Radio frequency energy management system
First Claim
1. An energy management system for use with an electrically powered apparatus, the system comprising:
- a number of battery control modules on the apparatus, wherein each battery control module includes;
means for monitoring at least one operating parameter of an electric power source for the apparatus selected from the group consisting of a battery pack, at least one battery in a battery pack, at least one cell in a battery, and combinations thereof; and
at least one device selected from the group consisting of a radio frequency signal receiving means, a radio frequency transmitting means, a location indicating device, a memory device, a control device, a controller, and combinations thereof; and
a control unit on the apparatus configured to communicate with the battery control modules by radio frequency signal, wherein the control unit includes at least one device selected from the group consisting of a radio frequency signal receiving device, a radio frequency signal transmitting device, a controller, and combinations thereof;
wherein the battery control modules and the control unit are connected to a common conductive transmission medium used to connect an electric power source to a power handling device in the electrically powered apparatus to facilitate radio frequency communication.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A radio frequency energy management system includes a number of battery control modules and/or a control unit that are configured to exchange battery operating parameter/performance information and control signals by radio frequency. Each battery control module includes one or more sensing elements to measure one or more operating parameter of a respective battery, and at least one device selected from the group including a radio frequency receiver, a radio frequency transmitter, a memory device, a controller, control devices, a signal blocking device, and combinations thereof. The control unit is configured to monitor and control the operating parameters of the batteries and includes a radio frequency receiver and a radio frequency transmitter. The control unit evaluates data transmitted from battery control modules according to a predetermined control system program, and transmits a predetermined control command to one or more battery control modules to achieve battery equalization and battery thermal management. The energy management system can also include one or more device for identifying the relative location of a battery control module in the system, and an interface to permit communication with battery control modules by another device independent of the control unit. Radio frequency signals are transmitted between the control unit and each battery control module, and between battery control modules, without additional wiring, thereby eliminating the disadvantages of wired-type systems.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. An energy management system for use with an electrically powered apparatus, the system comprising:
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a number of battery control modules on the apparatus, wherein each battery control module includes;
means for monitoring at least one operating parameter of an electric power source for the apparatus selected from the group consisting of a battery pack, at least one battery in a battery pack, at least one cell in a battery, and combinations thereof; and
at least one device selected from the group consisting of a radio frequency signal receiving means, a radio frequency transmitting means, a location indicating device, a memory device, a control device, a controller, and combinations thereof; and
a control unit on the apparatus configured to communicate with the battery control modules by radio frequency signal, wherein the control unit includes at least one device selected from the group consisting of a radio frequency signal receiving device, a radio frequency signal transmitting device, a controller, and combinations thereof;
wherein the battery control modules and the control unit are connected to a common conductive transmission medium used to connect an electric power source to a power handling device in the electrically powered apparatus to facilitate radio frequency communication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An energy management system for use with an electrically powered apparatus, the system comprising:
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a number of battery control modules on the apparatus, wherein each battery control module includes;
means for monitoring at least one operating parameter of an electric power source for the apparatus selected from the group consisting of a battery pack, at least one battery in a battery pack, at least one cell in a battery, and combinations thereof; and
at least one device selected from the group consisting of a radio frequency signal receiving device, a radio frequency transmitting device, a memory device, a control device, a controller, and combinations thereof; and
wherein radio frequency receiving and transmitting means for said battery control modules are connected to a common conductive transmission medium, used to connect an electric power source to a power handling device in the electrically powered apparatus, to facilitate radio frequency communication between the battery control modules. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An energy management system for use with an electric vehicle having a battery source of motive power, the system comprising:
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a number of battery control modules, wherein each battery control module includes;
at least one monitoring element located on the vehicle and configured to measure an operating parameter of an electric power source selected from the group consisting of a battery pack, at least one battery in a battery pack, at least one cell in a battery, and combinations thereof;
at least one other device selected from the group consisting of a radio frequency receiver, a radio frequency transmitter, a memory device, control devices, a controller, and combinations thereof; and
a control unit located on the vehicle and configured to communicate with the battery control modules by radio frequency signal, wherein the control unit includes a radio frequency receiver and a radio frequency transmitter;
wherein the control unit and battery control modules are connected to a common conductive path attached between the electric power source and a power handling device in the vehicle to facilitate radio frequency communication therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An energy management system for use with an electric vehicle having a battery source of motive power, the energy management system comprising:
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a number of battery control modules located on the vehicle, wherein each battery control module includes at least one monitoring element for measuring an operating parameter of a respective battery or a battery cell, a radio frequency transmitting device, a radio frequency receiving device and at least one or more device selected from the group consisting of a memory device, a control device, and a controller; and
a control unit located on the electric powered apparatus for communicating with the battery control modules by radio frequency signal, wherein the control unit includes a radio frequency receiver, a controller for evaluating radio frequency signals transmitted from said battery control module and providing a control signal, a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting radio frequency control signal to said battery control module;
wherein the control unit and each battery control module is connected to a common main conductive path, in an electrical system of the vehicle running between batteries in a battery pack and connecting the battery pack to a power handling device in the vehicle, to facilitate radio frequency communication therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification