System for power balance monitoring in an energy storage battery

• US 9,759,780 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2012
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stryten Energy LLC
• Original Assignee: Revision Electronics & Power Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Carkner, Steve, Lanoue, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US14/371,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20140347060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,727 Days
• Field of Search: 320107, 320110, 320112, 320116-119, 320126
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3842 combining voltage and current measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/396 Acquisition or processing of data for testing or for monitoring individual cells or groups of cells within a battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0014 Circuits for equalisation of charge between batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0016 using shunting, discharge or bypass circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A system for power balance monitoring in an energy storage battery comprising a plurality of energy modules connected in a series-parallel configuration. The energy storage module comprises a plurality of cells. Each module is a three-terminal module. The three terminals comprise a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal for connecting the modules in a series string to a load and an energy sharing terminal for sharing energy between modules is other battery strings. A module power management sub-system comprising a current monitoring circuit is connected to each of the energy sharing terminals. Each module power management sub-system is in communication with a battery power management sub-system so that a weak module can be detected based on module current output. Advantageously, the module power management sub-system is not connected across the main power pathway of the module and so does not appreciably increase module impedance.

Claims

1. A system for power balance monitoring in an energy storage battery comprising multiple strings of energy storage modules in a simultaneously series and parallel configuration, each of the energy storage modules comprising:

i. a negative output terminal;

ii. a positive output terminal for connecting a main power pathway to a load; and

iii. an energy sharing terminal for connecting to modules of other battery strings'"'"' modules, wherein the energy sharing terminal provides a path for energy to travel into and out of the energy storage module for energy sharing between modules, wherein each energy storage module is simultaneously series and parallel connected into a battery by means of the negative output terminal and the positive output terminal, wherein the energy sharing terminal comprises an energy storage module power management sub-system within each energy storage module, the energy storage module power management sub-system comprising;

1. a voltage monitor;

2. a current monitoring circuit;

3. a temperature monitor,

wherein the energy storage module power management sub-system receives current data from the current monitoring circuit so that a weak energy storage module can be identified.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the module power management sub-system is connected to a respective module energy sharing terminal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the module power management sub-system is separated from the main power pathway to minimize module impedance.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the current monitoring circuit is disposed between said positive output terminal and the energy sharing terminal.

5. A system for power balance monitoring in an energy storage battery comprising multiple strings of energy storage modules in a simultaneously series and parallel configuration, each of the energy storage modules comprising:

i. a negative output terminal;

ii. a positive output terminal for connecting a main power pathway to a load; and

iii. an energy sharing terminal for connecting to modules of other battery strings'"'"' modules, the energy sharing terminal comprising impedance control means to control energy sharing between modules, wherein each energy storage module is simultaneously series and parallel connected into a battery by means of the negative output terminal and the positive output terminal, wherein the energy sharing terminal comprises an energy storage module power management sub-system within each energy storage module, the energy storage module power management sub-system comprising;

1. a voltage monitor;

2. a current monitoring circuit;

3. a temperature monitor,

wherein the energy storage module power management sub-system receives current data from the current monitoring circuit so that a weak energy storage module can be identified.

6. A system for power balance monitoring in an energy storage battery comprising multiple strings of energy storage modules in a simultaneously series and parallel configuration, each of the energy storage modules comprising:

i. a negative output terminal;

ii. a positive output terminal for connecting a main power pathway to a load; and

iii. an energy sharing terminal for connecting to modules of other battery strings'"'"' modules, wherein an impedance of an energy sharing path is greater than an impedance of the main power pathway, wherein each energy storage module is simultaneously series and parallel connected into a battery by means of the negative output terminal and the positive output terminal, wherein the energy sharing terminal comprises an energy storage module power management sub-system within each energy storage module, the energy storage module power management sub-system comprising;

1. a voltage monitor;

2. a current monitoring circuit; and

3. a temperature monitor,

wherein the energy storage module power management sub-system receives current data from the current monitoring circuit so that a weak energy storage module can be identified.