公开(公告)号：US12191658B2

公开(公告)日：2025-01-07

申请号：US18074902

申请日：2022-12-05

Applicant: ITRON NETWORKED SOLUTIONS, INC.

Inventor： Bruce Edwards

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

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：US11153819B2

公开(公告)日：2021-10-19

申请号：US15889502

申请日：2018-02-06

Applicant: Itron Networked Solutions, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce Edwards

IPC: H02J7/34 ,  H04W52/02 ,  H02J7/00 ,  H04W84/18

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：US11539240B2

公开(公告)日：2022-12-27

申请号：US17020686

申请日：2020-09-14

Applicant: ITRON NETWORKED SOLUTIONS, INC.

Inventor： Bruce Edwards

IPC: H02J7/02 ,  H02J13/00 ,  H01M10/48 ,  H01M10/44 ,  G01R31/367 ,  G01R31/3835 ,  H01M10/0525 ,  H01M16/00 ,  H01M6/14 ,  H02J7/34 ,  H02J7/00

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：US10777854B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-15

申请号：US15890085

申请日：2018-02-06

Applicant: Itron Networked Solutions, Inc.

Inventor： Bruce Edwards

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

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.