Battery management unit, system and method
First Claim
1. A battery management unit to manage the state of charge of a plurality of cells or batteries connected thereto including:
- a state of charge sensor to measure the state of charge of the cells or batteries;
a multiplexer to selectively connect the state of charge sensor to each of the cells or batteries to be measured;
a charger to charge at least one of the cells or batteries;
a discharger to discharge at least one of the cells or batteries;
a controller to selectively connect the state of charge sensor to the cell or battery to be measured via the multiplexer, to receive state of charge information from the state of charge sensor and to selectively connect the charger or the discharger to one or more of the cells or batteries via the multiplexer to dynamically maintain the state of charge of the cells or batteries within a predetermined range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A battery management unit and system for managing the state of charge of cells or batteries. Each battery management unit measures cell or battery terminal voltage and provides this information to a central controller via a communication medium. Each battery management unit monitors a plurality of batteries and can selectively charge a selected battery via a charger and switch circuit or can selectively discharge a selected battery via a load and switch circuit under the control of a controller. The controller may control charging and discharging in accordance with measurements from voltage sensors or may convey information from a voltage sensors to the central controller and receive charging and discharging commands from the central controller. Charging and discharging is controlled to maintain all batteries within a desired state of charge ranged. The central controller may selectively connect a main charger or generator to a bank of batteries associated with a battery management unit.
100 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A battery management unit to manage the state of charge of a plurality of cells or batteries connected thereto including:
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a state of charge sensor to measure the state of charge of the cells or batteries; a multiplexer to selectively connect the state of charge sensor to each of the cells or batteries to be measured; a charger to charge at least one of the cells or batteries; a discharger to discharge at least one of the cells or batteries; a controller to selectively connect the state of charge sensor to the cell or battery to be measured via the multiplexer, to receive state of charge information from the state of charge sensor and to selectively connect the charger or the discharger to one or more of the cells or batteries via the multiplexer to dynamically maintain the state of charge of the cells or batteries within a predetermined range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 28)
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17. A method of charging and equalising the state of charge of a plurality of cells or batteries comprising:
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simultaneously charging the cells or batteries by a main charger; and selectively connecting, via a multiplexer, the cell or battery having the highest terminal voltage, above a high voltage threshold, to a discharger for a predetermined period until all cells or batteries are below the high voltage threshold, wherein each of said plurality of cells or batteries is selectively connectable to the discharger via the multiplexer. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification