Battery management system for multicell batteries
First Claim
1. An apparatus for managing a battery with a plurality of cells, said apparatus comprising:
- a master module having a master controller;
a plurality of slave modules each having a charger configured to be electrically connected to an associated cell of the battery;
a transfer switch operatively connected to said master module, said transfer switch having a first state wherein an external power source is connected to power said plurality of slave modules, said transfer switch having a second state wherein the battery is connected to power said plurality of slave modules;
a first load connection configured to electrically connect a first load across the battery; and
a second load connection configured to electrically connect a second load across a portion of the battery, said portion of the battery defined as at least one and less than all of the plurality of cells of the battery, wherein each one of said plurality of cells in said portion of the battery is independently maintained by a corresponding one of said plurality of slave modules.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for a modular battery management system for a battery having a main load and an auxiliary load across a portion of the battery. The system includes interchangeable slave modules connected to each cell and a master module controlling the system. All the modules receive power through a transfer switch that selectively switches between external sources and the battery. The external sources provide capacity information used by the master module. Each slave module is configured to charge and monitor its associated cell individually. Each slave module is electrically isolated from the other modules. The slave modules are autonomous and shut down the battery and disconnect the module when a critical parameter of the cell is reached. When the battery is in service and a cell parameter approaches the critical level, the master controller instructs the corresponding slave module to charge the cell using battery power.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for managing a battery with a plurality of cells, said apparatus comprising:
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a master module having a master controller; a plurality of slave modules each having a charger configured to be electrically connected to an associated cell of the battery; a transfer switch operatively connected to said master module, said transfer switch having a first state wherein an external power source is connected to power said plurality of slave modules, said transfer switch having a second state wherein the battery is connected to power said plurality of slave modules; a first load connection configured to electrically connect a first load across the battery; and a second load connection configured to electrically connect a second load across a portion of the battery, said portion of the battery defined as at least one and less than all of the plurality of cells of the battery, wherein each one of said plurality of cells in said portion of the battery is independently maintained by a corresponding one of said plurality of slave modules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for managing a battery with a plurality of cells, said apparatus comprising:
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a transfer switch having a first state wherein an external power source is connected, said transfer switch having a second state wherein the battery is connected; and a plurality of slave modules each having a charger configured to be electrically connected to an associated cell of the battery, said plurality of slave modules connected to said transfer switch whereby said plurality of slave modules receive power from said external source with said transfer switch in said first state and from the battery with said transfer switch in said second state, and, with said transfer switch in said second state, a low voltage cell is charged by an associated slave module thereby preventing said low voltage cell from reaching a critical voltage point. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for managing a battery with a plurality of cells, said apparatus comprising:
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a transfer switch having a first state wherein an external power source is connected to provide power, said transfer switch having a second state wherein the battery is connected to provide power; and a plurality of slave modules each having a cell monitoring circuit and a charger configured to be electrically connected to an associated cell of the battery, said plurality of slave modules connected to said transfer switch whereby said plurality of slave modules receive power from said external source with said transfer switch in said first state and from the battery with said transfer switch in said second state, each one of said plurality of slave modules charging said associated cell when said cell monitoring circuit detects a condition requiring charging. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification