U.S. patent application number 14/316347 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-18 for power supply usage determination.
The applicant listed for this patent is Southwest Electronic Energy Corporation. Invention is credited to Claude Leonard Benckenstein, JR., Clint Alfred Davis, Dean Perkins.
Application Number | 20140368207 14/316347 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43769942 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140368207 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benckenstein, JR.; Claude Leonard ;
et al. |
December 18, 2014 |
POWER SUPPLY USAGE DETERMINATION
Abstract
The remaining capacity of a power source, such as a battery, may
be monitored with a microprocessor, such as by counting electrons
flowing through the power source. The microprocessor may measure
electrons passing through the battery and sleep for predetermined
periods, waking up to determine an updated capacity of the battery.
The remaining capacity may be communicated to remote users through
a network and displayed in an executive dashboard. In one example,
the updates regarding remaining capacity may be pushed to users
through a graphical user interface or a web page.
Inventors: |
Benckenstein, JR.; Claude
Leonard; (Missouri City, TX) ; Davis; Clint
Alfred; (Houston, TX) ; Perkins; Dean;
(Tomball, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Southwest Electronic Energy Corporation |
Missouri City |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
43769942 |
Appl. No.: |
14/316347 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13964677 |
Aug 12, 2013 |
8825418 |
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14316347 |
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|
13525549 |
Jun 18, 2012 |
8532946 |
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13964677 |
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|
13036435 |
Feb 28, 2011 |
8229689 |
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13525549 |
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12190835 |
Aug 13, 2008 |
7917315 |
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13036435 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
324/427 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01R 31/3832 20190101;
G01R 35/005 20130101; G01R 31/382 20190101; G01R 21/06
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
324/427 |
International
Class: |
G01R 31/36 20060101
G01R031/36 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: counting, by an integrator, electrons
flowing through a power source; when the electron count reaches a
predetermined number: waking, by the integrator, a processor from a
low power state; activating, by the processor, a storage device to
add the electron count to a total electron count; determining, by
the processor, a capacity of the power source from the total
electron count after activating the storage device; and entering,
by the processor, the low power state after activating the storage
device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a
battery.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising reading, by the
processor, a calibration value from a memory, wherein the step of
determining the capacity comprises determining the capacity of the
battery based, at least in part, on the calibration value.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when the electron
count reaches the predetermined number, resetting, by the
processor, the electron count after activating the storage
device.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring, by the
processor, a capacity of the power source by counting electrons
flowing through the power source.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, by the
processor, a band gap reference signal from a band gap regulator,
wherein the step of determining the capacity comprises determining
the capacity of the power source based, at least in part, on the
band gap reference signal.
7. An apparatus, comprising: a current sensor coupled to an output
of a power source; an integrator coupled to the current sensor; a
memory configured to store a total electron count value and a
calibration value; a processor coupled to the current sensor, to
the integrator, and to the memory, in which the processor is
configured to: exit from a low power state at a predetermined
interval; obtain an electron count from the integrator after
exiting from the low power state; increment the total electron
count value stored in the memory by the electron count obtained
from the integrator; calculate a power usage of the power source
based, at least in part, on the total electron count value; and
return to the low power state after incrementing the total electron
count value.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the power source comprises a
battery.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is further
configured to read a calibration value from the memory, and wherein
the calculated power usage is based, at least in part, on the
calibration value.
10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processor is further
configured to reset the integrator after obtaining the electron
count.
11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processor is further
configured to receive a band gap reference value, and wherein the
calculated power usage is based, at least in part, on the band gap
reference value.
12. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a resistor
disposed between the integrator and the processor.
13. A method, comprising: monitoring, by the processor, electrons
flowing through a power source; determining, by the processor, a
capacity of the power source from the monitored electron flow
through the power source; and transmitting, by the processor, data
comprising the capacity of the power source determined from the
monitored electron flow to a user.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of monitoring
electrons comprises monitoring electrons flowing through a power
source, and wherein the step of determining a capacity comprises
determining a capacity of the power source.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: reading, by the
processor, a calibration value from a memory, wherein the
determined capacity is based, at least in part, on the calibration
value.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining, by the
processor, a second capacity of a second power source; and pushing,
by the processor, additional data comprising the second capacity of
the second power source to the user.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of transmitting the
capacity of the power source over a network comprises transmitting
the capacity of the power source over a power line.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of transmitting the
data comprises pushing the data to the user over a network.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of pushing the data
comprising the capacity of the power source comprises pushing
real-time data regarding the capacity of the power source.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of pushing the data
comprises pushing the data to a graphical user interface
device.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of pushing the data
comprises pushing the data to a web page.
22. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of monitoring
comprises: counting electrons flowing through the power source;
determining whether the electron count has reached a predetermined
number; activating a storage device to add the electron count to a
total electron count after the determining step indicates the
electron count has reached the predetermined number; and resetting
the electron count after the determining step indicates the
electron count has reached the predetermined number, wherein the
step of determining the capacity comprises determining the capacity
of the power source based, at least in part, on the total electron
count.
23. An apparatus, comprising: a current sensor coupled to an output
of a power source; a processor coupled to the current sensor and
configured to: monitor electrons flowing through the power source
with the current sensor; determine a capacity of the power source
based, at least in part, on the monitored electron flow through the
power source; and transmit data comprising the capacity of the
power source determined from the monitored electron flow to a
user.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the power source comprises a
battery.
25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the apparatus further
comprises a memory coupled to the processor, and wherein the
processor is further configured to: read a calibration value from
the memory, and determine the capacity of the battery based, at
least in part, on the calibration value.
26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured
to transmit the capacity of the power source over the network by
transmitting the capacity of the power source over a power
line.
27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the processor is configured
to transmit the capacity of the power source by pushing the
capacity of the power source over a network to a user.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the processor is configured
to push the capacity of the power source to the user through a
graphical user interface display.
29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the processor is configured
to push the capacity of the power source to the user through a web
page.
30. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the processor is further
configured to: determine a second capacity of a second power
source; and transmit additional data comprising the second capacity
of the second power source to the user.
31. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising: an integrator
coupled to the current sensor; a memory configured to store a total
electron count, wherein the processor is coupled to the integrator
and the memory and is further configured to: count electrons
flowing through the power source with the integrator; determine
whether the electron count has reached a predetermined number; add
the electron count to the total electron count after the
determining step indicates the electron count has reached the
predetermined number; and reset the electron count after the
determining step indicates the electron count has reached the
predetermined number, and wherein the processor is configured to
determine the capacity of the power source based, at least in part,
on the total electron count.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/964,677 to Claude Leonard Beckenstein, Jr.
et al., filed on Aug. 12, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/525,549 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No.
8,532,946) to Claude Leonard Beckenstein, Jr. et al., filed on Jun.
18, 2012, and entitled "Power Supply Usage Determination," which is
a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/036,435 (now
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,229,689) to Claude Leonard Beckenstein,
Jr. et al., filed on Feb. 28, 2011, and entitled "Method for
Determining Power Supply Usage," which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/190,835 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No.
7,917,315) to Claude Leonard Benckenstein, Jr. et al., filed on
Aug. 13, 2008, and entitled "Method for Determining Power Supply
Usage," each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present embodiments relate to a method for measuring
electron flow to determine remaining capacity of a power supply,
such as a lithium primary battery, a lithium ion battery, a
lead-acid battery, a fuel cell, a solar panel system, or other
power supply.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A need exists for a method that accurately measures and
tracks electron flow that is portably usable in many environments,
easy to undertake, and inexpensive to operate.
[0004] A further need exists for a method that can be installed on
a wide variety of power supplies for remote and close proximity
monitoring of electron usage by a customer, a user, and an
administrator simultaneously, that does not require measurement of
time to determine remaining capacity.
[0005] The present embodiments meet these needs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The detailed description will be better understood in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a depiction of an amplitude signal for use herein
according to one embodiment of the disclosure.
[0008] FIGS. 2A-B are a flow chart of the method according to one
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a fuel gauge usable in the method
according to one embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Before explaining the present embodiments in detail, it is
to be understood that the invention is not limited to the
particular embodiments and that it can be practiced or carried out
in various ways.
[0011] The present embodiments relate to a method for tracking
electron flow from a power supply using a networked system. The
system can utilize alarms and/or meters when electron flow is at a
reduced level by accurately and with high precision tracking the
electron flow.
[0012] Typically, remaining capacity of a power source is measured
by recording the amount of current maintained per a unit of time.
In extreme conditions, such as the high temperatures and pressures
encountered within a wellbore, the accurate tracking of the passage
of time, such as through use of a processor-based clock, is not
possible.
[0013] The present method enables measurement of the capacity of a
power source independent of elapsed time by tracking electron flow,
rather than current per unit time. During operation of a power
source, current is measured and converted to a voltage proportional
to the current. The voltage proportional to current is converted
and recorded as a monotonic uni-polar representation of an
aggregate number of electrons. Subsequent representations are
accumulated until this value reaches a calibration constant, at
which time a known quantity of current has been maintained, such as
one mA/hour, enabling capacity of the power source to be calculated
in standard engineering units. The accumulated value can then be
reset, allowing further accumulation until the calibration constant
is again reached.
[0014] The method relates to counting electrons from a power
supply.
[0015] First, a current from a power source is measured which is
then termed "a measured current."
[0016] The power supply can be a lithium primary battery, a
lithium-ion battery, a lead acid battery, a fuel cell, or another
source of electrical energy that provides a flow of electrons in a
direct current, such as electrons generated by an alternator of a
car, or a generator of a boat or RV.
[0017] Next, the measured current is converted to a voltage. The
conversion occurs, in an embodiment, using a current sense
resistor, such as a model WSL2512R1000FEA resistor made by Vishay
of the state of Pennsylvania. The current sense resistor can handle
between about 0 amps and about 6 amps. This current sense resistor
is placed in series with the load, the load being the device
powered by the power supply. In this configuration the current at
the current sense resistor is the same at the current drawn off the
power supply.
[0018] The current can be a pulsed current or a constant current.
In an embodiment, if the current is pulsed, is can be pulsed at
about 2 amps every one second or about 1 amp every 2 seconds, or
other variations of pulsed current. If the current is constant, for
example, it can be about 100 mA.
[0019] The converted current is integrated into a monotonic
uni-polar representation of an aggregate number of electrons
through a Deboo integrator. The amplitude of the voltage is
representative of the aggregate number of electrons flowing through
a current sense resistor after integration using a Deboo
(non-inverting) integrator with a capacitor.
[0020] The Deboo integrator is a non-inverting uni-polar integrator
that forms a monotonic, unidirectional signal, wherein the
amplitude represents the number of electrons flowed, similar to a
trip odometer tracking mileage of a car. Other integrators can be
usable herein, such as passive integrators generally known in the
field of electrical engineering.
[0021] When the integrator output voltage reaches a preset limit,
or a threshold, then the monotonic uni-polar representation of the
aggregate number of electrons is "read" by the microprocessor
forming a reading internal to the microprocessor. This reading is
representative of the fact the preset limit has been reached and a
corresponding number of electrons have passed through the current
sense resistor.
[0022] Using an analog-to-digital converter, such as a AD7819 made
by Analog Devices, the monotonic uni-polar representation of the
number of aggregate electrons is identified and stored in memory of
the microprocessor. Additionally, in an embodiment it is
contemplated that the reading is formed using an analog to digital
converter within the microprocessor.
[0023] Prior to electron saturation, the reading can be made by the
microprocessor, which can be a model MC908QBMDTE, made by Freescale
of Austin, Tex. The microprocessor has a processor and data storage
containing computer instructions for instructing the processor to
accumulate the amplitude each time the output of the integrated
reaches a preset limit Each reading is added to a memory location
in the data storage where it is combined with previous readings
forming a summation.
[0024] The microprocessor contains instructions for storing the
value of the amplitude voltage and for adding each value to a
previous sum forming a running summation. The summation, being
representative of the number of times the output of the integrator
has reached the preset limit, which is also proportional to the
total charge which has passed from the power source.
[0025] Additionally, the microprocessor contains instructions for
resetting the integrator, or discharging the integrator, once the
voltage of the amplitude signal reaches a preset limit Once this
occurs, the amplitude signal will be reset, and will generally
increase as a function of the signal input into the integrate as
previously described.
[0026] The readings are repeated by actuating of the microprocessor
before the integrator reaches the preset limit With each reading,
the accumulator value is transmitted to the accumulator, and the
summation continues, causing the accumulator value to increase or
remain constant, but never decrease.
[0027] The summation is then compared to a calibration value stored
on the microprocessor for the particular fuel gauge. The
calibration value is preloaded in the data storage. The calibration
value is unique to each designated fuel gauge circuit. An example
of a calibration value is 14,000. It should be noted that when the
accumulator reaches the calibration constant, a known quantity of
power has flowed, such as 1 mAh, enabling accurate electron
tracking and determination of power source capacity.
[0028] The comparison can then be recorded as an established
standard engineering unit of capacity, such as Amp Hours, when the
summation of accumulator values meets or exceeds the calibration
value.
[0029] In an additional embodiment, the fuel gauge can monitor and
record ambient temperature, that is the temperature surrounding the
power supply using a temperature sensor. After the temperature is
read, then the established standard engineering unit of capacity is
adjusted based on the ambient temperature.
[0030] In the fuel gauge, the current sense resistor is a sensor
that determines current proportional to voltage. An example of such
a current sense resistor is model WSL2512RI000FEA made by Vishay of
Pennsylvania.
[0031] The microprocessor used in the method enables the sensing of
electron flow at temperatures ranging from about -40 degrees
Centigrade to about 150 degrees Centigrade.
[0032] It should be noted that the established standard engineering
unit of capacity, from the microprocessor, can be determined using
a reader in a manner known to those in the field of electrical
engineering.
[0033] In one embodiment, the fuel gauge can have a reader that
communicates the established standard engineering unit of capacity
to a user who is using at least one light emitting diode.
[0034] The communication from the reader can be over a wireless
network, a hard wired network, a satellite network, or combinations
thereof. The user can be connected to a website, or be connected to
a graphical user interface display directly for viewing electron
flow, and the fuel usage occurring to the power supply.
[0035] When the reader is in communication with a network, the fuel
gauge permits continuous and automatic remote monitoring of power
supply capacity.
[0036] An example of automatic, and continuous, real time
monitoring is with an executive dashboard that is continually
pushing the data to the user, rather than the user asking for the
data. This push enables better and more accurate monitoring of the
fuel use.
[0037] Monitoring using an executive dashboard enables a user to
view that constant status of multiple power supplies, such as
batteries, each connected via the network for constant and highly
accurate measurement, such within 1 mV. Monitoring using an
executive dashboard also allows for less waste of fuel,
particularly in a remote environment, such as a recharging station
for military radios in the middle of a barren arctic wasteland.
[0038] In an embodiment it is contemplated that the capacitor of
the integrator has at least two miniature 0.01 microfarad value
capacitors, each having a low loss, high temperature rating, such
as 125 Centigrade, with a moderately high capacitance.
[0039] It is contemplated that a moderately high capacitance would
be equivalent to about 0.22 microfarads for each capacitor.
[0040] The two capacitors can be contemplated to be connected in
parallel and therefore provide a capacitance of about 0.44
microfarads. An example of such a miniature 0.01 microfarad value
capacitor would be a high tech plastic fill capacitor made by
Fujitsu.
[0041] A different embodiment contemplates that the capacitor can
be a precision capacitor, which would have a capacity of about 0.02
microfarads.
[0042] In an embodiment the preset limit of aggregate electrons can
be no more than three volts using a 12 bit converter.
[0043] Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a
representative amplitude signal produced by the integrator for use
in the invention herein. The voltage (60) produced by the
integrator is a function of the voltage of the current sense
resistor. The signal produced in FIG. 1 represents a generally
linear increase in the voltage output by the integrator as a result
of a generally constant input voltage. FIG. 1 also illustrates the
saturation point V.sub.1 (62) of the integrator. It can be seen
once the integrator becomes saturated, the output voltage no longer
increases regardless of the input voltage. FIG. 1 illustrates a
preset limit (64) at V.sub.2, which is selected at a voltage below
the saturation point V.sub.1 (62) of the integrator. In the
operation of the device a reading will be taken when the preset
limit (64) is reached and the integrator will be discharged. The
amplitude signal can vary based upon the input signal in a
predictable way known to those in the art based on the
configuration of the integrator.
[0044] FIGS. 2A-B shows a method for counting electrons from a
power supply, the method comprising the following steps: measuring
a current of a power supply forming a measured current (100);
converting the measured current to a voltage (102); integrating the
voltage into a monotonic uni-polar representation of an aggregate
number of electrons having an amplitude representative of the
aggregate number of electrons flowing through a current sense
resistor using an integrator having a capacitor (104); actuating a
microprocessor in communication with a data storage just before the
integrator reaches a preset limit of aggregate electrons (106);
reading the amplitude representative of the aggregate number of
electrons from the integrator with the microprocessor forming a
reading (108); transmitting the reading to an accumulator formed in
the data storage forming an accumulator value (110); resetting the
integrator after transmitting the reading (112); repeating the
actuation of the microprocessor before the integrator reaches the
preset limit, making additional readings and repeating the
transmission to the accumulator and repeating the formation of a
summation of accumulator values using the additional readings
(114); compare the summation of accumulator values to a calibration
value; wherein the calibration value is unique to a designated fuel
gauge circuit and when the summation of accumulator values reaches
the calibration value, 1 mA/hour has flowed (116) and recording an
established standard engineering unit of capacity when the
summation of accumulator values meets or exceeds the calibration
value (118). A second accumulator can be used to record quantities
of battery usage.
[0045] FIG. 3 shows the fuel gauge usable in this method. The fuel
gauge has, in an embodiment, a voltage pre-regulator (10) for
receiving current and providing a preset voltage. The voltage
pre-regulator (10) is designed for 10-80V applications to provide 6
Volts. In an embodiment, the voltage pre-regulator can be resistant
to extreme temperature, high pressure, shock and vibration.
[0046] Additionally, the fuel gauge has a main voltage regulator
(12) in communication with the voltage pre-regulator for receiving
the preset voltage and providing power to other components of the
fuel gauge. The regulator can be a band gap device, designed for
precision measurement applications, and is contemplated to be
precise to within about 1 percent. In an embodiment, the main
voltage regulator can have a maximum voltage tolerance of about
80V. In one embodiment the main voltage regulator can contain a
temperature sensor (48).
[0047] An example of the voltage pre-regulator would be one such as
LT3014BES5 made by Micropower. An example of the main voltage
regulator would be one such as those produced by Analog
Devices.
[0048] A current sense resistor (14), such as a model
WSL2512RI000FEA resistor made by Vishay, is in communication with
the main voltage regulator for converting the current to a voltage
proportional to the current.
[0049] In an embodiment, the main voltage regulator can be a
precision regulator, and the current sense resistor can be a
precision resistor.
[0050] An integrator (16) is shown, comprising an op amp (18) such
as a LTC2054HS5 made by Linear Technologies and a capacitor (20).
The integrator (16) receives power (22) from the main voltage
regulator, and an input voltage proportional to current (24) from
the current sense resistor. In an embodiment, the integrator can
have a saturation voltage ranging from about 0 volts to about 3
volts.
[0051] A microprocessor (26) with data storage (28), such as a
MCQB8DTE made by Freescale, can be used in combination with a
hysteresis circuit (30). Those of ordinary skill in the art can
appreciate that the hysteresis circuit can be either be an external
component for conditioning the amplitude signal of the integrator,
or the hysteresis circuit can be contained within the
microprocessor. The microprocessor is contemplated to remain in a
low power state until activated. In one embodiment, the
microprocessor can consume from one to three microwatts of power in
the low power state.
[0052] The data storage, which can be fixed, removable, or remote
data storage, can include computer instructions (32) for
instructing the microprocessor to convert the voltage across the
current sense resistor to a monotonic uni-polar representation of
an 15 aggregate number of electrons (34).
[0053] A resistor (36) is disposed between the integrator and the
microprocessor for activating the microprocessor from the low power
state prior to saturation of the integrator with the voltage
proportional to current.
[0054] A reset circuit (38) is disposed between the microprocessor
and the integrator for resetting the monotonic uni-polar
representation of an aggregate number of electrons to zero. In an
embodiment, the reset circuit resets the integrator to zero in less
than three microseconds for ensuring accuracy.
[0055] In an embodiment, the fuel gauge has a modem (40) for
providing a communication signal (42) over power lines of the fuel
gauge. A switch (44) can be used for controlling power to the
modem.
[0056] In an embodiment, the op amp can be a low power and low
drift device. The op amp can be one such as model LTC2054HS5 from
Linear Technology which provides a low pollution due to noise. The
op amp can receive power from the main voltage regulator. The op
amp operates using a logic input that cycles to activate and
deactivate the op amp.
[0057] The hysteresis circuit provides a discrete rapid output in
response to a slowly changing input. The output of this circuit can
be either logic 0 or 1, but input must change significantly for
output to change.
[0058] While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on
the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of
the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than
as specifically described herein.
* * * * *