US4638237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Battery condition indicator
Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Co
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Filing: 1985-01-03
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Granted: 1987-01-20
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Expires: 2005-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A battery condition indicator provides an indication of both the charge used and the life remaining in a rechargeable battery. The time of use of the battery between charges is measured to provide an indirect measure of the charge remaining. The total time of service of the battery is measured to provide an indirect measure of the age or life of the battery.
Inventors
- 👤 Emilio A. Fernandez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/36; G01R31/3644; G01R31/3648; G01R31/382; H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/48; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/80; H02J7/82; H02J7/84; G01R31/392; H02J7/825; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S320/00; Y10S320/18; Y10S320/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A battery condition indicator for indicating both the charge used and the life remaining in a rechargeable battery comprising: rate multiplying and counting means for indirectly measuring the charge used by the battery between charges; means for supplying variable rate clock pulses to said rate multiplying and counting means, the rate of said clock pulses being a function of whether a high current consumption load is connected to the battery or not; timing means for measuring the total time in service of the battery; charge used display means responsive to said rate multiplying and counting means for providing an indication of the charge remaining in the battery; and age display means responsive to said timeing means for providing an indication of the life or age of the battery.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A battery condition indicator for indicating both the charge used and the life remaining in a rechargeable battery comprising: rate multiplying and counting means for indirectly measuring the charge used by the battery between charges; means for supplying variable rate clock pulses to said rate multiplying and counting means, the rate of said clock pulses being a function of whether a high current consumption load is connected to the battery or not; timing means for measuring the total time in service of the battery; charge used display means responsive to said rate multiplying and counting means for providing an indication of the charge remaining in the battery; and age display means responsive to said timeing means for providing an indication of the life or age of the battery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The battery condition indicator as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for supplying variable rate clock pulses to said rate multiplying and counting means generates clock pulses at a first predetermined rate if the load is not connected to the battery and at a second predetermined higher rate than said first predetermined rate if the load is connected to the battery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
The battery condition indicator as recited in claim 2 wherein said rate multiplying and counting means comprises: a rate multiplier connected to receive said clock pulses and provide a rate pulse output for integral numbers of said clock pulses and a clock pulse output, and a binary counter connected to said rate multiplier to count count pulses therefrom, said binary counter providing a binary count output to said rate multiplier for controlling the multiplication rate thereof as a function of the number of count pulses counted, said rate multiplier providing an output pulse rate indicative of the counted time period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The battery condition indicator as recited in claim 3 wherein said rate multipling and counting means further comprises means responsive to the output pulse rate of said rate multiplier for determining a percent of charge used and supplying an output to said charged used display means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The battery condition indicator as recited in claim 4 further comprising reset means for resetting said rate multiplying and counting means when said battery has been fully recharged.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The battery condition indicator as recited in claim 5 further comprising full charge indicating means connected to said reset means to be set thereby and further connected to said counting means to be reset thereby after a predetermined count has been accumulated in said counter means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The battery condition indicator as recited in claim 2 wherein said timing means is responsive to the presence of said clock pulses for measuring the age of the battery as a function of the time the battery is connected to supply current, said timing means being disabled when said battery is disconnected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The battery condition indicator as recited in claim 7 wherein said timing means and said age display means are an electrolysis time measuring device which provides a direct indication of the measured time.
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) | 1990-01-19 | 1990-07-21 | 1991-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-01-19 | 1994-07-21 | 1995-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-01-19 | 1998-07-21 | 1999-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |