Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging – Battery or cell discharging – With charging
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-17
2001-12-11
Wong, Peter S. (Department: 2838)
Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging
Battery or cell discharging
With charging
C320S130000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06329792
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device and system for the management of a battery pack used as a power back-up for an A.C. power source. The invention has particular application to distributed telecommunication systems and enables the useful capacity and health of a back-up battery power source of one or more of the links in the telecom system to be monitored, assessed and managed from a remote location.
The invention may be used in conjunction with any device or network of devices which is battery-powered, or which uses a battery pack as an alternative or back-up power source, such as telecommunication relay sites, fibre optic sites, computers; telecommunication or station batteries; telephone switching facilities and portable test equipment.
Other potential applications include railway crossing and switch systems; mobile electronic equipment battery packs used in cellular telephones, computers, camcorders or electric vehicles.
There is presently no fully reliable and accurate means for determining the useful capacity of batteries, e.g. those used as a back up for a primary AC power source for an instrument or device which is situated at a remote location. In the event of an AC power failure, it is essential that the DC battery back-up power operate efficiently and at the required capacity. To date, there has been no practical method to load test a back-up battery at a remote site. Conventional devices measure voltage, impedance, electrolyte specific gravity or other battery characteristics, but do not provide the user with direct information concerning the length of time the battery will operate under load.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention obviates and mitigates the disadvantages inherent in the prior art by providing a device and system for directly assessing the useful capacity of a back-up battery, even where the battery is located at a remote site and without compromising the ability of the back-up battery to operate should there be an AC power failure during the battery testing. This objective is achieved by performing a sequential, individual assessment of each module which comprises a battery pack. Where used in this specification, the term “module” means one or more electrochemical cells.
A further advantage of the present invention arises from its capability to rejuvenate or boost the health of the battery module of certain chemistries, e.g. valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) or nickel/cadmium. The discharge/charge sequence which is carried out in order to assess and monitor the useful capacity of the module, also serves to better cycle the module.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method for managing the back-up, battery power source of the distributed communications systems of the telecommunications industry. The invention enables individual telecom sites with fibre optic or radio equipment powered by systems containing back-up batteries to be operated with improved reliability and economy. The invention provides smart charging at the cell or module level, thus ensuring that the back-up battery pack always receives optimum charging. The invention further provides a continuously updated battery pack capacity based on cell or module discharge tests so that the individual sites on the telecom system are provided with a real time method of back-up battery network management. This network battery management system provides the user with information to optimize the efficiency and operability of the telecom system, in case of AC power failure, particularly if the there is a widespread or prolonged AC power outage.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a networked system which enables the back-up battery power source of a system with multiple battery installations to be effectively assessed, monitored and managed.
In a further embodiment, the invention provides a higher level of networked system which has as its hub, a master control center which integrates the application specific networks of users of the primary battery health management devices. This higher system will enable battery health to be expertly managed by enhancing the optimum servicing, reliability and economic operation of the back-up power systems, by providing a means whereby the capacity and health of a battery can be assessed, monitored and managed from a remote site without disruption of the battery circuit.
In one aspect, the invention provides a system for directly assessing the useful capacity of an online battery pack, comprising: a programmable logic controller operatively connected to a monitor circuit and to one or more battery modules comprising said battery pack, said monitor circuit comprising battery module charging means, and discharge load means; wherein said programmable logic controller selectively and sequentially opens and closes a plurality of relays which connect with said charging means and said discharge load means to alternatively define a discharge circuit which enables one of said modules to be discharged by said discharge load means under a predefined load, the useful capacity of said module being calculated by said programmable logic controller.
Preferably, the programmable logic controller comprises, or is operatively connected to at least one module voltage reader; battery pack current reader and module current reader; a switch controller to control said isolation relays; a controller for said variable discharge load means and said single module battery charger (charger/discharger controller).
In an additional aspect, the invention provides a method of sequentially assessing the operating capacity of a plurality of battery modules which define a battery pack, which comprises the steps of:
selecting one of said modules for assessment;
connecting said selected module to a variable discharge load means by closing relays which connect said module to said variable discharge load means;
measuring parameters which define the useful capacity of said module, while said module is under load;
disconnecting said selected module from said variable discharge load means by opening said relays and either; (a) connecting said selected module to a battery charger for recharging; and (b) reconnecting said selected module to said plurality of modules by the selective opening and closing of relays which connect said modules with said battery charger, and said variable discharge load;
wherein the coordination of all of the above steps is accomplished by the use of a programmable logic controller operatively comprising, in combination, at least one voltage reader; at least one battery pack current reader; at least one module current reader; and a switch controller to control the opening and closing of said relays.
A still further aspect of the invention provides a device for cycling batteries, comprising: a programmable logic controller operatively connected to a monitor circuit and to one or more battery modules comprising said battery pack, said monitor circuit comprising battery module charging means, and discharge load means; wherein said programmable logic controller selectively and sequentially opens and closes a plurality of relays which connect with said charging means and said discharge load means to alternatively define a discharge circuit which enables one of said modules to be discharged by said discharge load means under a predefined load.
An additional aspect of the invention provides a device for enhancing the useful capacity and/or reducing the rate of capacity loss of battery packs during service by using an optimal recharge method on battery modules which comprise said battery pack while said battery pack remains in service.
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patent:
de Oliveira Julio C.
Dunn James H.
Gerwing David H.
Cohen Shapiro
Estco Energy Inc.
Luk Lawrence
Wong Peter S.
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