Battery Cell Identification via Voltage Range Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery backup systems lack the ability to determine which battery cell a test instrument is connected to during impedance measurements, requiring manual tracking and disrupting system monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that calculates the integral multiple of the average voltage closest to the measured voltage across a battery cell, using a test instrument with measurement leads and a voltmeter connected across the cell and to one of the system busses, to identify the connected battery cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tracking of battery cell connections is used during impedance measurements, then the operator can identify which cell is being measured, but the process becomes time-consuming and disrupts system monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating the expected voltage range for each battery cell position based on the average cell voltage. Before the operator connects the test instrument, the system has already prepared the reference voltage values that will be used for automatic identification, eliminating the need for manual tracking during the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical tracking method with an automatic electrical measurement system. Instead of the operator manually recording which cell they are measuring, the system automatically measures the voltage and compares it against pre-calculated reference values to identify the connected cell, substituting human cognitive tracking with automated computational identification.
2Measurement precision
If the battery system is taken off-line for monitoring, then comprehensive battery cell measurements can be performed, but the protection against power outage is lost during the monitoring period
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous monitoring by performing impedance measurements while the battery system remains on-line and connected to the load. The automatic cell identification and voltage measurement process allows the battery system to simultaneously protect the load from power outages while undergoing comprehensive monitoring, eliminating the need to take the system off-line for measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system performs self-identification of battery cells through automatic voltage measurement and comparison. The system uses its own internal resources (voltmeter, processor) to automatically determine which cell is being measured without requiring external manual intervention or system shutdown, allowing continuous operation and protection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and efficient identification of the connected battery cell without disrupting the system, allowing for continuous monitoring and improved reliability of battery backup systems.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the voltage from one of the pair of busses to the side of the test instrument closest to the other of the pair of busses
Implementation Method 2
Impedance measurement is a method by which the condition of a battery cell may be assessed without taking the battery system off-line. Impedance measurements typically impose a current (hereinafter called the 'loading current') on the battery cell being evaluated and measure the resulting voltage.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for determining to which battery cell in a string of battery cells between a pair of busses a test instrument is connected. Knowing the average voltage of the battery cells in the string, the voltage from one of the busses to the side furthest from that bus of the cell of interest is measured, and that measured voltage is compared with a voltage range calculated as a multiple of the average voltage.