DETECTION OF OVER-CURRENT IN A BATTERY PACK
First Claim
1. A microprocessor-implemented response system for an over-current internal short in an battery pack, comprising:
- an evaluator monitoring an over-current internal short flag indicative of a possible over-current internal short within a plurality of electrically-serially-coupled battery elements storing energy for the battery pack; and
a remediation system, coupled to said battery elements and responsive to said possible over-current internal short flag when said evaluator detects a likelihood of said possible over-current internal short, to decrease risks associated with said possible over-current internal short when operated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A controller identifies a condition of a hazardous internal short by comparing patterns of series element voltages to the last known balance condition of the series elements. If the loaded or resting voltage of one or more contiguous series elements uniformly drop from the previously known condition by an amount consistent with an over-current condition, an over-current internal short circuit fault is registered. The desired response is to prevent the affected series elements from heating to a hazardous temperature by summoning the maximum heat rejection capability of the system until the short ceases and the affected elements cool, the cooling function is no longer able to operate due to low voltage, or the affected series string has drained all of its energy through the short. Also includes are responses that allow the battery pack to continue to power the cooling system even though it may enter an over-discharged state.
19 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A microprocessor-implemented response system for an over-current internal short in an battery pack, comprising:
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an evaluator monitoring an over-current internal short flag indicative of a possible over-current internal short within a plurality of electrically-serially-coupled battery elements storing energy for the battery pack; and a remediation system, coupled to said battery elements and responsive to said possible over-current internal short flag when said evaluator detects a likelihood of said possible over-current internal short, to decrease risks associated with said possible over-current internal short when operated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-implemented method for responding to an over-current internal short in an battery pack, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) monitoring, using a microprocessor, an over-current internal short flag indicative of a possible over-current internal short within a plurality of electrically-coupled battery elements storing energy for the battery pack; and
thereafterb) activating a remediation system coupled to said plurality of battery elements, with said remediation system responsive to said possible over-current internal short flag when said evaluator detects a likelihood of said possible over-current internal short, said activation of said remediation system decreasing risks associated with said possible over-current internal short when operated. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification