Battery management system and apparatus
The invention relates to the management of large stationary batteries. The invention is a comprehensive process for the management of stationary batteries that are used for backup power and are deployed in widely dispersed locations. The OMS™ (Optimization Management System) solution is comprised of Mega-Tags (preferably serialized bar-coded identification labels), a battery testing and data acquisition device, and web-based software. The OMS™ system employs algorithmic testing to determine whether a particular battery unit needs to be replaced or whether it can be advantageously redeployed. These components work together to provide a platform for managing a large number of perishable, expensive, and geographically dispersed assets.
1. A battery testing and replacement notification method comprising the steps of:
identifying a battery and a site for each identified battery; the battery having a plurality of attributes;
creating a unique identifier for each identified battery;
generating a set of business rules, the set of business rules comprising a set of baseline values for the plurality of attributes associated with the battery;
testing each identified battery to acquire test results, the test results comprising a set of battery values for the plurality of the attributes associated with the battery;
storing the set of business rules and the test results in a computer memory;
loading the test results in the computer memory;
comparing the set of baseline values of the business rules with the battery values of the test results to create a report for the battery, the report being a readable computer file;
generating a status notification signal dependent upon the report for the battery.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of examining each battery for physical indicia of damage.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of attributes of the battery comprises an age value, an impedance value, and a conductance value.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the baseline value of the age attribute is within a range of about 24 to about 48 months.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the baseline value of the impedance attribute is about 2.87 milliohms.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the baseline value of the conductance attribute is about a number 25% lower than an average of a battery string.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of compiling the test results for each battery on a string and calculating a percentage of batteries that generate a replacement notification signal.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of generating a string replacement signal if the percentage of the string of batteries that generate a replacement notification signal is greater than 40%.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the business rules further comprise an automated test signal to schedule battery testing at the end of a period.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the period is 12 months.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of generating a replacement notification signal comprises instructions for battery replacement keyed to a battery unit to be replaced.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the instructions for battery replacement further comprise recycling instructions.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of replacing a battery if the battery is damaged.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of generating a replacement notification signal if other batteries are to be replaced at a same location.
15. A battery testing and replacement notification method comprising the steps of:
identifying batteries and a site for each identified battery;
creating a unique identifier for each identified battery, the identified battery having a plurality of battery values;
testing each identified battery to acquire test results and loading the test results in a computer;
generating a set of business rules;
the set of business rules having a plurality of baseline values;
the plurality of values comprising an age value and an impedance value;
applying die set of business rules to the test results of each identified battery;
generating a replacement notification signal based on a comparison of the test results of the battery to the baseline values of the set of business rules.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of baseline values further comprises a conductance value.