Modular battery system

• US 20080118819A1
• Filed: 11/17/2006
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Battery Patent Trust
• Original Assignee: Battery Patent Trust
• Inventors: Gamboa, Paul, Kopera, John J. C., Millon, Christopher Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 7,960,943 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/61
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/24 for controlling the temperature of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/63 Control systems charging or discharging in response to temperature H01M10/44 , H01M10/443; measurement of temperature H01M10/48 , H01M10/486
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6563 with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/258 Modular batteries; Casings provided with means for assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a modular battery system having at least one subsystem comprising a plurality of battery modules connected in series or parallel, wherein each subsystem preferably having a first endplate and a second endplate. The battery modules may be bound between the first and second endplates. A plurality of band members couple the first and second endplates to each other and bind the battery module between the endplates. Further, a data collection panel is in electrical communication with each of the battery modules and the data collection panel transmits status information of the modules to a master control module, which converts the electrical into a data transmission through a controller area network (CAN) bus. Status information may include module temperature, module pressure and module voltage, essentially any measurable parameter that may be conducted via an electrical signal. Depending on the needs of a given application, the battery modules may be connected in series or parallel.

Claims

1. A modular battery system having at least one subsystem comprising a plurality of battery modules electrically connected, said modular battery system comprising:

each subsystem having a first endplate and a second endplate, said battery modules bound between said first and second endplates;

a data collection panel in electrical communication with each of said battery modules, said data collection panel transmitting status information of said modules to a master control module and said data collection panel transferring electrical current from said battery modules.

2. The modular battery system of claim 1, each of said subsystems secured into a system housing, said system housing comprising a face plate, a back plate, a cover, a bottom, a first side panel and a second side panel and a plurality of band members coupling each of said first and second endplates to each other and binding said battery module between the endplates.

3. The modular battery system of claim 1, said data collection panel comprising:

at least one interconnect plate, each of said interconnect plates in electrical communication with one of said subsystems, said interconnect plates transferring electrical current from said battery modules to a positive terminal and from a negative terminal; and

a mid interconnect plate, said interconnect plates transmitting status information of said modules via electrical signals to said mid interconnect plate and said interconnect plates transmitting said electrical signals to said master control module.

4. The modular battery system of claim 3, further comprising at least one temperature sensor integrated into each of interconnect plates, said status information comprising at least module temperature and module voltage.

5. The modular battery system of claim 4, said master control module converting said electrical signals to data signals and said master control module controlling charge cycle of said battery modules and collecting said status information.

6. The modular battery system of claim 5, further comprising a controller area network bus communication connector in data communication with said master control module, said controller area network bus communication connector adapted to relay said status information and load software parameters into said master control module.

7. The modular battery system of claim 6, further comprising a diode in electrical communication with said positive terminal, said diode providing power availability for discharge.

8. The modular battery system of claim 6, said system housing further comprising a ground stud electrical grounding of the system housing.

9. The modular battery system of claim 6, further comprising a current sensor, said current sensor detecting current flow into and out of battery and said current sensor in data communication with said master control module.

10. The modular battery system of claim 6, further comprising a fan integrated into said back plate, said fan adapted draw air into contact with subsystems for cooling, said fan actuate by said master control module.

11. The modular battery system of claim 10, further comprising at least one air grate integrated into said face plate, said fan drawing air into said housing through said air grates.

12. The modular battery system of claim 6, further comprising an integral temperature sensor, said integral temperature sensor in data communication with said master control module.

13. The modular battery system of claim 6, further comprising a diode, said diode blocks charge current and ensures the constant availability of power for discharge.

14. The modular battery system of claim 6, further comprising at least one relay in electrical communication with the positive terminal and at least one relay in electrical communication with the negative terminal, each of said relays in data communication with the master control module and said relays controlling charge current of each battery module.

15. The modular battery system of claim 6, further comprising a fuse, said fuse providing short circuit protection.

16. The modular battery system of claim 6, wherein said battery modules are connected in series.

17. The modular battery system of claim 6, wherein said battery modules are connected in parallel.

18. A stationary battery system having a plurality of modular battery systems, each of said modular battery systems comprising:

at least one subsystem comprising a plurality of battery modules electrically connected;

each subsystem having a first endplate and a second endplate, said battery modules bound between said first and second endplates;

a plurality of band members coupling each of said first and second endplates to each other and binding said battery module between the endplates;

a data collection panel in electrical communication with each of said battery modules, said data collection panel transmitting status information of said modules to a master control module and said data panel transferring electrical current from said battery modules.

19. The stationary battery system of claim 18, further comprising at least one temperature sensor integrated into each of interconnect plates, said status information comprising module temperature and module voltage.

20. The stationary battery system of claim 19, said master control module in data communication with said mid interconnect plate, said master control module controlling charge cycle of said battery modules and collecting said status information.

21. The stationary battery system of claim 20, further comprising a controller area network bus communication connector in data communication with said master control module, said controller area network bus communication connector adapted to relay said status information and load software parameters into said master control module.

22. The stationary battery system of claim 18, wherein said modular battery systems are connected in series.

23. The stationary battery system of claim 18, wherein said modular battery systems are connected in parallel.

24. The stationary battery system of claim 18, each of said master control modules in data communication with a master data monitoring unit.