Rechargeable battery systems and methods
First Claim
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1. A rechargeable battery system in an electric powered vehicle comprising:
- a power module in an electric powered vehicle including;
a battery set having a plurality of battery cells connected in series between first and second power output terminals;
a battery charger powered from an AC power line through a step down transformer in the rechargeable power module, the battery charger being controllable to selectively charge individual cells in the rechargeable power module based on the state of charge of each cell;
a power module controller coupled to sense the voltage and the temperature of each cell and for communicating the voltage of each cell, the temperature of each cell and the battery type to a battery management system;
the battery management system including;
a connector for connecting to a source of power and coupling that source of power to the power module;
a battery management controller coupled for communication with the power module controller to read the voltage of each cell, the temperature of each cell and the battery type, and to enable the battery charger for charging the cells in the power module;
wherein the battery management system is programmed to monitor the voltage on the first and second power output terminals when the battery management system is not plugged into a source of power, and to reduce the top speed of the vehicle if the voltage on the first and second power output terminals decreases to a minimum voltage threshold, and to shut down the vehicle if the voltage on the first and second power output terminals reduces to an empty battery threshold.
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Abstract
Rechargeable battery systems and methods having a plurality of power modules and a battery management system. The power modules each plug into the battery management system and each include cell state sensing and communication capabilities as well as individual cell charging capabilities. The battery management system monitors the state of the power modules and enables the chargers in the power modules as necessary and as allowed by the limits of the source of charging power. In a vehicle, the battery management system also may override or limit the vehicle capabilities based on state of charge of the batteries. Various other features are disclosed.
7 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A rechargeable battery system in an electric powered vehicle comprising:
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a power module in an electric powered vehicle including; a battery set having a plurality of battery cells connected in series between first and second power output terminals; a battery charger powered from an AC power line through a step down transformer in the rechargeable power module, the battery charger being controllable to selectively charge individual cells in the rechargeable power module based on the state of charge of each cell; a power module controller coupled to sense the voltage and the temperature of each cell and for communicating the voltage of each cell, the temperature of each cell and the battery type to a battery management system; the battery management system including; a connector for connecting to a source of power and coupling that source of power to the power module; a battery management controller coupled for communication with the power module controller to read the voltage of each cell, the temperature of each cell and the battery type, and to enable the battery charger for charging the cells in the power module; wherein the battery management system is programmed to monitor the voltage on the first and second power output terminals when the battery management system is not plugged into a source of power, and to reduce the top speed of the vehicle if the voltage on the first and second power output terminals decreases to a minimum voltage threshold, and to shut down the vehicle if the voltage on the first and second power output terminals reduces to an empty battery threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A rechargeable battery system in an electric powered vehicle comprising:
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a plurality of power modules, each including; a battery set having a plurality of battery cells connected in series between first and second power output terminals; a battery charger powered from an AC power line through a step down transformer in the rechargeable power module, the battery charger being controllable to selectively charge individual cells in the rechargeable power module based on the state of charge of each cell; a power module controller coupled to sense the voltage and the temperature of each cell and for communicating the voltage of each cell, the temperature of each cell and the battery type to a battery management system; the first and second power output terminals of the plurality power modules being connected in series; and a battery management system including; a connector for connecting to a source of power and coupling that source of power to each of the power modules; a battery management controller coupled for communication with each of power module controllers to read the voltage of each cell, the temperature of each cell and the battery type, and to enable the battery charger for charging of the cells in the respective power module; wherein the battery management system is programmed to monitor the combined voltage of the plurality of power modules when the battery management system is not plugged into a source of power, and to reduce the top speed of the vehicle if the combined voltage of the power modules decreases to a minimum voltage threshold, and to shut down the vehicle if the combined voltage of the power modules further reduces to an empty battery threshold. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification