Modular battery management apparatus with cell sensing and energy redistribution capabilities
First Claim
1. A battery management system for managing a string of cells including a sensing module;
- a DC/DC converter;
a control module coupled to the sensing module and the DC/DC converter; and
a common line coupled to both the sensing module and the DC/DC converter and adapted for connection to a battery when in use, wherein the sensing module is configured to receive battery information from the common line and output a sensing signal to the control module in accordance with the battery information, wherein the control module is configured to receive the sensing signal from the sensing module and output a control signal in accordance with the battery information, and wherein the DC/DC converter has a first port configured to be coupled across a plurality of cells of the string and a second port coupled to the common line, the DC/DC converter operative to transfer energy between the first and second ports to feed and/or drain a battery connected to the common line when in use in accordance with the control signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A battery management system includes a sensing module, a feeding module, a control module, and a common line adapted for connection to a battery when in use. In some embodiments, a battery management apparatus for managing a substring of cells in a string of cells includes a DC bus, a multiplexer/demultiplexer circuit operative to selectively couple nodes of the substring of cells to the DC bus, a DC/DC converter circuit having a first port configured to be coupled across a plurality of cells of the string and a second port coupled to the DC bus, the DC/DC converter operative to transfer energy between the first and second ports, a sensor circuit coupled to the DC bus, and a controller circuit configured to connect to a communications bus and operatively associated with the multiplexer/demultiplexer circuit, the DC/DC converter and the sensor circuit.
45 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A battery management system for managing a string of cells including a sensing module;
- a DC/DC converter;
a control module coupled to the sensing module and the DC/DC converter; and
a common line coupled to both the sensing module and the DC/DC converter and adapted for connection to a battery when in use, wherein the sensing module is configured to receive battery information from the common line and output a sensing signal to the control module in accordance with the battery information, wherein the control module is configured to receive the sensing signal from the sensing module and output a control signal in accordance with the battery information, and wherein the DC/DC converter has a first port configured to be coupled across a plurality of cells of the string and a second port coupled to the common line, the DC/DC converter operative to transfer energy between the first and second ports to feed and/or drain a battery connected to the common line when in use in accordance with the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 6, 7)
- a DC/DC converter;
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3. A battery management system for managing a string of cells including a sensing module;
- a DC/DC converter; and
a control module coupled to the sensing module and the DC/DC converter;
wherein the sensing module is configured to receive battery information and output a sensing signal to the control module in accordance with the battery information, wherein the control module is configured to receive the sensing signal from the sensing module and output a control signal in accordance with the battery information, wherein the DC/DC converter has a first port configured to be coupled across a plurality of cells of the string and a second port coupled to the common line, the DC/DC converter operative to transfer energy between the first and second ports to feed and/or drain a battery connected to the DC/DC converter when in use in accordance with the control signal in order to perform equalisation of a string of serially connected batteries, and wherein the control module is configured to perform one or more additional battery monitoring or management tasks. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 26, 27)
- a DC/DC converter; and
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8. A battery management apparatus for managing a substring of cells in a string of cells, the apparatus comprising:
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a DC bus;
a multiplexer/demultiplexer circuit operative to selectively couple nodes of the substring of cells to the DC bus;
a DC/DC converter circuit having a first port configured to be coupled across a plurality of cells of the string and a second port coupled to the DC bus, the DC/DC converter operative to transfer energy between the first and second ports;
a sensor circuit coupled to the DC bus; and
a controller circuit configured to connect to a communications bus and operatively associated with the multiplexer/demultiplexer circuit, the DC/DC converter and the sensor circuit. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification