US3852732A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solid state universal battery monitor
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1973-06-14
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1993-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A monitor for disabling a function of a battery-powered vehicle when the battery reaches a predetermined discharge state. The discharge state of the battery is determined by continuously monitoring the terminal voltage of the battery. Two warning signals are generated with each warning signal indicating progressively lower discharge states of the battery. After the second warning signal has been on for a predetermined time period some operative function of the battery-powered apparatus is disabled. If the battery-powered apparatus is a fork-lift truck for example, the lift mechanism might be disabled, however, the main drive motor could remain operative so that the truck can be returned to the battery charging station. The monitor also prohibits the disabled function from being reenergized except when a charged battery is installed in the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 D Yorksie
- 👤 B Terzic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R19/00; G01R19/165; G01R19/16533; G01R19/16538; G01R19/16542; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S320/00; Y10S320/15; Y10S320/18; Y10S320/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
Apparatus for monitoring the output voltage of a battery used as an energy source for electrically powered equipment and for disabling a selected function of said equipment when the output voltage of said battery remains within preselected regions for a preselected time, comprising in combination: a. first means for generating a first warning signal when the output voltage of said battery is below a first preselected value and for terminating said first warning signal when said battery voltage exceeds a second preselected value; b. second means for terminating said first warning signal and initiating a second warning signal whenever said first warning signal has persisted for a period exceeding a first preset time period; c. third means for terminating said second warning signal if the terminal voltage of said battery rises to a third preselected value within a second preselected time period; and d. disable means for diabling a function of said electrically powered equipment if the terminal voltage of said battery does not rise to said second preselected value within said second preselected time period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
Apparatus for monitoring the output voltage of a battery used as an energy source for electrically powered equipment and for disabling a selected function of said equipment when the output voltage of said battery remains within preselected regions for a preselected time, comprising in combination: a. first means for generating a first warning signal when the output voltage of said battery is below a first preselected value and for terminating said first warning signal when said battery voltage exceeds a second preselected value; b. second means for terminating said first warning signal and initiating a second warning signal whenever said first warning signal has persisted for a period exceeding a first preset time period; c. third means for terminating said second warning signal if the terminal voltage of said battery rises to a third preselected value within a second preselected time period; and d. disable means for diabling a function of said electrically powered equipment if the terminal voltage of said battery does not rise to said second preselected value within said second preselected time period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus for monitoring the output voltage of a battery in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first means includes range selection circuitry for scaling the terminal voltage of said battery to permit the monitoring range of said apparatus to be selected without modifying said apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus for monitoring the output voltage of a battery in accordance with claim 2 wherein said range selection circuitry includes means to protect said apparatus from reverse polarity input voltages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for monitoring the output voltage of a battery in accordance with claim 3 wherein said range selection circuitry includes means for protecting said monitor from voltages in excess of the normal expected operating range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus for monitoring the output voltage of a battery in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first means includes a threshold circuit for generating a signal which initiates said first warning when the baTtery voltage falls below a first threshold and terminates said first warning when the battery voltage exceeds a second threshold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for monitoring the output voltage of a battery in accordance with claim 1 further including means for enabling said function of said equipment when the terminal voltage of said battery exceeds a preselected value.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for monitoring the output voltage of a battery used as an energy source for an electrically powered vehicle and for selectively controlling an operative feature of said vehicle, comprising the steps of: a. monitoring the terminal voltage of said battery and enabling said operative feature when the terminal voltage of said battery exceeds a first preselected value; b. monitoring the terminal voltage of said battery and initiating a first warning signal when the terminal voltage of said battery falls below a second preselected value; c. terminating said first warning signal and initiating a second warning signal if the output voltage of said battery remains below a third preselected value for a first selected time period; d. disabling an operative feature of said vehicle if the terminal voltage of said battery does not rise above a third preselected value within a second preselected time period.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for monitoring the output voltage of a battery used as an energy source for an electrically powered vehicle and for selectively controlling an operative feature of said vehicle, comprising the steps of: a. monitoring the terminal voltage of said battery and enabling said operative feature when the terminal voltage of said battery exceeds a first preselected value; b. monitoring the terminal voltage of said battery and initiating a first warning signal when the terminal voltage of said battery falls below a second preselected value; c. terminating said first warning signal and initiating a second warning signal if the output voltage of said battery remains below a third preselected value for a first selected time period; d. disabling an operative feature of said vehicle if the terminal voltage of said battery does not rise above a third preselected value within a second preselected time period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method for monitoring the output voltage of a battery in accordance with claim 7 wherein said first, second, third and fourth preselected values are independently selected.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3568175A
Cited
US3688293A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |