US 12,474,417 B2
Systems and methods for controlling super capacitor charge voltage to extend super capacitor life
Mattia Lovati, San Stefano (IT); Christopher J. Merkl, Milwaukee, WI (US); George J. Dietz, Delafield, WI (US); Gary A. Romanowich, Slinger, WI (US); and Kevin A. Weiss, Gurnee, IL (US)
Assigned to Tyco Fire & Security GmbH, Neuhausen am Rheinfall (CH)
Filed by Tyco Fire & Security GmbH, Neuhausen am Rheinfall (CH)
Filed on Jan. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/587,869.
Application 17/587,869 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/574,806, filed on Sep. 18, 2019, granted, now 11,870,280.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/144,446, filed on Feb. 1, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/733,584, filed on Sep. 19, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0155384 A1, May 19, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01R 31/64 (2020.01); G01R 27/26 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 31/64 (2020.01) [G01R 27/2605 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of determining a lifetime parameter of a capacitor in a failsafe device, the method comprising:
measuring an amount of energy required to return the failsafe device to a failsafe position;
determining an effective capacitance of the capacitor using a measured value associated with energy used by a resistor or a motor of the failsafe device and a constant value representing energy of remaining components of the failsafe device;
comparing the amount of energy to the effective capacitance to determine the lifetime parameter of the capacitor;
determining, based on the effective capacitance, a charge voltage for the capacitor; and
charging the capacitor using the charge voltage with a boost buck circuit, wherein the boost buck circuit is configured to step-down an input voltage provided to the capacitor and step-up an output voltage from the capacitor that is provided to the motor.