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Lithium-based battery pack

  • US 10,431,857 B2
  • Filed: 11/26/2018
  • Issued: 10/01/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A battery pack configured to be interfaced with an electrical device, the battery pack comprising:

  • a battery pack housing;

    a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and a sense terminal configured to be interfaced with corresponding terminals of the electrical device;

    a plurality of battery cells arranged within the housing, each of the plurality of battery cells having a lithium-based chemistry and a respective state of charge, power being transferable between the plurality of battery cells and the electrical device;

    means for monitoring the plurality of battery cells;

    means for detecting a charge imbalance among the plurality of battery cells based on the respective state of charge of each of the plurality of battery cells; and

    a microprocessor programmed to disable the battery pack when the charge imbalance is detected;

    wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to identify an imbalanced battery cell having a high state of charge relative to a state of charge of another battery cell of the plurality of battery cells;

    wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to initiate a controlled discharging process to discharge the imbalanced battery cell when the charge imbalance is detected.

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