connected to the terminal means, said battery having
i) a discharge mode for supplying electrical power to the battery powered device, and
ii) a charge mode for receiving electrical power from the terminal means;
means to sense and to generate signals representing battery voltage, battery temperature, and battery current;
a memory area for storing data values including at least values representing battery voltage, battery temperature and battery current;
an internal oscillator for generating internal clock signals at a first frequency,
a processor for receiving the signals representing battery voltage, battery temperature and battery current, and for performing a predefined series of calculations using said signals;
wherein each of said calculations includes a series of timed steps, and the timing of said steps is controlled by the clock signals from the internal oscillator;
an external oscillator for generating clock signals at a second frequency;
and
means connecting the external oscillator to the processor to transmit to the processor the clock signals from the external oscillator;
and
wherein the processor has (1) a normal mode and (ii) a standby mode,
in the normal mode, the processor performs said series of calculations at first regular cycles, each of said first cycles being started by receipt by the processor of one of the clock signals from the external processor, and
in the standby mode, the processor performs said series of calculations at second regular cycles, said second cycles being longer than said first cycles, each of said second cycles also being started by receipt by the processor of one of the clock signals form the external processor.

13 more elements

A method of operating a battery system having a rechargeable battery, a processor, and first and second oscillators for generating clock signals at first and second frequencies, the method comprising:

sensing, generating and storing signals representing battery voltage, battery temperature and battery current;
repeatedly performing a series of predefined sequential calculations;
starting each of said repeated series of sequential calculations in response to a clock signal from the first oscillator;
and
controlling the timing of the timed steps of the sequential calculations using the clock signals from the second oscillator.

2 more elements

sensing, generating and storing analog signals representing battery voltage, battery temperature and battery current;
repeatedly performing a series of predefined calculations;
controlling the timing of the sequential calculations using the clock signals from the first oscillator;
wherein the processor has (i) a normal mode, (ii) a standby mode, and (iii) a sleep mode;
in the normal mode, the processor performs said series of predefined calculations at first regular cycles;
and in the standby mode, the processor performs said series of predefined calculations at second regular cycles
transmitting the clock signals from the second oscillator to the processor;
starting each of the first and second cycles in response to transmission to the processor of one of the clock signals from the second oscillator.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Battery pack having a processor controlled battery operating system

Life of this patent

Battery pack having a processor controlled battery operating system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims48