US3707664A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Novel battery discharge sensor and control
Assignee: Comsat Corp
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Filing: 1971-04-06
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Granted: 1972-12-26
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Expires: 1991-04-06
Abstract
Abstract In an energy storage device of the type which comprises a plurality of series connected voltage cells such as a series of alkaline battery cells, the discharge of the cells is prevented from reaching a dangerously low level by monitoring the voltage level of selected ones of the cells which have a lower energy capacity than the remaining standard cells in the storage device. The selected cells, having a lower maximum capacity, will reach a detectable degree of discharge first and circuit means are provided for detecting when the full discharge of these cells is about to be reached. When detection occurs the selected cells are bypassed and signals are sent out to indicate that the overall energy storage device has reached a low level of charge.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred H Esch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:56
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H7/00; H02H7/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S320/00; Y10S320/18; Y10S320/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A battery condition sensing system comprising a first plurality of like voltage cells connected in series with each other, at least one additional cell connected in series with said first plurality of cells, said additional cell having a charge capacity significantly less than the charge capacity of each of said first plurality of cells, all of said series connected cells forming a battery which is connected to external circuitry including a load, means for monitoring the charge status of said battery by detecting the voltage across said additional cell, and switching means responsive to the actuation of said voltage monitoring means for disconnecting said additional cell from the series connection with said plurality of cells, and by passing cell whereby only the remaining cells continue to energize said load and indicating means actuated by said switching means for providing an indication that the battery has discharged to a warning level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A battery condition sensing system comprising a first plurality of like voltage cells connected in series with each other, at least one additional cell connected in series with said first plurality of cells, said additional cell having a charge capacity significantly less than the charge capacity of each of said first plurality of cells, all of said series connected cells forming a battery which is connected to external circuitry including a load, means for monitoring the charge status of said battery by detecting the voltage across said additional cell, and switching means responsive to the actuation of said voltage monitoring means for disconnecting said additional cell from the series connection with said plurality of cells, and by passing cell whereby only the remaining cells continue to energize said load and indicating means actuated by said switching means for providing an indication that the battery has discharged to a warning level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A battery condition sensing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said additional cell has a maximum charge capacity of 95 percent or less of the maximum charge capacity of said other cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A battery condition sensing system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said monitoring means comprises a voltage sensitive relay connected across the terminals of said additional cell and actuated when the voltage of said additional cell reaches a predetermined fixed minimum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A battery condition sensing systEm as claimed in claim 3 wherein said predetermined fixed minimum voltage level is set at such a value that said additional cell is switched out of the circuit including said battery prior to complete discharge of said additional cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A battery condition sensing system as claimed in claim 3 wherein all said cells are nickel-cadmium cells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
272 words
A battery condition sensing system comprising a first plurality of series connected voltage cells, a first additional voltage cell connected in series with said first plurality of cells having a maximum charge capacity of less than 95 percent of each of said first plurality of voltage cells, a second additional voltage cell connected in series with said first additional voltage cell having a maximum charge capacity of less than 95 percent of said first additional voltage cell, all said series connected cells being connected to an external circuit including a load, first detecting means connected across said second additional voltage cell and responsive to the voltage of said second additional cell dropping below a preset value for transmitting an initial warning, second detecting means connected across said first additional voltage cell responsive to the voltage of said first additional cell dropping below a preset value for transmitting a second warning, first switching means responsive to the actuation of said first detecting means for switching said second additional cell out of the circuit including said load, whereby only the remaining cells form said battery continue to energize said load, first indicating means actuated by said first switching means for providing an indication that said second additional cell has discharged to a warning level, and second switching means responsive to the actuation of said second detecting means for switching said first additional cell out of the circuit including said load whereby the remaining cells continue to energize said load and second indicating means actuated by said second switching means for providing an indication that said first additional cell has discharged to a warning level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
272 words
A battery condition sensing system comprising a first plurality of series connected voltage cells, a first additional voltage cell connected in series with said first plurality of cells having a maximum charge capacity of less than 95 percent of each of said first plurality of voltage cells, a second additional voltage cell connected in series with said first additional voltage cell having a maximum charge capacity of less than 95 percent of said first additional voltage cell, all said series connected cells being connected to an external circuit including a load, first detecting means connected across said second additional voltage cell and responsive to the voltage of said second additional cell dropping below a preset value for transmitting an initial warning, second detecting means connected across said first additional voltage cell responsive to the voltage of said first additional cell dropping below a preset value for transmitting a second warning, first switching means responsive to the actuation of said first detecting means for switching said second additional cell out of the circuit including said load, whereby only the remaining cells form said battery continue to energize said load, first indicating means actuated by said first switching means for providing an indication that said second additional cell has discharged to a warning level, and second switching means responsive to the actuation of said second detecting means for switching said first additional cell out of the circuit including said load whereby the remaining cells continue to energize said load and second indicating means actuated by said second switching means for providing an indication that said first additional cell has discharged to a warning level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A battery condition sensing system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said first detecting means comprises a first voltage sensitive relay connected across the terminals of said second additional cell, said first relay being actuated when the voltage across said terminals of said second additional cell drops below said preset value for said second additional voltage cell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A battery condition sensing system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said preset value of said second additional voltage cell is set at such a value that said second additional cell is short-circuited prior to complete discharge of said second additional cell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
A battery condition sensing system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said second detecting means comprises a second voltage sensitive relay connected across the terminals of said first additional cell, said second relay being actuated when the voltage across said terminals of said first additional cell drops below said preset value for said first additional voltage cell.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A battery condition sensing system claimed in claim 9 wherein said preset value of said first additional voltage cell is set at such a value that said first additional voltage cell is short circuited prior to complete discharge of said first additional cell.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A battery sensing system as claimed in claim 9 wherein all said cells are nickel-cadmium cells.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-26 | 1976-06-26 | 1976-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-26 | 1980-06-26 | 1980-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-26 | 1984-06-26 | 1984-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |