초록 ▼

A method and system for monitoring the capacity of a battery pack is provided. The battery pack is capable of delivering current to a load. The battery pack includes a monitor cell and battery cells. The monitor cell has an initial energy level that is lower by a predetermined difference from the in

A method and system for monitoring the capacity of a battery pack is provided. The battery pack is capable of delivering current to a load. The battery pack includes a monitor cell and battery cells. The monitor cell has an initial energy level that is lower by a predetermined difference from the initial energy level of at least one of the other battery cells. A monitoring system including an analog-to-digital converter and a microprocessor is connected to the battery pack and monitors the voltage of the battery pack. When the monitoring system detects a voltage change indicating depletion of the monitor cell, the monitoring system provides a signal indicative that the battery pack is nearing depletion. The proportional rate of discharge of the monitor cell relative to the other cells during normal defibrillator operation is matched to the proportional rate of discharge occurring at other times. Thus, the assumptions as to the remaining energy reserves when the monitor cell is depleted remain accurate whether the battery pack is discharged by normal defibrillator operation or by other phenomenon such as energy drain during non-use. In addition, the system will accurately provide a warning of battery pack depletion regardless of the type of batteries used or the initial energy levels, as long as the batteries are initially similar to one another. Thus, batteries from any manufacturer or production lot may be used for the battery pack without requiring advance knowledge of the energy characteristics of the particular set of batteries.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.]1. A system for monitoring an energy level of a battery pack, the system comprising:a battery pack comprising a monitor cell and one or more additional cell that are electronically

[ The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:] [1.]1. A system for monitoring an energy level of a battery pack, the system comprising:a battery pack comprising a monitor cell and one or more additional cell that are electronically coupled together;a monitoring system for detecting when the monitor cell is depleted;a load device capable of being powered by the battery pack and capable of performing at least a first specified operation while being powered by the battery pack; the load device and the battery pack operating together during the first specified operation of the load device such that the monitor cell will be depleted prior to the depletion of the one or more additional cells;wherein the monitor cell is depleted at a first proportional discharge rate with respect to the one or more additional cells when the battery pack is being used to power the first specified operation of the load device;wherein the monitor cell is depleted at a second proportional discharge rate with respect to the one or more additional cells when the battery pack is not being used to power the first specified operation of the load device; andwherein the first proportional discharge rate is approximately equal to the second proportional discharge rate.