Electricity: measuring and testing – Electrolyte properties – Using a battery testing device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-09
2001-04-10
Wong, Peter S. (Department: 2838)
Electricity: measuring and testing
Electrolyte properties
Using a battery testing device
C324S432000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06215312
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Presently, the methods and systems available to determine the health and status of certain batteries, such as of the silver-zinc type, are limited. Two parameters to be determined are the battery state of charge (SOC) and its capacity (CAP), usually rated in Amp hours. The current method used to determine the capacity of a silver-zinc battery is to charge it to 100% state of charge, and then fully discharge the battery at constant current. The capacity in Amp hours is determined by multiplying the discharge current (Amperes) by the discharge time (hours). Following this, the battery must be fully charged once again to be ready for use. This method involves a significant amount of charging and discharging. This is extremely time consuming and destructive of the battery health. The latter factor is directly related to the limited cycle life of silver-zinc batteries. Also, no means is currently known to instantaneously measure battery SOC.
Batteries, such as silver-zinc batteries have especially limited cycle lives, and any unnecessary cycling should be avoided. Therefore, a need exists for a method to perform a comprehensive diagnostic on a battery, including determination of SOC and capacity, without performing unnecessary discharge cycling on the battery. Also, a method and apparatus is needed to determine defects in a battery, such as a low electrolyte condition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention is directed to a method and apparatus that performs a step-by-step diagnostic procedure to evaluate the health and status of a battery, such as of the silver-zinc type. Such batteries have the characteristic of first and second voltage plateaus, or states, corresponding the battery charge condition, with the first state being of a lower value than the second. The method and apparatus operates to identify a given battery, and then perform a thorough diagnostic in a rapid and efficient manner. This includes examining the battery for internal defects such as low electrolyte, and diagnosing overall status and health of the battery with tests using the battery voltage state. The user is automatically informed of battery condition, and of any actions that should be taken to preserve or repair the battery.
This invention also accomplishes determination of the state of charge of a battery such as of the silver-zinc type at any charge state of the battery on a substantially instantaneous basis using algorithms based on cell size. Further, battery capacity is determined based on a novel algorithm. The aspect of invention used to measure battery capacity can be extended to include various cell sizes, or normalized to cells across a range of capacities. The system and method described herein can determine battery capacity without requiring that the battery be discharged. It is significantly faster, and will not have any harmful effect on the battery and its performance.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus to perform a comprehensive diagnostic of a battery.
Another object is a method and apparatus for the automatic evaluation of the health and status of a battery through the use of a computer controlled charging and test system.
A further object is to provide a method and apparatus for determining the capacity of a battery without subjecting it to charge and discharge.
An additional object is to provide a method and apparatus to determine the state of charge of a battery on a substantially instantaneous basis.
Still a further object is to provide a diagnostic method and system to determine internal defects of a battery and to recondition a battery.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5281919 (1994-01-01), Palanisamy
patent: 5672951 (1997-09-01), Shiota
patent: 5680050 (1997-10-01), Kawai et al.
patent: 5705929 (1998-01-01), Caravello et al.
patent: 5721688 (1998-02-01), Bramwell
Hoenig Steven
Palanisamy Thirumalai G.
Rudai Patrick M.
Singh Harmohan
Toatley , Jr. Gregory J.
Wong Peter S.
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