Techniques for Optimizing Power Supply Output

• US 20140368168A1
• Filed: 06/16/2014
• Published: 12/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chris Beckman
• Original Assignee: Chris Beckman
• Inventors: Beckman, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 9,496,740 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/134
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0219 Electrical interface; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0016 using shunting, discharge or bypass circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0063 with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00714 in response to battery charging or discharging current
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007182 in response to battery voltage

Abstract

New power output control systems are provided that maintain optimal voltage, current, and other electrical characteristics. In some aspects of the invention, a lagging or deteriorated power supply aspect is at least partially replaced to avoid limitations while the output of a specialized, stronger aspect is altered and addressed to supply the resulting power, voltage, current charge or other gap.

Claims

1. A battery power distribution system comprising

a plurality of battery cells connectable to an electrical load, and

a control system electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells, said control system capable of performing operations to:

(1) determine a first level value for a first voltage, current, power or charge being supplied, or to be supplied, by a power source to an electrical load,

(2) determine a gap level representing a difference between said first level value and an expected or desired level value for said first voltage, current, power or charge which is to be provided by said power source under operating conditions, and

(3) control at least one battery cell of said plurality of battery cells to output a second voltage, current, power or charge at a second level equal to said gap level.

2. The battery power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said control system is further capable of performing operations to control which battery cell or cells of said plurality of battery cells is being controlled to aid in outputting said second voltage, current, power or charge at said second level based on current electrical characteristics of said plurality of battery cells.

3. The battery power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said control system is further capable of performing operations to dynamically change a level associated with at least one electrical characteristic of at least one battery cell of said plurality of battery cells based at least on a result of an assessment of at least one operational condition of said battery cell.

4. The battery power distribution system of claim 2, wherein said control system is further capable of performing operations to selectively electrically connect one of a plurality of anode portions of a battery cell of said plurality of battery cells to a circuit.

5. The battery power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said control system is further capable of performing operations to selectively cause an increase or a decrease in a level associated with an electrical characteristic of a battery cell based on a result of a comparison of a first charge state of a first battery cell of said plurality of battery cells with a second charge state of a battery cell of said plurality of battery cells.

7. The battery power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said control system is further capable of performing operations to cause at least one battery cell of said plurality of battery cells to be at least partially bypassed based on results of an assessment of at least one operational condition of said battery cell or based on a result of a comparison of a first charge state of said first battery cell of said plurality of battery cells with a second charge state of a second battery cell of said plural of battery cells current and power after completing a pulse cycle.

8. The battery power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said control system is further capable of performing operations to cause at least one battery cell of said plurality of battery cells to be at least partially bypassed based on results of an assessment of at least one operational characteristic of said battery cell or a result of a comparison of a first charge state of said first battery cell of said plurality of battery cells with a second charge state of a second battery cell of said plurality of battery cells.

9. The battery power distribution system of claim 1, wherein said control system is further capable of performing operations to cause at least one battery cell of said plurality of battery cells to share in current flowing therethrough based on results of an assessment of at least one operational condition of said battery cell or a result of a comparison of a first charge state of said first battery cell of said plurality of battery cells with a second charge state of a second battery cell of said plurality of battery cells.

13. The battery power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the control system further performs operations to act as a power source by supplementing or mimicking an electrical performance of at least one of said plurality of battery cells.

14. The battery power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the control system further performs operations to determine at least one of a location and an identity of a battery cell of said plurality of battery cells with a critical condition.

15. The battery power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the control system further performs operations to predict future electrical needs of the electrical load and control said plurality of battery cells to satisfy said electrical needs.

16. A method, comprising:

determining a first level value for a first voltage, current, power or charge being supplied, or to be supplied, by a power source to an electrical load;

determining a gap level representing a difference between said first level value and an expected or desired level value for said first voltage, current, power or charge which is to be provided by said power source under operating conditions; and

controlling at least one battery cell of said plurality of battery cells to output a second voltage, current, power or charge at a second level equal to said gap level.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising controlling which battery cell or cells of said plurality of battery cells is being controlled to aid in outputting said second voltage, current, power or charge at said second level based on current electrical characteristics of said plurality of battery cells.

18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising dynamically changing a level associated with at least one electrical characteristic of at least one battery cell of said plurality of battery cells based at least on a result of an assessment of at least one operational condition of the battery cell.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising selectively causing an increase or a decrease in a level associated with an electrical characteristic of a battery cell based on a result of a comparison of a first charge state of said first battery cell of said plurality of battery cells with a second charge state of a battery cell of said plurality of battery cells.

20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising performing operations by a control system to supplement or mimic an electrical performance of at least one of said plurality of battery cells, or a battery cell of the same type as at least one of said plurality of battery cells.