Granted Patent B2

US 12,388,278 · App. 17/584,674 · Granted Aug 12, 2025

Inventor: Michael Stockbridge (Canastota, NY)

Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION

H02J7/005B60L58/16G01R31/392H02J7/00032H02J7/0048H02J7/00712H02J3/32

Abstract

Claims (33)

1. A method for performing a battery health self-test protocol for a battery, the method comprising:

detecting, using a controller, that a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) is connected to standby power;

charging the battery to a known charge level during a charge cycle;

discharging the battery during a discharge cycle by coupling the battery to a battery test resistor; and

calculating battery health assessment information for the battery;

wherein the standby power is provided from a power grid;

wherein the detecting, charging, discharging and calculating occur in response to the TRU being plugged into the power grid.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising recharging the battery to a full charge level.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein recharging the battery comprises using the standby power from a power grid.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein recharging the battery comprises only using the standby power from the power grid while a generator of the TRU is not in operation.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a prompt to connect the battery to the standby power if the standby power is not detected.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the known charge level is less than a fully charged state of the battery.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the charge cycle comprises charging the battery using a generator of the TRU.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving the battery information comprising age and capacity of the battery, wherein the battery information is used to calculate the battery health assessment information.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising outputting the battery health assessment information to a display.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the battery comprises a TRU start battery.

11. A system for performing a battery health self-test protocol, the system comprising:

a battery coupled to a transport refrigeration unit (TRU); and

a controller coupled to the battery, wherein the controller is configured to:

detect the TRU is connected to standby power;

charge the battery to a known charge level during a charge cycle;

discharge the battery during a discharge cycle by coupling the battery to a battery test resistor; and

calculate battery health assessment information for the battery;

wherein the standby power is provided from a power grid;

wherein the detecting, charging, discharging and calculating occur in response to the TRU being plugged into the power grid.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to recharge the battery to a full charge level.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein recharging the battery comprises using the standby power from a power grid.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein recharging the battery comprises only using the standby power from the power grid while a generator of the TRU is not in operation.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to provide a prompt to connect the battery to the standby power if the standby power is not detected.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the known charge level is less than a fully charged state of the battery.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the charge cycle comprises charging the battery using a generator of the TRU.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive the battery information comprising age and capacity of the battery, wherein the battery information is used to calculate the battery health assessment information.

19. The system of claim 18 , further comprising a display to output the battery health assessment information.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (38)