Patent Publication Number: US-2019173302-A1

Title: Fluid flow detector with a detachable battery module

Description:
CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS 
     The present Nonprovisional patent application is a Continuation-in-Part Nonprovisional patent application to, and claims the priority date of, U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 15/831,271 filed on Dec. 4, 2017 and titled “Fluid flow detector with tethered drag block”. U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 15/831,271 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes into the present Nonprovisional patent application. 
     The present Nonprovisional patent Application is also a Continuation-in-Part Nonprovisional patent application to, and claims the priority date of, U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 15/904,290 filed on Feb. 23, 2018 and titled “INVENTED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING AND MANAGING FLUID FLOW”. U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 15/904,290 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes into the present Nonprovisional patent application. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is in the field of fluid management, flow rate measurement, and leak detection, including but not limited to fluids consisting of or comprising water. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions. 
     Fluid flow monitoring devices are being increasingly deployed in new building construction and installed by retrofitting into plumbing systems and chemical delivery and processing systems. Motivations for the design, production and implementation of prior art fluid flow monitoring devices include both addressing a growing cultural emphasis in conserving water and achieving financial gains by reducing wastage of water and/or other chemical fluid resources. 
     Prior art fluid flow monitoring devices are often configured with at least one electrical power storage battery (hereinafter, “battery”) as a primary energy source or as a back-up source of electrical energy for components of these systems. It is not unusual for a prior art design to include a rechargeable battery that is charging from an external electrical power source while the device is drawing power from that external source. The stored energy of rechargeable battery is typically drawn upon when there is a failure of the external power source. 
     These widely deployed monitoring systems of differing configurations and characteristics are sometimes positioned in hard to access locations, and sometimes placed in locations visible to building occupants and site visitors. Various prior art fluid flow device products present different challenges and requirements in operation and system maintenance. Yet the relevant experience levels and sophistication of persons tasked with, and in some cases unexpectedly required to, perform maintenance actions or respond to external power outages varies widely. As a device manufacturer generally seeks to achieve maximum market acceptance, it is generally thus preferable in general that equipment maintenance of fluid flow monitoring devices by easily performed by persons having minimal experience and little knowledge in equipment maintenance. 
     Commercially available electrical power storage batteries have finite energy storage capacities and generally degrade in performance over a life cycle. Yet the prior art fails to optimally simplify battery replacement tasks of fluid flow monitoring devices nor provide modular designs that reduce the skill and experience levels required by a device operator to swap out and replace a fluid flow monitoring device battery. 
     There is thus a long felt need for modular fluid flow monitoring products that enable reductions in interruptions in electrical power access, simplify in situ battery replacement actions, provide battery protection from environmental damage, increase confidence in intended use by potential device purchasers having various levels of equipment maintenance competence, and offer more intuitive coupling and decoupling of pluralities of batteries within a same device. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid flow monitoring device that includes a replaceable electrical storage battery. 
     It is an optional object of the present invention to provide a fluid flow device that provides a system design that presents a more intuitive indication of how to swap out a replaceable electrical storage battery. 
     It is another optional object of the present invention to provide a fluid flow device that reduces the time and skill level required to confidently identify and replace an electrical storage battery of a fluid flow monitoring device. 
     It is yet another optional object of the present invention to provide a battery powered fluid flow monitoring device that presents an aesthetic appearance that increases the confidence level of the public, potential purchasers, and device operators regarding reliability expectations and maintenance requirements thereof. 
     It is a still other optional object of the present invention to provide a fluid flow device that exhibits a keyed design that increases the ease and reduces error rates in swapping out replacement batteries. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Towards these and other objects of the method of the present invention (hereinafter, “the invented method”) that are made obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, the present invention provides a fluid flow monitoring system (hereinafter, “the invented system”) having a detachable and replaceable electrical energy storage element. The method of the present invention (hereinafter, “the invented method”) enables monitoring and optionally means to affect water flow within an element of a plumbing structure. 
     A first preferred embodiment of the invented system includes a fluid flow detector coupled with a fluid channel and sensing fluid flow of the channel and optionally generating measurement data, a communications interface communicatively coupled with the flow detector and receiving measurement data from the flow detector and an optional controller, and a detachable battery removably connected with the flow detector and the communications interface, the detachable battery providing electrical power to the flow detector and the communications interface and optionally the controller. 
     An alternate preferred embodiment of the invented system additionally includes a housing that at least partially encloses the fluid flow detector, the communications interface, the optional controller and the battery. An external power source link enables delivery of electrical energy from an external source to the fluid flow detector, the communications interface, the optional controller and the detachable battery. 
     An optional power pathway selectively enables the detachable battery to deliver power to the fluid flow detector, the communications interface, and the optional controller. 
     Another alternate preferred embodiment of the invented system alternatively and/or additionally includes one or more keyed features that inhibit attempts to improperly align the detachable battery with the housing and/or the controller. At least one keyed feature includes an electrical power connector. Optionally, that keyed feature or another keyed feature permits only properly aligned detachable placement of the detachable battery with the housing and/or electrical power connectivity with the controller. 
     Another even alternate preferred embodiment of the invented system alternatively and/or additionally includes a shaped sealant structure that at least partially encompasses the battery and permits only properly aligned detachable placement of the detachable battery with the housing. Additionally or alternately, the battery is shaped or configured with at least one alternate keyed feature, for example but not limited to an electrical power connector, that enables only properly aligned detachable placement of the detachable battery with the housing. 
     An alternate preferred embodiment of the housing comprises a recessed portion and a shaped sealant structure of the battery comprises projection that in combination permit only properly aligned detachable placement of the detachable battery with the housing. 
     An alternate preferred embodiment of the fluid flow detector indicates when fluid flow in the fluid flow channel exceeds a fluid flow threshold value and/or a measured value of fluid flow of the fluid flow channel. 
     Another yet other preferred embodiment of the invented system provides a battery module comprising an energy storage cell coupled with a power management circuit, wherein the power management circuit is configured to receive and manage distribution of electrical power received from (1.) a mains power network, (2.) a solar power generator; and/or (3.) an in-pipe electrical power generation module. 
     Another still alternate preferred embodiment of the invented system includes a means to detect fluid flow through a channel, a means to report fluid flow detection, and a manually portable electrical power source detachably coupled with the means to detect and the means to report, the detachable battery providing electrical power to the means to detect fluid and the means to report. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures. 
         FIG. 1A  is an illustration of a typical prior art fluid flow detection system electrically coupled with and receiving electrical power from an external power source; 
         FIG. 1B  is an illustration of a typical prior art fluid flow detection system having an integrated electrical power battery; 
         FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a housing and an invented externally accessible and detachable battery module; 
         FIG. 2B  is a detailed block diagram of control and sensory aspects of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a detailed block diagram of the invented externally accessible and detachable battery module of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective back view of the invented battery of  FIG. 2A  with optional keyed features; 
         FIG. 3B  is a detailed top view of the invented battery of  FIG. 2A  with optional keyed features; 
         FIG. 3C  is a detailed front plan view of the invented battery of  FIG. 2A  with optional keyed features; 
         FIG. 3D  is a detailed right side plan view of the invented battery of  FIG. 2A  with optional keyed features; 
         FIG. 4  is a cut away perspective top view of the invented battery of  FIG. 2A  inserted into a receiver of a housing of  FIG. 2A  and the receiver presenting keyed housing features matching the optional keyed battery features; 
         FIG. 5A  is a detailed top view of the housing receiver of  FIG. 4  showing the housing keyed features that match the battery keyed features of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 5B  is a detailed front plan view of the housing receiver of  FIG. 4  showing the housing keyed features that match the battery keyed features of  FIG. 3B ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a detailed perspective front view of the housing receiver of  FIG. 4  showing the housing keyed features that match the battery keyed features of  FIG. 3C ; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an alternate preferred embodiment of the detachable battery module of  FIG. 2A  that includes a power management circuit configured to receive electrical power directly through an external connector and manage distribution of electrical power received from a standard mains power network; 
         FIG. 7A  is a block diagram of another alternate preferred embodiment of the detachable battery module of  FIG. 6  that includes a power management circuit configured to manage distribution of electrical power received from a solar energy generator module; 
         FIG. 7B  is a block diagram of a third alternate preferred embodiment of the detachable battery module of  FIG. 2A  includes a power management circuit configured to manage distribution of electrical power received from a solar energy generator module as received directly through an external connector; 
         FIG. 8A  is a block diagram of a still alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a housing and a yet alternate preferred embodiment of the invented battery module, wherein the alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention is adapted to receive power from an in-pipe hydro-power generator module; 
         FIG. 8B  is a block diagram of the still alternate preferred embodiment of the invented battery module of  FIG. 8A  that includes a power management circuit configured to manage distribution of electrical power received directly via an external connector from the in-pipe hydro-power generator module of  FIG. 8A ; and 
         FIG. 8C  is a block diagram of an additional alternate preferred embodiment of the invented battery module of  FIG. 8A  that includes a power management circuit configured to manage distribution of electrical power received with reduced intermediation from the in-pipe hydro-power generator module of  FIG. 8A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous details, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that the invention can be adapted for any of several applications. 
     It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular aspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the recited order of events. 
     Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the methods and materials are now described. 
     It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation. 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 1A ,  FIG. 1A  is an illustration of a first prior art fluid flow detection system  100  electrically coupled with and receiving electrical power from an external mains power source  102  via an intermediating mains power conditioning circuitry  104 . The first prior art fluid flow detection system  100  includes a prior art electrical connector assembly  106  that is coupled with and extends through a first prior art housing  108 . The prior art electrical connector assembly  106  is electrically coupled with a prior art power bus  110 . The prior art power bus  110  is additionally coupled with a prior art internal sensing and control circuitry  112 , wherein the prior art power bus  110  is configured to provide electrical power received from the prior art electrical connector assembly  106 . It is understood that the prior art internal sensing and control circuitry  112  is adapted and configured to monitor and report fluid flow measurements. 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 1B ,  FIG. 1B  is an illustration of a typical prior art fluid flow detection system  114  having a second prior art housing  116  coupled with and substantively enclosing an integrated electrical power battery  118 . A first internal power bus  120  delivers electrical power received from the integrated electrical power battery  118  to an internal prior art power management circuitry  122 . A second internal power bus  124  delivers electrical power received from the internal prior art power management circuitry  122  to the prior art internal sensing and control circuitry  112 . 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention  200  (hereinafter, “the first invented system”  200 ) comprising a thermoplastic housing  202  forming a fluid channel  204  through which a fluid  206  traverses fully through and exits the housing  204 . Flow of the fluid  206  into and out the housing  202  is enabled and not impeded by either a first channel aperture  204 A or a second channel aperture  204 B that are comprised within and define fluid access locations of the fluid channel  204 . A fluid flow sensor  208 A is coupled to the housing  202  and resides within the channel  204 . A sensor signal receiver  208 B is substantively enclosed within the housing  202  and is preferably adapted to wirelessly receive electrical or magnetic signals related to flow rates of the fluid  206  as generated by the fluid flow sensor  208 A. It is understood that the fluid  206  may be or comprise water in its liquid state. 
     A first preferred embodiment of the invented detachable battery module  210  (hereinafter, “the first battery module”  210 ) is removably mechanically coupled with the housing  202  and detachably electrically coupled with a control module  212 . The first battery module  210  is detachably coupled with an external system connector  214  that is in turn mechanically coupled with and extends through the housing  202 . A first power bus  214 A carries electrical power received from the external system connector  214  and toward the first battery module  210 . A connector assembly  214 B delivers electrical power as managed by the first battery module  210  from the first battery module  210  and to the control module  212 . A power and signal bus extension  214 C delivers electrical power to the sensor signal receiver  208 B as controllably transferred from the control module  212 . It is understood that the sensor signal receiver  208 B is located within the  202  but externally from the control module  212 . 
     The external system connector  214  is configured to receive electrical power from the mains power conditioning circuitry  104  and is preferably adapted for detachable electrical and mechanical coupling with the mains power conditioning circuitry  104 . The external system connector  214  transfers electrical power received from the mains power conditioning circuitry  104  to the first battery module  210 . It is understood that a common electrical ground is preferably imposed within the first invented system  200  and the first battery module  210  by inclusion of a ground wiring (not shown) or other suitable electrical grounding structures known in the art. 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 2B ,  FIG. 2B  is a detailed block diagram of control and sensory aspects of the first invented system  200 . The first battery module  210  includes a thermoplastic module shell  210 A that substantively encloses and is mechanically coupled with an electrical charge battery  210 B (hereinafter, “the battery  210 B”), a module power bus  210 C, a module connector  210 D and a power management circuit  210 E. The thermoplastic module shell  210 A is preferably shaped with keyed external features that inhibit attempting to couple the first battery module  210  with the housing  202  in orientations unintended by a designer or designers of the first invented system  200 . 
     The connector assembly  214 B comprises the module connector  210 D of the first battery module  210  and the internal system connector  215  of the first invented system  200 . The internal system connector  215  is mechanically coupled with and extends through the housing  202  of the first invented system  200  and is configured and adapted to be detachably electrically and mechanically coupled with the module connector  210 D; the internal system connector  215  selectively transfers signals and electrical power both to and from module connector  210 D. The module connector  210 D extends through the module shell  210 A and selectively transfers signals and electrical power both to and from the module power bus  210 C, the battery  210 B, the power management circuit  210 E and the internal system connector  215 . The module connector  210 D is configured and adapted to be detachably electrically and mechanically coupled with the internal system connector  215  to enable manual forming and disassembling of the connector assembly  214 B. 
     The control module  212  includes a BlueTooth™ transceiver  216 , a WiFi™ transceiver  218 , an electronic solid-state digital memory device  220 , a controller  222  and a system power management module  224 , a cellular telephony modem module  226 , a system power and communications bus (hereinafter, “the system bus”  228 ), a power management power and communications bus (hereinafter, “the control bus”  230 ), 
     It is understood that the BlueTooth™ transceiver  216 , the WiFi™ transceiver  218 , the electronic solid-state digital memory device  220  and the cellular telephony modem module  226  are each optional elements of the first invented system  200  that are included in various combinations in diverse alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
     The system power management module  224  receives electrical power from and bi-directionally communicates with the battery module via an intermediate power and communications bus  232 ; the intermediate power and communications bus  232  is electrically and bi-directionally communicatively coupled with both the system power management module  224  and the internal system connector  215 . The system bus  228  is configured and adapted to thereby receive electrical power from and enable bi-directional communications to and from the first battery module  210  as directed by the system power management module  224 . 
     The control bus  230  enables bi-directional communication between the system bus  228  and the system power management module  224 ; the system bus  228  further transfers electrical energy received via the system power management module  224  to the sensor signal receiver  208 B via the power and signal bus extension  214 C, the BlueTooth™ transceiver  216 , the WiFi™ transceiver  218 , the electronic solid-state digital memory device  220 , the controller  222  and the cellular telephony modem module  226 . The system bus  228  additionally bi-directionally communicatively couples the system power management module  224 , the sensor signal receiver  208 B via the power and signal bus extension  214 C, the BlueTooth™ transceiver  216 , the WiFi™ transceiver  218 , the electronic solid-state digital memory device  220 , the controller  222  and the cellular telephony modem module  226 . 
     It is understood that the fluid flow sensor  208 A may be or comprise a product number AAT001-10E™ fluid flow sensor marketed by NVE, Inc. of Eden Prairie, Minn.; that the 216 BlueTooth transceiver  216  may be or comprise a product number SAMB11™ as marketed by Microchip Technology, Inc. of Chandler, Ariz.; that the WiFi transceiver  218  may be or comprise a product number WINC1500™ as marketed by Microchip Technology, Inc. of Chandler, Ariz.; that the memory device  220  may be or comprise a suitable memory device product as marketed by Adesto Technologies of Santa Clara, Calif.; that the controller  222  may be or comprise a product number SAMD21™ as marketed by Microchip Technology, Inc. of Chandler, Ariz.; that the system power management module  224  may be or comprise a product number SC8802™ as marketed by Southchip Semiconductor Technology Corporation of China; and that the cellular telephony modem module  226  may be or comprise a Skywire™ cellular telephony modem as marketed by Nimbelink, Inc. of Plymouth, Minn. 
     As generally noted above, is understood that a common electrical ground is preferably shared by the buses  214 A,  214 C &amp;  210 C and the connectors  214 ,  215  &amp;  210 D by inclusion of a ground wiring (not shown) or other suitable electrical grounding structures known in the art. 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 2C ,  FIG. 2C  is a detailed block diagram of the first battery module  210 . The module power bus  210 C enables receipt of electrical power from the module connector  210 D and delivers the received electrical power to the module power management circuitry  210 E, the module battery  210 B and the intermediate power and communications bus  232  via the module connector  210 D as directed and rectified by the module power management circuitry  210 E. The module power bus  210 C optionally additionally enables bi-directional communications between the module power management circuitry  210 E and the control board  212  via the intermediate power and communications bus  232  whereby battery status and battery module  210  control information can be exchanged between the module power management circuitry  210 E and the control board  212  via the intermediate power and communications bus  232 . 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3A  is a perspective back view of the first battery module  210  and showing optional keyed features. The first battery module  210  forms a first external side surface  300 , a second external surface  302  and a third external side surface  304  that are each substantively planar and parallel to each other. 
     The first battery module  210  additionally forms a first external back surface  306  and a second external back surface  308  that are each substantively planar and parallel to each other and further that both the first external back surface  306  and the second external back surface  308  are each orthogonal to the planar external side surfaces  300 ,  302  &amp;  304  of the first battery module  210 . It is understood that the first external front surface  306  is more distal from a front side of the first battery module  210  in comparison with the position of the second external front surface  308  and that the second external front surface  308  is more proximate to the same front side of the first battery module  210  in comparison with the position of the first external front surface  306 . 
     The first battery module  210  yet additionally forms a first external top surface  310  and a second external top surface  312  that are each substantively planar and parallel to each other and further that both the first external top surface  310  and the second external back surface  312  are each orthogonal to (a.) the planar external side surfaces  300 ,  302  &amp;  304  of the first battery module  210 ; and (b.) the planar external front surfaces  306  &amp;  308 . It is also understood that the first external top surface  310  is more distal from a bottom side of the first battery module  210  in comparison with the position of the second external top surface  312  and that the second external top surface  312  is more proximate to the same bottom side of the first battery module  210  in comparison with the position of the first external top surface  310 . 
     The first battery module  210  additionally forms three keyed insertion features  314 ,  316  &amp;  318  that extend from the second external back surface  308  and away from the front side of the first battery module  210 . A keyed upper insertion feature  314  is positioned above a first keyed lower insertion feature  316  and a second keyed lower insertion feature  318 . 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 3B ,  FIG. 3B  is a detailed top plan view of the first battery module  210  and showing optional keyed features  300 - 318  from a downward looking point of view. For the purposes of clarity of explanation a Z-axis of depth and an orthogonal X-axis of width is presented in  FIG. 3B , wherein the Z-axis of depth extends between and is orthogonal to the substantively planar front side surface  320  of the first battery module  210  and toward the substantively planar back side surface  306  of the first battery module  210 ; and the X-axis of width extends between and is orthogonal to the substantively planar first external side surface  300  of the first battery module  210  and the substantively planar third external side surface  304  of the first battery module  210 . 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 3C ,  FIG. 3C  is a detailed front plan view of the first battery module  210  showing and showing certain optional keyed surfaces  300 - 306 ,  310  &amp;  312  and additional optional keyed surfaces  320  &amp;  322  of the first battery module  210 . An external front surface  320  defines the front side of the first battery module  210  and an external bottom surface  322  defines the bottom side of the first battery module  210 . 
     For the purposes of clarity of explanation a Y-axis of height and the orthogonal X-axis of width is presented in  FIG. 3C , wherein the Y-axis of height extends between and is orthogonal to the substantively planar bottom surface  322  of the first battery module  210  and toward the substantively planar top surfaces  310  &amp;  312  surface  306  of the first battery module  210 ; and the X-axis of width extends between and is orthogonal to the substantively planar first external side surface  300  of the first battery module  210  and the substantively planar third external side surface  304  of the first battery module  210 . It is understood that the Y-axis, the X-axis and the Z-axis are each mutually orthogonal to the other two axes. 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 3D ,  FIG. 3D  is a detailed right side plan view of the first battery module  210  and showing certain optional keyed surfaces  300 ,  308 ,  310 ,  320  &amp;  322  and two keyed insertion features  314  &amp;  316  (wherein the first keyed lower insertion feature  316  blocks visibility of the second keyed lower insertion feature  316   318 ). 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  is a cut away perspective top view of the first battery module  210  inserted into a receiver  400  of the housing  202  and showing the receiver  400  presenting keyed receiver side walls  402 - 406  matching the optional keyed battery module receiver features  408 - 412 . A first receiver side wall  402  and a second receiver side wall  404  preferably substantively planar and parallel to each and sufficiently displaced along the X-axis to permit insertion of the first battery module  210  within the receiver  400 . 
     A back receiver wall  406  is preferably substantively planar and orthogonal to both the first receiver side wall  402  and the second receiver side wall  404 . The back receiver wall  406  is coupled with the internal system connector  215 , wherein the internal system connector  215  presents optional keyed battery module receiver features  408 - 412 . A keyed top receiver feature  408  is sized and shaped to accept at least partial insertion of the receive the keyed upper insertion feature  314  of the first battery module  210 ; a first keyed lower receiver feature  410  is sized and shaped to accept at least partial insertion of the first keyed lower insertion feature  316  of the first battery module  210 ; and a second keyed lower receiver feature  412  is sized and shaped to accept at least partial insertion of the second keyed lower insertion feature  318  of the first battery module  210 . 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5A  is a detailed top view of the receiver  400  showing the internal system connector  215 , the receiver side walls  402  &amp;  404 , the receiver back wall  406  and a receiver bottom wall  414  that are in combination sized, shaped and positioned to accept at least partial simultaneous insertion of the keyed battery module surfaces  300 - 312 ,  320  &amp;  322  and the keyed battery module insertion features  314 ,  316  &amp;  318  of the first battery module  210 . 
     For the purposes of clarity of explanation the Z-axis of depth and the orthogonal X-axis of width is presented in  FIG. 5A , wherein the Z-axis is orthogonal to the substantively planar receiver back wall  406  of the receiver  400 , and the Z-axis is also parallel to both of the substantively planar receiver side walls  402  &amp;  404  of the receiver  400 . And the X-axis of width extends between and is orthogonal to the substantively planar first receiver side wall  402  of the receiver  400  and the substantively planar second receiver side wall  404 . 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 5B ,  FIG. 5B  is a detailed front plan view of the receiver  400  showing the internal system connector  215 , the receiver side walls  402  &amp;  404 , the receiver back wall  406 , the receiver bottom wall  414 , a first receiver top wall  416 , a second receiver top wall  418  and a third side wall  420 . 
     For the purposes of clarity of explanation the Y-axis of height and the orthogonal X-axis of width is presented in  FIG. 5B , wherein the Y-axis of height extends between and is orthogonal to the substantively planar bottom wall  414  of the receiver  400  and the substantively planar top walls  416  &amp;  418  of the receiver  400 , and the X-axis of width extends between and is orthogonal to the substantively planar first side wall  402  of the receiver  400  and the substantively planar second side wall  404  of the receiver  400 . 
     The receiver bottom wall  414 , a first receiver top wall  416  and a second receiver top wall are each preferably substantively planar and mutually parallel; the receiver bottom wall  414 , the first receiver top wall  416  and the second receiver top wall  418  are each preferably substantively orthogonal to the receiver side walls  402 ,  404  &amp;  420  and the receiver back wall  406 . It is understood that the receiver bottom wall  414 , the first receiver top wall  416  and the second receiver top wall  418  are sufficiently displaced along the Y-axis and sized, shaped and positioned to accept at least partial simultaneous insertion of (a.) the battery module external side surfaces  300 - 306 , (b.) the battery module external top surfaces  310  &amp;  312 , (c.) the battery module external bottom surface  322 , and (d.) the battery module insertion features  314 - 318  into respective individual keyed receiver features  408 - 412 . 
     The third side wall  420 , the first receiver side wall  402  and the second receiver side wall  404  are preferably substantively planar and mutually parallel. It is also understood that third side wall  420 , the first receiver side wall  402  and the second receiver side wall  404  are sufficiently displaced along the X-axis and sized, shaped and positioned to accept at least partial simultaneous insertion of (a.) the battery module external side surfaces  300 - 306 , (b.) the battery module external top surfaces  310  &amp;  312 , (c.) the battery module external bottom surface  322 , and (d.) the battery module insertion features  314 - 318  into respective individual keyed receiver features  408 - 412 . 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 5C ,  FIG. 5C  is a detailed perspective front view of the receiver of  400  showing the internal system connector  215 , the receiver side walls  402  &amp;  404 , the receiver back wall  406 , the bottom receiver wall  414 , the first receiver top wall  416  and the second receiver top wall  418 . 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an alternate preferred embodiment of the detachable battery module  600  (hereinafter, “the second battery module”  600 ) that includes a first module alternate power and communications bus  602  configured to receive electrical power directly through an external connector  214  and enable distribution of electrical power received from a standard mains power network as directed by the module power management circuitry  210 E. The first alternate power and communications bus  602  of the second battery module  600  is adapted and configured to receive electrical power directly from the external module connector  214  and delivers the received electrical power to the module power management circuitry  210 E, the module battery  210 B and the intermediate power and communications bus  232  via the module connector  210 D as directed and rectified by the module power management circuitry  210 E. The first alternate module power and communications bus  602  optionally additionally enables bi-directional communications between the module power management circuitry  210 E and the control board  212  via the intermediate power and communications bus  232  and the internal connector  215 , whereby battery status and battery module  210  control information can be exchanged between the module power management circuitry  210 E and the control board  212  via the intermediate power and communications bus  232  and the internal connector  215 . 
     A second thermoplastic shell  604  encloses the first alternate module power and communications bus  602 , the module battery  210 B, and the module power management circuitry  210 E. The module connector  210 D and the external connector  214  are each coupled with and each extend through the second thermoplastic shell  604 . 
       FIG. 7A  is a block diagram of a still alternate preferred embodiment of the detachable battery module  700  (hereinafter, “the third battery module”  700 ″) that includes a solar power management circuit  702  that is configured by means of a solar power and communications bus  716  to manage distribution of electrical power received from a solar energy generator module  706 . The solar power and communications bus  704  of the third battery module  700  enables receipt of electrical power from the module connector  210 D and delivers the received electrical power to the solar power management circuit  702 , the module battery  210 B and the intermediate power and the communications bus  232  via the module connector  210 D as directed and rectified by the solar power management circuit  702 . The solar power and communications bus  704  optionally additionally enables bi-directional communications between the solar power management circuit  702  and the control board  212  via the intermediate power and communications bus  232  whereby battery status of the module battery  210 B and commands can be exchanged between the solar power management circuit  702  and the control board  212  via the intermediate power and communications bus  232 . 
     A third thermoplastic shell  708  encloses the solar power management circuit  702  the solar power and communications bus  716  and the module battery  210 B. The module connector  210 D is coupled with and extends through the third thermoplastic shell  708 . 
     The solar power module  706  is electrically coupled via a solar energy bus  710  to a solar energy connector  712 . The solar energy connector  712  is configured and adapted to be detachably electrically and mechanically coupled with the external connector  214 ; the solar energy connector  712  transfers electrical power to the external connector  214 . Optionally the solar energy connector  712  may be configured and adapted to transfer information-bearing signals commands to and/or from the solar power module  706  and the solar power management circuit  702  via the external connector  214 , the first power bus  214 A, the internal connector  215 , the module connector  210 D and the solar power and communications bus  704 . It is understood that the solar energy bus  710  may be configured and adapted to transfer information-bearing signals commands to and/or from the solar power module  706  and the solar energy connector  712 . 
       FIG. 7B  is a block diagram of a yet alternate preferred embodiment of the invented battery module (hereinafter, “the fourth battery module”  714 ) that includes an alternate solar power and communications bus  716  configured to manage distribution of electrical power received from the solar energy generator module  706  as received directly through the external connector  214 . 
     The fourth battery module  714  includes the solar power management circuit  702  that is enabled by means of the alternate solar power and communications bus  716  to manage distribution of electrical power received from the solar energy generator module  706  via the external connector  214  and the alternate solar power and communications bus  716  with reduced or no intermediation. The alternate solar power and communications bus  716  of the fourth battery module  714  is adapted and configured to receive electrical power directly from the external connector  214  and delivers the received electrical power to the solar power management circuit  702 , the module battery  210 B and the intermediate power and the communications bus  232  via the module connector  210 D as directed and rectified by the solar power management circuit  702 . The alternate solar power and communications bus  716  optionally additionally enables bi-directional communications between the solar power management circuit  702  and the control board  212  via the module connector  210 D, the intermediate power and communications bus  232  and the internal connector  215 , whereby battery status of the module battery  210 B and commands can be exchanged between the solar power management circuit  702  and the control board  212  via the intermediate power and communications bus  232 . 
     A fourth thermoplastic shell  718  encloses the alternate solar module power and communications bus  716 , the module battery  210 B, and the solar power management circuitry  702 . The module connector  210 D and the external connector  214  are each coupled with and each extend through the fourth thermoplastic shell  718 . 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 8A ,  FIG. 8A  is a block diagram of another alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention  800  (hereinafter, “the hydro-power system”  800 ) that is adapted to receive power from an in-pipe hydro-power generator module  802 . It is understood that the in-pipe hydro-power generator module  802  may be, comprise or be comprised within a YOSOO™ DC Water Turbine Generator Water 12V DC 10 W Micro-hydro Water Charging Tool™ as marketed by Junchao Zhuang of Guangzhou, China. 
     The in-pipe hydro-power generator module  802  is preferably positioned within a plumbing piping  804  and positioned to receive mechanical force by engagement with the fluid  206  as the fluid  206  dynamically flows through the piping  804 . A hydro-energy power and communications bus  806  is electrically and optionally communicatively coupled with both the in-pipe hydro-power generator module  802  and a hydro-power energy connector  808 . 
     The hydro-power energy connector  808  is configured and adapted to be detachably electrically and mechanically coupled with the external connector  214 ; the hydro-power energy connector  808  transfers electrical power an invented hydro-power battery module  810 . 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B , the hydro-power energy connector  808  may optionally be configured and adapted to transfer information-bearing signals commands to and/or from the hydro-power module  802  and the hydro-power battery module  810  via the external connector  214 , the first power bus  214 A, the internal connector  215 , the module connector  210 D and a hydro-power and communications bus  812  of the hydro-power battery module  810 . It is understood that the hydro-power power and communications bus  812  may be configured and adapted to transfer information-bearing signals commands to and/or from a the hydro-power management circuit  814  of the hydro-power module  802  and hydro-power energy connector  808 . 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 8B ,  FIG. 8B  is a block diagram of the detachably attachable hydro-powered battery module  810  that includes the module battery  210 E, the module connector  210 D, the hydro-power power and communications bus  812 , and the hydro-power management circuit  814 . The hydro-power management circuit  814  is preferably configured and adapted to manage distribution of electrical power received from the in-pipe hydro-power generator module  802  by means of the hydro-power power and communications bus  812 . 
     A fifth thermoplastic shell  816  encloses the hydro-power management circuit  814 , the hydro-power power and communications bus  812  and the module battery  210 B. The module connector  210 D is coupled with and extends through the fifth thermoplastic shell  816 . 
     Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 8C ,  FIG. 8C  is a block diagram of an additional alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, “the second hydro-power battery module”  818 ) that includes an alternate hydro-power power and communications bus  820  that is configured and adapted to manage distribution of electrical power received from the in-pipe hydro-power generator module  802  with reduced intermediation. 
     The second hydro-power battery module  818  includes the module battery  210 E, the module connector  210 D, the external connector  214 , the alternate hydro-power power and communications bus  820 , and the hydro-power management circuit  814 . The hydro-power management circuit  814  is preferably configured and adapted to manage distribution of electrical power received from the in-pipe hydro-power generator module  802  by means of the alternate hydro-power power and communications bus  820 . 
     The hydro-power management circuit  814  is enabled by means of the alternate hydro-power power and communications bus  820  to manage distribution of electrical power received from the hydro-power module  802  via the external connector  214  and the alternate hydro-power power and communications bus  820  with reduced or no intermediation. 
     The alternate hydro-power power and communications bus  820  of the second hydro-power battery module  818  is adapted and configured to receive electrical power directly from the external connector  214  and delivers the received electrical power to the hydro-power management circuit  814 , the module battery  210 B and the intermediate power and the communications bus  232  via the module connector  210 D as directed and rectified by the hydro-power management circuit  814 . The alternate hydro-power power and communications bus  820  optionally additionally enables bi-directional communications between the hydro-power management circuit  814  and the control board  212  via the module connector  210 D, the intermediate power and communications bus  232  and the internal connector  215 , whereby battery status of the module battery  210 B and commands can be exchanged between the hydro-power management circuit  814  and the control board  212  via the intermediate power and communications bus  232 . 
     A sixth thermoplastic shell  822  encloses the alternate hydro-power power and communications bus  820 , the module battery  210 B, and the hydro-power management circuitry  814 . The module connector  210 D and the external connector  214  are each coupled with and each extend through the sixth thermoplastic shell  822 . 
     As generally noted above, is understood that a common electrical ground is preferably shared by the buses  214 A,  214 ,  210 C,  704 ,  812  &amp;  820  and the connectors  210 D,  214 ,  215 ,  712  and  808  by inclusion of a ground wiring (not shown) or other suitable electrical grounding structures known in the art. 
     In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. 
     While selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invented system, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment, it is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.