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.

Abstract: A method is described in which electronic circuitry of a mobile device is powered by a plurality of battery cells that are selectably connectable in series and in parallel. The energy utilization of the circuitry is measured during operation. The power efficiency for series and parallel configurations of the battery cells is determined based on the measured energy utilization. The battery cells are configured in series or in parallel based on which of the series and parallel configurations is determined to provide a higher efficiency of energy utilization during operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for equalizing the charge of a plurality of battery modules while balancing the plurality of battery modules included in a battery pack. The present disclosure has an advantage of allowing easy manufacture of the battery pack with a reduced size since of the battery pack connectors may be simplified and the volume of wire harness may be reduced.

Abstract: A power storage unit is configured with a plurality of cell strings (St1, St2, St3), where the cell strings are parallel-connected, and each cell string (St1, St2, St3) is constituted by a plurality of series-connected cells (E111 to E1nn, E211 to E2nn, E311 to E3nn). Voltage detector (111 to 13n) detects a voltage of each of the plurality of cell strings (St1, St2, St3). A plurality of switches (S1, S2, S3) are respectively inserted in the plurality of cell strings (St1, St2, St3). Management unit (20) performs, in a non-running state of vehicle (2) that power supply system (1) is mounted on, an equalization process to equalize a voltage and/or capacity between the plurality of cell strings (St1, St2, St3) by turning on at least two of the plurality of switches (S1, S2, S3).

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery having a plurality of battery cells and a balance circuit configured to selectively discharge one or more of the battery cells. A controller is programmed to estimate charge capacities of the battery cells and determine a standard deviation of the estimated capacities. The controller is further programmed to determine a skewness of the estimated capacities. The controller is also programmed to, in response to the skewness exceeding a first threshold, command the balance circuit to discharge one or more of the battery cells when a state of charge (SOC) of the traction battery is less than a second threshold, and, in response to the skewness being less than the first threshold, command the balance circuit to discharge one or more of the battery cells when the SOC of the traction battery is greater than the second threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a battery module and a battery pack. The battery module includes a plurality of secondary batteries arranged side by side, each of which includes a vent; a monitoring assembly, disposed above the plurality of secondary batteries and including a base plate and a monitoring wire, wherein the monitoring wire is coupled to the base plate; the monitoring wire is disposed corresponding to positions of the vents of the plurality of secondary batteries, and can be broken off when any of the vents bursts, so as to monitor a state of the battery module.

Abstract: A battery module equalization apparatus includes a plurality of slave controllers each electrically connected to the plurality of battery modules to measure voltage values of the plurality of battery modules, and having a slave charging/discharging channel through which the current that charges and discharges each battery module flows, and a master controller that receives the voltage value of each battery module from the plurality of slave controllers, selects at least one of the plurality of slave controllers based on the received voltage value, and transmits a CHARGE or DISCHARGE command to the at least one selected slave controller, and having a master charging/discharging channel through which the charging current supplied to the at least one slave controller and the discharging current supplied from the at least one slave controller flow.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a consistency of a battery pack is provided, including: obtaining an initial/real rated capacity and an initial/real dischargeable electric quantity of each cell in a battery pack after a charge and discharge cycle of the battery pack; generating a first/second data diagram for every cells based upon the initial/real rated capacity and the initial/real dischargeable electric quantity; obtaining a first/second information of key cells in the first/second data diagram, defining an initial/real cell distribution region according to the first/second information by processing the first/second data diagram, and calculating a first/second area of the initial/real cell distribution region; and evaluating the consistency of the battery pack according to the first/second area. A strategy for balancing the battery pack is further provided.

Abstract: A high voltage electrical system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a high voltage battery unit having a first high voltage battery connected in series with a second high voltage battery such that a nominal operating voltage of the battery unit is the sum of a voltage of the first high voltage battery and a voltage of the second high voltage battery; a bi-directional high voltage DC/DC-converter connected in parallel with the first high voltage battery and with the second high voltage battery, the DC/DC-converter being arranged to receive a charging voltage from a high voltage inlet or from a propulsion converter connected to an electrical machine; wherein the DC/DC converter is configured to control charging of the first and second high voltage battery to balance a state of charge of the first and second high voltage battery.

Abstract: Controlling an energy storage system includes providing one or more constraints to an optimization problem algorithm, determining by the optimization problem algorithm a DC bus voltage value that results in an minimum total power dissipation for the plurality of power converters, calculating a respective control variable for each of the respective plurality of power converters based on the determined DC bus voltage value, and generating control processor executable instructions to implement control of each of the plurality of power converters to achieve the calculated respective control variable. A system for implementing the method and a non-transitory computer-readable medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for balancing an electrical energy storage module (1) comprising a plurality of units (3) for an electric vehicle (5). The energy storage module (1) is operative according to a first balancing target type. A present operating condition of the energy storage module is determined (S402), and a future operating condition of the energy storage module is determined (S404). Further, there is selected (S406) a second balancing target type among a plurality of predetermined balancing targets (204) based on the present operating condition and the future operating condition, each of the balancing targets being indicative of an energy storage unit characteristic to be balanced in order to achieve the balancing target type. There is further provided to switch (S408) from balancing the energy storage module according to the first balancing target type to balancing the energy storage module according to the second balancing target type.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to method of automatic circuit fault detection. The method includes inputting a common periodic wave voltage to each of a plurality of battery cells of a battery pack. Recursively calculated correlation coefficients for each neighboring pair of the battery cells are used to determine whether a common battery cell of two neighboring pairs is faulty. The disclosure further describes equalizers for multi-cell battery packs and series-connected battery strings. The equalizers can include a coupling capacitor comprising a plurality of small plates coupled between the two series-connected metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) connected to each battery cell, and a larger plate, wherein the larger plate is commonly coupled to all of the small plates. A plurality of battery string groups can be equalized, where each cell includes one transformer winding and a MOSFET. The MOSFETs are driven using one pair of complementary pulse width modulation signals.

Abstract: There is described a method of balancing a multi-cell battery. An alignment distance for each cell of the multi-cell battery is determined. The alignment distance defines a change in charge quantity required to achieve a target alignment point, based on a current charge quantity of the cell. Based on the determined alignment distances, one or more unbalanced cells are identified. Each unbalanced cell is then balanced by adjusting its current charge quantity according to the alignment distances. In one embodiment, the target alignment point is a target state of charge. In another embodiment, the target alignment point is a target charge quantity.

Abstract: Provided is a switching control method for an isolated bidirectional DC-DC converter, wherein the isolated bidirectional DC-DC converter connected between a DC grid system and a battery uses multiple switching controls together depending on a voltage of the battery, thereby facilitating high efficiency control. In the isolated bidirectional DC-DC converter according to the present invention, switching of a first switching unit and a second switching unit is controlled to control the flow of power by changing the bidirectional DC-DC voltage between the DC grid system and the battery, and the first and the second switching unit are switched using PSM switching control, SPWM switching control, and DPWM switching control together depending on a voltage with which the battery is charged and load capacity, thereby enhancing efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A method for generating battery characteristics for a battery having a target composition includes identifying open-circuit potential (OCP) characteristics for two similar battery compositions having different proportions of elements. The OCP characteristics are converted to dQ/dV characteristics and linearly combined to derived a target dQ/dV characteristic. The target dQ/dV characteristic is integrated to derived a target OCP characteristic. A battery constructed of the target composition is operated according to the target OCP characteristic.

Abstract: A power supply device includes: a first power storage device; a second power storage device that outputs voltage higher than the output voltage of the first power storage device and is connected in series to the first power storage device; a voltage converter connected to the output terminal of the first power storage device to output converted voltage; a second load connected to the output terminal of the voltage converter; and a control unit that controls the voltage converter at fixed boost ratio such that the converted voltage is the sum of the output voltage of the first power storage device and output voltage of the second power storage device. The output terminal of the first power storage device is connected to the second power storage device. The output terminal of the second power storage device is connected to the output terminal of the voltage converter.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a powertrain that includes an engine and an electric machine. The vehicle includes a traction battery that is charged and discharged by operation of the engine and the electric machined. The vehicle includes a controller programmed to operate the engine and the electric machine to satisfy a driver power demand. The controller is also programmed to initiate an estimated of a capacity of the traction battery under predetermined conditions. The controller operates the engine and the electric machine to satisfy the driver power demand and charge and discharge the traction battery in a predetermined manner to create conditions favorable for estimating the capacity.

Abstract: A battery charging and balancing circuit, for charging a battery pack having a plurality of cells. The battery charging and balancing circuit having a detecting circuit to provide a balancing connection indicating signal; a charging circuit to charge the battery pack based on the cell voltages when the balancing connection indicating signal is valid, and to charge the battery voltage otherwise; and a balancing circuit to control the discharging switches coupled with the cells based on the cell voltages when the balancing connection indicating signal is valid.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a battery, a battery charger configured to receive power from an external power source and supply at least one of a charging current or a charging voltage to the battery, and a battery charger controller coupled to charger and configured to control the battery charger. More specifically, the battery charger controller may be configured to control the charger to supply a first AC signal as at least a part of the charging current or charging voltage supplied to the battery, measure a second AC signal associated with the first AC signal, and determine an impedance of the battery at a frequency of interest from the first and second AC signals. The electronic device can also or alternatively include a variable load that may be controlled to supply a first AC signal as at least part of the discharging current or discharging voltage of the battery.

Abstract: An energy system for a motor vehicle and a method for charging at least one electrical energy storage device of the energy system.

Abstract: Provided is an equalization control device that can perform ex-post adjustment of a threshold serving as a reference when equalizing cell voltages of multiple cells. An equalization control device has a voltage detection unit that individually detects each cell voltage in a plurality of cells, an individual discharge unit that individually discharges each cell, a setting unit that sets, in an updatable manner, a threshold as a reference value for comparing with the cell voltage detected by the voltage detection unit, and a control unit that controls the individual discharge unit. The control unit compares each cell voltage detected by the voltage detection unit with the threshold set by the setting unit, and performs control to selectively discharge a discharge target cell having a larger cell voltage than the threshold.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method, apparatus, device and medium for equalization control of battery packs. The method may include: acquiring a voltage of each of a plurality of cells of the battery pack; on the condition that one or more voltages of the voltages of the plurality of cells are within a preset voltage interval, selecting a target State of Charge (SOC)-Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) curve from a charging SOC-OCV curve and a discharging SOC-OCV curve stored for the battery pack based on the voltages within the preset voltage interval; acquiring a target SOC of each cell based on the target SOC-OCV curve and the voltage of each cell; calculating, for each cell, a SOC difference between the target SOC of the cell and a reference SOC; calculating an equalizing time for each cell based on the SOC difference of each cell.

Abstract: A digital signal output device includes: an operation switch including contacts, a first terminal to which a first voltage is applied and a second terminal from which the first voltage is outputted when the contacts are closed; a voltage switching unit configured to select a second voltage from among a plurality of constant voltages; a voltage determination unit configured to determine on a designated cycle whether or not a voltage outputted from the voltage switching unit has changed from the second voltage; and a digital signal generation unit configured to, when the voltage determination unit determines that the voltage has not changed from the second voltage, generate on every cycle a digital signal indicating a first state when the first voltage is outputted from the second terminal and a digital signal indicating the second state when the first voltage is not outputted therefrom.

Abstract: A battery pack of a power tool includes a plurality of cells connected in series, a controller, which is configured to detect a charge current and/or a discharge current of the plurality of cells, estimate remaining capacity of the plurality of cells at least base on an integral of the charge current and/or the discharge current of the plurality of cells over time and generate or select a power supply capability parameter for limiting power of the power tool at least base on the remaining capacity of the plurality of cells, and a memory, which is configured to store data related to the remaining capacity of the plurality of cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a battery management system. In the system, a first microcontroller is connected to a second microcontroller; a battery monitoring module is configured to monitor a state of the battery pack and transmit the state of the battery pack to the first and the second microcontroller respectively via a state signal of the battery pack, and control the state of the battery pack according to a control instruction from the first and the second microcontroller; a sampling control module is configured to detect the state of a high voltage loop of the battery pack, and transmit the state of the high voltage loop to the first and the second microcontroller respectively via a state signal of the high voltage loop of the battery pack, and control the state of the high voltage loop according to a control instruction from the first and the second microcontroller.

Abstract: A voltage supply unit is provided with a first output adapted to supply a first voltage to a first load and provided with a second output adapted to supply a second voltage to a second load. The voltage supply unit includes a first battery stack, a second battery stack and an electronic control unit, wherein the electronic control unit is adapted to regulate the energy state of the first battery stack to a first energy state, and to regulate the energy state of the second battery stack to a second energy state, where the first energy state differs from the second energy state. Power characteristics of the voltage supply unit can be optimized by allowing the energy states of the first and the second battery stacks to differ.

Abstract: An electric circuit switches connection among a plurality of storage cell units including a first storage cell unit and a second storage cell unit, a load of the plurality of storage cell units, and a power supply supplying power to the plurality of storage cell units.

Abstract: A battery operated hair dryer includes a battery management and control module to control how to efficiently dry a user's hair while maintaining the health and charge of the battery.

Abstract: The present teaching provides a power supply system capable of fully utilizing a plurality of batteries having different performances. A power supply system disclosed here includes a main line, a plurality of sweep modules, and a controller. Each of the sweep modules includes a battery module and an electric power circuit module. The electric power circuit module includes a switching device for connecting a connection state between the battery modules and the main line between connection and disconnection. The controller performs sweep control of sequentially switching the battery module connected to the main line among the plurality of battery modules. During an input of electric power from outside, the controller disconnects the battery module whose SOC level satisfies a high SOC condition from the main line (S7), and continues sweep control (S8, S9).

Abstract: A power supply system includes a plurality of batteries, a plurality of battery control devices, and a charging device configured to receive charging information of the batteries transmitted from the battery control devices. The batteries are connected in parallel. Each of the battery control devices is configured to set any one of the batteries as a target battery, and control a charging state of the target battery. Each of the battery control devices is configured to transmit and receive an internal resistance value obtained from the target battery to and from other battery control devices, and generate and transmit charging information of the target battery based on the internal resistance values of the batteries. The charging device is configured to execute charging processing of the batteries based on the charging information of the batteries.

Abstract: A control device for a multi-stage automatic transmission-equipped vehicle includes a hydraulic power controller, a combustion controller configured to, if a predetermined combustion stop condition is satisfied when the vehicle is traveling, perform deceleration-period combustion stop control, and limit combustion restart triggered by a reduction in rotational speed of an internal combustion engine, during execution of the deceleration-period combustion stop control, and a motoring controller configured to control the rotational drive of the internal combustion engine by a motor during execution of the deceleration-period combustion stop control so that the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is maintained at a predetermined rotational speed during a period of time from the time that the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine decreases to the predetermined rotational speed until downshifting to a predetermined gear ratio is completed.

Abstract: In a storage-battery control system, an insulating communication unit couples a controller to a battery module constituting a storage battery unit that outputs a predetermined high voltage value. A power supply line is further provided for supplying electric power output from a controller DC/DC, i.e., a controller-side voltage converter for the controller, to the battery module, so that electric power is collectively supplied via the power supply line to a module CPU and a module-side insulating circuit both consuming electric power in the battery module. A secondary battery in the battery module supplies electric power to only a cell-voltage detector.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus and method is a closed loop system that obtains, stores and transfers motive energy. Preferably, the majority of the electricity generated is utilized to service a load or supplied to the grid. A portion of the electric power produced is used to recharge the batteries for subsequent use of the electric motor. The system controls and manages the battery power by controlling the charging and discharging of the battery reservoir via a series of electrical and mechanical innovations controlled by electronic instruction using a series of devices to analyze, optimize and perform power production and charging functions in sequence to achieve its purpose.

Abstract: A method to charge a battery pack including a plurality of cells connected in parallel, the method including setting a plurality of set cell charging current, a set cell charging current for each cell of the battery pack; charging the battery back with a total current from a single current source; sensing a plurality of cell currents which flows through each cell of the battery pack; comparing a value proportional to each set cell charging current with a value proportional to the cell current for the same cell; and modulating each cell current on the basis of the comparison for the same cell. A battery charging circuit for a battery pack is also provided.

Abstract: In a power storage system, a management device calculates a state of power (SOP) of a whole of a plurality of power storage blocks connected in parallel based on an SOP of each of the plurality of power storage blocks. At least one of the plurality of power storage blocks is disconnected from the power storage system, and when at least one switch is turned on to return at least one disconnected power storage block to the power storage system having the parallel-connected power storage blocks, the management device calculates an SOP of a whole of the power storage blocks after a return of the at least one power storage block based on a deviation in current between each of the power storage blocks including the at least one returned power storage block to determine an upper limit level of power or current flowing into a power converter.

Abstract: An example cooling system for an electric includes an electric motor having a supply opening for receiving coolant and a discharge opening for expelling coolant. The discharge opening is connected to the supply opening via a coolant circuit including a first return line in which a heat exchanger is arranged, a bypass line, and a second return line. The discharge opening is connected to the supply opening by both the first return line and the bypass line, and the bypass line bypasses the heat exchanger arranged in the first return line. A battery is arranged in the second return line, and the second return line is selectively connected to a short-circuit line which causes coolant to flow from a point downstream of the battery and return to the second return line upstream of the battery. Further, a heat accumulator is arranged in the short-circuit line.

Abstract: A method for assigning a unique number to a cell module controller including applying unique number assignment signals to one or more resistor units connected to one or more cell module controllers, respectively, through a main BMS and assigning unique numbers to one or more cell module controllers based on voltage values of the unique number assignment signals applied to one or more resistor units, respectively.

Abstract: A battery pack may include: a plurality of cell stacks; a plurality of monitoring circuits configured to detect voltages of a plurality of cells included in a corresponding cell stack among the cell stacks; a plurality of current measurement circuits configured to measure current consumption of a corresponding monitoring circuit among the monitoring circuits; a plurality of current adjustment circuits configured to adjust a discharge current of a corresponding cell stack among the cell stacks; and a battery controller configured to receive a current consumption measurement result of the monitoring circuits from the current measurement circuits, to calculate current consumption deviation between the monitoring circuits based on the current consumption measurement result of the monitoring circuits, and to control the current adjustment circuits based on the current consumption deviation.

Abstract: There is provided a negative electrode current collector that is used in contact with an aqueous electrolyte solution in an aqueous lithium ion secondary battery, including a surface in contact with the aqueous electrolyte solution, the surface including a material containing at least one selected from the group consisting of Ti, Pb, Zn, Sn, Mg, Zr and In as a main component.

Abstract: A system comprises a processor, configured to perform balancing on a commanded cell referring to a reference cell, and responsive to detecting balancing time exceeding a threshold time and state of charge (SOC) difference being above a tolerance, abort the balancing, and generate an error message. The threshold time depends on an average balancing time calculated using the SOC difference, a predetermined commanded cell capacity, and a predetermined balancing current.

Abstract: An electric propulsion system for a mobile platform includes a battery system connected to positive and negative bus rails, an accessory load having a rotary electric machine, a traction power inverter module (“TPIM”), and an accessory load, switches configured to transition the battery modules to a series-connected (“S-connected”) configuration during a direct current fast-charging (“DCFC”) operation of the battery system, and a controller. When battery modules of the battery system are connected in series during a direct current fast-charging (“DCFC”) operation, the controller executes a diagnostic method to determine bus rail voltages on the positive and negative bus rails and a mid-bus voltage, identifies a diagnosed electrical condition of the electric propulsion system by comparing the voltages to expected values or ranges, and executes a control action in response to the diagnosed electrical condition.

Abstract: A system for providing power is provided including an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) coupled to a first power source, the UPS including at least one battery therein; at least one external battery module (EBM) coupled to the UPS and a second power source, the second power source being different and separate from the first power source. Each of the at least one EBMs include at least one battery string; and a super charger coupled to the at least one battery string and the at least one battery in the UPS, the super charger being configured to charge the at least one battery string and the at least one battery in the UPS when power from the first power source is removed. EBMs and UPSs are also provided herein.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus for balancing cells in a series string of modules having cells. The apparatus comprises a processing system and a communication circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive an average cell voltage value from each module. The processing circuit is further configured to determine an overall average cell voltage for all the cells. The processing circuit is also configured to cause each the modules to determine a relative capacitance for each of its cells and cause each of the modules to balance its cells based on the respective relative capacitances. The communication circuit is configured to receive the average cell voltage value from the modules.

Abstract: A system includes multiple protection modules. Each protection module includes monitoring terminals that monitor battery cells' status, an output terminal that outputs a protection signal if an abnormal condition in the cells is detected, a switching terminal that receives a switching signal, and detection circuitry that switches from a normal-working mode to a fast-test mode if receiving the switching signal, delays outputting the protection signal for a first time interval if the abnormal condition is detected in the normal-working mode, and delays outputting the protection signal for a second time interval, less than the first time interval, if the abnormal condition is detected in the fast-test mode. In the protection modules, the switching terminal of a first protection module and a monitoring terminal of the first protection module are coupled to a second protection module and receive a protection signal from the output terminal of the second protection module.

Abstract: A cell balancing system includes sensing circuitry configured to sense a cell voltage of each of a plurality of cells of a battery. Cell balancing circuitry is configured to balance each of the plurality of cells in response to a respective cell balancing command for each of the plurality of cells. A comparison circuit configured to compare the sensed cell voltages for each of the plurality of cells to an adaptive threshold voltage. The comparison circuit generates a respective cell state for each of the plurality of cells to indicate a state of the respective cell voltage for each of the plurality of cells relative to the adaptive threshold voltage. A controller is configured to set the respective cell balancing command for each of the plurality of cells and to adjust the adaptive threshold voltage based on an evaluation of the cell states for the plurality of cells.

Abstract: A charge/discharge control circuit includes: a first power supply terminal connected to a first electrode of a secondary battery; a second power supply terminal connected to a second electrode of the secondary battery; a control circuit configured to control charge/discharge of the secondary battery; and a power-down release pulse generation circuit connected to the power-down release terminal, the power-down release pulse generation circuit being configured to supply, in a power-down state of the charge/discharge control circuit, a power-down release pulse at least to the control circuit in response to an input of a power-down release signal to the power-down release terminal to release the power-down state.

Abstract: A controllable resistive element and method of forming the same include a state device configured to provide a voltage-controlled resistance responsive to a voltage input. A dielectric layer is formed directly on the state device. A battery is formed directly on the dielectric layer, configured to apply a voltage to the state device based on a charge stored in the battery. A write device is configured to charge the battery responsive to a write signal. An erase device is configured to discharge the battery responsive to an erase signal.

Abstract: A battery system with a large-format Li-ion battery powers attached equipment by discharging battery cells distributed among a plurality of battery packs. The discharging of the battery cells is controlled in an efficient manner while preserving the expected life of the Li-ion battery cells. Each battery pack internally supports a battery management system and may have identical components, thus supporting an architecture that easily scales to higher power/energy. Battery packs may be added or removed without intervention with a user, where one of battery packs serves as a master battery pack and the remaining battery packs serve as slave battery packs. When the master battery pack is removed, one of the slave battery packs becomes the master battery pack. Charging and discharging of the battery cells is coordinated by the master battery pack with the slave battery packs over a communication channel such as a controller area network (CAN) bus.

Abstract: There is provided a battery-operated device that include a battery, an electronic circuitry configured to be powered by the battery, and a converter configured to receive energy from any of a plurality of authorized chargers, and generate power from the energy for charging the battery using the power. The battery-operated device is configured to receive a charger identification from a charger, and determine whether the charger identification is in a list of charger identifications belonging to the plurality of authorized chargers. The battery-operated device is further configured to, in response to determining that the charger identification is in the list of charger identifications receive the energy from the charger, generate, using the converter, the power from the energy received from the charger, charge the battery using the power received from the converter, and use the battery to power the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: An exemplary array activating assembly includes, among other things a disconnect key moveable back and forth between an engaged and a disengaged position relative to a battery array. The disconnect key completes an electrical conductive path of the battery array when in the engaged position. The electrical conductive path is open when the disconnect key is in the disengaged position. An exemplary array activating method includes moving a disconnect key relative to a battery array from a disengaged to an engaged position. The disconnect key completes an electrical conductive path of the battery array when in the engaged position. The disconnect key does not complete the electrical conductive path when in the disengaged position.