Patent Application
20050093516
The present invention broadly relates to techniques for monitoring the condition of electrical energy cells, such as battery cells or fuel cells, and deals more particularly with a method and apparatus for measuring the voltage output of the cell using simple analog circuit techniques.
Energy providing systems which employ cells or modules to provide electrical energy, such as batteries and fuel cell stacks often employ sophisticated systems for monitoring the condition of individual cells. The condition and readiness of individual cells must be frequently monitored in many applications to ensure that the requisite amount of energy is available on demand. Accordingly, past monitoring systems have included sophisticated circuitry, typically employing analog-to-digital circuit components and processes to measure the voltage in each cell, and determine whether further action is required, such as recharging or switching the cell out of the circuit, depending upon cell condition.
Digital processing techniques, while effective, are more expensive and can be more complex compared to systems that use simple analog techniques. The cost and complexity of digitally based monitoring circuits is multiplied in some applications, such as hybrid fuel systems for vehicles, which rely on multiple fuel cell modules and multi-cell battery packs to supply energy in support of mission critical functions.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a system for measuring the voltage of electrical energy cells or modules using simple analog components and techniques which reduce the complexity and cost of the monitoring circuitry. The present invention is directed toward satisfying this need in the art.
According to one aspect of the invention, apparatus is provided for measuring the voltage of each of plurality of cells providing electrical energy. The apparatus includes a reference voltage source for supplying a plurality of differing reference voltages, a plurality of comparator circuits respectively associated with the cells, and a monitoring circuit for receiving and monitoring the signal output by the comparator circuit. The differing reference voltages are produced by a ramp voltage generator that generates a varying voltage signal which serves to provide a plurality of reference values against which the voltage of each cell is compared by the comparator circuit. When the value of the ramp reference voltage is in a prescribed relationship to the cell voltage, the comparator circuit outputs a simple digital signal to the monitoring circuit. Based on the timing of the comparator circuit output, the monitoring circuit associates the digital signal with a measured voltage for the cell.
The comparator circuit preferably includes two analog comparators coupled between the cell and the monitoring circuit. The ramp voltage producing the reference signals is simultaneously applied to all of the comparator circuits respectively associated with the cells being monitored.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for measuring voltage output by one or more cells providing electrical energy which includes generating a varying voltage reference signal; comparing the voltage of the cell with the varying reference signal; and, generating a digital signal indicative of the measured cell voltage based on the results of the voltage comparison. The varying reference signal is preferably produced using a ramp voltage generator. The voltage comparison is performed using an analog comparator circuit which generates the digital signal indicative of the measured voltage, depending upon the results of the signal comparison.
One of the primary features of the invention is that the electrical condition of a plurality of cells can be monitored using simple, low cost analog techniques. A related advantage is that by using simple analog processing techniques, system reliability can be improved in some cases compared, to more complex digital processing techniques.
Another advantage of the invention is that the voltage measuring system can be implemented using commonly available components.
These, and further features and advantages of the invention will be made clear or will become apparent during the course of the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Referring first to
The inventive apparatus includes a plurality of comparator circuits 12 respectively associated with and connected to the cells 10, as well as a controller 14 which includes a ramp voltage generator 18 and a monitoring circuit 20. The controller 14 receives signals from each of the comparator circuits 12, and delivers a signal to the inputs of each of the comparator circuits 12. Specifically, the ramp voltage generator 18 produces a ramp voltage signal that is delivered on line 16 to one input of each of the comparator circuits 12, the other input thereto being formed by a connection to one of the corresponding cells 10. The outputs of each of the comparator circuits 12 is received and monitored by the monitoring circuit 20.
Each of the comparator circuits 12 continuously compares the voltage at its input which is received from the corresponding cell 10, to a reference voltage on a second input of the comparative circuit 12 defined by the vamp voltage signal on line 16. The voltage produced by either the ramp voltage generator 18 or the cell 10 may be either positive or negative in sign. When the voltage of the cell 10 is in a prescribed relationship to the reference voltage, e.g. either equal to or greater than or equal to or less than the reference voltage, the corresponding comparator circuit 12 outputs a digital signal (either a one or a zero) to the controller 14 which is received by the monitoring circuit 20. Based on the value of the reference signal at the time the comparator circuit 12 outputs a digital signal, the monitoring circuit 14 determines the value of the voltage of the corresponding cell 10.
Referring now also to
The ramp voltage generator 18 may include any of various circuits well known in the art for producing a voltage whose magnitude varies with time, although it is disclosed herein as being a ramp. The details of the monitoring circuit 20 will vary with the particular application, however it can be formed using conventional components and signal processing techniques. The monitoring circuit includes provisions for associating the timing of the receipt of a digital output signal from each of the comparator circuits 12 with the value of the ramp voltage at that point in time, and make a determination whether the cell voltage is either above, below or within a range of acceptable values. The monitoring circuit 20 may optionally form part of an electronic control circuit which functions to individually disconnect or reconnect the cells 10 with each other or with a load so as to manage system output.
From the foregoing, it may be appreciated that the method and apparatus for measuring cell voltage as described above provides for a particularly simple and economical solution to the problem of measuring cell voltage. It is recognized, of course, that those skilled in the art may make various modifications or additions to the preferred embodiment chosen to illustrate the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present contribution to the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the protection sought and to be afforded hereby should be deemed to extend to the subject matter claimed and all equivalents thereof fairly within the scope of the invention.
