With Discharge Of Cells Or Batteries Patents (Class 320/118)
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Patent number: 10473726Abstract: A battery management method includes verifying variance information of a physical quantity of each of a plurality of batteries, and identifying a target battery among the batteries based on the variance information. The battery management method also includes determining pack state information of a battery pack comprising the batteries based on state information of the target battery.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jeonghyun Park
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Patent number: 10464434Abstract: An energy storage system includes an energy storage provided in a transportation unit, a connector electrically connectable to an external power transmission management apparatus, a power transmission circuit, and a processor. The processor is configured to control the power transmission circuit in accordance with an output from the external power transmission management apparatus to perform power transmission between the energy storage and an external power system, and control the power transmission circuit in accordance with an output from the external power transmission management apparatus, if a degree of variation in charging states in the energy storage and one or more external energy storages is greater than or equal to a threshold value, to perform power transmission between the energy storage and the one or more external energy storages to reduce the degree of variation before performing the power transmission between the energy storage and the external power system.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Keiichiro Homma, Jun Kudo
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Patent number: 10468897Abstract: The disclosure involves wireless electric power sharing between vehicles. A first vehicle sends a charging request, wherein the first vehicle is at least partially powered by a first on-board rechargeable electricity storage. The first vehicle receives a response to the charging request from a second vehicle which is at least partially powered by a second on-board rechargeable electricity storage, and a communication channel is established between the first and second vehicles. The first on-board rechargeable electricity storage is charged using energy stored in the second on-board rechargeable electricity storage and wirelessly transferred from the second vehicle to the first vehicle. The charging is controlled with information exchanged between the first and second vehicles over the communication channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Si Bin Fan, Ge Liang, Hao Sheng, Hai Dong Zhang, Jinfan Zhu
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Patent number: 10459508Abstract: A low frequency power management bus, a method of power management of a device, and a non-transitory computer readable program code configured to execute a power management process for a device are disclosed. The power management bus including a bus, and a plurality of power nodes connected to the bus, each of the plurality of power nodes including power management control logic, a power regulator, and a power policy, and wherein the plurality of power nodes are arranged in a topology with at least one node of the plurality of nodes being designated as a super power node, the super power node configured to be connected either directly or through another power node to each of the plurality of power nodes within the topology.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc.Inventors: Thien Nguyen, Sarma Sista
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Patent number: 10461544Abstract: A method for diagnosing an error of cell balancing in a cell balancing circuit constantly maintaining a plurality of cell voltages of a battery includes a first step of calculating a cell balancing residual time through a cell balancing required time and a cell balancing performing time in a previous driving, a second step of confirming a cell balancing required time in a current driving after the first step, a third step of calculating a time deviation between the cell balancing required time of the second step and the cell balancing residual time of the first step, and a fourth step of deciding whether or not the error has occurred through the time deviation calculated in the third step.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Jong Seo Yoon, Hyun Soo Park
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Patent number: 10424944Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically regulating an electric output which is dispensed by a secondary battery that has at least two battery cells, wherein the charge states of all the battery cells are repeatedly detected at time intervals, an average charge state (SOCaverage) is ascertained per battery cell from the detected charge states of the battery cells, a deviation of at least one charge state of a battery cell from the average charge state (SOCaverage) is detected, and the average charge state (SOCaverage) and the deviation are taken into consideration during the automatic and dynamic regulation of the electric output dispensed by the secondary battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Stefan Trinkert, Benjamin Mangold
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Patent number: 10406932Abstract: A converter is to convert at least one of a first voltage output from a first energy storage device and a second voltage output from a second energy storage device. A detector is to detect the first voltage and a current flowing between the first energy storage device and the second energy storage device. Circuitry is configured to control the converter to perform a first constant current control in which a first constant current flows from one of the first energy storage device and the second energy storage device to another of the first energy storage device and the second energy storage device. The circuitry is configured to determine a state of the first energy storage device based on the first voltage and the first constant current while the first constant current control is performed.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Ryota Unno, Daijiro Takizawa, Hirokazu Oguma
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Patent number: 10408864Abstract: A voltage measuring apparatus that individually measures voltages of n-pieces (2?n) of power storage elements B(1) to B(n) connected in series includes: first to n-th voltage detecting units that respectively individually measure voltages of the power storage elements; a switching circuit that switches a connection state between the power storage elements and the first to n-th voltage detecting units; a SW control unit that drives the switching circuit; and an operation processing unit. The power storage elements are arranged in order so that potential becomes higher as n increases. The switching circuit includes a capacitor connected in parallel to the power storage element B(1). In the switching circuit, the negative terminals of the power storage elements are connected to a first terminal of the capacitor via respective corresponding first switches. The positive terminals of the power storage elements are connected to a second terminal of the capacitor via respective corresponding second switches.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Youhei Yamaguchi, Tomomi Kataoka, Keiichi Kawano, Takahiro Matsuura, Hiroaki Takechi
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Patent number: 10404082Abstract: A battery pack including: a rechargeable battery, a protection circuit configured to disable the rechargeable battery when an output voltage value of the rechargeable battery becomes equal to or lower than a first voltage value, and a control circuit configured to stop power supply for an electronic device from the rechargeable battery when the output voltage value of the rechargeable battery becomes equal to or lower than a second voltage value that is higher than the first voltage value, the second voltage value being updated based on the output voltage value of the rechargeable battery when power supply for the electronic device from the rechargeable battery becomes unnecessary.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Fujitsu Client Computing LimitedInventor: Katsuma Ono
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Patent number: 10389142Abstract: Provided is an electric storage system including: a plurality of electric storage devices including a plurality of modules, a battery management unit, and a line concentrator connected with the battery management unit; wherein the plurality of modules include a battery unit, a voltage measurement unit, a temperature measurement unit and a current measurement unit, and wherein the battery management unit is configured to control at least one of the plurality of electric storage devices based on an instruction transmitted from the line concentrator.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoyuki Sugeno, Kohki Watanabe, Kazuharu Yanagihara, Noritoshi Imamura, Yusuke Suzuki
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Patent number: 10386419Abstract: Measurement of a cell voltage is executed immediately after diagnosis of a battery management device is ended. In a battery management device, current sources repeatedly perform an energization operation to cause a current to flow to voltage detection lines with a magnitude of the current that enables each amount of charge stored in capacitors changed by one energization operation to fall within a range corresponding to a fluctuation width of terminal voltages of battery cells during the energization operation when resistors are in a normal state. When the difference between the current terminal voltage of the battery cell and the past terminal voltage of the battery cell is larger than the predetermined threshold value, the microcomputer diagnoses that the resistor is in the open state.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Tomonori Kanai, Akihiko Kudo, Tomoyuki Arima, Akiko Tsukamoto
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Patent number: 10389141Abstract: A plurality of battery packs is provided in communication with an energy monitoring and control system. Each battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells that collectively dictate the capabilities of the battery pack. The energy monitoring and control system determines a plurality of pack charging or pack discharging parameters for each battery pack that, when performed, achieve one or more performance metrics at a user level (e.g., performance metrics of each battery pack within a system of multiple battery packs). The battery pack further determines a plurality of cell charging or cell discharging parameters for each battery cell based upon the determined plurality of pack charging or pack discharging parameters for each battery cell that, when performed, achieve one or more performance metrics at a battery level (e.g., performance metrics of different cells of each battery pack).Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Mahshid Roumi, Farshid Roumi
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Patent number: 10377262Abstract: Electric vehicle range extending apparatus includes a step-down voltage provision unit, cell voltage sensing unit, cell switching unit, and control unit. The step-down voltage provision unit has an input port to be coupled to the main battery pack or an auxiliary battery pack, and an output port to output a power balancing signal. The cell voltage sensing unit is for being coupled to the battery cells and sensing individual voltages of the battery cells. The cell switching unit, including a plurality of switches, is coupled to the battery cells respectively, and coupled to the output port. The control unit, coupled to the cell voltage sensing unit, step-down voltage provision unit, and cell switching unit, is for controlling the cell switching unit based on the individual voltages of the battery cells so as to apply the power balancing signal to at least one of the battery cells selectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: NATIONAL CHUNG SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Wei-Min Hsiao, Kuo-Kuang Jen, Jeng-Chyan Lin, Hsun-Ming Hsien, Fu-Min Fang
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Patent number: 10367364Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for powering a mobile device are provided. The method comprises detecting whether an external battery is useable for powering a mobile device through an interface. The method also comprises receiving power through the interface upon detecting the external battery being useable for powering the mobile device through the interface. With the methods and apparatuses of the present disclosure, it is easy to detect the availability of the external battery, which results in an extended battery life and enhanced battery capacity.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Nokia Technologies OyInventor: Xuefeng Xu
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Patent number: 10355496Abstract: For each battery sub-module in a plurality of battery sub-modules, a voltage associated with a cell in that battery sub-module is received wherein each battery sub-module in the plurality of battery sub-modules includes a plurality of cells. A battery sub-module is selected based at least in part on the received voltages and a set of one or more loads, which draws power from the selected battery sub-module and is not powered by any other battery sub-module in the plurality of battery sub-modules, is configured so that the set of loads at least temporarily does not draw power from the selected battery sub-module.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Kitty Hawk CorporationInventors: Scott Furman, Lewis Romeo Hom
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Patent number: 10355504Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a battery unit comprising at least two series-connected battery cells, wherein a discharge process of at least one battery cell is carried out via a connectable discharge resistor in order to equalize states of charge of the battery cells. According to the invention, the value of the discharge resistance is ascertained during the discharge process of the at least one battery cell, and the previously ascertained value of the discharge resistance is taken into account during a subsequent discharge process of the battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Jens Becker, Andre Boehm
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Patent number: 10345383Abstract: A device is disclosed that determines the actual capacity of a battery. The device determines the charge state of the battery and monitors discharge events. Before additional charge is applied, a minimum useful capacity is recorded based on passed charge values recorded by a battery gas gauge during discharge. Before a low voltage shut down, a full capacity is recorded based on passed charge values. The battery capacity information can be used to provide insights on the timing for battery replacement and for improvement in workflows involving the device.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2015Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Wayne Mullen, Mark Alan Howe, Ramon Redondo
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Patent number: 10340707Abstract: A method for the adjustment of states of charge of battery cells that are operated electrically in parallel connection, with the following steps: determination of the states of charge of the battery cells; selection of those battery cells whose states of charge are to be adjusted in accordance with a predeterminable selection rule; activation of those battery cells that are adjusted by means of a respective semiconductor switch of the battery cells, and deactivation of the remaining battery cells by means of the semiconductor switches of the respective remaining battery cells; carrying out the adjustment of the states of charge and monitoring of the states of charge; and termination of the adjustment of the states of charge when a predetermined state of charge has been attained by the activated battery cells.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Michael Hinterberger, Berthold Hellenthal
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Patent number: 10312698Abstract: A charger device comprises a sensor which is configured to measure a differential current as a difference between a first current through a first battery portion of a battery and a second current through a second battery portion of the battery. The sensor is configured to provide a current difference signal based on the measured differential current. The charger device further comprises a compensator configured to calculate a first current setpoint used for the first battery portion and a second current setpoint used for the second battery portion based on the current difference signal and a battery current setpoint. The charger device also comprises a controller configured to control charging and/or discharging of the first battery portion based on the first current setpoint and of the second battery portion based on the second current setpoint.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventor: Bernhard Wagner
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Patent number: 10305301Abstract: A battery and an electronic device are provided. The battery includes a battery cell, including at least one anode of the battery cell and at least one cathode of the battery cell. The battery also includes a voltage detection circuit, wherein the voltage detection circuit detects a voltage of the battery cell. Further, the battery includes a protection circuit, wherein the protection circuit protects the battery cell based on the voltage of the battery cell detected by the voltage detection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: LENOVO (BEIJING) CO., LTD.Inventors: Baoning Huang, Bingcai Luo
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Patent number: 10300806Abstract: A vehicle has a control system configured to perform, and a method for controlling a battery in a vehicle includes, the steps of modifying a state of charge of at least some battery cells in the battery, based on: a vehicle idle state, and the battery having at least a predetermined decay rate. The SOC of the at least some battery cells is modified such that the battery has less than the predetermined decay rate after the SOC is modified.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2013Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Chi Paik, Satish B Chikkannanavar, Szushen Ho, Edward Vann Decker
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Patent number: 10298026Abstract: An apparatus for model predictive control (“MPC”) is disclosed. A method and system also perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a measurement module that receives battery status information from one or more sensors receiving information from a battery cell, and a Kalman filter module that uses a Kalman filter and the battery status information to provide a state estimate vector. The apparatus includes a battery model module that inputs the state estimate vector and battery status information into a battery model and calculates a battery model output, the battery model representing the battery cell, and an MPC optimization module that inputs one or more battery model outputs and an error signal in a model predictive control algorithm to calculate an optimal response. The optimal response includes a modification of the error signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Utah State UniversityInventors: Michael Scott Trimboli, Gregory L. Plett, Regan A. Zane, Kandler Smith, Dragan Maksimovic, Michael Evzelman, Daniel Costinett, Richard Dyche Anderson
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Patent number: 10298027Abstract: The method is disclosed of controlling a switch circuit which includes a first switching unit configured to switch between energy accumulation and energy release in a coil, and second switching units configured to connect or disconnect a plurality of corresponding storage batteries with the coil. The method comprises a first step of performing an operation to switch on the first switching unit and to switch off the second switching units; and a second step of performing an operation to switch off the first switching unit and to switch on only one of the second switching units.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Masami Takai, Akira Nakamura
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Patent number: 10291037Abstract: An electrical energy storage device includes a plurality of energy cell slots for receiving energy cells; and a controller; wherein the controller is arranged to estimate a characteristic of a cell in each slot; and wherein the controller is arranged to apply charge and discharge currents to each cell slot dependent upon at least one estimated characteristic currently associated with that slot. The controller may be a single controller that controls all slots or it may be implemented as multiple controllers each controlling more than one cell slot or a controller for each slot. The characteristic may be one or more of: a power capability, a storage capacity, a cell impedance, an energy cell type and an energy cell chemistry.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2015Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: OXFORD UNIVERSITY INNOVATION LIMITEDInventors: Christoph Birkl, Damien Frost, Robert Richardson, Adrien Bizeray, David Howey
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Patent number: 10283973Abstract: A multi-cell battery pack charging system adjusts each battery cell's charging current to synchronize the completion of charge. The battery pack is charged as a whole, and need only be charged once, and without requiring charge shuttling, resistive charge balancing or inductive charge dumping. Charging current to each battery cell is based on voltage matching of the battery cells being charged, lower voltage battery cells being given more charge current until there is a voltage match to the other series connected battery cells. Additional charge may be given to higher capacity cells of the battery pack during the voltage matching and charging process.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATEDInventor: Keith Curtis
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Patent number: 10263436Abstract: An electrical energy storage unit and control system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit includes a battery system controller and battery packs. Each battery pack has battery cells, a battery pack controller that monitors the cells, a battery pack cell balancer that adjusts the amount of energy stored in the cells, and a battery pack charger. The battery pack controller operates the battery pack cell balancer and the battery pack charger to control the state-of-charge of the cells. In an embodiment, the cells are lithium ion battery cells.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2015Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Powin Energy CorporationInventors: Virgil Lee Beaston, Yunhua Gao
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Patent number: 10236542Abstract: A method for the switching of a number of battery cells in a battery which is configured as an electrochemical storage device, wherein each of the battery cells is electrically connected to the battery in accordance with a corresponding first probability P1i, and is electrically disconnected from the battery in accordance with a corresponding second probability P2i, and wherein the battery cells are mutually connectable in series. According to the method, a performance factor Gi is calculated for each battery cell as a sum of a function, which, specifically, is linearly dependent upon a state of charge LZi of the corresponding battery cell, and a second function which, specifically, is linearly dependent upon a product of a current value of a current which flows in the corresponding battery cell when the corresponding battery cell is electrically connected to the battery and the internal resistance of the corresponding battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Philipp Hillenbrand, Philipp Hartmann
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Patent number: 10218197Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for an electronic device. A connection of the electronic device with a charging device is detected. A state of the electronic device is determined. One of a first charging circuit and a second charging circuit is selected based on the state of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hee Tae Kim, Ku Chul Jung
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Patent number: 10218039Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for detecting a state of a safety plug. The apparatus includes a safety plug configured to switch a connection between battery modules. The apparatus also includes a voltage output unit configured to apply a test voltage to distribution elements operatively connected to the safety plug, and output a voltage varying based on a state of the safety plug.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jinyong Jeon
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Patent number: 10202801Abstract: A control system is disclosed that includes a room controller transmitting signals to both a shade control network and a light control network, directing that motorized roller shades and dimmable lights be set to desired intensity levels. The control system further includes an intelligent hub that provides a trickle-charge re-charge current via power-over-Ethernet cables to batteries associated with each of the motorized roller shades for re-charging the batteries, thereby eliminating power supplies being installed within walls. The intelligent hub provides for communication with the room controller based on streaming protocol and with the shade control network based on event-based protocol. A computer running user-interface software can be connected to the system to facilitate programming.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Crestron Electronics, Inc.Inventor: George Feldstein
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Patent number: 10193194Abstract: A battery assembly controller controls terminal voltages of a plurality of series-connected secondary batteries to be equal. The controller includes a discharge circuit selectively reducing the terminal voltages of the secondary batteries; and a monitoring circuit directly connected to positive and negative electrodes of the secondary batteries to monitor the terminal voltages of the secondary batteries.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Junji Nakatsuka, Gorou Mori
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Patent number: 10164440Abstract: A method of balancing battery power can include: determining batteries to be balanced and directions of balance currents according to charge and discharge states and power states of the batteries, where each of the power states includes a state of charge, a remaining capacity, and a capacity to be charged; determining a reference of the balance current based on controlling temperatures of the batteries to be balanced to be lower than a temperature threshold when the SOCs of the batteries to be balanced are lower than a predetermined threshold; and balancing power of the batteries to be balanced according to the directions of the balance currents and the reference.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTDInventors: Hejinsheng Cao, Zhiyuan Shen
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Patent number: 10164442Abstract: A battery monitoring device monitoring a battery unit connecting battery blocks, the battery unit being configured by each of the battery blocks connecting battery cells, includes: a voltage detection circuit connected to each of the plurality of battery cells via a voltage detection line; a first equalization circuit as a circuit provided with at least a first switching element, the first equalization circuit being disposed for each of the battery cells and connected to the corresponding battery cell; a resistor element disposed on the voltage detection line; a second equalization circuit as a circuit provided with at least a second switching element, the second equalization circuit being disposed for each of the battery blocks and connected to the corresponding battery block; and a controller configured to control driving of the switching elements. The second equalization circuit is connected further on the battery block side than the resistor element.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keiji Kaita, Hiromasa Tanaka, Takahiro Okada
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Patent number: 10150460Abstract: A method for determining the charge in a battery which comprises providing a main battery and a auxiliary battery. The method then comprises connecting the main battery to an electrical load; measuring I1, the current drawn from the main battery while it is connected to the electrical load; connecting the auxiliary battery in parallel with the main battery and the electrical load; measuring I2, the current drawn from the main battery while it is connected to the electrical load and the auxiliary battery; and estimating the state of charge in the auxiliary battery based upon at least the difference between I1 and I2.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2013Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Krzysztof Slosarczyk, Fernando Lages, Kevin Cockings, Stephen Pickering, Jakub Mikos
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Patent number: 10148223Abstract: A Capacitor based Automobile Battery with backup LiFePo charging system and charging circuit is disclosed. This invention improves on existing energy start modules (ESM) in that it is designed as a full standalone replacement unit. This invention has a built in LiFePo battery, with charging circuit, that keeps capacitors charged at all times. The invention uses a novel design of activated carbon or graphene capacitors. There are no heavy lead plates or high levels of toxic acid that is used in AGM (absorbent glass mat}/Lead acid batteries. The invention is lightweight compared with standard lead or lithium cell automobile batteries. This invention holds energy longer than ESM's. The LiFePo battery is safer than standard LiFePo batteries.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Inventor: Nicholas Charles Herbert
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Patent number: 10135267Abstract: Provided is a secondary battery system capable of suppressing degradation of a battery capacity. When it is determined that a battery pack is brought into a non-use state, a battery state detection unit in a battery controller compares an SOC of the battery pack calculated by a battery state operation unit and a standard SOC. When the SOC of the battery pack is higher than the standard SOC, the battery state detection unit in the battery controller calculates a capacity value in which the SOC of the battery pack becomes lower than the standard SOC, from a difference of the SOC of the battery pack and the standard SOC, and transmits the calculated capacity value to a cell controller. The cell controller discharges the battery pack, on the basis of the capacity value transmitted from the battery state detection unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2014Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventor: Hironori Sasaki
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Patent number: 10135243Abstract: In management device (10) for managing power storage device (20) in which a plurality of power storage blocks (B1 to B3) in which a plurality of series circuits of fuses and power storage cells is connected in parallel is connected in series, equalization controller 15 performs, when a voltage difference among the power storage blocks exceeds a set voltage difference, a control for equalizing power storage blocks (B1 to B3). Fuse blowout determination unit 18 determines, based on a frequency of equalization performed by equalization controller 15, whether one of the fuses is blown.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasumasa Isshiki, Mutsuhiko Takeda, Noriharu Kobayashi, Jun Kikuchi
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Patent number: 10090683Abstract: The invention relates to a battery management system for controlling an energy storage assembly, in particular for controlling the charging or discharging process of an energy storage device. The invention further relates to an energy storage assembly having a plurality of storage modules connected electrically in series, which energy storage assembly is controlled by an aforementioned battery management system. The invention further relates to a method for charging or discharging an aforementioned energy storage assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: H-Tech AGInventor: Samuel Canadi
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Patent number: 10088529Abstract: An apparatus for estimating state of a hybrid secondary battery including a first secondary battery and a second secondary battery having different electrochemical characteristics from each other and being connected in parallel with each other, is provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.Inventor: Won-Tae Joe
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Patent number: 10090688Abstract: Systems and methods for overcurrent protection in a battery charger are provided. For example, a method for overcurrent protection may include controlling a switching regulator to direct electrical current between the switching regulator and a battery port; sensing a voltage drop that is related to the electrical current passing between the switching regulator and the battery port; applying a first ramp voltage to the sensed voltage drop generating a modified sensed voltage drop; comparing the modified sensed voltage drop against at least one reference voltage; and when the modified sensed voltage drop exceeds the at least one reference voltage, changing operation of the switching regulator to protect the battery charger from an overcurrent state.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: INTERSIL AMERICAS LLCInventors: Michael Jason Houston, John Stuart Kleine, Lei Zhao, Jia Wei
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Patent number: 10084211Abstract: To be small-sized/light in weight, and to easily cope with the variation of an inter-electrode pitch of battery cells. A flexible printed circuit with bus bars of one embodiment includes a flexible printed wiring board having a flexible insulating base material and a plurality of wiring patterns provided on one main surface of the flexible insulating base material and provided with land parts for bus bar connection at one end, and a plurality of bus bars and fixed to the land parts for the bus bar connection with an adhesive. The plurality of bus bars and are electrically connected to the respectively corresponding land parts for the bus bar connection in block by a plating layer formed on the bus bar and the land part for the bus bar connection.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: NIPPON MEKTRON, LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Nomoto, Koichiro Yoshizawa
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Patent number: 10063072Abstract: A battery module includes a lithium ion secondary battery and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a measurement unit which measures voltage, current, and the time of charge/discharge of the lithium ion secondary battery; an operation unit which calculates a capacity based on the voltage, the current, and the time and calculates a differential value dQ/dV by differentiating the capacity with a voltage; a threshold voltage setting unit which specifies a peak of a low capacity side of the differential value dQ/dV generated on the basis of a stage structure of graphite and sets a voltage at the peak to a threshold voltage; a cutoff voltage setting unit which sets a discharge cutoff voltage of the lithium ion secondary battery on the basis of the threshold voltage; and a charge/discharge control unit which controls charge/discharge of the lithium ion secondary battery on the basis of the discharge cutoff voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2014Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Akihide Tanaka, Yohshin Yagi
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Patent number: 10056654Abstract: Disclosed are an electrochemical energy store and a method for connecting cells of an electrochemical energy store. According to the invention, the following steps are carried out: determination of a first set-point for an output voltage of the energy store; determination of a first probability (Pon) for connecting a first cell, the first probability (Pon) pre-determining the connection of the first cell to the electrochemical energy store; definition of a first condition limit value and a second condition limit value for all cells of the electrochemical energy store; calculation of a first condition value for the first cell, and independently of the first probability (Pon), non-connection of the first cell to the electrochemical energy store at a first time, if the condition value lies below the first condition limit value.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2015Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Stefan Butzmann, Philipp Hillenbrand
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Patent number: 10056778Abstract: A method and a device for limiting the current in a temperature-dependent manner of an energy storage device for electrical energy adjusts a maximum permissible charging and/or discharging current of the energy storage device in dependence upon a temperature of the energy storage device, wherein the following steps are performed: determining multiple temperature values of the energy storage device that follow one another chronologically during a prevailing time interval; determining a prevailing mean temperature value of the energy storage device from the determined temperature values of the energy storage device during the prevailing time interval; comparing the determined prevailing mean value with a predetermined desired temperature value; and, if the determined prevailing mean value is greater than the desired temperature value, limiting the maximum permissible charging and/or discharging current of the energy storage device.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AGInventors: Sebastian Kratzer, Susanne Büschel, Bernd Müller
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Patent number: 10050437Abstract: A power supply apparatus is provided that has a plurality of secondary batteries connected in series, outputs a composite voltage of all of the secondary batteries, and outputs an output of a part of the secondary batteries as a partial voltage. The power supply apparatus includes a detecting unit that detects states of the secondary batteries, a changing unit that changes an order of series connection of the plurality of secondary batteries based on a detection result of the detecting unit in such a manner that the partial voltage is outputted from a secondary battery that is in a relatively good state.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.Inventor: Shinichi Nomoto
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Patent number: 10044210Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that adaptively charges a battery, wherein the battery is a lithium-ion battery which includes a transport-limiting electrode governed by diffusion, an electrolyte separator and a non-transport-limiting electrode. During operation, the system determines a lithium surface concentration at an interface between the transport-limiting electrode and the electrolyte separator based on a diffusion time for lithium in the transport-limiting electrode. Next, the system calculates a charging current or a charging voltage for the battery based on the determined lithium surface concentration. Finally, the system applies the charging current or the charging voltage to the battery.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas C. Greening, P. Jeffrey Ungar, William C. Athas
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Patent number: 10044199Abstract: An electric storage system includes plural electric storage elements, a voltage detection circuit, a discharging circuit, and a controller. The controller is configured to: (a) control an operation of the discharging circuit on the basis of the voltage values detected by the voltage detecting circuit, (b) determine a first reference voltage value indicating a lowest voltage value from the voltage values of the plurality of electric storage elements, (c) discharge the electric storage element indicating the voltage value of which a voltage difference from the first reference voltage value is greater than a first threshold value, and (d) set the first threshold value to a smaller value as the first reference voltage value becomes lower.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2014Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Takashi Ogura
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Patent number: 10038224Abstract: A plurality of required DC voltages are outputted. A power supply device includes: a first switch circuit corresponding to the plurality of battery devices, and that includes a switch for connecting a negative pole terminal, by which negative pole terminals of the battery devices are connected, and a first switch for connecting a positive pole terminal, by which positive pole terminals of the battery devices are connected, and a switch for bypassing, by which the battery devices are bypassed; and a second switch circuit corresponding to the plurality of battery devices, and that includes a second switch for connecting a positive pole terminal, by which positive pole terminals of the battery devices are connected, and a switch for connecting, by which the negative pole terminals of the battery devices are connected to a positive pole terminal of the other battery device.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Yohei Tan, Tatsuya Kitamura, Takahiko Yamamuro
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Patent number: 10033212Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved battery packaging designs. The battery pack design may include a battery cell, a plurality of transistors, and a controller. The transistors may be coupled to the terminals of the battery cell in an H-bridge configuration. The controller may control the transistors to bypass the battery cell based on the current flowing between the output terminals of the battery pack. In such a manner, the controller may prevent damage to the battery cell and improve the overall safety of the battery pack in hazardous conditions. Moreover, the design may allow for more efficient charging/discharging of the cells that are most ready to accept/supply current.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: James C. Camp, Thomas M. MacLeod
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Patent number: 10027138Abstract: A charger of the present invention includes a charging circuit that allows a secondary battery to be charged, a state-of-charge detection circuit that detects a state of charge of the secondary battery, a pictogram display unit that displays the state of charge of the secondary battery, and a control device that controls the charging circuit and the pictogram display unit on the basis of the state of charge of the secondary battery. The control device determines a kind of electronic apparatus available by the secondary battery in accordance with the state of charge of the secondary battery, and then displays the kind of electronic apparatus available on the pictogram display unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: FDK CORPORATIONInventors: Yasunari Mizoguchi, Hirohito Teraoka, Kunihisa Sekiguchi, Katsuki Tsuchiya, Kevin Foster