IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0535378
(2012-06-28)
|
등록번호 |
US-8717186
(2014-05-06)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
3 인용 특허 :
7 |
초록
▼
For detecting swelling in batteries supplying power to electrical equipment, at least one contact sensor such as quantum tunneling composite (“QTC”) based pressure-capacitive sensor coated on one surface with a layer of conductive material such as indium tin oxide (“ITO”) or a capacitive sensor coat
For detecting swelling in batteries supplying power to electrical equipment, at least one contact sensor such as quantum tunneling composite (“QTC”) based pressure-capacitive sensor coated on one surface with a layer of conductive material such as indium tin oxide (“ITO”) or a capacitive sensor coated with the same conductive material is used for attachment to each battery. A capacitance measuring module including a microcontroller is connected to the contact sensor and measures the capacitance of the ITO—coated conductor. If the capacitance under measurement represents an increase in capacitance exceeding a predetermined threshold, indicative of battery swelling, a call for battery replacement and interruption of battery power to the electrical equipment are initiated.
대표청구항
▼
1. An apparatus comprising: at least one contact sensor comprising a structure of two or less layers of electrically insulating material, said structure configured to have a first face in contact with a battery and a second face opposite the first face, the second face being coated with a layer of e
1. An apparatus comprising: at least one contact sensor comprising a structure of two or less layers of electrically insulating material, said structure configured to have a first face in contact with a battery and a second face opposite the first face, the second face being coated with a layer of electrically conductive material, said structure having two layers of electrically insulating material further configured to have a layer of electrically conductive material interposing therebetween, the material of a first electrically insulating layer in contact with a case of said battery on the first face being quantum tunneling composite (“QTC”), and a second layer of electrically insulating material comprising the second face; anda capacitance measuring module connectable to said at least one contact sensor configured to determine an increase in capacitance of said layer of coated electrically conductive material from a reference value and output a warning signal if the increase of said capacitance exceeds a pre-determined threshold. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said layer of coated electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide, copper and the like. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein tensile forces applied to said QTC by the case of said battery resulting from swelling of said battery cause said QTC to become electrically conductive, leading to an increase in the capacitance of said layer of coated electrically conductive material. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one contact sensor is a capacitive sensor, the structure thereof comprising one layer of electrical insulating material in contact with an internal body of said battery on the first face and coated with said layer of electrical conductive material on the second face. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the internal body of said battery becomes electrically conductive as a result of swelling of said battery, leading to an increase in the capacitance of said layer of coated electrically conductive material. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the capacitance measuring module comprises a microcontroller selected from the group consisting of an existing microcontroller and a separate microcontroller. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the capacitance measuring module further comprises a series resistor of a known value through which the capacitor under measurement is charged to a source voltage, whereby the microcontroller calculates the capacitance by measuring the time elapsed for said charging. 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the capacitance measuring module further comprises an oscillation circuit, whereby the capacitance under measurement is determinable by the microcontroller by measuring the frequency of an output of the oscillation circuit. 9. A system comprising: an electrical equipment;at least one battery in a battery pack providing a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal coupled to the electrical equipment;a relay in series with a coupling path to each said output terminal from said battery pack;a central battery controller interfacing with said at least one battery configured to turn said relays on/off and provide internal and external communication;at least one contact sensor comprising a structure of one two or less layers of electrically insulating material, said structure configured to have a first face in contact with said at least one battery and a second face opposite the first face, the second face being coated with a layer of electrically conductive material, said structure having two layers of electrically insulating material further configured to have a layer of electrically conductive material interposing therebetween, the material of a first electrically insulating layer in contact with a case of said battery on the first face being quantum tunneling composite (“QTC”), and a second layer of electrically insulating material comprising the second face; anda capacitance measuring module connectable to said at least one contact sensor configured to determine an increase in capacitance of said layer of coated electrically conductive material from a reference value and output a warning signal if the increase of said capacitance exceeds a pre-determined threshold. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein said layer of coated electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide, copper and the like. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein tensile forces applied to said QTC by the case of said at least one battery resulting from swelling thereof cause said QTC to become electrically conductive, leading to an increase in the capacitance of said layer of coated electrically conductive material. 12. The system of claim 9, wherein said at least one contact sensor is a capacitive sensor, the structure thereof comprising one layer of electrical insulating material in contact with an internal body of said at least one battery on the first face and coated with said layer of electrical conductive material on the second face. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the internal body of said at least one battery becomes electrically conductive as a result of swelling of said at least one battery, leading to an increase in the capacitance of said layer of coated electrically conductive material. 14. The system of claim 9, wherein in response to the capacitance measuring module's warning signal, the central battery controller calls for a replacement of the swelling battery and turns off said relays, whereby battery power to the electrical equipment is interrupted. 15. A method for detecting swelling in each battery of a battery pack used in an electrical equipment comprising: providing at least one contact sensor comprising a structure of two or less layers of electrically insulating material, said structure configured to have a first face attachable to said battery and a second face opposite the first face, the second face being coated with a layer of electrically conductive material, said structure having two layers of electrically insulating material further configured to have a layer of electrically conductive material interposing therebetween, the material of a first electrically insulating layer in contact with a case of said battery on the first face being quantum tunneling composite (“QTC”), and a second layer of electrically insulating material comprising the second face;attaching the first face of said at least one contact sensor to said battery;powering the electrical equipment for operation;measuring capacitance of said layer of electrically conductive material coated on the second face of said at least one contact sensor;outputting a warning signal in response to detection that the measured capacitance minus a reference value exceeds a predetermined threshold; andcalling for a replacement of said battery becoming swelling and interrupting battery power to the electrical equipment. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said layer of coated electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide, copper and the like. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein said at least one contact sensor is a capacitive sensor, the structure thereof comprising one layer of electrical insulating material attachable to an internal body of said battery on the first face and coated with said layer of electrical conductive material on the second face.
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