MONITORING BATTERY CELL VOLTAGE
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- opening one of a plurality of switches in response to a voltage reduction on a battery cell associated with the switch being opened;
determining with a logic device if at least one of the switches is open;
storing data in a register that indicates if at least one switch is open;
opening discharge switch circuitry if at least one of the switches is open; and
identifying the open switch.
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Abstract
An apparatus includes battery gauge circuitry implemented on an integrated circuit. The battery gauge circuitry includes a plurality of switches that individually open in response to a voltage reduction on a battery cell associated with a respective one of the switches. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a logic device that determines if at least one of the switches is open. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a register that stores data that indicates if at least one switch is open. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a controller that initiates halting power delivery to a load if at least one of the switches is open. The controller also identifies the open switch.
33 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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opening one of a plurality of switches in response to a voltage reduction on a battery cell associated with the switch being opened; determining with a logic device if at least one of the switches is open; storing data in a register that indicates if at least one switch is open; opening discharge switch circuitry if at least one of the switches is open; and identifying the open switch. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method comprising:
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receiving a respective voltage signal representative of a voltage on each of a plurality of battery cells, each associated with a respective one of a plurality of switches; biasing each of said plurality of switches by said voltage on said associated battery cell such that each of said plurality of switches is configured to individually open in response to a voltage reduction on said associated battery cell; concurrently receiving, at a logic device, plurality of voltages each associated with a respective one of said battery cells to determine if at least one of the switches is open; storing data in a register that indicates if at least one switch is open; identifying if at least one of the switches is open; and halting power delivery to a load if at least one of the switches is open. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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biasing each of a plurality of switches, each associated with a respective one of a plurality of battery cells, by a voltage on an associated battery cell such that each of said plurality of switches is configured to individually open in response to a voltage reduction on said associated battery cell; determining with a logic device if at least one of the switches is open; storing data in a register that indicates if at least one switch is open; and halting power delivery to a load if at least one of the switches is open. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification