FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a battery temperature regulating system and method. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to a battery temperature regulating system and method which regulates the temperature of a battery to optimize its performance and/or increase its lifespan.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Batteries are well-known and widely used to convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy which can be used as a source of power, when required.

The lifespan and performance of batteries are affected by the temperature which they are exposed to. This is especially a problem for batteries being used at remote locations when they could be exposed to adverse weather conditions. For example, when batteries are exposed to adverse temperatures on a regular basis or for a prolonged period, their lifespan generally reduces. Similarly, the performance of batteries diminishes if they are exposed to adverse temperatures, especially to low temperatures. The more extreme the temperature, being either high or low, the greater impact it has on the lifespan and performance.

If a system depends, as a source of power on a battery (or a battery bank) having a particular performance rating, the power supply to the system could become inadequate when the battery is exposed to adverse temperatures. To overcome this problem, a battery having a larger performance rating than required could be used. However, such a battery would be more expensive and the lifespan is still negatively affected by the temperature exposure.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a battery temperature regulating system and method which seeks to overcome or lessen the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a battery temperature regulating system comprising:

- temperature regulating means for regulating the temperature of at least part of a battery; and

- a controller for controlling the temperature regulating means, wherein the controller is adapted to cause the temperature of the at least part of the battery to be maintained at a low temperature when the battery is in an inoperative condition, and to also cause the temperature of the at least part of the battery to be maintained at a high temperature when the battery is in an operative condition. The controller may be further adapted to cause the temperature of the at least part of the battery to increase from the low temperature to the high temperature when, or a predetermined time before, the battery switches from its inoperative condition to its operative condition. The controller may also be adapted to cause the temperature of the at least part of the battery to decrease from the high temperature to the low temperature when, or a predetermined time before, the battery switches from its operative condition to its inoperative condition.

The at least part of the battery may be the battery as a whole. Alternatively, the at least part of the battery may be one or more individual components of the battery, such as an electrolyte or a plate of the battery.

The system may include the battery which may be in the form of a rechargeable battery such as one of lead-acid, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, and lithium ion polymer batteries. Alternatively, the system may include the battery which may be in the form of a disposable battery.

The battery temperature regulating system may further include a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the at least part of the battery, which temperature sensor being in communication with, and provides feedback to the controller.

The system may also include a housing defining a compartment for receiving the battery, or at least part of it therein. The temperature regulating means may comprise a thermoelectric temperature device. Alternatively, the temperature regulating means may comprise an operating fluid.

The battery may be in its operative condition when it either discharges or charges and in its inoperative condition when not in use.

The low and high temperatures may be low and high temperature ranges. The low temperature range may range from 5 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius, and the high temperature range may range from 21 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius. Alternatively, the low and high temperatures may include particular temperatures falling within the respective low and high temperature ranges.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of regulating the temperature of a battery, the method including the steps of:

- providing temperature regulating means for regulating the temperature of at least part of a battery;

- providing a controller for controlling the temperature regulating means;

- maintaining the temperature of the at least part of the battery at a low temperature when the battery is in an inoperative condition; and

- maintaining the temperature of the at least part of the battery at a high temperature when the battery is in an operative condition. The temperature of the at least part of the battery may be increased from the low temperature to the high temperature when, or a predetermined time before, the battery switches from its inoperative condition to its operative condition.

The temperature of the at least part of the battery may be decreased from the high temperature to the low temperature when, or a predetermined time before, the battery switches from its operative condition to its inoperative condition.

The at least part of the battery may be the battery as a whole. Alternatively, the at least part of the battery may be one or more individual components of the battery, such as an electrolyte or a plate of the battery.

A temperature sensor may be provided for sensing the temperature of the at least part of the battery.

The method may further include the step of providing a housing defining a compartment for receiving the battery, or at least part of it therein.

The temperature regulating means may comprise a thermoelectric temperature device. Alternatively, the temperature regulating means may comprise an operating fluid.

The battery may be in its operative condition when it either discharges or charges and in its inoperative condition when not in use. The low and high temperatures may be low and high temperature ranges. The low temperature range may range from 5 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius, and the high temperature range may range from 21 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius. Alternatively, the low and high temperatures may include particular temperatures falling within the respective low and high temperature ranges.

These and other features of the invention are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

One embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of a non-limiting example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a schematic diagram of a battery temperature regulating system.

DETAILED DESCRITPION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawing, a battery temperature regulating system according to the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The battery temperature regulating system 10 comprises temperature regulating means 12 for regulating the temperature of at least part of a battery 14 and a controller 16 for controlling the temperature regulating means 12. The controller 16, which is in communication with the temperature regulating means 12, is adapted to cause the temperature of the at least part of the battery 14 to be maintained at a low temperature when the battery 14 is in an inoperative condition, and to also cause the temperature of the at least part of the battery 14 to be maintained at a high temperature when the battery 14 is in an operative condition.

In some embodiments of the invention the at least part of the battery 14 is the battery 14 as a whole and in other embodiments of the invention the at least part of the battery 14 is one or more individual components of the batter 14, such as, for example, an electrolyte or a plate.

The battery 14 is a rechargeable battery such as one of lead-acid, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, and lithium ion polymer batteries.

The battery 14 is in its operative condition when it either discharges or charges and in its operative condition when the battery 14 is not in use.

In some embodiments of the invention the low temperature, which is an optimum battery storage temperature, is a low temperature range which includes temperatures ranging from 5 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius. Similarly, the high temperature, which is an optimum battery operating temperature, is a high temperature range which includes temperatures ranging from 21 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius. In other embodiments of the invention the low temperature includes a particular temperature falling within the aforementioned low temperature range and the high temperature could also include a particular temperature falling within the aforementioned high temperature range. In some embodiments of the invention the controller 16 is further adapted to cause the temperature of the at least part of the battery 14 to increase from the low to the high temperature when, or a predetermined time before, the battery 14 switches from its inoperative condition to its operative condition and to cause the temperature of the at least part of the battery 14 to decrease from the high to the low temperature when, or a predetermined time before, the battery 14 switches from its operative condition to its inoperative condition.

The system 10 further includes a temperature sensor 18 which senses the temperature of the at least part of the battery 14. The sensor 18 is in communication with the controller 16 which in turn uses the information it receives to control the operation of the temperature regulating means 12. The temperature regulating means 12 regulates the temperature of the at least part of the battery 14 by heating and cooling the at least part of the battery 14.

In some embodiments of the invention the temperature regulating means 12 comprises a thermoelectric temperature device. The thermoelectric temperature device is secured to the battery 14 in order to directly heat or cool the at least part of the battery 14, when it is required to do so. In a further embodiment of the invention the temperature regulating means 12 comprises an operating fluid which, through a heat exchange between the operating fluid and the battery 14 heats or cools the at least part of the battery 14. The operating fluid is either pre-cooled or pre-heated before heat exchange between the fluid and the at least part of the battery 14 takes place. A housing 20 or jacket defining a compartment is provided for receiving the battery 14 in the compartment. The housing 20 is made from an insulating material to limit exposure of the battery 14 to adverse ambient temperatures.

In use, the battery 14 is located in the compartment of the housing 20. When the battery 14 is in its inoperative condition, the system 10 ensures that the at least part of the battery 14 is maintained at a low temperature, even in instances when the battery 14 is exposed to adverse temperatures. When the battery 14 switches to its operative condition, or a predetermined time before this happens, the system 10 causes the temperature of the at least part of the battery 14 to increase to a high temperature to increase the performance of the battery 14. The at least part of the battery 14 is kept at this elevated temperature whilst the battery 14 is in its operative condition. When the battery 14 switches to its inoperative condition, or a predetermined time after this happens, the system 10 causes the temperature of the at least part of the battery 14 to again decrease to the low temperature to increase the lifetime of the battery 14.

It is envisaged that the invention will provide a battery temperature regulating system 10 which is able to regulate the temperature of the at least part of the battery 14 between a low temperature and a high temperature and to maintain the at least part of the battery 14 at those temperatures in order to enhance the lifespan and performance of the battery 14. The invention is especially useful for use with large batteries or battery banks which are exposed to adverse ambient conditions such as batteries in vehicles, mobile base stations, security systems, or the like. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein and that many other variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the battery 14 could also be a disposable battery. Further, the battery 14 could form part of the system 10.

It will further be appreciated that the foregoing example has been provided merely for the purposes of explanation and is in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment only, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. The present invention is also not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein. Rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of appended claims.