Determining battery depletion for coordinating battery replacement
US12191658B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 2022 |
| Grant date | Jan 7, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 26, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S40/126
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A battery-powered node includes a primary cell, a secondary cell, and a battery controller. The battery controller includes a 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 current source charges the secondary cell at a constant current level and a charging signal is sent to the battery-powered node. When the voltage of the second cell exceeds a maximum voltage level, the 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, which can be used to determine a battery depletion level for the primary cell. Battery replacement may then be efficiently scheduled based on the depletion level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.