Signalling system
AssigneeMetrixx Limited
InventorSilviu Puchianu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A battery signalling system is provided which can be used to monitor and/or control a battery (1) having a number of series connected battery cells (Ci). When used to monitor the battery cells, the battery signalling system can comprise a central battery monitoring system (3) for monitoring the industrial battery (1) as a whole, a number of cell monitoring devices (CMi) for monitoring one or more battery cells (Ci) and a communication link (9) for connecting the cell monitoring devices (CMi) in series in a daisy chain configuration to the central battery monitoring system (3). In operation, the central battery monitoring system (3) can poll each of the cell monitoring devices (Cmi) in turn and analyze the data received from a polled cell monitoring device (CMi) to detect malfunctions and/or underperforming cells.
Claims35
A signaling system for use with a plurality of systems each having a respective power source and each operating at a different reference potential, the system comprising:
- first and second signaling devices, each to be powered by a respective one or more of said plurality of systems;
- and
- an electrically conductive link for connecting an output terminal of said first signaling device to an input terminal of said second signaling device;
- wherein said first signaling device comprises:
- i.) a supply terminal and a reference terminal for receiving power from said respective one of more of said plurality of systems and for providing a supply potential and a reference potential to said first signaling device;
- ii.) a solid state switch having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, the first main electrode being connected to said supply terminal of the first signaling device and the second main electrode being connected to said output terminal of said first signaling device;
- and
- iii.) a controller for applying a control signal to said control electrode for opening and closing said solid state switch in dependence upon a signal to be transmitted from said first signaling device to said second signaling device;
- wherein said second signaling device comprises:
- i.) a supply terminal and a reference terminal for receiving power from said respective one or more of said plurality of systems and for providing a supply potential and a reference potential to said second signaling device;
- and
- ii.) a sensor coupled to said input terminal for sensing the signal transmitted from said output terminal of said first signaling device to said input terminal of said second signaling device and for outputting a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed signal;
- and
- wherein said input terminal of said second signaling device is connected to the reference terminal of said second signaling device.
A signaling system for use with a plurality of systems each having a respective power source and each operating at a different reference potential, the system comprising:
- first and second signaling devices, each to be powered by a respective one or more of said plurality of systems;
- and
- an electrically conductive link for connecting an output terminal of said first signaling device to an input terminal of said second signaling device;
- wherein said first signaling device comprises;
- i.) a supply terminal and a reference terminal for receiving power from said respective one of more of said plurality of systems and for providing a supply potential and a reference potential to said first signaling device;
- ii.) a solid state switch having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, the first main electrode being connected to said reference terminal of the first signaling device and the second main electrode being connected to said output terminal of said first signaling device;
- and
- iii.) a controller for applying a control signal to said control electrode for opening and closing said solid state switch in dependence upon a signal to be transmitted from said first signaling device to said second signaling device;
- wherein said second signaling device comprises:
- i.) a supply terminal and a reference terminal for receiving power from said respective one or more of said plurality of systems and for providing a supply potential and a reference potential to said second signaling device;
- and
- ii.) a sensor coupled to said input terminal for sensing the signal transmitted from said output terminal of said first signaling device to said input terminal of said second signaling device and for outputting a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed signal;
- and
- wherein said input terminal of said second signaling device is connected to the supply terminal of said second signaling device.
A signaling device comprising:
- i.) a supply terminal and a reference terminal for receiving power from a power source and for providing a supply potential and a reference potential to said signaling device;
- ii.) an output terminal for connection to another signaling device via a conductive link;
- iii.) a solid state switch having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, the first main electrode being connected to said supply terminal and the second main electrode being connected to said output terminal;
- and
- iv.) a controller for applying a control signal to said control electrode for opening and closing said solid state switch in dependence upon a signal to be transmitted from said signaling device to said other signaling device via said output terminal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.