USH862H - Method of indicating the state of change of a battery using a light emitting diode (LED) clock connected to the battery - Google Patents
Method of indicating the state of change of a battery using a light emitting diode (LED) clock connected to the battery Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- USH862H USH862H US07/228,361 US22836188A USH862H US H862 H USH862 H US H862H US 22836188 A US22836188 A US 22836188A US H862 H USH862 H US H862H
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- battery
- clock
- led
- current
- indicating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 16
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium Chemical group [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052744 lithium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical group [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M6/00—Primary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M6/50—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance, e.g. for maintaining operating temperature
- H01M6/5044—Cells or batteries structurally combined with cell condition indicating means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
- G01R31/36—Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
Definitions
- This invention relates in general to a method of indicating the state of charge of a battery and in particular, to a method of quickly, easily, and inexpensively indicating the state of charge of a battery that shows a constant open circuit and/or load potential until the battery is nearly used up.
- Battery packs may contain a string of 5 to 10 "D-type" cells connected in series along with safety features such as current fuses, thermal fuses and diodes to prevent recharging.
- One characteristic of a lithium battery is a fairly constant voltage under constant current load until near the very end of discharge, when voltage drops very rapidly. A consequence of this is that it is not possible to measure open circuit voltage or load voltage to determine whether the battery is unused, 25 percent, 50 percent, or 75 percent discharged of its nominal capacity. Thus, when a battery will need replacing is indeterminate.
- the general object of this invention is to provide a simple and economic method of determining the state of charge of a battery.
- a more particular object of the invention is to provide such a method where the battery is one that shows a constant open circuit and/or load potential until the battery is nearly used up.
- a particular object of the invention is to provide such a method for a lithium battery.
- the method uses the operation of a LED clock, which is very inexpensive and can run off a tiny fraction of current supplied by the battery itself. Operation of the clock occurs each time current passes through the battery pack, that is, during battery usage only.
- the LED clock initially shows a time of 0:00. The amount or time of battery usage is directly read. For example, 2:15 indicates 2 hours, 15 minutes of total battery usage. When there is no battery current, the clock stops counting but remembers or retains the amount of time already passed. Resumed battery operation again activates the clock to continue counting.
- the attractiveness of the method of this invention is that it is simple, inexpensive, easy to install, and does not require an additional power source. Furthermore, there is no additional equipment to carry, maintain, calibrate, replace or learn how to operate.
- the method of the invention is exemplified by referring to the drawing.
- FIG. 1 is a top view of a Battery Case including an LED clock and an external pin connector.
- FIG. 2 is an internal view of the external pin connector and LED clock electrically connected to a string of cells connected in series that make up the battery.
- the LED clock is located near the pin connector to be readily accessible.
- the LED clock is electrically connected to the string of cells to provide constant electrical power for memory.
- the LED clock is also connected across a shunt at the pin connector causing the LED clock to operate when current is being drawn from the battery.
- the LED clock is operated by only as much current as is required for memory.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Secondary Cells (AREA)
Abstract
A method of indicating the state of charge of a battery is provided wherein a LED clock electrically connected to the battery operates each time current passes through the battery and stops when there is no battery current; the clock retaining the amount of time already passed so that resumed battery operation again activates the clock to continue counting.
Description
The invention described herein may be manufactured, used, and licensed by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.
This invention relates in general to a method of indicating the state of charge of a battery and in particular, to a method of quickly, easily, and inexpensively indicating the state of charge of a battery that shows a constant open circuit and/or load potential until the battery is nearly used up.
The increasing usage of batteries showing a constant open circuit and/or load potential until the battery is nearly used up as for example, lithium or calcium batteries, especially for military use, has resulted in the increased procurement of these batteries at significant cost. Battery packs may contain a string of 5 to 10 "D-type" cells connected in series along with safety features such as current fuses, thermal fuses and diodes to prevent recharging. One characteristic of a lithium battery is a fairly constant voltage under constant current load until near the very end of discharge, when voltage drops very rapidly. A consequence of this is that it is not possible to measure open circuit voltage or load voltage to determine whether the battery is unused, 25 percent, 50 percent, or 75 percent discharged of its nominal capacity. Thus, when a battery will need replacing is indeterminate. Consequently, when in doubt about the state of a battery, the user will usually throw the old battery away and replace it with a new battery. Many usable batteries are needlessly being thrown away at a significant cost to the user. Fully utilizing batteries for training purposes is most cost effective and desirable. In combat situations, any doubt about the battery rightfully requires its replacement. Development of a method of indicating the state of charge of a battery could allow the complete discharge of batteries used for training and provide confidence in a combat situation since the user will know that the battery is "good" or that replacement is prudent.
The general object of this invention is to provide a simple and economic method of determining the state of charge of a battery. A more particular object of the invention is to provide such a method where the battery is one that shows a constant open circuit and/or load potential until the battery is nearly used up. A particular object of the invention is to provide such a method for a lithium battery.
It has now been found that the aforementioned objects can be attained by electrically connecting a Light Emitting Diode (LED) clock to the battery so that the clock operates each time current passes through the battery and stops when there is no battery current, the clock retaining the amount of time already passed so that resumed battery operation again activates the clock to continue counting, and directly reading the amount of battery usage from the clock.
The method uses the operation of a LED clock, which is very inexpensive and can run off a tiny fraction of current supplied by the battery itself. Operation of the clock occurs each time current passes through the battery pack, that is, during battery usage only. The LED clock initially shows a time of 0:00. The amount or time of battery usage is directly read. For example, 2:15 indicates 2 hours, 15 minutes of total battery usage. When there is no battery current, the clock stops counting but remembers or retains the amount of time already passed. Resumed battery operation again activates the clock to continue counting.
For a particular battery and piece of equipment, one knows the expected battery capacity or lifetime and therefore is able to gauge when replacement is necessary. For example, a radio set with a particular battery may operate for seven hours. For training, you can use virtually 100 percent of the battery capacity. In combat, you can be assured of its status in order to make critical judgments as to its suitability for the mission.
The attractiveness of the method of this invention is that it is simple, inexpensive, easy to install, and does not require an additional power source. Furthermore, there is no additional equipment to carry, maintain, calibrate, replace or learn how to operate.
The method of the invention is exemplified by referring to the drawing.
FIG. 1 is a top view of a Battery Case including an LED clock and an external pin connector.
FIG. 2 is an internal view of the external pin connector and LED clock electrically connected to a string of cells connected in series that make up the battery.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the LED clock is located near the pin connector to be readily accessible. The LED clock is electrically connected to the string of cells to provide constant electrical power for memory. The LED clock is also connected across a shunt at the pin connector causing the LED clock to operate when current is being drawn from the battery.
When no current passes through the pin connector, the LED clock is operated by only as much current as is required for memory.
I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction as described for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
Claims (5)
1. A method of quickly, easily, and inexpensively indicating the state of charge of a battery comprising electrically connecting an LED clock to the battery so that the clock operates each time current passes through the battery and stops when there is no battery current, the clock retaining the amount of time already passed so that resumed battery operation again activates the clock to continue counting, and directly reading the amount of battery usage from the clock.
2. Method according to claim 1 wherein the battery is a lithium battery.
3. Method according to claim 1 wherein the battery is a calcium battery.
4. Method according to claim 1 wherein a shunt is provided to supply power to operate the "clock" only when current is being drawn from the battery.
5. Method according to claim 1 wherein the LED clock is provided with just enough current to maintain memory continuously.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/228,361 USH862H (en) | 1988-08-02 | 1988-08-02 | Method of indicating the state of change of a battery using a light emitting diode (LED) clock connected to the battery |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/228,361 USH862H (en) | 1988-08-02 | 1988-08-02 | Method of indicating the state of change of a battery using a light emitting diode (LED) clock connected to the battery |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| USH862H true USH862H (en) | 1990-12-04 |
Family
ID=22856869
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/228,361 Abandoned USH862H (en) | 1988-08-02 | 1988-08-02 | Method of indicating the state of change of a battery using a light emitting diode (LED) clock connected to the battery |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | USH862H (en) |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2922798A1 (en) | 1979-06-05 | 1980-12-11 | Reinhard Nikolai | Elapsed operating time counter for electrical appliance - comprises adaptor plug for connection of timer and appliance with counting initiated by load current flow |
| US4638237A (en) | 1985-01-03 | 1987-01-20 | Pulse Electronics, Inc. | Battery condition indicator |
| US4678999A (en) | 1984-11-27 | 1987-07-07 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force | Charge depletion meter |
| US4709202A (en) | 1982-06-07 | 1987-11-24 | Norand Corporation | Battery powered system |
| US4743831A (en) | 1986-09-12 | 1988-05-10 | Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc. | Apparatus and method for indicating remaining battery life in a battery powered device |
-
1988
- 1988-08-02 US US07/228,361 patent/USH862H/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2922798A1 (en) | 1979-06-05 | 1980-12-11 | Reinhard Nikolai | Elapsed operating time counter for electrical appliance - comprises adaptor plug for connection of timer and appliance with counting initiated by load current flow |
| US4709202A (en) | 1982-06-07 | 1987-11-24 | Norand Corporation | Battery powered system |
| US4678999A (en) | 1984-11-27 | 1987-07-07 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force | Charge depletion meter |
| US4638237A (en) | 1985-01-03 | 1987-01-20 | Pulse Electronics, Inc. | Battery condition indicator |
| US4743831A (en) | 1986-09-12 | 1988-05-10 | Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc. | Apparatus and method for indicating remaining battery life in a battery powered device |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| "Available Battery Time Sensor", IBM Tech. Discl. Bultn; Ferraiolo & Gass,ol. 16, #5, (Oct., 73). |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6002240A (en) | Self heating of batteries at low temperatures | |
| US5460901A (en) | Battery identification | |
| US5619117A (en) | Battery pack having memory | |
| US7274170B2 (en) | Battery pack control module | |
| US8049464B2 (en) | Rechargeable battery and method for its operation | |
| EP1410458B1 (en) | Improvements to rechargeable batteries | |
| US7633261B2 (en) | Primary battery with internal voltage regulator | |
| US4173733A (en) | Battery charger with liquid crystal charge current indicator | |
| US6025699A (en) | Self discharge of batteries at high temperatures | |
| US20050029986A1 (en) | Rechargeable batteries | |
| KR19980021547A (en) | Battery pack with battery protection | |
| US20150155736A1 (en) | Method and Apparatus for Extending Service Life of a Battery Source | |
| US20160233555A1 (en) | Battery protection system and method | |
| EP0661769A2 (en) | Improvements in or relating to battery pack arrangement | |
| US8710794B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for a battery docking connector having reserve power for hot battery swap | |
| USH862H (en) | Method of indicating the state of change of a battery using a light emitting diode (LED) clock connected to the battery | |
| KR20200007572A (en) | Battery | |
| US3553562A (en) | Battery charging circuit | |
| CN219086825U (en) | Charge-discharge indicator lamp circuit and electric appliance | |
| US6141234A (en) | Power supply with battery charger for emergency sign | |
| EP4040175B1 (en) | Battery system and battery pack | |
| KR101844140B1 (en) | A guided weapons assembly and a method for controlling power of the same | |
| KR102715937B1 (en) | The system and method for protecting the battery pack using the battery pack circuit | |
| JP3100248U (en) | Secondary battery storage and power supply device and secondary battery pack using the same | |
| Kuechle | Batteries-for biotelemetry and other applications |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |