Patent ID: 6037749
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: B60L,G01R,H01M,H02J,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
A battery monitoring system for connection to an automotive battery between a battery terminal and a non-critical load, the battery monitoring system comprising:voltage means for measuring the voltage of the automotive battery;load sensing means for measuring the current passing out of the battery to the non-critical load;evaluation means for determining the state of charge of the battery based on the relationship between measured voltage and measured current to the non-critical load; andat least one switching means for connecting and disconnecting at least part of the non-critical load from the battery,the load sensing means being capable of,(i) controlling the at least one switching means to disconnect the non-critical load if the stored charge in the battery drops below a pre-determined value,(ii) monitoring the size of the non-critical electrical load connected to the battery, and(iii) causing the at least one switching means to at least temporarily reconnect the non-critical load to the battery if a change in the size of the non-critical load is detected by the load sensing means.