System and method for cell balancing and charging
First Claim
1. An apparatus for charging and balancing a plurality of series-coupled battery cells, the apparatus comprising:
- first and second input terminals for providing a charging voltage to the plurality of series-coupled battery cells;
a transformer including a primary side associated with the charging voltage and a secondary side including a plurality of portions each coupled across a respective at least two of the plurality of series-coupled battery cells;
a plurality of first switches each coupled between a respective single portion of the secondary side and a corresponding first battery cell of the at least two of the plurality of series-coupled battery cells and configured to provide a charging current to the first battery cell during a first half of a cycle of a current in the primary side of the transformer;
a plurality of second switches, each coupled between the respective single portion of the secondary side and a corresponding second battery cell of the at least two of the plurality of series-coupled battery cells and configured to provide a charging current to the second battery cell during a second half of a cycle of a current in the primary side of the transformer; and
wherein each of the plurality of portions of the secondary side is configured to have a first polarity during the first half of the cycle of the current and a second polarity opposite the first polarity during the second half of the cycle of the current.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for charging a plurality of series connected battery cells includes first and second input terminals for providing a charging voltage to the plurality of series connected battery cells. A transformer includes a primary side associated with the charging voltage and a secondary side including a plurality of portions. Each of the plurality of portions connected across at least two of the plurality of series connected battery cells. A first switch in series between each of the plurality of portions of the secondary side and a first battery cell of the at least two of the plurality of series connected battery cells provides a charging current to the first battery cell during a first portion of a cycle of a current in the primary side of the transformer. A second switch in series between each of the plurality of portions of the secondary side and a second battery cell of the at least two of the plurality of series connected battery cells provides a charging current to the to the second battery cell during a second portion of the cycle of the current in the primary side of the transformer.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for charging and balancing a plurality of series-coupled battery cells, the apparatus comprising:
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first and second input terminals for providing a charging voltage to the plurality of series-coupled battery cells; a transformer including a primary side associated with the charging voltage and a secondary side including a plurality of portions each coupled across a respective at least two of the plurality of series-coupled battery cells; a plurality of first switches each coupled between a respective single portion of the secondary side and a corresponding first battery cell of the at least two of the plurality of series-coupled battery cells and configured to provide a charging current to the first battery cell during a first half of a cycle of a current in the primary side of the transformer; a plurality of second switches, each coupled between the respective single portion of the secondary side and a corresponding second battery cell of the at least two of the plurality of series-coupled battery cells and configured to provide a charging current to the second battery cell during a second half of a cycle of a current in the primary side of the transformer; and wherein each of the plurality of portions of the secondary side is configured to have a first polarity during the first half of the cycle of the current and a second polarity opposite the first polarity during the second half of the cycle of the current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for charging and balancing a plurality of series-coupled battery cells, the apparatus comprising:
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first and second input terminals configured to provide a charging voltage to the plurality of series-coupled battery cells; a transformer including a primary side associated with the charging voltage and a secondary side including a plurality of portions each coupled across a respective at least two of the plurality of series-coupled battery cells; a plurality of first diodes, each coupled between a respective single portion of the secondary side and a corresponding first battery cell of the at least two of the plurality of series-coupled battery cells and configured to provide a charging current to the first battery cell during a first half of a cycle of a current in the primary side of the transformer; a plurality of second diodes, each coupled between the respective single portion of the secondary side and a corresponding second battery cell of the at least two of the plurality of series-coupled battery cells and configured to provide a charging current to the second battery cell during a second half of a cycle of a current in the primary side of the transformer; and wherein each of the plurality of portions of the secondary side is configured to have a first polarity during the first half of the cycle of the current and a second polarity opposite the first polarity during the second half of the cycle of the current. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for charging and balancing a plurality of series-coupled battery cells, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a charging voltage for the plurality of series-coupled battery cells; transferring the charging voltage from a primary side of a transformer to a plurality of portions of a secondary side of the transformer; providing the charging voltage from each of the plurality portions of the secondary side at a first polarity to a first portion of the plurality of series-coupled battery cells during a first half of a cycle of a current in the primary side of the transformer; switching the polarity of the voltage for the plurality of secondary sides of the transformer from the first polarity to a second polarity opposite the first polarity; and providing the charging voltage from each of the plurality portions of the secondary side at the second polarity opposite the first polarity to a second portion of the plurality of series-coupled battery cells during a second half of the cycle of the current in the primary side of the transformer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification