International Business Machines Corporation

Eric B Swenson

Marc Henri Coq

Richard John Fishbune

Mark Edmund Maresh

Michael Lee Miller

Patrick Kevin Egan

Noah B Singer

Steven John Ahladas

Joseph F Prisco

Dennis James Wurth

Yakup Bulur

Justin E Henspeter

Andrew James Frana

Jordan Keuseman

A method can include obtaining device data for a set of electronic devices. The device data can indicate power utilized by the set of electronic devices. The method can include obtaining a capacity of a backup power source. The method can include obtaining priority data regarding an allocation of power to the set of electronic devices. The method can include obtaining a set of environmental conditions. The method can include calculating, based at least in part on the set of environmental conditions and the device data, a projected electrical load on the backup power source. The method can include determining that one or more thresholds are exceeded. The determining can comprise identifying that the projected electrical load exceeds the capacity. The method can include modifying, in response to the determining and according to the priority data, power supplied to the set of electronic devices from the backup power source.

Backup power allocation management

A discrete VRM card includes a first VRM controller and a second VRM controller. The discrete VRM card also includes a first primary power stage, a second primary power stage, and an adaptable spare stage. The discrete VRM card includes a first switch and a second switch. Closing the first switch connects the adaptable spare converter with an output of the first primary power stage. Closing the second switch connects the adaptable spare converter an output of the second primary power stage.

Adaptive spare stages in configurable VRM card

Embodiments of the present invention manage a state of charge of a rechargeable battery for extended storage by determining a manual override for a storage protocol is not activate for a rechargeable battery associated with a battery charger and an electronic device. Receiving battery data, environment data, and historical data for the rechargeable battery associated with a battery charger. Embodiments of the present invention determine to activate the storage protocol for the rechargeable battery based on the battery data, the environment data, and the historical data and discharge the rechargeable battery to a preset state of charge level based on the storage protocol.

Battery state of charge management for storage

A method for managing a battery to perform a final action, the method includes determining a battery supplying power to an electronic device is discharging and receiving battery specification information for the battery. The method includes receiving environmental condition information for the battery and determining an open circuit voltage for the battery. The method includes determining a base capacity for the battery, a first capacity reduction for the battery based on the battery specification, and a second capacity reduction for the battery based on the environmental condition information. The method includes determining an overall expected capacity for the battery based on the first capacity reduction and the second capacity reduction, where the overall expected capacity represents available energy. Responsive to determining the available energy for the battery is less than a required energy to perform an action prior to battery depletion, the method includes sending a warning notification.

Battery management for performing a final action

An apparatus includes a memory and a hardware processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The hardware processor receives, from a plurality of power supplies, a plurality of indications of electrical power disturbances detected by the plurality of power supplies and determines locations of the plurality of power supplies based on the plurality of indications. The hardware processor also determines, based on the plurality of locations, an event that caused the electrical power disturbances and classifies the event based on the location of the plurality of power supplies.

Detecting electrical power line disturbances

A VRM system comprises a first output group that comprises a first primary converter. The VRM system also comprises a second output group that comprises a second primary converter. The VRM system also comprises a first VRM output and a second VRM output. The VRM system comprises an adaptable spare converter. The VRM system comprises a first switch and a second switch. Closing the first switch connects the adaptable spare converter with the first VRM output. Closing the second switch connects the adaptable spare converter with the second VRM output.

Voltage regulation module with adaptive spare converters

A rechargeable lead-acid battery is provided. The rechargeable lead-acid battery includes a casing, a grid structure and an electro-mechanical assembly. The casing defines an interior configured to accommodate plates and a supply of fluid that is electrically reactive with the plates to generate electricity. The grid structure is interposed between lower edges of the plates and a bottom of the casing. The electro-mechanical assembly is coupled with the grid structure and operable to agitate the grid structure.

Rechargeable lead-acid battery with compound and sludge leveling and shedding capability

A battery comprises a plurality of battery modules. A method determines a load-state of the battery and selects a set of the battery modules to configure, to produce a load-state capacity of the battery based on the load-state. A load-state capacity of the battery can be a sub-capacity of the battery less than a rated capacity of the battery and the method can configure the set of battery modules to produce the sub-capacity based on the load-state comprising the battery disconnected from a load. A battery system can comprise a battery having a plurality of battery modules and a controller configured to perform the method. A battery system can comprise a battery having a plurality of battery modules, and an actuator and a module retainer that can position a battery module in or out of contact with a module interconnect.

Configuring large capacity batteries

A wet-cell in a battery is configured with a set of i-electrodes. A collection surface inside the wet-cell is identified where electrically conductive debris accumulates to an expected height. A first i-electrode of a first polarity in the set of i-electrodes is configured to be located at substantially the expected height inside the wet-cell. A second i-electrode of a second polarity in the set of i-electrodes is configured to be located at substantially the expected height inside the wet-cell. A first indication device is installed where the first i-electrode and the second i-electrode are configured in an electrical circuit via the first indication device, wherein when the electrically conductive debris has accumulated up to the expected height, makes simultaneous electrical contact with the first i-electrode and the second i-electrode and activates the first indication device.

Advance indication of short-circuit conditions in a wetcell battery

A starter battery with a total battery voltage exceeding a supply voltage requirement of an electrical system. An alternator provides a charging voltage that corresponds with the supply voltage requirement of the electrical system. A total battery voltage equal to the sum of cell voltages exceeds the supply voltage requirement of the electrical system. A step-down voltage regulator reduces the total battery voltage to correspond with the supply voltage requirement and a boost voltage regulator increases the charging voltage from the alternator when charging the starter battery to the total battery voltage. When detecting a degraded cell, the step-down voltage regulator continues to regulate the total battery voltage to correspond with the supply voltage requirement after the cell has degraded and the boost voltage regulator is bypassed when charging the starter battery to no longer increase the charging voltage from the alternator when charging the starter battery.

Starter battery with continued function after cell failure

An apparatus is provided for detecting one of multiple possible abnormal conditions associated with a flexible, pouch-type energy storage device of an electronic device. The apparatus includes a stiffener, a pressure sensor and a control component. The stiffener overlies a main surface of the storage device. The pressure sensor is disposed between the stiffener and an inner surface of the electronic device to monitor for pressure between the stiffener and the inner surface indicative of an abnormal condition associated with the storage device. The control component is coupled to the pressure sensor and detects the abnormal condition based, at least in part, on the monitored pressure exceeding a specified threshold, and performs and action based thereon. The abnormal condition may include excessive external force being applied to the energy storage device, or excessive internal swelling of the energy storage device during charging, or during use.

Detecting abnormal condition(s) associated with flexible, pouch-type energy storage device

A phase-redundant voltage regulator apparatus includes groups of regulator phases, each having a multi-phase controller (MPC) connected to each regulator phase. The MPC transfers, to control logic, phase fault signals and a pulse-width modulation (PWM) phase control signal received from each dedicated regulator phase of a phase group. Spare regulator phases include output ORing devices to limit current flow into spare regulator phase outputs. Output switching devices are configured to electrically couple spare regulator phase outputs to a common regulator output. Control logic is connected to the phase groups MPC and asserts phase enable signals to, transfers PWM phase control signals to, and receives phase fault signals from the spare regulator phases. The control logic electrically interconnects a spare regulator phase to a phase group including a failed regulator phase in response to receiving a phase fault signal from an MPC.

Reallocation of regulator phases within a phase-redundant voltage regulator apparatus

A phase-redundant voltage regulator apparatus includes groups of regulator phases, each having a multi-phase controller (MPC) connected to each regulator phase. The MPC transfers, to control logic, phase fault signals and a shared current (I) phase control signal received from each dedicated regulator phase of a phase group. Spare regulator phases include output ORing devices to limit current flow into spare regulator phase outputs. Output switching devices are configured to electrically couple spare regulator phase outputs to a common regulator output. Control logic is connected to the phase groups MPC and asserts phase enable signals to, transfers Iphase control signals to, and receives phase fault signals from the spare regulator phases. The control logic electrically interconnects a spare regulator phase to a phase group including a failed regulator phase in response to receiving a phase fault signal from an MPC.

A phase-redundant voltage regulator apparatus includes groups of regulator phases, each having a multi-phase controller (MPC) connected to each regulator phase. The MPC transfers, to control logic, phase fault signals and a pulse-width modulation (PWM) phase control signal received from the regulator phases of a phase group. Spare regulator phases include output ORing devices to limit current flow into spare regulator phase outputs. Output switching devices are configured to electrically couple spare regulator phase outputs to a common regulator output. Control logic is connected to the phase groups MPC and asserts phase enable signals to, transfers PWM phase control signals to, and receives phase fault signals from the spare regulator phases. The control logic electrically interconnects a spare regulator phase to a phase group including a failed regulator phase in response to receiving a phase fault signal from an MPC.

Sharing redundant regulator phases within a phase-redundant voltage regulator apparatus

An apparatus is provided for an electrical component to automatically provide a discharge of a rechargeable battery to a predetermined state of charge. The apparatus includes the electrical component determining a rechargeable battery is not connected to a device and discharging the rechargeable battery. The apparatus includes the electronic component determining whether a state of charge exceeds the predetermined state of charge in the rechargeable battery and responsive to determining that the state of charge exceeds the predetermined state of charge, continuing discharging the rechargeable battery.

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Pine Island, MN, United States of America

Eric B Swenson