RECHARGEABLE BATTERY ARRAY
First Claim
1. A rechargeable battery array, comprising:
- a number of battery rows connected in series;
each said battery row includes a number of battery cells connected in parallel; and
at least one balancing circuit in parallel with each said battery row and being responsive to the charging status of the corresponding battery row, wherein said balancing circuit provides a bypass path of desired constant voltage drop when the corresponding battery row is substantially charged up.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Rechargeable battery array is described. The rechargeable battery array is constructed from: a battery row 101 that includes a plurality of battery cells 102, 103 connected in parallel for supplying a larger current; and at least one balancing circuit 105 in the battery row, the balancing circuit provides a high impedance path across that battery row initially when charging process begins, and provides a path of desired constant voltage drop across that battery row when voltage across that battery row rises close to the charge termination voltage. The rechargeable battery array may further include a plurality of the battery rows 101, 111, 121 connected in series for supplying a higher voltage; and at least one balancing circuit 105 for each of the battery rows 101, 111, 121. The rechargeable battery array may also have at least one balancing circuit on each battery cell that is responsive to the voltage across that battery cell. The rechargeable battery array can be efficiently charged despite of capacity mismatch and/or failure in certain battery cells in the array.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A rechargeable battery array, comprising:
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a number of battery rows connected in series;
each said battery row includes a number of battery cells connected in parallel; andat least one balancing circuit in parallel with each said battery row and being responsive to the charging status of the corresponding battery row, wherein said balancing circuit provides a bypass path of desired constant voltage drop when the corresponding battery row is substantially charged up. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for charging serially connected battery cells, comprising the steps of:
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applying charging current to said serially connected battery cells; monitoring the charge status of each battery cell; providing a path of desired constant voltage drop across any battery cell that becomes substantially charged. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification