Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A method of measuring depth-of-discharge of a battery delivering a voltage between first and second battery terminals, comprising the steps of measuring said battery's internal impedance and measuring said battery's geometric capacitance, wherein said step of measuring said battery's internal impedance R batt comprises the sub-steps of: (a) coupling a known impedance R k between said first and second terminals; (b) measuring a voltage V k between said first and second terminals during a time interval extending from one to ten milliseconds after said step of coupling said known impedance; (c) removing said known impedance from said first and second terminals; (d) measuring voltage V oc between said first and second terminals during a time interval extending from one to ten milliseconds after said step of removing said known impedance; (e) computing said internal impedance according to the formula ##EQU7## and wherein said step of measuring said battery's geometric capacitance comprises the sub-steps of: (f) alternately coupling and decoupling a known impedance R k2 between said first and second battery terminals at a periodic rate T; (g) measuring a voltage V oc2 between said battery terminals when said known impedance R k2 is decoupled from said battery terminals in step (f); (h) measuring a voltage V k2 between said battery terminals when said known impedance R k2 is coupled to said battery terminals in step (f); (i) computing said geometric capacitance according to the formula ##EQU8##
Claim 2
Independent Claim
236 words
A method of measuring depth-of-discharge of a battery delivering a voltage between first and second battery terminals, comprising the steps of measuring said battery's internal impedance and measuring said battery's geometric capacitance, wherein said step of measuring said battery's internal impedance R batt comprises the sub-steps of: (a) coupling a known impedance R k between said first and second terminals; (b) measuring a voltage V k between said first and second terminals during a time interval extending from one to ten milliseconds after said step of coupling said known impedance; (c) removing said known impedance from said first and second terminals; (d) measuring voltage V oc between said first and second terminals during a time interval extending from one to ten milliseconds after said step of removing said known impedance; (e) computing said internal impedance according to the formula ##EQU7## and wherein said step of measuring said battery's geometric capacitance comprises the sub-steps of: (f) alternately coupling and decoupling a known impedance R k2 between said first and second battery terminals at a periodic rate T; (g) measuring a voltage V oc2 between said battery terminals when said known impedance R k2 is decoupled from said battery terminals in step (f); (h) measuring a voltage V k2 between said battery terminals when said known impedance R k2 is coupled to said battery terminals in step (f); (i) computing said geometric capacitance according to the formula ##EQU8##
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said periodic rate is at least 80-kHz.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
261 words
An apparatus for measuring depth-of-discharge of a lithium-iodine battery in an implantable device, said battery having first and second battery terminals, said apparatus comprising: (a) a decoupling circuit adapted to temporarily isolate said first and second terminals; (b) a loading circuit, coupled between said first and second battery terminals and adapted to alternately couple and decouple a known impedance R k between said first and second battery terminals at a first periodic rate; (c) a voltage measurement circuit, responsive to said loading circuit operating at said first periodic rate to measure a voltage V k between said first and second battery terminals during a predetermined time interval after said known impedance is coupled between said first and second battery terminals and further adapted to measure a voltage V oc between said first and second battery terminals during a predetermined time interval after said known impedance is decoupled from between said first and second battery terminals; (d) a computation circuit, coupled to said voltage measurement circuit and adapted to compute said battery's internal impedance using said V k and V oc values; (e) said loading circuit being further adapted to alternately couple and decouple said known impedance between said first and second terminals at a second periodic rate; (f) said voltage measurement circuit further responsive to said loading circuit operating at said second periodic rate to repeatedly and at said second periodic rate, measure voltage between said battery terminals; (g) said computation circuit being further adapted to compute said battery's geometric capacitance using said voltage measurements taken at said second periodic rate.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
261 words
An apparatus for measuring depth-of-discharge of a lithium-iodine battery in an implantable device, said battery having first and second battery terminals, said apparatus comprising: (a) a decoupling circuit adapted to temporarily isolate said first and second terminals; (b) a loading circuit, coupled between said first and second battery terminals and adapted to alternately couple and decouple a known impedance R k between said first and second battery terminals at a first periodic rate; (c) a voltage measurement circuit, responsive to said loading circuit operating at said first periodic rate to measure a voltage V k between said first and second battery terminals during a predetermined time interval after said known impedance is coupled between said first and second battery terminals and further adapted to measure a voltage V oc between said first and second battery terminals during a predetermined time interval after said known impedance is decoupled from between said first and second battery terminals; (d) a computation circuit, coupled to said voltage measurement circuit and adapted to compute said battery's internal impedance using said V k and V oc values; (e) said loading circuit being further adapted to alternately couple and decouple said known impedance between said first and second terminals at a second periodic rate; (f) said voltage measurement circuit further responsive to said loading circuit operating at said second periodic rate to repeatedly and at said second periodic rate, measure voltage between said battery terminals; (g) said computation circuit being further adapted to compute said battery's geometric capacitance using said voltage measurements taken at said second periodic rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said second periodic rate is at least 80-kHz.