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US4484130A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Battery monitoring systems

Assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
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Filing: 1983-09-30
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Granted: 1984-11-20
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Expires: 2003-09-30
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Abstract

Abstract A microprocessor based electric vehicle traction battery monitoring system evaluates the state of charge, interfaces with a traction motor control system, and controls recharging. The state of charge is evaluated during the first part of discharge by integrating the current after compensating it for rate of discharge and during the last part of discharge by dividing the battery into sub-packs and evaluating the state of charge from the lowest sub-pack voltage compensated for polarization voltage. The charge storage capacity is also calculated from the lowest sub-pack voltage. The maximum traction motor current is progressively limited during the last part of discharge. During charging, the charge withdrawn is replaced while progressively reducing the charging current and the battery is then charged at a constant current until the rate of rise of the lowest sub-pack voltage falls below a fixed level.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael W. Lowndes
  • 👤 Derek S. Adams
  • 👤 Neville J. Arlidge

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 06:35
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L15/00; B60L15/20; B60L15/2045; B60L58/00; B60L58/10; B60L58/12; B60L58/15; B60L58/18; G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/36; G01R31/3644; G01R31/3648; G01R31/382; G01R31/3835; H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/90; H02J7/94; G01R31/005; G01R31/006; G01R31/396; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/64; Y02T10/70; Y02T10/72; Y10; Y10S; Y10S320/00; Y10S320/18; Y10S320/21; Y10S320/34

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim 101 words
A charging system for a traction battery pack divided into a plurality of sub-packs comprising: means for charging the battery pack according to a predetermined charging cycle, the charging cycle having a plurality of phases, means for measuring the voltages of the individual sub-packs, means for selecting the sub-pack having the lowest voltage, means for determining the rate of rise of the voltage of said selected sub-pack, and means for determining when said rate of rise falls below a predetermined level, one of said phases of the charging cycle being terminated when said rate of rise falls below said predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 101 words
A charging system for a traction battery pack divided into a plurality of sub-packs comprising: means for charging the battery pack according to a predetermined charging cycle, the charging cycle having a plurality of phases, means for measuring the voltages of the individual sub-packs, means for selecting the sub-pack having the lowest voltage, means for determining the rate of rise of the voltage of said selected sub-pack, and means for determining when said rate of rise falls below a predetermined level, one of said phases of the charging cycle being terminated when said rate of rise falls below said predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
A charging system as claimed in claim 1 in which each sub-pack comprises a plurality of cells connected in series.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 45 words
A charging system as claimed in claim 1 in which the system further includes means for determining the charge withdrawn from the battery during discharge, one of the phases of the charging cycle supplying the battery pack with a charge equivalent to the charge withdrawn.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
A charging system as claimed in claim 1 in which the charging cycle includes a phase in which the battery is given a predetermined overcharge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 37 words
A charging system as claimed in claim 1 in which the charging cycle includes a phase in which the battery is given an equalising charge, this phase being executed at a frequency less than each re-charging cycle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 38 words
A charing system as claimed in claim 1 in which the system includes means responsive to the temperature of the electrolyte of the battery pack, the voltage of the individual sub-packs being corrected in accordance with this temperature.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 90 words
A method of charging a traction battery pack comprising: performing a predetermined charging cycle on the pack, the cycle having a plurality of phases, dividing the battery pack into a plurality of sub-packs, measuring the voltage of each individual sub-pack, selecting the sub-pack having the lowest voltage, dtermining the rate of rise of voltage of said selected sub-pack, and determining when said rate of rise falls below a predetermined level, one of said phases of the charging cycle being terminated when said rate of rise falls below said predetermined level.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 90 words
A method of charging a traction battery pack comprising: performing a predetermined charging cycle on the pack, the cycle having a plurality of phases, dividing the battery pack into a plurality of sub-packs, measuring the voltage of each individual sub-pack, selecting the sub-pack having the lowest voltage, dtermining the rate of rise of voltage of said selected sub-pack, and determining when said rate of rise falls below a predetermined level, one of said phases of the charging cycle being terminated when said rate of rise falls below said predetermined level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 19 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 in which each sub-pack comprises a plurality of cells connected in series.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 38 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 further including determining the charge withdrawn from the battery pack during discharge, one of the phases of the charging cycle supplying the battery with a charge equivalent to the charge withdrawn.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 in which the charging cycle includes a phase in which the battery is given a predetermined overcharge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 36 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 in which the charging cycle includes a phase in which the battery is given an equalising charge, this phase being executed at a frequency less than each recharging cycle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 30 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising measuring the temperature of the battery electrolyte and correcting the voltage measurements of the individual sub-packs in accordance with this temperature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 82 words
A charging system for a battery comprising: means responsive to the battery current during charging and discharging for obtaining a current value, means for integrating the current value with respect to time to obtain a charge withdrawn value, and means for charging the battery according to a predetermined cycle, said cycle including a phase in which the battery is supplied with a charge equivalent to the charge withdrawn, the current being varied during said phase in accordance with the charge withdrawn value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 82 words
A charging system for a battery comprising: means responsive to the battery current during charging and discharging for obtaining a current value, means for integrating the current value with respect to time to obtain a charge withdrawn value, and means for charging the battery according to a predetermined cycle, said cycle including a phase in which the battery is supplied with a charge equivalent to the charge withdrawn, the current being varied during said phase in accordance with the charge withdrawn value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 22 words
A charging system according to claim 13 in which during charging the current value is adjusted in accordance with the charging efficiency.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 45 words
A charging system according to claim 13 in which the system includes means responsive to the battery voltage and in which said charging cycle includes a second phase which is terminated when the rate of rise of the battery voltage falls below a predetermined value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 43 words
A charging system as claimed in claim 15 in which the battery is divided into a plurality of sub-packs, said second phase being terminated when the rate of rise of voltage of the sub-pack having the lowest voltage falls below a predetermined value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 25 words
A charging system as claimed in claim 15 in which the charging cycle includes a third phase in which the battery is given an overcharge.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 76 words
A method of charging a battery comprising: measuring the battery current during charging and discharging to obtain a current value, integrating the current value with respect to time to obtain a charge withdrawn value, and charging the battery in accordance with a predetermined cycle including a phase in which the battery is supplied with a charge equivalent to the charge withdrawn value, the charge being varied during said phase in accordance with the charge withdrawn value.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 76 words
A method of charging a battery comprising: measuring the battery current during charging and discharging to obtain a current value, integrating the current value with respect to time to obtain a charge withdrawn value, and charging the battery in accordance with a predetermined cycle including a phase in which the battery is supplied with a charge equivalent to the charge withdrawn value, the charge being varied during said phase in accordance with the charge withdrawn value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 22 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 in which during charging the current value is adjusted in accordance with the charging efficiency.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 43 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 in which the method includes measuring the battery voltage and in which said charging cycle includes a second phase which is terminated when the rate of rise of the battery voltage falls below a predetermined value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 43 words
A method as claimed in claim 20 in which the battery is divided into a plurality of sub-packs, said second phase being terminated when the rate of rise of the voltage of the sub-pack having the lowest voltage falls below a predetermined value.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method as claimed in claim 20 in which the charging cycle includes a third phase in which the battery is given an overcharge.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-11-20 1988-05-21 1988-11-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-11-20 1992-05-21 1992-11-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-11-20 1996-05-21 1996-11-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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