Method and apparatus for battery charge balancing
First Claim
1. A method for balancing charges of a plurality of batteries coupled in series, the method comprising:
- (a) determining actual or estimated rates of self-discharge of the batteries; and
(b) individually shunting across one or more of the batteries to cause shunt currents which at least partially compensate for differences in said rates of self-discharge between batteries.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In the embodiment of the present invention, a method for balancing charges of a plurality of batteries coupled in series includes determining actual or estimated rates of self-discharge of the batteries and individually shunting across one or more of the batteries to cause shunt currents which at least partially compensate for differences in the rates of self-discharge between batteries. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a method for balancing charges of a plurality of batteries coupled in series comprises measuring temperatures of the batteries and individually shunting across one or more of the batteries to cause shunt currents from those batteries which are functions of the temperatures of those batteries. A third embodiment of the present invention provides a method for balancing charges of a plurality of batteries coupled in series, the batteries furnished to store and provide energy for use in propelling an electrically-propelled vehicle. This method includes determining actual or relative states of charge of the batteries when the batteries are providing energy for propelling the electrically-propelled vehicle. The method also comprises individually shunting across one or more of the batteries when the batteries are providing energy for propelling the electrically-propelled vehicle, to generate shunt currents from those batteries.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for balancing charges of a plurality of batteries coupled in series, the method comprising:
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(a) determining actual or estimated rates of self-discharge of the batteries; and (b) individually shunting across one or more of the batteries to cause shunt currents which at least partially compensate for differences in said rates of self-discharge between batteries. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for balancing charges of a plurality of batteries coupled in series, the method comprising:
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(a) measuring temperatures of the batteries; and (b) individually shunting across one or more of the batteries to cause shunt currents from said one or more of the batteries which are functions of the temperatures of said one or more batteries. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method for balancing charges of a plurality of batteries coupled in series, said plurality of batteries furnished to store and provide energy for use in operating an electrical device, said method comprising:
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(a) determining actual or relative states of charge of said plurality of batteries when said plurality of batteries are providing energy for operating said electrical device; and (b) individually shunting across one or more of said plurality of batteries having relatively higher states of charge than the remainder of said plurality of batteries when said plurality of batteries are providing energy for operating said electrical device, to generate shunt currents from said one or more batteries. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification