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System and method for balancing charge within a battery pack

  • US 8,519,670 B2
  • Filed: 03/23/2010
  • Issued: 08/27/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for balancing charge within a battery pack comprising:

  • a plurality of cells connected in series, wherein the plurality of cells comprise a first portion of cells and a second portion of cells;

    a capacitor;

    a processor operable between;

    (1) a first mode, wherein the processor selects a combination of donor and receiver cells from the first portion of cells, the combination comprising equal numbers of donor cells and receiver cells; and

    (2) a second mode, wherein the processor selects a combination of donor and receiver cells from the first portion of cells, the combination comprising more donor cells than receiver cells;

    a plurality of switches transiently coupling the plurality of cells to the capacitor, the plurality of switches operable between;

    a first configuration, wherein the switches simultaneously electrically connect the capacitor to the donor cells of the combination of the first or second modes; and

    a second configuration, wherein the switches simultaneously electrically connect the capacitor to the receiver cells of the combination of the first or second modes;

    a second capacitor;

    wherein the processor is further operable between;

    (1) a third mode, wherein the processor selects a second combination of donor cells and receiver cells from the second portion of cells, the second combination comprising an equal number of donor cells and receiver cells; and

    (2) a fourth mode, wherein the processor selects a second combination of donor cells and receiver cells from the second portion of cells, the second combination comprising more donor cells than receiver cells;

    a second plurality of switches transiently coupling the second portion of cells to the second capacitor, the second plurality of switches operable between;

    a first configuration, wherein the switches simultaneously electrically connect the second capacitor to the donor cells of the second combination of the third or fourth modes; and

    a second configuration, wherein the switches simultaneously electrically connect the second capacitor to the receiver cells of the second combination of the third or fourth modes;

    wherein charge is transferred between the first and second portions of the plurality of cells.

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