Automatic flight-safe indicator and method of use for batteries
AssigneePanacis Inc.
InventorSteve Carkner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An flight-safe indicator for a battery displays the flight-safety state of a battery to be transported by an aircraft. The indicator can be easily recognized by ground personnel anywhere regardless of the language they speak or read. The indicator comprises an icon indicating that the battery is safe for flight and would be easily recognized by personnel at an airport. The icon would be placed on the battery or on the battery packaging prior to loading on the aircraft. When the magnitude of power stored on the battery exceeds a safety threshold, the icon changes to an indication that the battery is not safe for transporting by aircraft and the operator may discharge the battery using a load until it reaches a safe level.
Claims19
An automatic flight-safe indicator for detecting a safety level in a battery to be transported on board an aircraft, the indicator comprising:
- a) a power storage magnitude indicator for the battery, said power storage magnitude indicator electrically connected to the battery for displaying a power storage magnitude of the battery;
- and
- b) a flight-safe indicator electrically connected to the storage magnitude indicator;
- the flight-safe indicator being activated based on i) a battery type and ii) the power storage magnitude of the battery is below a threshold safe power storage magnitude for the battery type.
A method of using an automatic flight-safe indicator for detecting a safety level in a battery to be transported on board an aircraft comprising the following steps:
- a) providing a battery having a power storage magnitude;
- b) providing a battery power storage magnitude indicator electrically connected to the battery;
- c) displaying said battery power storage magnitude;
- d) providing a flight-safe indicator having a first flight-safe display and a second flight-unsafe display, wherein the flight-safe indicator is activated based on
- i. a battery type, and
- ii. the power storage magnitude of the battery being below a threshold safe power storage magnitude for the battery type;
- e) electrically connecting a flight-safe icon to the battery storage magnitude indicator;
- f) programming the flight-safe icon to change from the first flight-safe display to the second flight-unsafe display when the battery storage indicator indicates battery power equal to or greater than a predetermined battery storage magnitude safety limit;
- g) providing a human operator for observing the flight-safety icon;
- h) the human operator prohibiting loading of the battery on board an aircraft when the flight-safety icon is in the flight-unsafe display;
- and
- i) the human operator permitting loading of the battery on board the aircraft when the flight-safety icon is in the flight-safe display.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.