Battery monitor with wireless remote communication
An apparatus and method for monitoring at least one battery condition. A ac signal is applied to a battery. A difference between a signal output from the battery and a threshold determines a battery condition. The determined battery condition is transmitted remotely from the battery location through a controller to a network server and/or is visibly displayed at the battery location.
1. A method for monitoring an operative condition of a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, the method comprising the steps of:
determining the battery internal resistance by connecting a test load across the battery positive and negative terminals through a first pair of Kelvin connections to generate a battery test current and test voltage;
generating an AC test signal;
superimposing the AC test signal on the battery test voltage using the battery current to determine the battery internal resistance;
comparing the battery internal resistance with a threshold resistance to determine an operative condition of the battery;
fixedly mounting a control means on the battery, the control means executing the steps of determining and comparing; and
supplying electric power to operate the control means from the battery undergoing test by connecting a second pair of Kelvin connections between the control means and the positive and negative terminals on the battery.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
providing wireless communication means for communicating the determined operative condition of the battery from the control means to a remote controller.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
providing a visual indication on the control means fixed on the battery of the determined operative condition of the battery.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of providing a visual indication further comprises:
providing at least one illuminatable means to indicate one of a battery test state and at least one battery operating condition.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of providing an illuminatable means further comprises the step of:
providing at least one light emitting device.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
associating one control means with each of a plurality of batteries located in one location.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
determining at least one of the nominal battery voltage test and a battery terminal temperature test.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of
associating a discrete identification for the control means and the attached battery.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
means for initiating monitoring an operative condition of the battery on a preset, periodic time schedule.
10. An apparatus for monitoring an operative condition of a battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal comprising:
means for determining the battery internal resistance by connecting a test load across the battery positive and negative terminals through a first pair of Kelvin connections to generate a battery test current and test voltage;
means for generating an AC test signal;
means for superimposing the AC test signal on the battery test voltage using the battery current to determine the battery internal resistance;
means for comparing the battery internal resistance with a threshold resistance to determine an operative condition of the battery;
controlling means for controlling the determining means and the comparing means, the control means fixedly mounted on the battery; and
wherein electric power for operating the control means is supplied from the battery undergoing test through a second pair of Kelvin connections between the control means and the positive and negative terminals on the battery.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
means, coupled to a control means, for wirelessly communicating the determined operative condition of the battery from the control means to a remote controller.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:
means for providing the visual indication on the control means fixed on the battery of the determined operative condition of the battery.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising:
the visual indication providing means carried on the control means; and
an illuminatable means, activated by the control means, to provide a visual indication of at least one of a battery test state and the determined battery operative condition.
14. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:
momentarily shorting the battery terminals during the connection of the test load across the battery terminals.