High-voltage battery switch

• US 7,767,335 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2006
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Secretary of the Navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Peterkin, Frank E., Sharrow, Joseph F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan; Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): APICELLA, KARIE O
• Application Number:
  US11/447,514
• Publication Number:
  US 20070059591A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,523 Days
• Field of Search: 429/156, 200/52.R, 200/570
• US Class Current: 429/156
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/505 comprising a single busbar
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/51 Connection only in series
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/574 Devices or arrangements for the interruption of current
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery assembly is provided for electrical concatenation in series. The battery assembly includes a plurality of battery packs; a switch; a receiver; and an actuator. Each battery pack includes a plurality of rechargeable battery cells electrically connected in series. The switch electrically connects and disconnects first and second battery packs together. The receiver transmits power from the switch. The actuator operates the switch to connect and disconnect the battery packs. In preferred embodiments, the switch includes first and second buses and a deflector. The first bus electrically contacts the first battery pack. The second bus electrically contacts the second battery pack. The deflector moves the first bus electrically connect and disconnect with the second bus in response to communication with the actuator. An electrical connector is further provided for mechanical engagement and disengagement of electrical conduction to a terminal. The connector includes a block and a plurality of contacts. The block includes a plurality of openings. Each contact is disposed into a corresponding opening in the block.

Claims

1. A battery assembly for electrical concatenation in series, the battery assembly comprising:

first and second battery packs, each battery pack including a plurality of rechargeable battery cells electrically connected in series;

a switch to electrically connect and disconnect the first and second battery packs together;

a receiver to transmit power from the switch; and

an actuator to operate the switch for connecting and disconnecting the battery packs, wherein the switch comprises;

first and second busses that electrically contact the respective first and second battery packs; and

a deflector that moves the first bus to electrically connect and disconnect with the second bus, the deflector having a shaft that axially rotates in response to the actuator, and a cam disposed along and rotating with the shaft to move the first bus to one of engagement and disengagement positions with a multi-contact connector disposed on the second bus.

2. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprises:

a block having a plurality of openings, the block being electrically connectable to a terminal on the second bus; and

a plurality of contacts, each contact disposed into a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings.

3. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switch further comprises:

a third bus that electrically contacts the first and second buses to the receiver.

4. The battery assembly according to claim 2, wherein the each of the contacts of the connector comprises:

a sleeve that is disposable within the opening, the sleeve having an axis; and

a probe disposed within the sleeve and translatable along the axis in response to one of compression and tension, the probe at rest being in tension to extend partially from the sleeve.

5. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the battery pack disposes the battery cells in a rectangular pattern.

6. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein the battery assembly disposes the first and second battery packs as among a plurality of battery packs arranged in linear groups.