With Discharge Of Cells Or Batteries Patents (Class 320/118)
  • Patent number: 11967847
    Abstract: A battery bank control device is provided for setting a power limit value of a battery bank in which a plurality of battery racks (BRs) are connected in parallel. The device includes: a voltage measurement unit measuring a voltage of each BR of the plurality of BRs; a first power limit calculation unit calculating a first power limit value according to a state of charge (SOC) calculated based on the voltage of each BR with respect to each BR; a capacity ratio calculation unit calculating a capacity ratio of each BR based on capacity information of the plurality of BRs; a second power limit calculation unit calculating a second power limit value using the capacity ratio and the first power limit value of each BR; and a battery bank power limit calculation unit calculating a battery bank power limit value using the second power limit value of each BR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Yul Yoon, Yoon Joon Choi, Hae In Choi, Jae Sung Im, Hyo Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 11949257
    Abstract: A controller executes an equalization process of equalizing capacities of a plurality of cells, and a cell abnormality determination process of, of detected voltages of the plurality of cells, calculating a voltage difference between a representative voltage based on the detected voltage of at least one cell to be compared and the detected voltage of one cell to be detected at a first time and a second time, and when a difference between the two voltage differences is greater than or equal to a threshold value, determining that the cell to be detected is abnormal. In the case of executing the cell abnormality determination process during the equalization process, the controller provides the detected voltage of a target cell to be subjected to the equalization process with a compensation value corresponding to a voltage change based on energy transfer in the target cell due to the equalization process between the first time and the second time, and calculates the voltage difference at the second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Itakura, Changhui Yang, Shinya Nishikawa, Tohru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11936220
    Abstract: Embodiments of this application provide an energy storage device and system as well as a power system, and relate to the technical field of a power grid. The energy storage device includes: at least two parallel-connected energy storage units, where each energy storage unit includes: a battery cluster and a power conversion system; and the battery cluster includes at least two cells; a direct-current side of the power conversion system is electrically connected to the battery cluster, an alternating-current side of the power conversion system is configured to electrically connect to an input side of an alternating-current combiner cabinet, and an output side of the alternating-current combiner cabinet is configured to electrically connect to an alternating-current side of a transformer. The energy storage device is configured to improve safety and reliability of the energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Chenling Zheng, Yanhua Lu, Jinbo Cai, Bingtuan Luo
  • Patent number: 11904706
    Abstract: A vehicle power supply device converts power from high voltage to low voltage by selectively connecting a predetermined power storage element group to a low voltage electric load from a high voltage power supply formed by connecting power storage elements in series. A leakage current from the high voltage power supply is measured during the dead time period when the power storage element group is not connected to the low voltage electric load. When the value exceeds a predetermined value, the connection between the power storage element group and the low-voltage electric load is interrupted, so that electric shock is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: IMASEN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Makio, Koichi Yamanoue
  • Patent number: 11876390
    Abstract: A battery with switched accumulators, including: a first cell; a plurality of second cells series-connected with the first cell, each first and second cell including: an electric accumulator series-connected with a first switch, a second switch connected in parallel with the accumulator and the first switch, and a first diode, the cathodes of the first diodes being connected to an output node, the anode of the accumulator of the first cell being connected to ground, the anode of the first diode of each second cell being coupled to the cathode of the accumulator by at least one third switch; and a control circuit capable of measuring characteristics of at least certain accumulators and of controlling the first, second, and third switches according to the characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
    Inventors: Yan Lopez, Eric Fernandez, Sylvain Bacquet, Léandro Cassarino, Ghislain Despesse, Rémy Thomas
  • Patent number: 11870366
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a power conversion circuit is disclosed. The power conversion circuit includes at least one DC bus. The power conversion circuit further includes a plurality of DC-AC conversion units coupled to the DC bus and configured to convert a DC voltage into an AC voltage. The power conversion circuit also includes a multi-winding transformer comprising a magnetic core and a plurality of windings, where each DC-AC conversion unit is coupled to a corresponding winding of the multi-winding transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Minjie Chen, Robert Pilawa-Podgurski
  • Patent number: 11858360
    Abstract: A method for operating at least one electrical component of a vehicle with the aid of a battery. At least two battery cells of the battery are electrically connected and thus added to the at least one component via at least one particular switching unit. The following steps for precharging a DC link of the vehicle is carried out: a) adding a first of the battery cells, b) incrementally adding at least a second of the battery cells, after a previous adding has taken place in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Walter Von Emden, Joachim Joos, Johannes Grabowski
  • Patent number: 11811251
    Abstract: An on-board distributed power supply system is coupled to an on-board distributed drive system. The on-board distributed drive system includes at least two power trains, and the on-board distributed power supply system includes at least two low-voltage battery pack groups. Each low-voltage battery pack group of the at least two low-voltage battery pack groups includes at least one low-voltage battery pack. Each low-voltage battery pack of the at least one low-voltage battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells. Each low-voltage battery pack group of the at least two low-voltage battery pack groups is correspondingly electrically connected to at least one of the power trains in the on-board distributed drive system, and is configured to provide electric energy for each power train of the at least two power trains in the on-board distributed drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang Cheng, Xueliang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11799300
    Abstract: Methods and systems for selectively connecting a plurality of battery cells in a dual-mode battery pack in series and parallel configurations and/or for individual cell monitoring. A dual-mode battery pack may generally include a housing; a first set of battery cells connected in series; and a second set of battery cells connected in series. The battery pack may also include series connection contacts selectively connectable to the first set of battery cells and to the second set of battery cells and, when engaged, connecting the first set of battery cells and the second set of battery cells in a series configuration; and parallel connection contacts selectively connectable to the first set of battery cells and the second set of battery cells and, when engaged, connecting the first set of battery cells and the second set of battery cells in a parallel configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Mergener, Jeffrey M. Brozek, Christian Funda, Nicholas Konetzke
  • Patent number: 11766945
    Abstract: A handheld device for jump starting a vehicle engine includes a rechargeable lithium ion battery pack and a microcontroller. The lithium ion battery is coupled to a power output port of the device through a FET smart switch actuated by the microcontroller. A vehicle battery isolation sensor connected in circuit with positive and negative polarity outputs detects the presence of a vehicle battery connected between the positive and negative polarity outputs. A reverse polarity sensor connected in circuit with the positive and negative polarity outputs detects the polarity of a vehicle battery connected between the positive and negative polarity outputs, such that the microcontroller will enable power to be delivered from the lithium ion power pack to the output port only when a good battery is connected to the output port and only when the battery is connected with proper polarity of positive and negative terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: The Noco Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Lewis Nook, William Knight Nook, Sr., James Richard Stanfield, Derek Michael Underhill
  • Patent number: 11762448
    Abstract: A method for troubleshooting an abnormal sensor in an energy-storage apparatus, a terminal device, and storage medium are provided. The method may include the following. Feedback information sent by at least two sensors of at least one type is received according a preset period. Monitoring data are grouped according to a monitoring type. One monitoring type corresponds to one data set. Data screening is performed on a data inspecting group updated, and a target sensor is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignees: Shenzhen Hithium Energy Storage Control Technology Co., Ltd., Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yizhong Fang
  • Patent number: 11762023
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to providing a battery diagnosing system and method, which updates a diagnosis table of a battery diagnosing apparatus by communication between a central server and the battery diagnosing apparatus, and stores battery state information and a diagnosis code as a backup. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, since the diagnosis table stored in the battery diagnosing apparatus may be updated to a latest state, the battery state may be diagnosed more accurately. In addition, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, since the central server determines whether the diagnosis code generated by the battery diagnosing apparatus is misdiagnosed, the battery state may be diagnosed more accurately and reliably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: LG Energy Solution, Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Hwan Jeon
  • Patent number: 11752888
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel charging connector and an electric vehicle, relates to the technical field of electric vehicle accessories, and solves the technical problems of poor connection stability due to cable connection resistance between a signal terminal and a grounding terminal in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TI-LANE PRECISION ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Baojun Luo
  • Patent number: 11757294
    Abstract: A power device including a housing, charging circuitry, and discharge circuitry. The housing defining a first support operable to support a first battery pack, and a second support operable to support a second battery pack. The charging circuitry electrically is connected to the first battery pack and the second battery pack in a parallel-type connection. The charging circuity is configured to simultaneously charge the first battery pack and the second battery pack. The discharge circuitry is electrically connected to the first battery pack and the second battery pack. The discharge circuitry is configured to electrically connect the first battery pack and the second battery pack in a series-type connection during a discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Mergener, Timothy Ryan Obermann, Kevin L. Glasgow, Jeffrey M. Brozek
  • Patent number: 11754598
    Abstract: A voltage measurement device includes: a plurality of voltage detection circuits which measure cell voltages of a plurality of cells connected in series. Each of the plurality of voltage detection circuits includes: a device address generating circuit which generates a device address according to a first address assignment command received from a preceding voltage detection circuit located at a preceding stage; and an address assignment command generating circuit which generates a second address assignment command according to the first address assignment command, and sends the second address assignment command to a next voltage detection circuit located at a next stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION JAPAN
    Inventors: Naohisa Hatani, Jiro Miyake
  • Patent number: 11749829
    Abstract: The present application relates to a series-parallel switching device and a battery pack including the series-parallel switching device. The series-parallel switching device used for the battery pack is disclosed. The battery pack includes a first battery and a second battery. The switching device includes: a switching circuit, which is configured to be electrically coupled with the first battery and the second battery, where the switching circuit is configured to receive a control signal, and the switching circuit is controlled by the control signal to switch the first battery and the second battery between a parallel state and a series state, or switch the first battery or the second battery to a disconnection state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: DONGGUAN NVT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guoping Zhan, Shengxuan Wang, Guanghui Chen
  • Patent number: 11728662
    Abstract: A cell balancing device based on a capacitor network, a cascadable balancing battery pack, and a control method thereof, used for battery pack balancing control, and the battery pack being composed of n battery units connected in series; the cell balancing device comprises: n half bridge circuits, each half bridge circuit being connected in parallel to two ends of a battery unit, the midpoint of each half bridge circuit being connected in parallel to a corresponding switch capacitor, and each half bridge circuit comprising two switch transistors connected in series; an energy storage capacitor network, comprising a basic energy storage capacitor network composed of n switch capacitors connected in series; a chain-type driving capacitor network, one end thereof being electrically connected to one of the half bridge circuits or the energy storage capacitor network, and the other end thereof being electrically connected to a drive pulse generator, and the drive pulse generator being electrically connected to the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: QINGDAO ANJIE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Yanquan Li
  • Patent number: 11718188
    Abstract: A wireless battery management system includes a plurality of slave BMSs coupled to a plurality of battery modules in one-to-one correspondence. Each slave BMS is configured to operate in active mode and sleep mode. Each slave BMS is configured to wirelessly transmit a detection signal indicating a state of the battery module. The wireless battery management system further includes a master BMS configured to wirelessly receive the detection signal from each of the plurality of slave BMSs. The master BMS is configured to set a scan cycle and a scan duration for each of the plurality of slave BMSs based on the detection signal, and wirelessly transmit a control signal to the plurality of slave BMSs. The control signal includes a wireless balancing command indicating the scan cycle and the scan duration set for each of the plurality of slave BMSs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-Eun Kim, Chang-Hyun Sung, Sang-Hoon Lee, Yean-Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 11688889
    Abstract: A monitoring system and method for charging multiple battery packs in an electric aircraft is illustrated. The system includes a plurality of submodules, a power bus element, and a computing device. The plurality of battery submodules is coupled to the electric aircraft and each battery submodules comprises a battery management component which comprises a sensor to detect a health metric. The power bus element is electrically connected to each battery submodule of the plurality of battery submodules. A computing device is connected at each battery submodule and is configured to receive the health metric form the sensor, determine a charging status of the battery submodule as a function of the health metric, and charge the battery submodules using the power bus element as a function of the charging status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Herman Wiegman
  • Patent number: 11656292
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting abnormality in a battery, includes: a voltage sensor configured to detect voltages of a plurality of battery cells in a battery; and a controller configured to receive the voltages detected by the voltage sensor and to determine whether the battery cells are abnormal on the basis of voltage changes with respect to charge amounts of the plurality of battery cells during charging of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Joon Keun Yoon, Seung Beom Yoon
  • Patent number: 11637531
    Abstract: Described are concepts, circuits, systems and techniques directed toward N-phase control techniques useful in the design and control of supply generators configured for use in a wide variety of power management applications including, but not limited to mobile applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David J. Perreault, James Garrett, Sri Harsh Pakala, Brendan Metzner, Ivan Duzevik, John R. Hoversten, Yevgeniy A. Tkachenko
  • Patent number: 11600991
    Abstract: Electrical circuit arrangement for an energy storage system comprising a first electrochemical energy storage device and a second electrochemical energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Weber, Joerg Schneider, Peter Kohn, Sabine Arnold, Thomas Kaiser
  • Patent number: 11600884
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a case, a first set of battery cells and a second set of battery cells received in the case, a circuit board, and a main power output interface. The first set of battery cells and the second set of battery cells can be connected in series or in parallel, and output two kinds of working voltage through the main power output interface. The battery pack further includes an extended power output interface and a switch provided between the first set of battery cells and the second set of battery cells. The battery pack can output a third voltage for an external device through the extended power output interface when the first set of battery cells and the second set of battery cells are connected in series through the switch. It's safe and reliable when charging the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Globe (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuntao Lu
  • Patent number: 11588189
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprising a battery set comprising plural battery cells configured in a circuit; and a control system configured to switch current flow in the circuit from bi-directional flow to and from the battery set to mono-directional flow to or from the battery set based on an over-charging or over-discharging condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: CHANGS ASCENDING ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Chieh Chang, Olivia Pei Hua Lee, Tsun Yu Chang, Yu-Ta Tseng
  • Patent number: 11588185
    Abstract: A plurality of power source circuits is each configured to be able to selectively charge any one of a plurality of cells included in each of series cell groups by using a voltage across each of series cell groups. The plurality of discharge circuits are each configured to be able to discharge a capacity stored in each of series cell groups. A controlling circuit equalizes the states of the plurality of cells included in each of the series cell groups by using the plurality of power source circuits. The controlling circuit equalizes the states of the plurality of series cell groups by using the plurality of discharge circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomonori Kunimitsu
  • Patent number: 11584257
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the overall power consumption of a parked vehicle, whereby said vehicle comprises a DC power network including two batteries connected in series and an equalizer circuit, whereby the equalizer circuit includes a DC/DC converter for converting an input voltage corresponding to the sum of the voltages of the two batteries into an output voltage to be applied to a first battery of the two batteries. The method consists in i) activating the DC/DC converter only when the State of Charge (SoC) of the first battery reaches a first level below the State of Charge (SoC) of the second battery; and u) keeping the DC/DC converter active until the State of Charge (SoC) of the first battery reaches a second level above the State of Charge (SoC) of the second battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Maxime Valero, David De Brito
  • Patent number: 11545841
    Abstract: An apparatus for communication and balancing in a battery system includes a battery pack connected to a management network. The management network is configured to communicate with a master controller via a communication bus. The apparatus is configured to operate in a communication mode and a balancing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joris Lemahieu, Andre Saillart, Peter H. J. M. Cox, Pierre Lebas
  • Patent number: 11527899
    Abstract: A battery management system integrated in a battery pack configured for use in electric aircraft, the system comprising a first battery management component disposed on a first end of the battery pack, the first battery management component comprising a first sensor suite configured to measure a first plurality of battery pack data wherein the first sensor suite comprises a moisture sensor. The battery management system comprising a second battery management component disposed on a second end of the battery pack, the second battery management component comprising a second sensor suite configured to measure a second plurality of battery pack data wherein the second sensor suite comprises a moisture sensor. The battery management system comprising a data storage system configured to store the first plurality of battery pack data and the second plurality of battery pack data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Braedon Andrew Lohe, Cullen Forrest Jemison, Andrew Joseph Giroux, Tom Michael Hughes
  • Patent number: 11513163
    Abstract: A voltage detection circuit is provided for measuring each cell voltage of an assembled battery configured by connecting a plurality of cells in series. The voltage detection circuit is defined as a first voltage detection circuit. The voltage detection circuit includes a downstream communication circuit that communicates with a host apparatus to communicate with a plurality of voltage detection circuits connected in series with each other; a reply signal generation circuit that generates a reply signal containing data detected by the first voltage detection circuit; an upstream transfer circuit that transfers a signal received by the upstream communication circuit to downstream; a dummy current consumption circuit that consumes a predetermined dummy current; and a control circuit that controls the reply signal generation circuit, the upstream transfer circuit, and the dummy current consumption circuit to selectively operate any one of them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION JAPAN, NUVUTON TECHNOLOGY SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Naohisa Hatani, Gorou Mori
  • Patent number: 11495977
    Abstract: In order to detect a cell voltage with high accuracy during an equalizing process among a plurality of cells, during execution of the equalizing process among the plurality of cells, controller measures a value of a current flowing to a negative electrode of an nth cell through an nth discharge resistor, calculates an (n?1)th voltage drop value due to a wiring resistance value of an (n?1)th wiring and an nth voltage drop value due to a wiring resistance value of an nth wiring based on the measured current value, and the wiring resistance value of the (n?1)th wiring connected to a positive electrode of the nth cell and a wiring resistance value of the nth wiring connected to the negative electrode of the nth cell, the wiring resistance value of the (n?1)th wiring and the wiring resistance value of the nth wiring being measured in advance, and, based on the (n?1)th voltage drop value and the nth voltage drop value, corrects the voltage value of the nth cell, a voltage value of an (n?1)th cell, and a voltage val
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11482871
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic device and a charging control method therefor. The electronic device may comprise: a connection terminal for performing wired communication with an external electronic device; and at least one processor functionally connected to the connection terminal, wherein the at least one processor detects connection of a charging device through the connection terminal, receives state information of at least one adjacent terminal located next to a power terminal of the connection terminal, and controls charging power to be supplied thereto through the charging device, on the basis of the received state information of the adjacent terminal. In addition, various other embodiments are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Jin Park, Sung-Ha Park, Joon-Yung Park, Jung-Oh Sung, Dong-Rak Shin, Jae-Hyun Ahn, Sung-Eun Lee, Wooin Choi, Insun Choi, Jongik Won
  • Patent number: 11476695
    Abstract: An electronic device, according to an embodiment, may include a battery; a memory storing a parameter related to the battery; and a controller operably coupled to the battery and the memory, wherein the controller is configured to: determine a voltage between a positive pole and a negative pole of the battery in response to detecting a current input for charging the battery; adjust the parameter, based at least partially on the determined voltage and a preset voltage range in response to the identification of the voltage; and input the current to the battery, based on a preset voltage corresponding to the adjusted parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyeong Jeong, Hyoseok Na
  • Patent number: 11476506
    Abstract: A daisy-chain battery cells system having a plurality of differential communication interfaces {F(i), i=1, . . . , N} respectively coupled to a plurality of voltage measuring modules {S(i), i=1, . . . , N} for a plurality of battery cells {C(i), i=1, . . . , N}. For each i=1, . . . , N?1, a first high side differential pin pair (CLU(i)+, CLU(i)?) of the ith differential communication interface F(i) is coupled to a first low side differential pin pair (CLL(i+1)+, CLL(i+1)?) of the (i+1)th differential communication interface F(i+1), and a second high side differential pin pair (DAU(i)+, DAU(i)?) of the ith differential communication interface F(i) is coupled to a second low side differential pin pair (DAL(i+1)+, DAL(i+1)?) of the (i+1)th differential communication interface F(i+1). A low side interface FL(1) of the first differential communication interface F(1) is coupled to a controller. A high side interface FU(N) of the Nth differential communication interface F(N) may receive a preset data/signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Xu, Kai Chen, Xiaohong Li
  • Patent number: 11467190
    Abstract: In a voltage detection circuit, if a driving signal is provided from a control circuit to a drive target circuit that is one of a plurality of individual detection circuits, and a non-driving signal is provided from the control circuit to the other non-target circuits, switch portions of the non-target circuits are turned off to prevent a current from flowing through first transistors and second transistors of the non-target circuits, whereby generation of the output voltages in the non-target circuits is stopped, and a switch portion of the drive target circuit is turned on so as to allow a current to flow through a first transistor and a second transistor of the drive target circuit, whereby a voltage according to a voltage across both ends of an electricity storage cell corresponding to the drive target circuit is applied to an output conductive path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushi Shimamoto, Yuuki Sugisawa
  • Patent number: 11433779
    Abstract: A battery management and monitoring system integrated in a battery pack configured for use in electric aircraft. The system includes a sensor suite configured to measure a plurality of battery pack data. The system includes a battery monitoring component configured to detect a first fault in the battery pack and produce a first fault detection response notifying a user of the first fault in the battery pack. The system includes a battery management component configured to detect a second fault in the battery pack and produce a second fault detection response configured to mitigate the second fault in the battery pack. The system includes an interlock component having a first mode and a second mode, configured to enable the battery monitoring component and disable the battery management component when in the first mode and enable the battery management component and disable the battery monitoring component when in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Braedon Andrew Lohe, Cullen Forrest Jemison, Andrew Joseph Giroux
  • Patent number: 11387667
    Abstract: The present embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for operating a battery charger in computing systems having certain system load requirements, battery configurations and external device power supply support. According to some aspects, the present embodiments provide methods and apparatuses for providing a reverse boost mode of operation when the battery charger is providing system power from a battery, such as when an adapter is not connected. The reverse boost mode of operation according to embodiments provides a regulated output voltage, thereby allowing a load such as a CPU to operate at maximum performance, even when the battery has discharged below a threshold discharge level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Shahriar Nibir, Sungkeun Lim
  • Patent number: 11386767
    Abstract: A communicator in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a connector, a communication circuit, and a communication controller. The connector is electrically coupled to an electric working machine. The communication circuit performs wireless communication. The communication controller cyclically transmits operational information without specifying a recipient via the communication circuit in response to an operating mode of the communication controller being set to an operation-transmission mode. The operational information indicates an operating state of the electric working machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Kusakawa, Masaaki Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 11368033
    Abstract: A remote controlled battery cell monitoring and control system that utilizes empirical and theoretical data to compare performance, sensor data, stored patterns, historical usage, use intensity indexes over time and tracking information to provide a sophisticated data collection system for batteries. This tracking is designed to better the specifications, designs, training, preventative maintenance, and replacement and recycling of batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Global Battery Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Dave Baarman, Henry W. Sybesma, Jennifer S. Sierra, Cathy L. Wiler, Ellington L. Ellis, Kristine A. Hunter, Lynne A. Sybesma
  • Patent number: 11362522
    Abstract: A battery controller includes a first driving pin, a second driving pin and a third driving pin. The first driving pin is coupled to a charge switch and is operable for turning on the charge switch to enable a battery pack to be charged by a power source. The second driving pin is coupled to a first discharge switch and is operable for turning on the first discharge switch to enable the battery pack to power a first load. The third driving pin is coupled to a second discharge switch and is operable for turning on the second discharge switch to enable the battery pack to power a second load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: O2Micro Inc.
    Inventor: Guoxing Li
  • Patent number: 11351887
    Abstract: Provided is a management device that manages a power storage module configured by connecting in series a plurality of parallel cell groups in which a plurality of cells are connected in parallel. In the management device, a voltage detection circuit detects a voltage of each of the plurality of parallel cell groups connected in series. A plurality of equalizing circuits are connected in parallel to the plurality of parallel cell groups, respectively. A controlling circuit controls the plurality of equalizing circuits based on the voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit and executes an equalizing process. The controlling circuit determines whether or not an abnormal cell is included in each of the parallel cell groups based on a voltage change of each of the parallel cell groups during discharging to the equalizing circuit or charging from the equalizing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimihiko Furukawa, Masato Nishikawa, Kenji Motoyoshi, Noriharu Kobayashi, Yoshitaka Sakiyama
  • Patent number: 11349159
    Abstract: Provided are a battery management system and a battery pack including the same. The battery management system includes a plurality of slave controllers, a plurality of temperature sensors, and a master controller. The plurality of temperature sensors are disposed in a plurality of different regions within the battery pack in a distributed fashion. The master controller is communicably coupled to the plurality of temperature sensors through a wired communication network. The master controller is communicably coupled to the plurality of slave controllers through a wireless communication network. The master controller determines a position of each of the plurality of slave controllers based on a temperature value of each region measured by the plurality of temperature sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-Won Hwang, Yean-Sik Choi, Ji-Eun Kim, Chang-Hyun Sung, Sang-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 11329489
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery is coupled to a power delivery unit or an external load unit. In a charging mode, the power delivery unit converts an input power to a converted voltage and/or current. A charging circuit converts the converted voltage and/or current to a charging voltage and/or current for charging the rechargeable battery. Power data is communicated between the power delivery unit and the rechargeable battery by: 1) the power delivery unit adjusting the converted voltage, wherein the power data is expressed by plural voltage levels of the converted voltage; and/or 2) the rechargeable battery adjusting a battery input current, wherein the power data is expressed by plural current levels of the battery input current. At least one of the converted voltage, the converted current, the charging voltage, or the charging current is adjusted according to the power data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wei-Hsu Chang, Ta-Yung Yang
  • Patent number: 11329491
    Abstract: A distributed battery balance management method includes: performing a battery system balancing procedure by a battery system balance management unit and performing battery module balancing procedure by module balance management circuit (MBMC) of corresponding battery module (BM). The battery system balancing procedure includes: obtaining lowest module voltages of corresponding BMs; obtaining a lowest system voltage and an average system voltage of the battery system; determining whether the lowest module voltage of the corresponding BM is greater than the average system voltage; when yes, setting a balance time duty ratio of the corresponding MBMC as a first duty ratio; when no, setting the balance time duty ratio of the corresponding MBMC as a second duty ratio; and setting module balance enable signal of corresponding MBMC to be enable, thus allowing the corresponding BM to perform voltage balance control on the batteries in the corresponding BM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wei-Ting Tai, Wei-Hsu Chang
  • Patent number: 11322967
    Abstract: A control device for controlling discharging of a rechargeable battery, the control device being configured to: determine the voltage of the battery during discharging of the battery, stop discharging, when the determined voltage falls below a first predetermined lower voltage limit, determine the voltage of the battery after stopping discharging, determine the voltage difference between the first predetermined lower voltage limit and the determined voltage of the battery after stopping discharging, and continue discharging, when the determined voltage difference exceeds a predetermined threshold. A corresponding method controls discharging of a rechargeable battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE
    Inventors: Keita Komiyama, Yuki Katoh
  • Patent number: 11309586
    Abstract: A discharge circuit includes a plurality of burden circuits that are electrically connected in parallel to a plurality of power storage units, respectively. Each of the plurality of burden circuits includes (i) a resistor and a switch that are electrically connected in series between both ends of a corresponding one of the plurality of power storage units, and (ii) a control terminal that controls the switch according to a potential of the control terminal. The plurality of burden circuits are electrically connected in series between a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The control terminal of a n+1-th burden circuit from a reference point is electrically connected, via the switch of the n-th burden circuit from the reference point, to a reference point side terminal of a n-th power storage unit from the reference point. The reference point is the positive electrode or the negative electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Tsukamoto, Yohsuke Mitani, Takahiro Kudo, Yoshimitsu Odajima
  • Patent number: 11296516
    Abstract: The invention provides a battery managing system, which includes: a charging/discharging unit, configured to operably charge/discharge the battery; a sensing unit, configured to operably sense a voltage, a discharging current and a discharging duration time of the battery during discharging the battery; and a calculating unit, determining a charge/discharge capability of the battery according to the voltage, the discharge current, the discharge duration time, and temperature of the battery. According to the present invention, the battery managing system can be included in a chip insides each cell of the battery for early indication of poor reliability, so that the chip can be used to determine the charge/discharge capability or to prevent explosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventor: Cher Ming Tan
  • Patent number: 11289925
    Abstract: In a method of controlling a battery system having a battery module comprising a plurality of battery sub modules connected in parallel between system terminals, the method includes: measuring voltage values of the plurality of battery sub modules and/or cells in the plurality of battery sub modules and current values that flow on the battery module; detecting an occurrence of an internal short in the battery module by monitoring the voltage values or the current values; and electrically separating at least one battery sub module in which the internal short occurs from among the plurality of battery sub modules from the system terminals in response to the internal short occurring in the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Shin Cho, Seung-Il Kim, Gangya Park, Yoonphil Eo
  • Patent number: 11289932
    Abstract: A battery pack having separate charging and discharging paths includes a battery including at least one battery cell, a processor configured to monitor the battery and to control charging and discharging operations of the battery, a charging switch arranged along at least one of a first path electrically connecting a first pole of the battery to a charging device and a third path electrically connecting a second pole of the battery to the charging device, the charging switch being configured to operate according to a control signal generated by the processor, and a discharging switch arranged along at least one of a second path electrically connecting the first pole of the battery to a load and a fourth path electrically connecting the second pole of the battery to the load, the discharging switch being configured to operate according to the control signal generated by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyongpil Jin
  • Patent number: 11283274
    Abstract: An apparatus including a monitoring unit including a voltage detection circuit which detects a voltage of the plurality of battery cells, a balancing unit including a first common resistor element and a switching module, the first common resistor element connected between a first common node and a second common node, and a control unit operably coupled to the monitoring unit and the switching module, the control unit determining a balancing target including at least one of the plurality of battery cells based on the voltage of each of the plurality of battery cells, and controlling the switching module to form a current channel between the first common resistor element and the balancing target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventor: Ho-Byung Yoon
  • Patent number: 11264809
    Abstract: A method for operating an energy storage system, which includes at least one energy store with a plurality of cells and is designed to supply an electric drive system of a vehicle is provided. The method includes identifying a reference cell from among the cells, and carrying out a first symmetrization procedure for the cells at a first point in time, at which the reference cell has a first reference charge state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Tobias Hollweg