Battery management system and apparatus with anomaly 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 employs algorithmic testing to determine whether a particular battery unit needs to be replaced or whether it can be advantageously redeployed. It also determines whether a particular deployment location contains anomalous readings, signifying potential problems with either the batteries themselves or possibly with other electrical equipment at the location. These components work together to provide a platform for managing a large number of perishable, expensive, and geographically dispersed assets.
1. A method for managing batteries by determining an anomaly, comprising the steps of:
creating a battery health standard, the battery health standard having a set of standard values;
creating a unique identifier for a battery;
inputting the unique identifier into a battery tester;
performing a plurality of tests on the battery with the battery tester;
generating a test value from the each test performed on the battery;
associating the test value with the unique identifier;
storing the test value in a database;
comparing the stored test value with a selected standard value of the battery health standard;
determining whether the test value meets the selected standard value;
generating an anomaly report for test values that fail to meet the standard value;
describing an anomaly in the anomaly report;
storing the anomaly report in the database.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
generating a chart representing data in the anomaly report;
storing the chart in the database.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
connecting the database to a computer network;
transmitting data in the anomaly report to a user of the computer network;
receiving a message with the transmitted data on a device connected to the computer network.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the standard values comprise an impedance value, a degradation value, and an age value.
5. A method for managing batteries by determining an anomaly, comprising the steps of:
creating a plurality of battery health standards, each standard having a nominal voltage value;
creating a unique identifier for a battery;
inputting the unique identifier into a battery tester;
performing a plurality of tests on the battery with the battery tester;
generating a voltage value from rests performed on the battery;
associating the voltage value with the unique identifier;
storing the voltage value in a database;
comparing the voltage value with the nominal voltage value;
calculating a difference between the voltage and the nominal voltage value;
storing a first anomaly value in the database if the voltage exceeds the nominal value by a predetermined percentage;
storing a second anomaly value in the database if the rated nominal value exceeds rated voltage value by the predetermined percentage; and
generating an anomaly report having anomaly data.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the steps of:
connecting the database to computer network;
transmitting data in the anomaly report to a user of the computer network;
receiving a message with the transmitted data on a device connected to the computer network.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein said predetermined percentage is about 16.7 percent.