Ndsl, Inc.

Gretagmacbeth, LLC

David Battle

Dat Tan Chau

Mark Allen Wille

Robert H Hart

Frederick Avery LaBach

David Brown

Christopher James Belcher

Duncan Joseph Brown

Michael R Groh

Sumner Michael Smith

George Feller

An apparatus for optically monitoring a fluid level of a container comprises a light emitter(s), a plurality of optical detectors, and a control system. The light emitter(s) is configured to emit light toward a target surface when positioned, at a fluid threshold level, on the outside of the container. Upper and lower optical detectors are configured to receive light reflected from the target surface when positioned on the outside of the container above and below the fluid threshold level. The control system detects, based on measured reflectance received by the upper and lower optical detector, whether the upper optical detector is above the fluid level and whether at least a portion of the lower optical detector is above the fluid level, and determines, based on these detections, whether the level of fluid within the container has dropped below the fluid threshold level.

Apparatuses and methods for optically monitoring fluid level in a container, such as a battery, using a non-contact optical detector on an outside surface of the container

Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for determining a state-of-health (SOH) of battery systems over extended temperatures. According to one embodiment, a computer implemented method includes (1) receiving measured temperature data and measured ohmic value data associated with a battery cell; (2) determining an estimated battery cell electrolyte temperature based on the measured temperature data; (3) determining a normalized ohmic value based on the measured ohmic value data and the estimated battery cell electrolyte temperature, wherein the normalized ohmic value is related to a normalized temperature; and (4) transmitting, to at least one of a graphical user interface (GUI) and a battery log, an indication of an SOH of the battery cell based upon the normalized ohmic value being greater than a normalized maximum ohmic value, wherein the normalized maximum ohmic value is indicative of an abnormal SOH of the battery cell for the normalized temperature.

Methods, systems, and devices for monitoring state-of-health of a battery system operating over an extended temperature range

Reducing or avoiding noise in measured signals of a tested battery cell(s) in a battery power system is disclosed. A battery monitoring device(s) coupled to a tested battery cell(s) applies test current pulses at a predetermined frequency to place an effective alternating current (AC) load on the tested battery cell(s). The resulting AC voltage signal generated across the tested battery cell(s) is sampled at the frequency of the test current to convert the AC voltage signal to a direct current (DC) voltage signal to be measured to determine the state-of-health of the tested battery cell(s). To avoid or reduce noise in the DC voltage signal, a noise spectrum of noise signals at defined frequencies induced on the tested battery cell(s) is determined. The battery monitoring device sets the frequency of the test current pulse at a determined reduced-noise frequency to avoid noise signals being present in the DC voltage signal.

Reducing or avoiding noise in measured signals of a tested battery cell(s) in a battery power system used to determine state of health (SOH)

Embodiments disclosed include automatically determining alarm threshold settings for monitored battery cells in battery systems. Battery monitoring control units are provided that are configured to initiate battery performance tests (e.g., ohmic tests) on battery cells in a battery system. Failing battery cells are identified as those battery cells having battery performance characteristics outside defined battery performance threshold settings. An initial performance alarm threshold setting is established for each battery cell because of unique performance characteristics that can substantially change during initial charging cycles before the battery cells have settled. A settled performance alarm threshold setting specific to each battery cell is then established based on battery cell performance during the defined settling time period. In this manner, more accurate performance alarm threshold settings are automatically established for monitoring each battery cell based on the individual performance characteristics of each battery cell during the settling time period.

Automatically determining alarm threshold settings for monitored battery system components in battery systems, and related components, systems, and methods

The present disclosure provides for a device, as well as a system and method associated therewith, for, among other things, providing: (i) up to five distinct measurement angles along with an illumination reference channel; (ii) a plurality of illumination sources that provide a focused beam of illumination at specific desired angles of incidence to a sample under target; (iii) a shutter mechanism incorporating a calibration transfer standard; (iv) an internal optical system that is operatively associated with a gimbaled structure suitable to allow vertical and angular conformity to a target sample; and (v) a handheld and operated enclosure incorporating a user interface with a visual display unit complete with interactive navigation means and an activation switch, and a number of surface detecting contact elements operatively associated with the optical system and shutter mechanism.

Growing community of inventors

Durham, NC, United States of America

David Battle