Abstract: A device may include an electronic component stack cover having an open end sized to receive a modular electronic component stack including a plurality of like modular electronic components, an at least partially closed end, and sides extending from the at least partially closed end toward the open end. The at least partially closed end and the at least one side may form a chamber. At least one electrically conductive probe may extend from the at least partially closed end into the chamber. The chamber may conform to an outer shape of at least a portion of the modular electronic component stack, and the electrically conductive probe may be configured to electrically interface with a first connector on the electronic component stack when the stack is within the chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a multi-cell battery, with at least two cells electrically connected in a first parallel arrangement, which is connected in series to a second parallel arrangement of at least two additional cells. Each cell is locally connected to a sensor to sense and control current of each cell in parallel or parallel-series combination in the multi-cell battery. A control module is in communication with each sensor, and associated instructions electrically remove or disable a cell from the multi-cell battery determined to be defective based on measurements from the associated sensor. A configuration performs measurements and monitors a state of health of each cell in the multi-cell battery, the measurements including temperature, voltage and current sensing. Identifying one cell of the cells in the multi-cell battery as subject to a performance failure results in electrically switching the identified cell to an off position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a multi-cell battery, with at least two cells electrically connected in a first parallel arrangement, which is connected in series to a second parallel arrangement of at least two additional cells. Each cell is locally connected to a sensor to sense and control the current of each cell in parallel or parallel-series combination in the multi-cell battery. A control module is in communication with each sensor, and associated instructions electrically remove or disable a cell from the battery determined to be defective based on measurements from the associated sensor. Accordingly, the configuration measures and monitors the state of health of each cell in the battery pack, the measurements including temperature, voltage and current sensing. The identification of one of the cells as subject to a performance failure results in electrically switching the identified cell to an off position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a configuration of a multi-cell battery pack, with at least two cells electrically connected in a first parallel arrangement, which is connected in series to a second parallel arrangement of at least two additional cells. Each cell is locally connected to a sensor to sense and control the current of the cells in parallel or parallel-series combination in the multi-cell battery pack. A control module is in communication with each sensor, and associated instructions electrically remove or disable a cell from the multi-cell battery pack determined to be defective based on measurements from an associated sensor. Accordingly, the configuration measures and monitors a state of health of each cell in the multi-cell battery pack, the measurements including temperature, voltage and current sensing.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of cells. Two or more fuel gauges are associated with a voltage adjustable set of the plurality of cells. Each of the two or more fuel gauges is associated with one cell in the voltage adjustable set. Each of the two or more fuel gauges is configured to communicate cell capacity of the associated cell to a master controller. Two or more charge voltage controllers are associated with the voltage adjustable set. Each of the two or more charge voltage controllers is associated with one or more cells in the voltage adjustable set. Each of the two or more charge voltage controllers is configured to receive a signal from the master controller. Each of the two or more charge voltage controllers is configured to increase charge voltage on the associated one or more cells in response to receiving the signal.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery pack containing a plurality of cells is disclosed. The method includes receiving capacity information for a voltage adjustable set of the plurality of cells from two or more fuel gauges. Each of the two or more fuel gauges is associated with one cell in the adjustable set. The method further includes identifying a target cell for increasing charge voltage based on the capacity information. The method further includes sending a signal to a charge voltage controller associated with the target cell. The signal is configured to cause the charge voltage controller to increase charge voltage on the target cell. The charge voltage controller is one of a plurality of charge voltage controllers. Each of the plurality of charge voltage controllers is associated with one or more cells in the voltage adjustable set.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a multi-cell battery, with at least two cells electrically connected in a first parallel arrangement, which is connected in series to a second parallel arrangement of at least two additional cells. Each cell is locally connected to a sensor to sense and control the current of each cell in parallel or parallel-series combination in the multi-cell battery. A control module is in communication with each sensor, and associated instructions electrically remove or disable a cell from the battery determined to be defective based on measurements from the associated sensor. Accordingly, the configuration measures and monitors the state of health of each cell in the battery pack, the measurements including temperature, voltage and current sensing.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery pack containing a plurality of cells is disclosed. The method includes receiving capacity information for a voltage adjustable set of the plurality of cells from two or more fuel gauges. Each of the two or more fuel gauges is associated with one cell in the adjustable set. The method further includes identifying a target cell for increasing charge voltage based on the capacity information. The method further includes sending a signal to a charge voltage controller associated with the target cell. The signal is configured to cause the charge voltage controller to increase charge voltage on the target cell. The charge voltage controller is one of a plurality of charge voltage controllers. Each of the plurality of charge voltage controllers is associated with one or more cells in the voltage adjustable set.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of cells. Two or more fuel gauges are associated with a voltage adjustable set of the plurality of cells. Each of the two or more fuel gauges is associated with one cell in the voltage adjustable set. Each of the two or more fuel gauges is configured to communicate cell capacity of the associated cell to a master controller. Two or more charge voltage controllers are associated with the voltage adjustable set. Each of the two or more charge voltage controllers is associated with one or more cells in the voltage adjustable set. Each of the two or more charge voltage controllers is configured to receive a signal from the master controller. Each of the two or more charge voltage controllers is configured to increase charge voltage on the associated one or more cells in response to receiving the signal.

Abstract: A modular battery device may include a substantially planar dielectric substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface spaced from and opposite the first major surface. A plurality of conductive couplers may extend through the substrate from the first major surface to the second major surface at spaced locations. Each conductive coupler may have a first connector element disposed at the first major surface of the substrate electrically connected to an associated second connector element forming an extension extending from the second major surface of the substrate. The device may be selectively engageable with another such device by selectively mating the first connector element of a first conductive coupler on the device in mechanical and electrical engagement with the second connector element of a second conductive coupler on the other such device. Devices having batteries may be stacked to provide parallel and/or series connections.

Abstract: A modular battery device may include a substantially planar dielectric substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface spaced from and opposite the first major surface. A plurality of conductive couplers may extend through the substrate from the first major surface to the second major surface at spaced locations. Each conductive coupler may have a first connector element disposed at the first major surface of the substrate electrically connected to an associated second connector element forming an extension extending from the second major surface of the substrate. The device may be selectively engageable with another such device by selectively mating the first connector element of a first conductive coupler on the device in mechanical and electrical engagement with the second connector element of a second conductive coupler on the other such device. Devices having batteries may be stacked to provide parallel and/or series connections.

Abstract: A device may include an electronic component stack cover having an open end sized to receive a modular electronic component stack including a plurality of like modular electronic components, an at least partially closed end, and sides extending from the at least partially closed end toward the open end. The at least partially closed end and the at least one side may form a chamber. At least one electrically conductive probe may extend from the at least partially closed end into the chamber. The chamber may conform to an outer shape of at least a portion of the modular electronic component stack, and the electrically conductive probe may be configured to electrically interface with a first connector on the electronic component stack when the stack is within the chamber.