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 redeployment notification method comprising the steps of:
identifying at least one 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 each 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 readable medium;
loading the test results in the computer readable medium;
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 stored in the computer readable medium;
generating a redeployment notification signal based on the report.
2. The battery testing and redeployment notification method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of examining each battery for physical indicia of damage to determine battery status.
3. The battery testing and redeployment notification method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of values comprises an age value and a voltage value.
4. The battery testing and redeployment notification method of claim 3 , wherein the baseline values of the business rules comprise an age value of about 36 months.
5. The battery testing and redeployment notification method of claim 1 , wherein a redeployment notification signal comprises a battery replacement instruction identified by the unique identifier for the battery to be redeployed.
6. A battery testing and redeployment notification method comprising the steps of:
identifying at least one 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 each 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 readable medium;
generating a pass signal;
loading the test results in the computer readable medium;
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 stored in the computer readable medium;
generating a redeployment notification signal based on the report.
7. The battery testing and redeployment notification method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of examining each battery for physical indicia of damage to determine battery status.
8. The battery testing and redeployment notification method of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of attributes associated with each battery comprises an age value.
9. The battery testing and redeployment notification method of claim 8 , wherein the baseline value of the business rules for the age value is about 36 months.
10. The battery testing and redeployment notification method of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of attributes associated with each battery comprises a voltage value.
11. The battery testing and redeployment notification method of claim 6 , wherein a redeployment notification signal comprises an instruction to replace a battery, the instruction being keyed to the unique identifier of the battery to be redeployed.