Battery management system and apparatus with runtime analysis reporting
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 can automatically analyze, determine and report an estimated runtime for battery unit, such as the length of time that a backup system can provide adequate power to keep the primary equipment operational. These components work together to provide a platform for managing a large number of perishable, expensive, and geographically dispersed assets.
1. A method of estimating and reporting battery runtime, comprising the steps of:
acquiring a location of a battery unit;
querying a database for test results associated with the location;
querying the database for a list of equipment;
calculating a load total for the list of equipment;
calculating a measure of available power for the location based upon the test results and battery specifications;
calculating total available power for the location;
calculating estimated runtime based upon a power requirement compared to available power;
displaying a result based upon estimated runtime.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the battery unit comprises a string of batteries.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the result is displayed as a time period dependent on new batteries and upon the total load.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the result is displayed as a time period dependent on actual batteries in use and upon the total load.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of using a battery discharge curve to compute the estimated runtime.
6. A computer readable medium containing computer instructions for managing batteries and providing a report of estimated battery runtime, the computer readable medium comprising:
computer program code for acquiring a location of a battery unit;
computer program code for querying a database for test results associated with the location;
computer program code for querying the database for a list of equipment;
computer program code for calculating a load total for the list of equipment;
computer program code for calculating a measure of available power for the battery unit based upon the test results and battery specifications;
computer program code for calculating total available power for the location;
computer program code for calculating estimated runtime based upon a power requirement compared to available power;
computer program code for displaying a result based upon estimated runtime.
7. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 6 , wherein the battery unit comprises a string of batteries.
8. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 6 , wherein the result is displayed as a time period dependent on new batteries and upon the total load.
9. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 6 , wherein the result is displayed as a time period dependent on actual batteries in use and upon the total load.
10. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 6 , further comprising computer program code for using a battery discharge curve to compute the estimated runtime.
11. A method of estimating and reporting battery runtime, comprising the steps of:
acquiring a location of a battery unit;
querying a database for test results associated with the location;
querying the database for a list of equipment;
calculating a load total for the list of equipment;
calculating a measure of available power for the location based upon the test results and battery specifications;
calculating total available power for the location;
calculating estimated runtime based upon a power requirement compared to available power;
adjusting the estimated runtime based upon a temperature associated with the battery unit;
displaying a result based upon estimated runtime.
12. A computer readable medium containing computer instructions for managing batteries and providing a report of estimated battery runtime, the computer readable medium comprising:
computer program code for acquiring a location of a battery unit;
computer program code for querying a database for test results associated with the location;
computer program code for querying the database for a list of equipment;
computer program code for calculating a load total for the list of equipment;
computer program code for calculating a measure of available power for the battery unit based upon the test results and battery specifications;
computer program code for calculating total available power for the location;
computer program code for calculating estimated runtime based upon a power requirement compared to available power;
computer program code for adjusting the estimated runtime based upon a temperature associated with the battery unit;
computer program code for displaying a result based upon estimated runtime.