Determining battery depletion for coordinating battery replacement
US10777854B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 6, 2018 |
| Grant date | Sep 15, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S40/126
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A power system within a battery-powered node includes a primary cell, a secondary cell, and a battery controller. The battery controller includes a constant current source that draws power from the primary cell to charge the secondary cell. The battery-powered node draws power from the secondary cell across a wide range of current levels. When the voltage of the secondary cell drops beneath a minimum voltage level, the constant current source charges the secondary cell and a charging signal is sent to the battery-powered node. When the voltage of the second cell exceeds a maximum voltage level, the constant current source stops charging the secondary cell and the charging signal is terminated. The battery-powered node records the amount of time the charging signal is active and then determines a battery depletion level based on that amount of time. Battery replacement may then be efficiently scheduled based on the depletion level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.