Charge balancing systems and methods
First Claim
1. A system for equalizing the voltages across first and second main storage elements coupled in series at a common terminal, the system comprising:
- a capacitive storage element coupled to first and second nodes;
a first inductive storage element coupled between the first node and the first main storage element;
a second inductive storage element coupled between the second node and the second main storage element;
a first switch circuit coupled between the first node and the common terminal;
a second switch circuit coupled between the second node and the common terminal; and
a control circuit for operating the first and second switch circuits to control current flow to the first and second main storage elements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for equalizing the voltages across first and second batteries coupled in series at a common terminal comprising a capacitive storage element, first and second inductive storage elements, first and second switch circuits, and a control unit. The capacitive storage element is coupled to first and second nodes. The first inductive storage element is coupled between the first node and the first battery. The second inductive storage element is coupled between the second node and the second battery. The first switch circuit is coupled between the first node and the common terminal. The second switch circuit is coupled between the second node and the common terminal. The control circuit operates the first and second switch circuits to control current flow to the first and second batteries.
129 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for equalizing the voltages across first and second main storage elements coupled in series at a common terminal, the system comprising:
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a capacitive storage element coupled to first and second nodes;
a first inductive storage element coupled between the first node and the first main storage element;
a second inductive storage element coupled between the second node and the second main storage element;
a first switch circuit coupled between the first node and the common terminal;
a second switch circuit coupled between the second node and the common terminal; and
a control circuit for operating the first and second switch circuits to control current flow to the first and second main storage elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for equalizing the voltages across a plurality of main storage elements coupled in series at at least one common terminal, the system comprising:
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a capacitive storage element associated with each pair of adjacent main storage elements coupled at one of the common terminals, where each capacitive storage element is coupled to first and second nodes;
first and second inductive storage elements associated with each capacitive storage element, where the first inductive storage elements are coupled between the first nodes and a first main storage element of each pair of adjacent main storage elements, and the second inductive storage elements are coupled between the second nodes and a second main storage element of each pair of adjacent main storage elements;
first and second switch circuits associated with each capacitive storage element, where the first switch circuits are coupled between the first nodes and the common terminal associated with each pair of adjacent main storage elements, and the second switch circuits are coupled between the second nodes and the common terminal associated with each pair of adjacent main storage elements; and
a control circuit for operating the first and second switch circuits to control current flow to the main storage elements. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of equalizing the voltages across a plurality of main storage elements coupled in series comprising the steps of:
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identifying at least one pair of adjacent main storage elements comprising first and second main storage elements connected at a common terminal;
providing a capacitive storage element for each pair of adjacent main storage elements;
coupling the capacitive storage element to first and second nodes;
providing first and second inductive storage elements for each capacitive storage element;
coupling the first inductive storage elements between the first nodes and the first main storage elements;
coupling the second inductive storage elements between the second nodes and the second main storage elements;
providing first and second switch circuits for each capacitive storage element;
coupling the first switch circuits between the first nodes and the common terminals;
coupling the second switch circuits between the second nodes and the common terminals; and
operating the first and second switch circuits to control current flow to the main storage elements. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A system for charging a plurality of main storage elements coupled in series at at least one common terminal, the system comprising:
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a charging system connected across the series connected main storage elements;
a capacitive storage element associated with each pair of adjacent main storage elements coupled at one of the common terminals, where each capacitive storage element is coupled to first and second nodes;
first and second inductive storage elements associated with each capacitive storage element, where the first inductive storage elements are coupled between the first nodes and a first main storage element of each pair of adjacent main storage elements, and the second inductive storage elements are coupled between the second nodes and a second main storage element of each pair of adjacent main storage elements;
first and second switch circuits associated with each capacitive storage element, where the first switch circuits are coupled between the first nodes and the common terminal associated with each pair of adjacent main storage elements, and the second switch circuits are coupled between the second nodes and the common terminal associated with each pair of adjacent main storage elements; and
a control circuit for operating the first and second switch circuits to control current flow to the main storage elements.
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Specification