Bell Telephone Laboratories

Bell Communications Research, Inc.

Telcordia Technologies, Inc.

Thomas D O'Sullivan

Keku M Mistry

Dean William Maurer

Richard Lawrence Beauchamp

Conrad D Helliker

Thomas H Kimsey

Robert K Jaworski

Chiu F Leung

Robert J Kakalec

The present invention provides a new and novel method of and system for predicting remaining battery capacity. The present invention is based upon the ability to predict remaining battery capacity from noting the discharge characteristics over a relatively short period of time at the beginning of full discharge. In particular, the present invention has found correlation factors which can be used in combination with discharge characteristics early in the full discharge, to predict the remaining battery capacity to a predetermined end discharge voltage. The ability to predict remaining battery capacity to a predetermined end discharge voltage can be extremely valuable in preventing battery shut down by allowing early detection of potential problems. Further, the present invention relates to a system of monitoring batteries using the method, which system can be operated a t a remote location from the batteries.

Method for predicting battery capacity

The present invention relates to battery power system configurations, particularly systems using VRLA batteries in uncontrolled environments wherein the batteries are isolated from the rectifier when the batteries are in the float mode but on line during charge and discharge. The battery power system configuration of the present invention eliminates thermal runaway because the current drawn by each battery is limited to the value determined by a constant current source. A shorted battery cell may be easily detected by observing if the voltage of the battery is lower than a specified and expected value. In addition, battery capacity is maintained by the boost provided periodically from the current source. Finally, batteries are protected against receiving excessive current and since the currents sent through the batteries match the needs of these particular batteries, the life of the batteries is increased. Moreover, in the event of AC power failure, transfer to the battery power system is immediate, in other words, the transfer time is zero.

Battery power system

In order to extend the useful life of electrical storage battery cells under float voltage charge it is advisable to maintain the polarization of the positive plates of the cell relative to a reference electrode in the cell at a predetermined level. This invention provides a sensing and controller circuit which drains minute amounts of current from the positive cell plates when the polarization rises above the desired level and thereby prevents plate corrosion and loss of electrolyte. The present invention may be combined with a circuit for increasing cell polarization levels to provide a system for maintaining battery cells at optimum polarization levels over extended float charging periods.

Electrical storage cell polarization controller

The useful life of an electrolytic battery cell commonly employed in a series string as a backup power source is significantly extended by maintaining the polarization of the positive plates of such a cell at a predetermined level relative to a reference electrode of similar composition in contact with the cell electrolyte. While the cell is being supplied with the usual float charging voltage, a controller circuit senses any variance of polarization below the desired level and meters a minute input current to the positive plates with a resulting increase in the polarization over a substantial time period. The slow biasing of the polarization effects a passivation of the surface of the plates which deters the penetration of oxygen to the plate metal and prevents the deep destructive formation of expansive metal oxide.

Electrical storage cell life extender

A process is described for making porous nickel bodies of various shapes. The process is advantageous because it permits casting, molding or extruding into various shapes before sintering. Such porous nickel bodies are useful as plaques in various kinds of batteries as well as filters, sieves and inert bodies for holding catalysts. Porous nickel bodies might also be useful for promoting heterogeneous gaseous reactions (with or without catalysis) particularly for gaseous exchange reactions.

Process for fabricating porous nickel bodies

A process is described for loading nickel electrodes in porous plaques using an electrolytic technique. The process involves use of a counter electrolyte covered with a cobalt compound. This process is highly efficient because less hydrogen ions are liberated during the impregnation process and less buffering substance is needed to stabilize the pH of the solution.

Fabrication of alkaline batteries

A process is described for making alkaline batteries in which particular attention is given to the pretreatment of nickel plaques prior to impregnation. This pretreatment involves production of a uniform thin oxide film on the nickel plaque surface under carefully controlled conditions. This pretreatment prevents corrosion under conditions for commercial production of electrodes for alkaline batteries and permits not only higher loadings but more uniform loadings of the electrodes.

Methods of producing electrodes for alkaline batteries

A process is described for making nickel cadmium batteries in which the cadmium electrodes for these batteries are electrolytically impregnated under special conditions and employ a particular electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution contains not only a soluble form of the cation of the active ingredient for the electrode and nitrate ions, but also certain other ions such as chloride, iodide and sulfate ions which increase the rates of impregnation and also increase the electrode loadings. In addition to obtaining more rapid and greater electrode impregnation, the present process improvements facilitate use of a continuous impregnation procedure.

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Summit, NJ, United States of America

Thomas D O'Sullivan