Active battery management method

Abstract

Method for active battery management to optimize battery performance. The method includes providing signal injections for charging and discharging of a battery. The signal injections include various charging and discharging profiles, rates, and endpoints. Response signals corresponding with the signal injections are received, and a utility of those signals is measured. Based upon the utility of the response signals, data relating to charging and discharging of the battery is modified to optimize battery performance.

1 . A method for active battery management, comprising steps of:
 injecting randomized controlled signals in charging or discharging of a battery;   ensuring the signal injections occur within normal operational ranges and constraints;   monitoring performance of the battery in response to the controlled signals;   computing confidence intervals about the causal relationships between the battery performance and the controlled signals; and   selecting optimal signals for the charging or discharging of the battery based on the computed confidence intervals.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled signals comprise a charging profile or a discharging profile. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled signals comprise a charging rate or a discharging rate. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled signals comprise charging profile endpoints or discharging profile endpoints. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the normal operational ranges comprise a multidimensional space of possible control states generated based on control information and operational constraints. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selecting step further comprises selecting the optimal signals based upon external data comprising environmental conditions. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the environmental conditions comprise at least one of a temperature, a humidity, or an airflow around the battery. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selecting step further comprises selecting the optimal signals based upon external data comprising at least one of, with respect to a portable electronic device, usage of applications, user settings, a scheduled event or alarm, a power consumption pattern, a time of day, or a location of the device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the battery comprises a pack of batteries. 
     
     
         10 . A method for active battery management, comprising steps of:
 providing signal injections for charging or discharging of a battery;   receiving response signals corresponding with the signal injections;   measuring a utility of the response signals;   accessing data relating to charging or discharging of the battery; and   modifying the data based upon the utility of the response signals.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the signal injections comprise a charging profile or a discharging profile. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the signal injections comprise a charging rate or a discharging rate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the signal injections comprise charging profile endpoints or discharging profile endpoints. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the accessing step comprises accessing a look-up table. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the signal injections have a spatial reach. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the signal injections have a temporal reach. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the modifying step further comprises modifying the data based upon external data comprising environmental conditions. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the environmental conditions comprise at least one of a temperature, a humidity, or an airflow around the battery. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the selecting step further comprises selecting the optimal signals based upon external data comprising at least one of, with respect to a portable electronic device, usage of applications, user settings, a scheduled event or alarm, a power consumption pattern, a time of day, or a location of the device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the battery comprises a pack of batteries.