公开(公告)号：US20180227849A1

公开(公告)日：2018-08-09

申请号：US15889502

申请日：2018-02-06

Applicant: Itron Networked Solutions, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce EDWARDS

IPC: H04W52/02 ,  H02J7/00

CPC classification number: H04W52/0216 ,  H02J7/0063 ,  H04W52/0296 ,  H04W84/18 ,  Y02D70/00 ,  Y02D70/1224 ,  Y02D70/20 ,  Y02D70/22

Abstract: A battery controller buffers a higher voltage provided by a primary cell in order to charge a secondary cell that operates at a lower voltage. The battery controller includes a storage device that is charged by the primary cell. When the voltage of the storage device reaches a threshold, the battery controller conducts the stored charge into the secondary cell while isolating the secondary cell from the primary cell. The secondary cell, when charged, powers a node that operates with a low voltage.

公开(公告)号：US20210050633A1

公开(公告)日：2021-02-18

申请号：US17020686

申请日：2020-09-14

Applicant: ITRON NETWORKED SOLUTIONS, INC.

Inventor： Bruce EDWARDS

IPC: H01M10/48 ,  H01M10/44 ,  G01R31/367 ,  G01R31/3835 ,  H01M10/0525 ,  H01M16/00 ,  H01M6/14 ,  H02J7/34

Abstract: A power system within a battery-powered node includes a primary cell, a secondary cell, and a battery controller. The battery controller includes a constant current source that draws power from the primary cell to charge the secondary cell. The battery-powered node draws power from the secondary cell across a wide range of current levels. When the voltage of the secondary cell drops beneath a minimum voltage level, the constant current source charges the secondary cell and a charging signal is sent to the battery-powered node. When the voltage of the second cell exceeds a maximum voltage level, the constant current source stops charging the secondary cell and the charging signal is terminated. The battery-powered node records the amount of time the charging signal is active and then determines a battery depletion level based on that amount of time. Battery replacement may then be efficiently scheduled based on the depletion level.

公开(公告)号：US20230100050A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-30

申请号：US18074902

申请日：2022-12-05

Applicant: ITRON NETWORKED SOLUTIONS, INC.

Inventor： Bruce EDWARDS

IPC: H02J13/00 ,  H01M10/48 ,  H01M10/44 ,  G01R31/367 ,  G01R31/3835 ,  H01M10/0525 ,  H01M16/00 ,  H01M6/14 ,  H02J7/34

Abstract: A battery-powered node includes a primary cell, a secondary cell, and a battery controller. The battery controller includes a current source that draws power from the primary cell to charge the secondary cell. The battery-powered node draws power from the secondary cell across a wide range of current levels. When the voltage of the secondary cell drops beneath a minimum voltage level, the current source charges the secondary cell at a constant current level and a charging signal is sent to the battery-powered node. When the voltage of the second cell exceeds a maximum voltage level, the current source stops charging the secondary cell and the charging signal is terminated. The battery-powered node records the amount of time the charging signal is active, which can be used to determine a battery depletion level for the primary cell. Battery replacement may then be efficiently scheduled based on the depletion level.

公开(公告)号：US20180226697A1

公开(公告)日：2018-08-09

申请号：US15890085

申请日：2018-02-06

Applicant: Itron Networked Solutions, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce EDWARDS

IPC: H01M10/48 ,  G01R31/36 ,  H02J7/00 ,  H01M10/44

Abstract: A power system within a battery-powered node includes a primary cell, a secondary cell, and a battery controller. The battery controller includes a constant current source that draws power from the primary cell to charge the secondary cell. The battery-powered node draws power from the secondary cell across a wide range of current levels. When the voltage of the secondary cell drops beneath a minimum voltage level, the constant current source charges the secondary cell and a charging signal is sent to the battery-powered node. When the voltage of the second cell exceeds a maximum voltage level, the constant current source stops charging the secondary cell and the charging signal is terminated. The battery-powered node records the amount of time the charging signal is active and then determines a battery depletion level based on that amount of time. Battery replacement may then be efficiently scheduled based on the depletion level.