Abstract: A method (200) of balancing ultracapacitor cells (102) is provided. The method may measure individual ultracapacitor cell voltages, select a balancing setpoint voltage, compare an actual voltage variation within each ultracapacitor cell (102) with a voltage variation threshold, and enable a balancing element (104) associated with the ultracapacitor cell (102) if the actual voltage variation exceeds the voltage variation threshold.

Abstract: A system for detecting a short-circuited ultracapacitor cell in a machine is disclosed. The system may have a memory that stores instructions and one or more processors capable of executing the instructions. The one or more processors may be configured to perform cell balancing among ultracapacitor cells arranged within two or more ultracapacitor modules, each ultracapacitor module including at least two ultracapacitor cells connected in series. The one or more processors may be further configured to measure a module voltage generated by each of the plurality of ultracapacitor modules after performing the cell balancing and before applying a load of the machine to the ultracapacitor modules, and determine whether an ultracapacitor cell among the plurality of ultracapacitor cells is short-circuited based on a comparison of the measured module voltages.

Abstract: A method for real-time characterization of a battery includes providing electric power to one or more electrical power loads, charging and discharging the battery based on power needs of the one or more electrical power loads, and monitoring for a circumstance where charging and discharging of the battery results in terminal voltage of the battery substantially equaling open-circuit voltage of the battery and recording the measured terminal voltage as a first measured voltage. The method may also include monitoring for a subsequent circumstance subsequent when charging and discharging the battery results in battery current larger than a predetermined value and recording an existing terminal voltage as a second measured voltage. The method may also include using the first and second measured voltages to determine a measured internal impedance of the battery. These actions may be performed between startup and shutdown of the power system.

Abstract: A method for characterization of an energy storage device is disclosed. The method includes determining an instantaneous state of charge (SOC) value of the energy storage device during operation the energy storage device, and retrieving an instantaneous available discharging energy value of the energy storage device from a map based on a discharging power and the determined instantaneous SOC value of the energy storage device. The method further includes retrieving an instantaneous acceptable charging energy value of the energy storage device from another map based on a charging power and the determined instantaneous SOC value of the energy storage device.

Abstract: A method for real-time characterization of a battery includes providing electric power to one or more electrical power loads, charging and discharging the battery based on power needs of the one or more electrical power loads, and monitoring for a circumstance where charging and discharging of the battery results in terminal voltage of the battery substantially equaling open-circuit voltage of the battery and recording the measured terminal voltage as a first measured voltage. The method may also include monitoring for a subsequent circumstance subsequent when charging and discharging the battery results in battery current larger than a predetermined value and recording an existing terminal voltage as a second measured voltage. The method may also include using the first and second measured voltages to determine a measured internal impedance of the battery. These actions may be performed between startup and shutdown of the power system.

Abstract: A system for detecting a short-circuited ultracapacitor cell in a machine is disclosed. The system may have a memory that stores instructions and one or more processors capable of executing the instructions. The one or more processors may be configured to perform cell balancing among ultracapacitor cells arranged within two or more ultracapacitor modules, each ultracapacitor module including at least two ultracapacitor cells connected in series. The one or more processors may be further configured to measure a module voltage generated by each of the plurality of ultracapacitor modules after performing the cell balancing and before applying a load of the machine to the ultracapacitor modules, and determine whether an ultracapacitor cell among the plurality of ultracapacitor cells is short-circuited based on a comparison of the measured module voltages.

Abstract: A method (200) of balancing ultracapacitor cells (102) is provided. The method may measure individual ultracapacitor cell voltages, select a balancing setpoint voltage, compare an actual voltage variation within each ultracapacitor cell (102) with a voltage variation threshold, and enable a balancing element (104) associated with the ultracapacitor cell (102) if the actual voltage variation exceeds the voltage variation threshold.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) for an energy storage module is disclosed which includes a first side having a plurality of low current traces useful for monitoring and balancing applications and a second side coated with high current traces, useful for current or power transmission purposes. Vias connect the high current traces to the low current traces thereby electrically connecting both sides of the board together. The disclosed PCB is particularly useful for energy storage modules whereby monitoring and/or balancing of the modules is required in addition to the transmission of high current levels for power applications.

Abstract: One disclosed embodiment relates to a method of estimating a state of health of an electrical energy-storage device. The method may include receiving information indicative of a history of a voltage level of the electrical energy-storage device during a history of charging and discharging of the electrical energy-storage device. The method may also include using the received information to estimate at least one peak or valley in the history of the voltage level. Additionally, the method may include using at least one information-processing device to generate an estimate of a state of health of the electrical energy-storage device based on the at least one estimated peak or valley.

Abstract: A method of estimating a state of health of a battery is disclosed. The method may include receiving information indicative of a history of electricity received by and discharged from the battery during a time period. The method may also include using the received information to estimate peaks in the electricity during the time period. Additionally, the method may include using an information processor to determine a parameter indicative of an estimated state of health of the battery based at least in part on an estimated magnitude of electricity at each of a plurality of the estimated peaks.