US5227259A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for locating and isolating failed cells in a battery
Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
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Filing: 1991-07-24
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Granted: 1993-07-13
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Expires: 2011-07-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for locating and electrically isolating failed cells in a network of cells is disclosed. The apparatus includes a device for sampling voltage and current levels of each of the cells of the battery. Another device compares the sampled voltage and current levels to voltage and current limits to determine whether a cell has failed. If a cell has failed, control circuitry produces an activation signal which is conveyed to a switch associated with the failed cell. The activation signal drives a heating element of the switch. The heating element, which surrounds a fusible link of the switch, melts the fusible link. The fused link congregates at the base of the switch. In the case of a parallel network of cells, the fused link forms an open circuit, while in the case of a series network of cells, the fused link forms a bypass circuit. Consequently, the switch isolates the failed cell from the good cells remaining in the battery.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Weaver
- 👤 Francis L. Tanzella
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M50/00; H01M50/50; H01M50/572; H01M50/574; H01M50/581; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/4207; G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/36; G01R31/396; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for locating and electrically isolating failed cells in a network of cells within a battery, said apparatus comprising: means for determining the condition of said cells of said network of cells of said battery so as to identify a failed cell, said determining means including: means for sampling the electrical properties of said cells of said battery; means for interpreting said electrical properties of said cells to determine the condition of said cells; and means for conveying an activation signal to said failed cell; and means for altering the electrical connection between said filed cell and said network of cells of said battery, said altering means being coupled and responsive to said determining means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for locating and electrically isolating failed cells in a network of cells within a battery, said apparatus comprising: means for determining the condition of said cells of said network of cells of said battery so as to identify a failed cell, said determining means including: means for sampling the electrical properties of said cells of said battery; means for interpreting said electrical properties of said cells to determine the condition of said cells; and means for conveying an activation signal to said failed cell; and means for altering the electrical connection between said filed cell and said network of cells of said battery, said altering means being coupled and responsive to said determining means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sampling means is a sequential sampling multiplexer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interpreting means includes a microprocessor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switching means includes a microprocessor coupled to said failed cell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said altering means includes a switch which alters the electrical connection between said failed cell and said network of cells of said battery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said switch includes a fusible link.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said fusible link is melted by a coil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said fusible link is positioned within a sealed housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said fusible link is positioned within a wetting tube which is positioned within said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said fusible link includes a metal coating.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for locating and electrically isolating failed cells in a network of cells within a battery so as to prevent a failed cell from interfering with the operation of functional cells, said apparatus comprising: means for sampling the electrical properties of said cells of said battery; means for interpreting said electrical properties of said cells to determine the condition of said cells; means for generating an activation signal to a cell in response to said interpreting means; and means for conveying said activation signal to a switch positioned at said failed cell, said switch including means for melting a fusible link associated with said switch, whereby the melted fusible link results in a connection isolating said failed cell from said network of cells so as to prevent said failed cell from interfering with the operation of functional cells in said batter.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for locating and electrically isolating failed cells in a network of cells within a battery so as to prevent a failed cell from interfering with the operation of functional cells, said apparatus comprising: means for sampling the electrical properties of said cells of said battery; means for interpreting said electrical properties of said cells to determine the condition of said cells; means for generating an activation signal to a cell in response to said interpreting means; and means for conveying said activation signal to a switch positioned at said failed cell, said switch including means for melting a fusible link associated with said switch, whereby the melted fusible link results in a connection isolating said failed cell from said network of cells so as to prevent said failed cell from interfering with the operation of functional cells in said batter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said sampling means includes a sequential sampling multiplexer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said comparing means and said switching means include a microprocessor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said switch includes a sealed housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said fusible link is positioned within a wetting tube which is positioned within said housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said fusible link is formed of aluminum and includes a metal coating.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for locating and electrically isolating failed cells in a network of cells within a battery, said method comprising the steps of: sampling the electrical properties of said cells of said battery; interpreting said electrical properties of said cells to determine the condition of said cells; conveying an activation signal to said failed cell in response to said interpreting step; and altering the electrical connection between said failed cell and said network of cells of said battery in response to said activation signal.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for locating and electrically isolating failed cells in a network of cells within a battery, said method comprising the steps of: sampling the electrical properties of said cells of said battery; interpreting said electrical properties of said cells to determine the condition of said cells; conveying an activation signal to said failed cell in response to said interpreting step; and altering the electrical connection between said failed cell and said network of cells of said battery in response to said activation signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said altering step includes heating a fusible link of a switch associated with said failed cell so as to alter the electrical connection between said failed cell and said network of cells of said battery.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |