Lucent Technologies Inc.

Tyco Electronics Logistics Ag

Tyco Electronics Power Systems, Inc.

Patrick Kwok-Yeung Ng

Marc Daniel Hirsch

Mark Allen Johnson

Roy Kuipers

Robert J Kakalec

Anurag Jagota

Jayesh R Patel

A S Herbert

Gary Jay Turner

Gregory W Mathiesen

The present invention is directed to an environmental control system for use with a battery cabinet having at least one battery and a fan employable to circulate air through the battery cabinet, and method of operating the fan to circulate air through the battery cabinet. In one embodiment, the environmental control system includes a voltage sensor that monitors a voltage associated with the battery, and a battery temperature sensor that monitors a temperature of the battery. The environmental control system also includes a fan control subsystem, coupled to the voltage and battery temperature sensors, that activates the fan upon an occurrence of one of: the temperature of the battery exceeding a predetermined temperature, and the voltage associated with the battery exceeding a predetermined voltage.

Environmental control system for use with a battery cabinet and method of operating a fan therein

A method for monitoring and diagnosing the status of a battery in an electrical system, more particularly, a method for determining a battery's reserve time based on comparison of measurements made during a battery discharge to a universal normalized discharge curve. Specifically, a battery discharge is initiated and the battery's voltage and discharge time is continuously measured. The measured battery voltage is normalized by dividing it by either the peak voltage or foothill voltage, as monitored during the discharge. By comparing this normalized voltage measurement to a universal normalized discharge curve, the percent discharge level of the battery is determined. Using the percent discharge level and the discharge time, the reserve time and total capacity of the battery can be determined.

Battery diagnostic method utilizing a universal normalized discharge curve for predicting battery reserve time

A battery diagnostic method for monitoring the status of a battery in an electrical system and continuously providing a relatively accurate prediction of battery condition and performance, more particularly, a self-adjusting method for providing the best possible prediction of a battery's reserve time before, during, and after a battery discharge. The method of the present invention utilizes different prediction methods depending on what state the electrical system is in; that is, before, during or after a battery discharge. By determining what state the system is in, the most effective prediction method can be utilized to provide an accurate battery reserve time. By providing a relatively accurate continuous reserve time prediction, the method helps prevent a complete loss of power in an electrical system relying on a battery to supply the system's electrical power.

Self-adjusting battery diagnostic method for continuously providing best

For use with a valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery, a fluid fill system and a method of maintaining fill fluid in a VRLA battery. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a fluid determination circuit, associated with the battery, that determines a quantity of fill fluid in the VRLA battery and (2) a controller, coupled to the fluid determination circuit, that introduces replacement fill fluid into the VRLA battery based on the quantity to replace fill fluid lost from the VRLA battery. The fluid determination circuit comprises sensors that measure a temperature and pressure associated with the VRLA battery, and a state of a fluid release valve on the battery.

Smart valve regulated lead acid battery with embedded electronic

A battery grid has a thickness which is greater at the top than at the bottom to achieve a uniform compressive force on a grid stack exerted by the side walls of a battery container. A plastic wedge is disposed between the side walls of the battery container and the stack of grids to improve the distribution of compressive forces.

Apparatus for improving the compression uniformity of a cell stack in a

An apparatus and method for initiating an intelligent battery discharge in an electrical system thereby allowing battery diagnostic testing to be performed more efficiently and more accurately. Specifically, the discharge is initiated by reducing the voltage being supplied to the electrical system by a main power supply such that the battery power supply begins supplying the system voltage. The output of the main power supply is only reduced to a predetermined non-zero level, such that the battery power supply will begin discharging while the main power supply continues to maintain a floor voltage. This floor voltage ensures that the system voltage will not fall below the floor voltage even if the battery power supply fails completely. Once the battery power supply begins discharging, the system voltage is monitored to determine whether the battery power supply is capable of supplying sufficient electrical power to maintain the system voltage above the floor voltage. If after a certain time the system voltage supplied by the battery power supply remains above the floor voltage, the voltage supplied by the main power supply is further reduced to allow for a deeper discharge of the battery power supply. The battery discharge is terminated either when the system voltage reaches a certain voltage level or once enough time has passed to obtain sufficient battery parameters in order to determine the condition of the battery power supply. The battery discharge is terminated by increasing the voltage supplied by the main power supply back to a normal voltage level for the electrical system, thus removing the need for the battery power supply to continue supplying the system voltage.

Battery diagnostic method and apparatus

A self-correcting and adjustable apparatus and method of predicting remaining capacity (Q) and reserve time (t) of a discharging battery to a selected end voltage determined by an arrangement considering the open circuit voltage (E.sub.oc), battery voltage (V) battery temperature (T) and battery internal resistance (R.sub.int). The apparatus and method of the present invention utilize a calculation process which first compares calculated and measured capacity discharged between two times (Q.sub.dis.calc. -Q.sub.dis.act.). If this difference exceeds a certain predetermined tolerance or limit of error, the calculation process is adjusted or tuned and the comparison is repeated until the difference between the actual capacity and the calculated capacity are within a predetermined tolerance. The calculation process is tuned by adjusting the value attributed to the battery's internal resistance (R.sub.int). A correlation between battery capacity and battery internal resistance is used to make a reasoned initial adjustment to the calculation process. Then an iterative process of successive approximations is used to tune the calculation process within a given tolerance factor. Once the calculation process has been tuned, the adjusted internal resistance (R.sub.int) is then used for subsequent calculations of remaining battery capacity (Q) and reserve time (t). The calculation process may be tuned or adjusted initially, intermittently, or throughout the battery discharge.

Self-correcting and adjustable method and apparatus for predicting the

A constraining sleeve device is applied to a plastic battery casing to prevent distortion of the casing contour. A metal constraining sleeve slides onto and over a broad face or side of the plastic battery casing and provides constraining forces to maintain its contour. This sleeve is retained in place by end members at each end of the constraining sleeve device that engages structural features existing and located at opposing ends of the casing. In another embodiment a pair of constraining sleeve devices are applied to opposing broad sides of the battery casing.

Growing community of inventors

Plano, TX, United States of America

Patrick Kwok-Yeung Ng