Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a voltage of a battery cell or a battery stack. A first monitoring unit has a first plurality of battery monitoring nodes, first and second data ports, a first supply port switchably coupled to the first plurality of battery monitoring nodes, a second supply port switchably coupled to the first plurality of battery monitoring nodes, and a third supply port. A controller is connected to the first monitoring unit. Alternatively, a reference voltage may be connected to the controller or it may be connected to the first monitoring unit.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a voltage of a battery cell or a battery stack. A first monitoring unit has a first plurality of battery monitoring nodes, first and second data ports, a first supply port switchably coupled to the first plurality of battery monitoring nodes, a second supply port switchably coupled to the first plurality of battery monitoring nodes, and a third supply port. A controller is connected to the first monitoring unit. Alternatively, a reference voltage may be connected to the controller or it may be connected to the first monitoring unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a signaling system for use in a system for monitoring and/or controlling a stack of power cells. The stack of power cells is series connected, i.e. the negative terminal of one power cell is connected to the positive electrode of the adjacent power cell. A monitoring device is associated with each power cell to monitor characteristics of the power cell (temperature, voltage). Every monitoring device is powered by the power cell it is associated. The monitoring device monitors the status of the cell (e.g. it measures the difference of potential between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of that cell but it may also measure the temperature of the power cell, the pH of the electrolyte if the power cell Ci is a battery, etc. and communicates information on the status of the cell to other monitoring devices. The monitoring devices are daisy chained.

Abstract: A monitoring system (14, 24, 34, 50) monitors voltage of a stack of batteries (10, 20, 30.) Each battery has a plurality of cells (13). A monitoring unit (14, 24, 34) is associated with each battery and measures voltage across a selected cell. A first monitoring unit and a second monitoring unit measure the same cell, e.g. cell Cn,1 of battery 10. The first and second measurements are used to calculate a correction factor which can be used to correct a set of measurements made by one of the monitoring units (14, 24). The monitoring units (14, 24, 34) are arranged in a chain, with adjacent units in the chain being connected by a communication interface in which data is transmitted as signaling voltage levels between interface units. The interface units (16, 25) of a pair of monitoring units (14, 24) use the same signaling voltage levels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a signaling system for use in a system for monitoring and/or controlling a stack of power cells. The stack of power cells is series connected, i.e. the negative terminal of one power cell is connected to the positive electrode of the adjacent power cell. A monitoring device is associated with each power cell to monitor characteristics of the power cell (temperature, voltage). Every monitoring device is powered by the power cell it is associated. The monitoring device monitors the status of the cell (e.g. it measures the difference of potential between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of that cell but it may also measure the temperature of the power cell, the pH of the electrolyte if the power cell Ci is a battery, etc. and communicates information on the status of the cell to other monitoring devices. The monitoring devices are daisy chained.

Abstract: A monitoring system (14, 24, 34, 50) monitors voltage of a stack of batteries (10, 20, 30.) Each battery has a plurality of cells (13). A monitoring unit (14, 24, 34) is associated with each battery and measures voltage across a selected cell. A first monitoring unit and a second monitoring unit measure the same cell, e.g. cell Cn,1 of battery 10. The first and second measurements are used to calculate a correction factor which can be used to correct a set of measurements made by one of the monitoring units (14, 24). The monitoring units (14, 24, 34) are arranged in a chain, with adjacent units in the chain being connected by a communication interface in which data is transmitted as signalling voltage levels between interface units. The interface units (16, 25) of a pair of monitoring units (14, 24) use the same signalling voltage levels.