US 6,307,379 B2 · Rapid determination of present and potential battery capacity

Abstract

Rapid determination of the condition or charge parameters of a battery, such as the present charge of the battery and the maximum charge capacity of the battery. A plurality of discharge pulses (210) and a plurality of rest periods (220) are applied to the battery. The battery voltage is then measured to provide voltages (225) during the rest periods, and/or voltages (230) during the discharge pulses. The voltage difference among selected one of the voltages are used to provide a difference voltage DELTA-L. The difference voltage DELTA-L is then used to determine a charge parameter of the battery, such as the maximum charge capacity or condition of the battery and the present charge in the battery. This information is then displayed to a user so that the user will know the present capacity and the present charge of the battery and can make an informed decision as to whether the battery is adequate for the project that the user has in mind, or to a subsequent process, such as a charging process.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A method for determining a charge parameter of a battery, comprising:

applying a rest period to said battery;
applying a discharge pulse to said battery;
measuring a first loaded circuit voltage of said battery at a first point during said discharge pulse;
measuring a second loaded circuit voltage of said battery at a second point during said discharge pulse;
determining a difference voltage by subtracting said second loaded circuit voltage from said first loaded circuit voltage;
using said difference voltage to determine at least one of the following charge parameters:
the present charge capacity of said battery, an operating curve for said battery, and an operating point of an operating curve of said battery;
and
outputting said charge parameter.

6 more elements

A method for determining a charge parameter of a battery, comprising:

applying a plurality of rest periods and a plurality of discharge pulses to said battery;
measuring a first loaded circuit voltage of said battery at a first point during a first selected one of said discharge pulses;
measuring a second loaded circuit voltage of said battery at a second point during said first selected one of said discharge pulses;
determining a first difference voltage by subtracting said second loaded circuit voltage from said first loaded circuit voltage;
measuring a third loaded circuit voltage of said battery at a first point during a second selected one of said discharge pulses which is subsequent to said first selected one of said discharge pulses;
measuring a fourth loaded circuit voltage of said battery at a second point during said second selected one of said discharge pulses;
determining a second difference voltage by subtracting said fourth loaded circuit voltage from said third loaded circuit voltage;
combining said first difference voltage and said second difference voltage to provide a resultant difference;
using said resultant difference to determine a charge parameter of said battery;
and
outputting said charge parameter.

8 more elements

A method for determining a charge parameter of a battery, comprising:

applying a plurality of rest periods and a plurality of discharge pulses to said battery;
measuring an open circuit voltage during a selected one of said rest periods;
measuring a first loaded circuit voltage of said battery at a first point during a first selected one of said discharge pulses which is subsequent to said selected one of said rest periods;
measuring a second loaded circuit voltage of said battery at a second point during, said first selected one of said discharge pulses;
determining a first difference voltage by subtracting said second loaded circuit voltage from said first loaded circuit voltage;
measuring a third loaded circuit voltage of said battery at a first point during a second selected one of said discharge pulses which is subsequent to said first selected one of said discharge pulses;
measuring a fourth loaded circuit voltage of said battery at a second point during said second selected one of said discharge pulses;
determining a second difference voltage by subtracting said fourth loaded circuit voltage from said third loaded circuit voltage;
combining said first difference voltage and said second difference voltage to provide a resultant difference;
using, said open circuit voltage and said resultant difference to determine a charge parameter of said battery;
and
outputting said charge parameter.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rapid determination of present and potential battery capacity

Life of this patent

Rapid determination of present and potential battery capacity

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30