Interlock mechanism for a multiple battery pack
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operation in a battery system having multiple battery packs, the method comprising:
- decoupling an output of a first battery pack from a first load terminal;
reducing a voltage between an output of a second battery pack and the first load terminal prior to coupling the output of the second battery pack to the first load terminal;
coupling the output of the second battery pack to the first load terminal via a switch, in response to determining that the voltage has been reduced below a predetermined threshold;
coupling a load between the first load terminal and a further output of the second battery pack, wherein a current flowing through the load detects the switch is closed irrespective of whether the further output of the second battery pack is coupled to or decoupled from a second load terminal; and
sensing whether current is flowing through the load.
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Abstract
A method for operating a battery system having multiple battery packs. The method includes decoupling the output of a discharged battery pack from the vehicle load, reducing the voltage between an output of a charged battery pack and the vehicle load prior to coupling the output of the charged battery pack to the vehicle load.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of operation in a battery system having multiple battery packs, the method comprising:
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decoupling an output of a first battery pack from a first load terminal; reducing a voltage between an output of a second battery pack and the first load terminal prior to coupling the output of the second battery pack to the first load terminal; coupling the output of the second battery pack to the first load terminal via a switch, in response to determining that the voltage has been reduced below a predetermined threshold; coupling a load between the first load terminal and a further output of the second battery pack, wherein a current flowing through the load detects the switch is closed irrespective of whether the further output of the second battery pack is coupled to or decoupled from a second load terminal; and sensing whether current is flowing through the load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A battery management system comprising:
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a first switching element to decouple an output of a first battery pack from a first load terminal; a pre-charging circuit to reduce a voltage between an output of a second battery pack and the first load terminal prior to coupling the output of the second battery pack to the first load terminal; a second switching element to couple the output of the second battery pack to the first load terminal in response to determining that the voltage has been reduced to a level below a predetermined threshold; and a third switching element to couple a load between the first load terminal and a further output of the second battery pack, wherein a current flowing through the load indicates the second switching element is closed regardless of whether the further output of the second battery pack is coupled to or decoupled from a second load terminal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus comprising:
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means for decoupling an output of a first battery pack from a first load terminal; means for reducing a voltage between an output of a second battery pack and the first load terminal prior to coupling the output of the second battery pack to the first load terminal; means for coupling the output of the second battery pack to the first load terminal in response to determining that the voltage has been reduced below a predetermined threshold; and means for coupling an electrical load from the first load terminal to a further output of the second battery pack and detecting a current flowing through the load so as to determine whether the output of the second battery pack is coupled to the first load terminal regardless of whether the further output of the second battery pack is coupled to or decoupled from a second load terminal, and determine whether the output of the second battery pack is decoupled from the first load terminal regardless of whether the further output of the second battery pack is coupled to or decoupled from the second load terminal.
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Specification