Method for diagnosing and predicting the lifespan of lead-based batteries, especially lead-based batteries intended to store standby power.

The invention essentially consists in a new method for diagnosing lead-acid batteries and advantageously for estimating their remaining lifespans, the batteries more particularly being intended for standby storage applications.

The method is based on a combination of continuous monitoring measurements with integration of the over-charging current (computation of the over-charging Ah applied to the battery from its installation) and of periodic measurements under DC current of the internal resistance of the battery using short discharging periods with a constant current or a constant power.

Method for diagnosing and predicting the lifespan of lead-based batteries, especially lead-based batteries intended to store standby power.

The invention essentially consists in a new method for diagnosing lead-acid batteries and advantageously for estimating their remaining lifespans, the batteries more particularly being intended for standby storage applications.

The method is based on a combination of continuous monitoring measurements with integration of the over-charging current (computation of the over-charging Ah applied to the battery from its installation) and of periodic measurements under DC current of the internal resistance of the battery using short discharging periods with a constant current or a constant power.

A method of operating a medical device comprises connecting a secondary battery pack to the medical device. The secondary battery pack includes a processor configured to emulate at least one electrical characteristic of a primary battery pack that has at least one different electrical characteristic than the secondary battery pack. The method further comprises receiving an interrogation input from the medical device with the processor of the secondary battery pack. The method further comprises sending a response output to the interrogation from the processor to the medical device. The response output emulates an expected response output associated with the at least one different electrical characteristic of the primary battery pack. The method further comprises initiating an operational profile associated with the medical device.

A method of operating a medical device comprises electrically connecting a power device to the medical device. The method further comprises sensing at least one characteristic of one of the medical device with the power device. The method further comprises adjusting or maintaining one or more characteristics of an electrical connection feature the power device according to the at least one observed characteristic such that the electrical connection features of the power device and medical device are operationally compatible, and operating the power device according to an operational profile associated with the medical device.

A method of field mapping a cell under load is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a cell; providing a Hall effect sensor comprising a graphene conductor for measuring a magnetic field; positioning the Hall effect sensor at a first position adjacent a face of the cell; applying a load to the cell; and measuring an output of the Hall effect sensor.

A method of field mapping a cell under load is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a cell; providing a Hall effect sensor comprising a graphene conductor for measuring a magnetic field; positioning the Hall effect sensor at a first position adjacent a face of the cell; applying a load to the cell; and measuring an output of the Hall effect sensor.

Coulomb counter circuitry operable in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, the coulomb counter circuitry comprising: first analog to digital converter (ADC) circuitry configured to generate a first ADC output signal indicative of a current through a load coupled to the coulomb counter circuitry; second analog to digital converter (ADC) circuitry; offset correction circuitry; and accumulator circuitry configured to generate a signal indicative of a cumulative amount of charge transferred to the load, wherein in the second mode of operation, the coulomb counter circuitry is operable to enable the second ADC circuitry and to generate an offset correction factor based at least in part on a second ADC output signal output by the second ADC circuitry, and wherein in subsequent operation of the coulomb counter circuitry in the first mode of operation, the offset correction circuitry applies the offset correction factor to the first ADC output signal.

A fuel cell system is equipped with a fuel cell and a secondary battery. This fuel cell system is equipped with a recordation unit that records a charge-discharge history of the secondary battery, a prediction unit that predicts restriction on an output of the secondary battery based on the charge-discharge history recorded by the recordation unit, and an output control unit that starts power generation by the fuel cell prior to a timing of restriction on the output of the secondary battery, when the prediction unit predicts restriction on the output of the secondary battery and the fuel cell is in an intermittent operation state.

A current sensor element includes a resistance section, a first electrically conductive connection section connected to a first end of the resistance section and having a first voltage measurement contact, and a second electrically conductive connection section connected to a second end of the resistance section and having a second voltage measurement contact and a third voltage measurement contact. The first electrically conductive connection section and the second electrically conductive connection section are connectable to feed a current to be measured through the resistance section. The first voltage measurement contact, the second voltage measurement contact, and the third voltage measurement contact are arranged in a way that a first resistance between the first voltage measurement contact and the second voltage measurement contact is smaller than a second resistance between the first voltage measurement contact and the third voltage measurement contact.

A current sensor element includes a resistance section, a first electrically conductive connection section connected to a first end of the resistance section and having a first voltage measurement contact, and a second electrically conductive connection section connected to a second end of the resistance section and having a second voltage measurement contact and a third voltage measurement contact. The first electrically conductive connection section and the second electrically conductive connection section are connectable to feed a current to be measured through the resistance section. The first voltage measurement contact, the second voltage measurement contact, and the third voltage measurement contact are arranged in a way that a first resistance between the first voltage measurement contact and the second voltage measurement contact is smaller than a second resistance between the first voltage measurement contact and the third voltage measurement contact.