Impedence Balancer
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An impedance balancer comprising:
- a rail capacitor comprising rail capacitor terminals;
a first capacitor comprising first capacitor terminals, wherein the first capacitor terminals are switchably connected across terminals of a first power cell via a first set of controllable switches, and wherein the first capacitor terminals are also switchably connected across the rail capacitor terminals via a second set of controllable switches; and
a second capacitor comprising second capacitor terminals, wherein the second capacitor terminals are switchably connected across the rail capacitor terminals via a third set of controllable switches, and wherein the second capacitor terminals are also switchably connected across terminals of a second power cell via a fourth set of controllable switches.
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Abstract
An impedance balancer for power cell balancing using changes in impedance is provided. The apparatus may include a rail capacitor that is switchably connected to a first capacitor and switchably connected to a second capacitor. The first capacitor may also be switchably connected to a first power cell and the second capacitor may also switchably connected to a second power cell. Via controllable switches, the first and second capacitors may shuttle energy between the power cells through the rail capacitor. Additional and related methods and apparatuses are also provided.
77 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An impedance balancer comprising:
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a rail capacitor comprising rail capacitor terminals; a first capacitor comprising first capacitor terminals, wherein the first capacitor terminals are switchably connected across terminals of a first power cell via a first set of controllable switches, and wherein the first capacitor terminals are also switchably connected across the rail capacitor terminals via a second set of controllable switches; and a second capacitor comprising second capacitor terminals, wherein the second capacitor terminals are switchably connected across the rail capacitor terminals via a third set of controllable switches, and wherein the second capacitor terminals are also switchably connected across terminals of a second power cell via a fourth set of controllable switches. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for performing power cell balancing, the method comprising:
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generating an electrical connection between terminals of a first capacitor and terminals of a first power cell to charge or discharge the first capacitor across the terminals of the first power cell; generating an electrical connection between the terminals of the first capacitor and terminals of a rail capacitor to charge or discharge the first capacitor across the terminals of the rail capacitor; generating an electrical connection between the terminals of the rail capacitor and terminals of a second capacitor to charge or discharge the second capacitor across the rail capacitor terminals; and generating an electrical connection between the terminals of the second capacitor and terminals of a second power cell to charge or discharge the second capacitor across terminals of a second power cell. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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- 22. An energy management system monitor comprising circuitry configured to measure a voltage across a rail capacitor and output a status indication based on the measured voltage, wherein the rail capacitor is switchably connected to a first capacitor and switchably connected to a second capacitor, and wherein the first capacitor is also switchably connected to a first power cell and the second capacitor is also switchably connected to a second power cell.
Specification