# US 6,573,723 B2 · Current measuring apparatus for battery > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,573,723 B2 - Document ID: US6573723B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 09/826,261 - Filed: 2001-04-04 - Published: 2001-10-25 - Granted: 2003-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2000-04-04 - Assignees: Microchip Technology Incorporated - Inventors: David C. Baston - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6573723B2 ## CPC - G01R 1/203: {Resistors used for electric measuring, e.g. decade resistors standards, resistors for comparators, series resistors, shunts (resistors in general H01C; microwave or radiowave terminations H01P1/26; coupling devices H01R)} - G01R 19/0092: {Measuring current only} - G01R 31/2607: {Circuits therefor (G01R31/2642 takes precedence)} - G01R 31/364: Battery terminal connectors with integrated measuring arrangements - G01R 31/3648: {comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm} - G01R 31/382: Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC - G01R 31/379: for lead-acid batteries - G01R 31/3835: involving only voltage measurements - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) ## Abstract An apparatus for measuring electrical energy passing to and from a battery post. The apparatus includes a resistor having a known resistance, a first conducting surface and a second conducting surface. The conducting surfaces are arranged such that current flow from a battery post will travel through the resistor from the first conducting surface to the second conducting surface, and current flow to the post travels through the resistor from the second to the first conducting surfaces. The energy measuring apparatus further includes a first lead electrically connected to the first conducting surface of the resistor, and a second lead electrically connected to the second conducting surface of the resistor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for measuring electrical current passing to and from a battery post, comprising: a resistor, the resistor being in the shape of a sleeve so as to be coaxially received on a battery post and to provide an electrical connection to the battery post, the resistor having a known resistance and a first conducting surface and a second conducting surface, wherein current flow from the battery post travels through the resistor from the first conducting surface to the second conducting surface of the resistor and current flow to the battery post travels through the resistor from the second conducting surface to the first conducting surface of the resistor; a first lead electrically connected to the first conducting surface of the resistor; and a second lead electrically connected to the second conducting surface of the resistor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a volt meter connected between the first and the second leads for measuring the voltage drop across the resistor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a computer including: memory for storing the known resistance of the resistor; and a processor programmed to, receive the measured voltage drop for the volt meter, retrieve the known resistance from the memory, and calculate current flow through the resistor based on the measured voltage drop and the known resistance. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the known claim resistance of the resistor is between about 50 microOhm and about 200 microOhm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the resistor includes at least one channel between the first and the second conducting surfaces. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the resistor is made from a material at least including lead. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A battery including the apparatus of claim 1, and further including: a case; a storage cell contained within the case for receiving and storing an electrical charge; and an electrically conductive post connected to the storage cell and extending out of the case; wherein the first conducting surface of the resistor is positioned on a portion of the post extending out of the case. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A battery according to claim 7, wherein the storage cell includes lead and lead-oxide plates immersed in an acid electrolyte. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A battery according to claim 7, further comprising a volt meter connected between the first and the second leads for measuring the voltage drop across the resistor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A battery according to claim 9, further comprising a computer including: memory for storing the known resistance of the resistor; and a processor programmed to, receive the measured voltage drop from the volt meter, retrieve the known resistance from the memory, and calculate current flow through the resistor based on the measured voltage drop and the known resistance. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) A battery according to claim 7, wherein the known resistance of the resistor is between about 50 microOhm and about 200 microOhm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) A battery according to claim 7, wherein the resistor is provided in the shape of a sleeve and the first conducting surface of the resistor is coaxially received on the battery post. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A battery according to claim 12, wherein the first conducting surface of the resistor includes at least one channel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A battery according to claim 12, further comprising a sleeve-like terminal coaxially received on the second conducting surface of the resistor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) A battery according to claim 7, wherein the resistor includes at least one channel between the first and the second conducting surfaces. ### Claim 16 (depends on 7) A battery according to claim 7, wherein the resistor is made from a material at least including lead. ### Claim 17 An apparatus for measuring electrical current passing to and from a battery post, comprising: a resistor being integrally formed as part of a battery post and providing an electrical connection to the battery post, the resistor having a known resistance and a first conducting surface and a second conducting surface, wherein current flow from the battery post travels through the resistor from the first conducting surface to the second conducting surface of the resistor and current flow to the battery post travels through the resistor from the second conducting surface to the first conducting surface of the resistor; a first lead electrically connected to the first conducting surface of the resistor; and a second lead electrically connected to the second conducting surface of the resistor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the second conducting surface of the resistor includes at least one channel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) A battery including the apparatus of claim 17, and further including: a case; a storage cell contained within the case for receiving and storing an electrical charge; and an electrically conductive post connected to the storage cell and extending out of the case; wherein the first conducting surface of the resistor is positioned on a portion of the post extending out of the case. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A battery according to claim 19, wherein the storage cell includes lead and lead-oxide plates immersed in an acid electrolyte. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) A battery according to claim 19, further comprising a volt meter connected between the first and the second leads for measuring the voltage drop across the resistor. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A battery according to claim 21, further comprising a computer including: memory for storing the known resistance of the resistor; and a processor programmed to, receive the measured voltage drop from the volt meter, retrieve the known resistance from the memory, and calculate current flow through the resistor based on the measured voltage drop and the known resistance. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) A battery according to claim 19, wherein the known resistance of the resistor is between about 50 microOhm and about 200 microOhm. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) A battery according to claim 19, wherein the resistor is integrally formed as part of the battery post. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A battery according to claim 24, wherein the first conducting surface of the resistor includes at least one channel. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) A battery according to claim 19, wherein the resistor includes at least one channel between the first and the second conducting surfaces. ### Claim 27 (depends on 19) A battery according to claim 19, wherein the resistor is made from a material at least including lead. ### Claim 28 A resistor for use in measuring electrical current passing to and from a battery post, comprising: a resistor in the shape of a sleeve for being coaxially received on a battery post; the resistor having a first conducting surface for contacting the battery post, and a second conducting surface, wherein current flow from the battery post travels through the resistor from the first conducting surface to the second conducting surface and current flow to the battery post travels through the resistor from the second conducting surface to the first conducting surface; wherein the resistor has a known resistance, whereby current flow through the resistor can be determined based on a measured change in voltage between the first and the second conducting surfaces and the known resistance. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) A resistor according to claim 28, wherein the known resistance is between about 50 microOhm and about 200 microOhm. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) A resistor according to claim 28, wherein the known resistance is about 150 microOhm. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) A resistor according to claim 28, wherein the second conducting surface includes at least one channel for dissipating heat. ### Claim 32 (depends on 28) A resistor according to claim 28, further including at least one channel between the first and the second conducting surfaces for dissipating heat. ### Claim 33 (depends on 28) A resistor according to claim 28, made from a material at least including lead. ### Claim 34 (depends on 28) A resistor according to claim 28, including an inner portion defining the first conducting surface and an outer portion received on the inner portion and defining the second conducting surface, and each portion includes bores for receiving leads for measuring a voltage change between the first and the second conducting surfaces. ### Claim 35 (depends on 28) A resistor according to claim 28, further including a lead secured to the first conducting surface and a lead secured to the second conducting surface, the leads for measuring a voltage change between the first and the second conducting surfaces. ### Claim 36 A resistor for use in measuring electrical current passing to and from a battery post, comprising: a resistor in the shape of a head of a battery post; the resistor having a first conducting surface for contacting the battery post and a second conducting surface, wherein current flow from the battery post travels through the resistor from the first conducting surface to the second conducting surface and current flow to the battery post travels through the resistor from the second conducting surface to the first conducting surface; wherein the resistor has a known resistance, whereby current flow through the resistor can be determined based on a measured change in voltage between the first and the second conducting surfaces and the known resistance. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) A resistor according to claim 36, wherein the known resistance is between about 50 microOhm and about 200 microOhm. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) A resistor according to claim 36, wherein the known resistance is about 150 micro Ohm. ### Claim 39 (depends on 36) A resistor according to claim 36, wherein the second conducting surface includes at least one channel for dissipating heat. ### Claim 40 (depends on 36) A resistor according to claim 36, further including at least one channel between the first and the second conducting surfaces for dissipating heat. ### Claim 41 (depends on 36) A resistor according to claim 36, made from a material at least including lead. ### Claim 42 (depends on 36) A resistor according to claim 36, including an inner portion defining the first conducting surface and an outer portion received on the inner portion and defining the second conducting surface, and each portion includes bores for receiving leads for measuring a voltage change between the first and the second conducting surfaces. ### Claim 43 (depends on 36) A resistor according to claim 36, further including a lead secured to the first conducting surface and a lead secured to the second conducting surface, the leads for measuring a voltage change between the first and the second conducting surfaces.