CELL VOLTAGE MEASURING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A cell voltage measuring system for determining voltage levels across cells within a string of electrochemical cells having a plurality of cells electrically coupled in series, the string of electrochemical cells having a plurality of tap points dispersed throughout the string, the system comprising:
- a network of electromechanical relays that electrically couple to the string of electrochemical cells, each relay coupling to a respective tap point in the string; and
a controller coupled to the network of relays, the controller selectively activating a pair of relays within the network of relays responsive to a selection signal to develop an output voltage level corresponding to the voltage level across one or more cells between the respective tap points of the activated pair of relays.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Cell voltage measuring systems and methods for determining voltage levels across cells within a string of electrochemical cells coupled to each other in series are provided. The string of electrochemical cells has a plurality of tap points dispersed throughout the string. A network of electro-mechanical relays electrically couple to the string of electrochemical cells with each relay coupling to a respective tap point. A controller is coupled to the network of relays and selectively activates a pair of relays within the network responsive to a selection signal. Activation of the pair of relays develops an output voltage level that corresponds to the voltage across one or more cells between respective tap points of the activated pair of relays.
9 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A cell voltage measuring system for determining voltage levels across cells within a string of electrochemical cells having a plurality of cells electrically coupled in series, the string of electrochemical cells having a plurality of tap points dispersed throughout the string, the system comprising:
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a network of electromechanical relays that electrically couple to the string of electrochemical cells, each relay coupling to a respective tap point in the string; and a controller coupled to the network of relays, the controller selectively activating a pair of relays within the network of relays responsive to a selection signal to develop an output voltage level corresponding to the voltage level across one or more cells between the respective tap points of the activated pair of relays. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for determining voltage levels across cells within a string of electrochemical cells, the method comprising the steps of:
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activating a pair of electro-mechanical relays corresponding to tap points within the string of electrochemical cells responsive to a selection signal; developing an output voltage level corresponding to the voltage across one or more cells between the respective tap points of the activated pair of relays; and presenting the output voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for scanning voltage levels of serially connected cells within a string of electrochemical cells, the string of electrochemical cells including tap points located at each end of the string and between each cell within the string of electrochemical cells, the method comprising the steps of:
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scanning a first non-sequential subset of the cells within the string of electrochemical cells to obtain voltage levels for each of the cells in the first non-sequential subset; scanning a second non-sequential subset of the cells within the string of electrochemical cells to obtain voltage levels for each of the cells in the second non-sequential subset, the second subset different than the first subset; and presenting one or more of the obtained voltage levels. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification