Switchable Cells (e.g., For Voltage Regulation, Etc.) Patents (Class 320/121)
  • Patent number: 8294426
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a secondary battery device includes a first assembled battery including a plurality of secondary battery cells, a second assembled battery including a plurality of secondary battery cells and connected in series to a low-potential terminal of the first assembled battery, a disconnecting module capable of mechanically switching connection between the first assembled battery and the second assembled battery, a voltage measurement circuit configured to measure voltages of the plurality of secondary battery cells of the second assembled battery, a first power source wiring connected between a high-potential terminal of the second assembled battery and the voltage measurement circuit, a second power source wiring connected between a low-potential terminal of the second assembled battery and the voltage measurement circuit, and a filter connected between the first power source wiring and the second power source wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kosugi, Yasuhiro Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8294428
    Abstract: An electricity accumulating device includes capacitors connected in series, balanced voltage adjusting portions connected to the capacitors respectively, and a control circuit connected to the balanced voltage adjusting portions. The control circuit performs the following operations: measuring two voltages at different times from each other across each capacitor during the non-charge-or-discharge period of the capacitors by using the balanced voltage adjusting portions; calculating the absolute value of the difference between the two voltages; determining the balanced voltage of each of the capacitors according to the absolute value; and controlling the balanced voltage adjusting portions to make the voltage across each capacitor a balanced voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kimiyasu Kakiuchi
  • Patent number: 8288992
    Abstract: A cell management system and method for balancing energy across a plurality of cells coupled to a circuit bus. The system can include a transformer, two transformer switches, and for each cell, a first switch pair allowing transfer of energy between the transformer and the cell, and a second switch pair allowing removal or inclusion of the cell in the serial connection of cells. The system can include an energy storage device, a switch pair allowing transfer of energy between the transformer and the storage device, and for each cell, a third switch pair allowing transfer of energy between the storage device and the cell. The system can include cell, bus and storage device sensors and state estimators. The system can include a controller that controls the transformer switches, cell switches, and storage device switches based on the sensor readings and states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Indy Power Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Quentin Wayne Kramer, Andrew S. Hintz, Robert L. Galyen
  • Patent number: 8242745
    Abstract: A battery management system for a battery pack comprising multiple battery modules is disclosed. Each of the battery modules includes multiple battery cells. The battery management system includes multiple first balancing units, multiple first controllers, a second balancing unit including multiple second balancing circuits, and a second controller coupled to the battery modules and the second balancing circuits. The first controllers are operable for controlling the first balancing units to adjust voltages of battery cells in the battery module if an unbalance occurs between the battery cells. The second controller is operable for controlling said second balancing circuits to adjust voltages of said battery modules if an unbalance occurs between battery modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: O2Micro Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Han-Jung Kao
  • Patent number: 8232768
    Abstract: A system for cell balancing comprises battery modules and a controller. Each of the battery modules comprises battery cells, balance circuits and a battery management module. The battery management module in each of the battery modules is coupled to the battery cells and for acquiring cell voltages of battery cells. The balance circuits are coupled to the battery cells and for performing balance operation on the battery cells under control of the battery management module. The controller is coupled to the battery modules and for generating a reference signal based on the cell voltages provided by each of the battery modules. The battery management module in each of the battery modules can control the balance circuits to balance the battery cells according to the reference signal, thereby achieving cell balance among the battery modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: O2Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaohua Hou, Jiulian Dai
  • Patent number: 8232767
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for testing batteries, which can prevent errors from occurring due to the tolerance of voltage sensors when the charged states of batteries are measured, and can charge a battery having a charged state deteriorated due to the difference in the resistance of each battery. The apparatus includes a voltage circuit for measuring voltages of N batteries. A resistance circuit decreases voltages of batteries, which are greater than a reference voltage. A connection switch unit selects any one of the N batteries. A divert change unit separates polarities of each battery and changes positions of an cathode and a anode of the battery depending on separated polarities. A selection switch unit selectively connects the cathode and anode of the battery to an cathode and a anode of the voltage circuit or the resistance circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: SK Innovation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeon Keun Oh, Joong Hui Lee, Soo Yeup Jang
  • Patent number: 8212524
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method of controlling the operation of battery modules in a battery system, which includes two or more battery modules or battery module assemblies, wherein the battery system further includes energy consuming loads for consuming charged energy, and the method includes, when a specific battery module or a specific battery module assembly is abnormally operated, connecting the abnormally operated battery module or the abnormally operated battery module assembly to the corresponding energy consuming load to forcibly discharge the charged energy, and a battery system that is capable of performing the battery system control method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Woong Ha, Jeeho Kim, Yongshik Shin
  • Patent number: 8212522
    Abstract: A battery assembly having batteries connected in series to form rows and columns of battery cells into packs that combine the energy of multiple batteries. The battery cells are joined together to form columns of cells connected mechanically together by an exterior connection sleeve, and mechanically and electrically connected together by a conductive epoxy joining the end of one cell to the end of an adjacent cell in series. The columns of cells are mounted and held in place by racks, with bolts passing through the racks to form a sandwich structure that secures the position and orientation of the cells and columns, and that maintains the electrical connection between joined cells. Perpendicularly disposed to the direction of the columns are a series of conductive bands that join adjacent cells together along rows of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventors: Larry L. Deal, Gary J. Gloceri, Adam G. Sciriha, Todd A. Kendall, Wayne B. Uhrick, Phillip Piatkowski, Jr., Leah M. Piatkowski, legal representative, Sarwar Islam, Ladislau M. Mako, Theodore L. Hoag
  • Patent number: 8198869
    Abstract: A circuit for charging a capacitor block including series-connected capacitive elements has an input node for receiving an input, an output node coupled to the capacitor block, a third capacitive element connectable to the input node and the output node, and first and second switching circuitries coupled to the third capacitive element. A voltage sensor determines a relationship between first voltage at the first capacitive element and second voltage at the second capacitive element to separately control switching of the first and second switching circuitries in accordance with the relationship between the voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Wen Yang, Yong Kok Sim, Vui Min Ho
  • Patent number: 8188750
    Abstract: A battery module voltage detector can reduce the difference in frequency response of an anti-aliasing filter for each battery module whose voltage is measured, and provide an accurate voltage measurement. The battery module voltage detector includes a plurality of switches connected to battery modules constituting a battery pack, resistors having an equal resistance value, and a filter composed of capacitors having equal capacitance and being disposed between the battery modules and the switches. The capacitors are divided into a first capacitor group and a second capacitor group which are symmetrical at the center of the battery pack. The first capacitor group is on the positive terminal side of the second battery. The second capacitor is on the negative terminal side of the battery pack. Capacitors may be connected between an output terminal of a (1+M/2)-th resistor and an N-th resistor, except a (1+m/2), the (1+M/2)-th resistor and the N-th resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasumichi Ohnuki
  • Patent number: 8183870
    Abstract: A battery system utilizes a plurality of transformers interconnected with the battery cells. The transformers each have at least one transformer core operable for magnetization in at least a first magnetic state with a magnetic flux in a first direction and a second magnetic state with a magnetic flux in a second direction. The transformer cores retain the first magnetic state and the second magnetic state without current flow through said plurality of transformers. Circuitry is utilized for switching a selected transformer core between the first and second magnetic states to sense voltage and/or balance particular cells or particular banks of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Francis J. Davies
  • Patent number: 8183818
    Abstract: A system for energizing an energy storage device includes an electric power source, an energy system in communication with the electric power source, and a switching time control multiplexer. The energy storage system includes at least two parallel energy storage devices. The switching time control multiplexer is configured to supply total charging current from the electric power source to the energy storage system such that each storage device is charged in an alternating manner with the total charging current being less than a total charging current required for parallel charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Hesham A. Elhalis
  • Patent number: 8183833
    Abstract: A voltage balancer device has a plurality of discharge paths. Each pair of the discharge paths correspond to each secondary battery unit. Each of a pair of the discharge paths has a resistance of a different value. Discharging the voltage of each secondary battery unit is at first performed through the discharge path of a smaller resistance value. The voltage balancer device switches the currently used discharge path to another discharge path having a large resistance value at the time the voltage of the secondary battery unit nearly equal a desired voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8174238
    Abstract: A contact array arrangement which both receives charging current for charging batteries of a battery pack, and which also breaks the parallel charging contact position (contact configuration in which individual batteries of the battery pack are charged in parallel) then reestablishes series connection of the batteries when a charge electrode array is urged against the contact array arrangement and when the charge electrode array is removed. A cover covering the contact array may be connected by throughbolts to a support supporting series connection contacts such that depressing the cover by imposing a downward force (e.g., the weight of a charge electrode array), moves the series connection contacts out of contact with those contacts receiving charge current. Springs return the series connection contacts to the series condition. Charge conductors fixed to the contact array pass through or by the series connection such that a very compact device results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: Berkley C. Badger
  • Patent number: 8164341
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring voltage of individual cells connected in series includes a single flying capacitor. The capacitor stores the charge of one of the cells such that a primary analog-to-digital converter (ADC) connected to the capacitor may process a representation of the voltage of the cell being measured. A secondary ADC is connected directly to the cell being measured. The measurements of the primary and secondary ADCs are then compared to verify the accuracy of the flying capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: EnerDel. Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald H. Jaeger, Chad Hartzog
  • Patent number: 8154253
    Abstract: A circuit for detecting battery cell abnormalities in a multi-cell series battery for effectively and quickly detecting abnormalities with a simple, small circuit that provides improved reliability, safety and service life of the multi-cell series battery. In the voltage monitoring device 12, immediately after the start of the monitoring cycle of any battery cell BTi, cell voltage abnormality detector 14 checks whether cell voltage Vi is outside of the normal operating range. The cell voltage abnormality detector 14 has: a group of selection switches 18 for selecting any battery cell BT of multi-cell series battery 10 and retrieving its voltage to first and second monitoring terminals A, B; cell voltage/monitoring current converter 20; monitoring current/monitoring voltage converter 22; comparison/evaluation circuit 24; evaluation signal output circuit 26 and abnormality detection controller 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Kazuya Omagari
  • Patent number: 8143852
    Abstract: A state of charge optimizing device according to the present invention optimizes a state of charge of each of a plurality of cells which are connected in series to form an assembled battery, and conducts the optimization by discharging or charging a part or all of the plurality of cells so that the differences between the amount of charge after the optimization and the amount of charge in a predetermined state of charge become uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroya Murao
  • Patent number: 8143851
    Abstract: A power source with multiple cells connected in parallel to a common node or power supply point. The individual cells within the power source may also have a dedicated controller for each of the individual cells such that the dedicated controllers are connected on a one to one basis with each of the respective individual cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Charles Greening, William Athas, Steven Charles Michalske
  • Patent number: 8134337
    Abstract: An electric storage device is disclosed, this device can balance voltages across each one of energy storage devices with each other in a short time even if the voltages disperse in a wide range, and also it can reduce needless power consumption. This device includes the energy storage devices and an equalizing voltage circuit coupled in parallel with the energy storage devices. The equalizing voltage circuit includes a balancing resistor, a balancing switch coupled between respective energy storage devices and respective balancing resistors, a discharging resistor coupled in parallel with the respective energy storage devices and having a smaller resistance value than the balancing resistor, and a discharging switch coupled between the respective energy storage devices and the respective discharging resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuki Morita
  • Patent number: 8129952
    Abstract: This disclosure includes battery systems and operational methods. According to one aspect, a battery system includes conversion circuitry, a plurality of main terminals configured to be coupled with a load, a charger and a plurality of rechargeable battery modules which are coupled in series with one another intermediate the main terminals, switching circuitry configured to couple a first of the battery modules with an input of the conversion circuitry, and the conversion circuitry being configured to modify an electrical characteristic of electrical energy received from the first of the battery modules and to output the electrical energy having the modified characteristic to a second of the battery modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Lee
  • Patent number: 8120209
    Abstract: A voltage sensing device with which high-precision voltage sensing is possible without the need to obtain a unique correction constant for each device. A pair of voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 is selected from voltage input nodes NC0-NCn in switch part 10, and they are connected to sensing input nodes NA and NB in two types of patterns with different polarity (forward connection, reverse connection). Sensing input nodes NA and NB are held at reference potential Vm by voltage sensing part 20, and current Ina and Inb corresponding to the voltage at voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 flows to input resistors RIk and RIk-1. Currents Ina and Inb are synthesized at different ratios in voltage sensing part 20, and sensed voltage signal S20 is generated according to the synthesized current Ic. Sensed voltage data S40 with low error is generated according to the difference between the two sensed voltage signals S20 generated in the two connection patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Toru Tanaka, Akio Ogura, Kazuya Omagari, Nariaki Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 8089249
    Abstract: A battery management system includes a switch array, a first controller and a second controller. The switch array selects a battery module from multiple battery modules in a battery pack based upon a conduction state of the switch array. The first controller is coupled to the switch array and receives measurement information of cells in the battery pack through the switch array. The second controller is coupled to the switch array and the first controller and provides a control signal to control the conduction state of the switch array. The first controller further controls a balance circuit coupled to the battery pack to balance a selected battery module if the selected battery module is identified as an unbalanced battery module based upon measurement information associated with the selected battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: O2Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Guoxing Li, Jiulian Dai, Lei Wang, Wenhua Cui
  • Patent number: 8084994
    Abstract: A method for extending the service life of a portable device includes monitoring a battery of a portable device; identifying a problem bank; reconfiguring a connection schema for the battery to replace the problem battery bank with at least one spare bank; conditioning or exercising the problem bank; connecting the portable device to a power supply to recharge the problem bank; and reconnecting the recharged or repaired bank according to the connection schema without the at least one spare bank. A method for extending the service life of a portable device includes monitoring power consumption of at least one of the hardware or software of a portable device; and reconfiguring the connection schema of the battery banks to redistribute power consumption of at least one of the hardware or software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cesar A. Gonzales, Genady Grabarnik, Lev Kozakov, Larisa Shwartz
  • Patent number: 8022675
    Abstract: A method and a circuit for detecting the state of supply of a load by a variable voltage, including measuring the difference between values representative of the variable supply voltage and of a voltage across the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventor: Laurent Moidron
  • Publication number: 20110175574
    Abstract: A battery identification (ID) setting system effectively managing a plurality of batteries and a method of driving the same. The battery ID setting system having an external terminal includes a master battery management system (BMS) outputting ID setting signals, and a plurality of slave BMSs transmitting battery information signals containing absolute battery IDs and battery potential differences of batteries to the master BMS in response to the ID setting signals. The master BMS receives the battery information signals to assign and store the relative battery IDs corresponding to the absolute battery IDs of the batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sesub SIM, Segawa SUSUMU, Jongwoon YANG, Jinwan KIM
  • Patent number: 7977913
    Abstract: A battery pack comprising a rechargeable power source element; an input member for connecting the battery pack to an external power source; an output member for connecting the battery pack to an external device for power supply to the external device a micro-controller for sensing at least one characteristic of an electrical signal from the external power source, and for controlling an output signal at the output member based on the characteristics of the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: STL Energy Technology (S) Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Eng Soon Dave Tan, Kwang Sheun Tham, Wah Swee Tan
  • Patent number: 7962212
    Abstract: Implantable medical device power circuits are disclosed. Multiple batteries may be provided, along with a number of switches, enabling a plurality of battery and power circuit configurations to be defined. Configurations of the power circuit may be changed in response to changes in battery status as the batteries are used and/or near end-of-life. Configurations of the power circuit may also be performed in response to changes in device operation. Methods associated with operating such circuits and implantable medical devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Cameron Health, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Signoff, Marcus F. Julian
  • Patent number: 7948211
    Abstract: A method for extending the service life of a portable device includes monitoring a battery of a portable device; identifying a problem bank; reconfiguring a connection schema for the battery to replace the problem battery bank with at least one spare bank; conditioning or exercising the problem bank; connecting the portable device to a power supply to recharge the problem bank; and reconnecting the recharged or repaired bank according to the connection schema without the at least one spare bank. A method for extending the service life of a portable device includes monitoring power consumption of at least one of the hardware or software of a portable device; and reconfiguring the connection schema of the battery banks to redistribute power consumption of at least one of the hardware or software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cesar A Gonzales, Genady Grabarnik, Lev Kozakov, Larisa Shwartz
  • Publication number: 20100295510
    Abstract: An apparatus for charging a plurality of series connected battery cells includes first and second input terminals for providing a charging voltage to the plurality of series connected battery cells. A transformer includes a primary side associated with the charging voltage and a secondary side including a plurality of portions. Each of the plurality of portions connected across at least two of the plurality of series connected battery cells. A first switch in series between each of the plurality of portions of the secondary side and a first battery cell of the at least two of the plurality of series connected battery cells provides a charging current to the first battery cell during a first portion of a cycle of a current in the primary side of the transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: INTERSIL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: ZAKI MOUSSAOUI, TONY ALLEN
  • Patent number: 7812568
    Abstract: A voltage detecting circuit comprises: an operational amplifier whose one input terminal is applied with a first reference voltage; a first capacitor whose one end is connected to the other input terminal of the operational amplifier; a second capacitor whose one end is connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier, and whose other end is connected to the other input terminal of the operational amplifier; a switch circuit for applying a first voltage and a second voltage sequentially to the other end of the first capacitor; and a discharging circuit for discharging the second capacitor before the second voltage is applied to the other end of the first capacitor, a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage being detected based on a voltage at the output terminal of the operational amplifier after the second voltage is applied to the other end of the first capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Yonezawa
  • Publication number: 20100253286
    Abstract: A charge-balancing system includes N circuits and a control module, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Each of the N circuits includes first and second switches connected in series and an inductance having a first end connected between the first and second switches. The control module outputs control signals to control the first and second switches. A second end of the inductance of a first one of the N circuits is connected between two cells of a first pair of 2N series-connected cells of a battery stack. The first and second switches of the first one of the N circuits are connected in parallel to the first pair of 2N series-connected cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Pantas Sutardja
  • Publication number: 20100244770
    Abstract: A multi battery pack system is composed of a plurality of battery packs. The master battery pack receives a total voltage from each slave battery pack and calculates a target total voltage using its total voltage and total voltages of all slave battery pack whenever a predetermined time period passes, sends the calculated target total voltage to each slave battery pack, compares the target total voltage with its total voltage, and then connects or disconnects its cell group and output terminals according to the comparison result. The slave battery packs include at least one slave battery pack, which sends its total voltage according to a request of the master battery pack, receives a target total voltage from the master battery pack, compares the target total voltage with its total voltage, and then connects or disconnects its cell group and output terminals according to the comparison result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Eguchi YASUHITO, Tanina SHOJI, Dal-Hoon LEE, Sang-Hoon LEE, Jee-Ho KIM
  • Publication number: 20100244771
    Abstract: A multi battery pack system is composed of a plurality of battery packs. The master battery pack receives a total voltage from each slave battery pack and calculates a target total voltage using its total voltage and total voltages of all slave battery pack whenever a predetermined time period passes, sends the calculated target total voltage to each slave battery pack, compares the target total voltage with its total voltage, and then connects or disconnects its cell group and output terminals according to the comparison result. The slave battery packs include at least one slave battery pack, which sends its total voltage according to a request of the master battery pack, receives a target total voltage from the master battery pack, compares the target total voltage with its total voltage, and then connects or disconnects its cell group and output terminals according to the comparison result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Eguchi YASUHITO, Tanina SHOJI, Dal-Hoon LEE, Sang-Hoon LEE, Jee-Ho KIM
  • Patent number: 7723954
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for supplying at least one load consumer during a mains failure. According to said method, a plurality of batteries acts as an emergency voltage source during the failure of a mains voltage source in order to supply the load consumer(s). The plurality of batteries is connected to the mains voltage source. The batteries are interconnected in series in order to form the emergency supply for the load consumer. To permit a simple, cost-effective emergency supply with a reliable charging of the batteries, the plurality of series-connected batteries is sub-divided into at least two battery groups using a splitter circuit and each of said battery groups is connected to the mains voltage source for charging purposes by means of a corresponding connection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Cooper Crouse-Hinds GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Frücht
  • Publication number: 20100109608
    Abstract: A charge balancing circuit implemented within a charge storage device (cell) in a series connected charge storage unit (battery) made up of a plurality of cells. The charge balancing circuit may utilize a controller to sense the voltage in the cell it is implemented therein and the cells adjacent thereto. If the voltage of the current cell exceeds a threshold voltage and is greater than at least one adjacent cell the current cell can transfer charge to the adjacent cell having the lowest voltage. The transfer of the charge is done with a switching network that extracts current from the current cell and then transfers the current to the adjacent cell having the lowest voltage. The switching network may utilize switches and a current storage device (inductor) to transfer the charge. The controller may activate different switches based on which adjacent cell has the lowest voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BATTERY, INC.
    Inventors: Robert N. Buono, Philipe H. Gow
  • Patent number: 7688029
    Abstract: A portable battery powered appliance accepts at least first and second batteries. The appliance also includes a load. a first circuit. and a second circuit. The first circuit receives power from the first battery and provides a first power. The second circuit receives power from the second battery and provides a second power. The load receives at least one of the first power and the second power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter F. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7683574
    Abstract: A rapid charging circuit for a lithium ion battery. The battery charger in accordance with the present invention compensates for the voltage drops across the various resistance elements in the battery circuit by setting the charging voltage to a level to compensate for the initial resistance of the series resistances in the circuit and an additional resistance selected to take into account the anticipated increase in resistance of the various circuit elements over time. The battery charger in accordance with the present invention periodically monitors the open-circuit voltage of the battery cell and reduces the charging voltage to when the battery cell voltage reaches the optimal value. Thus, during a constant current charging mode, the battery cell is driven at a relatively optimal charging current to reduce the charging time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Components Corporation
    Inventors: Huang Tai Guang, Robert F. Wentink, Xia Ju Jie, Li Wen Hua
  • Patent number: 7656119
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a mobile communication terminal having a built-in battery from an electric charging and method thereof are disclosed, by which the mobile communication terminal is protected against a problem generated from using a false battery. The present invention includes a power unit, an electric charging control unit controlling an electric charging of the power unit, a control unit deciding whether the built-in battery is a correct battery by recognizing a serial number of the built-in battery, the control unit outputting a control signal for controlling the electric charging of the power unit, and a switching circuit switching a supply of an electric charging power applied to the battery according to the control signal of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 7638973
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for adjusting a voltage balancing of cells in a lithium ion multicell battery pack. The system comprises a vertical interface outputting inputs of a reading balance signal defining a voltage reading period and a balance period and a reading hold signal holding a cell voltage when reading a voltage; an interface outputting an address clock for designating an address of a cell to be controlled and an input of a balance hold signal for independently reading a cell voltage within a voltage balance period; and a control section of a cell balancing adjusting circuit connected to the vertical interface and the interface and receiving signal outputs therefrom to adjust a balancing of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dal-Hoon Lee, Han-Ho Lee, Jee-Ho Kim, Eguchi Yasuhito
  • Patent number: 7626365
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for charging a battery (110). The method includes the steps of receiving (212) an input power supply signal (300), monitoring (216) the input power supply signal to determine when the input power supply signal reaches first and second predetermined thresholds (314, 316) and in response to the monitoring step, selectively controlling (217) a charging switch (122) that controls the flow of the input power supply signal to the battery. The controlling step can include activating (220) the charging switch when the input power supply signal reaches the first predetermined threshold and deactivating (226) the switch when the input power supply signal reaches the second predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Motorola Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Patino, Marco Pulido, Russell L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7612530
    Abstract: This present invention provides a bridge battery voltage equalizer to equalize the voltages of the serially connected battery strings, comprising at least one battery crossing over an energy-transferring circuit. A plurality of the energy-transferring circuits are interconnected in a bridge architecture. Each energy-transferring circuit having four nodes comprises a first semiconductor switch, a first diode, a second semiconductor switch, a second diode, and an inductor. One end of the first element switch is connected to a negative pole of the first diode thereto. A positive pole of the second diode is connected to one end of the second element switch thereto. The inductor is an energy storing element that crosses over between the negative pole of the first diode and the positive pole of the second diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Konishi, Tain-Syh Luor, Yi-Shuo Huang
  • Patent number: 7609034
    Abstract: A battery pack having a plurality of electrically connected unit cells and configured so that the cells degrade at similar rates is provided. The battery pack may comprise a first unit cell and a second unit cell, wherein a temperature of the second unit cell is lower than the first unit cell. A condition of the first cell, such as states of charge or an open circuit voltage is set so that the condition of the first unit cell is less than a corresponding condition of the second unit cell. The unit cells may be thin battery cells stacked in a thickness direction of the thin battery cells, and the first unit cell may be located on an inner side of the second unit cell as viewed in a stacked direction. A temperature detecting unit may detect a temperature of each of the first and second unit cells and a charge control unit may be configured to control charging of the plurality of unit cells according to the temperatures of the first and second unit cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuuji Tanjou
  • Publication number: 20090261783
    Abstract: A method for extending the service life of a portable device includes monitoring a battery of a portable device; identifying a problem bank; reconfiguring a connection schema for the battery to replace the problem battery bank with at least one spare bank; conditioning or exercising the problem bank; connecting the portable device to a power supply to recharge the problem bank; and reconnecting the recharged or repaired bank according to the connection schema without the at least one spare bank. A method for extending the service life of a portable device includes monitoring power consumption of at least one of the hardware or software of a portable device; and reconfiguring the connection schema of the battery banks to redistribute power consumption of at least one of the hardware or software.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cesar A. Gonzales, Genady Grabarnik, Lev Kozakov, Larisa Shwartz
  • Patent number: 7573233
    Abstract: The battery system includes a battery pack having a plurality of power sources arranged in parallel groups that are connected in series. Each parallel group includes a plurality of power sources connected in parallel. Each power source includes a battery. The system also includes electronics configured to repeatedly charge the battery pack according to a charging protocol. The charging protocol is configured such that the voltage of any one battery in the battery pack does not exceed its maximum operational voltage after failure of a battery in the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Quallion LLC
    Inventors: Lu Chow, Taison Tan, Hisashi Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7535199
    Abstract: A battery pack is provided which includes: a battery set having a plurality of secondary-battery cells connected in series and in parallel; and a battery-abnormality detection circuit. The battery-abnormality detection circuit controls a battery-set circuit separation switch, so as to detect an abnormality in each secondary-battery cell based on a change in the voltage of each cell when parallel-connection separation switches are turned off, and if detecting an abnormal secondary-battery cell, so as to separate the series module including this cell from a battery-set body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tadao Kimura, Naohisa Morimoto, So Kuranaka
  • Patent number: 7535200
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid battery module, which comprises: a first cell set; a first programmable fuse; a first discharging switch; a first charging switch; a first analog front end circuit; a first thermister; a second cell set; a second programmable fuse; a second discharging switch; a second charging switch; a second analog front end circuit; a second thermister; and a controller; whereby the voltage of the first cell set and the second cell set can reach a balance status when the hybrid battery module is disposed into a jig; When the voltage of the first cell set and the second cell set are balanced, then the battery pack can parallel charging/discharging the first cell set and the second cell set simultaneously. Furthermore, the present invention also provides a method for manufacturing the hybrid battery module and its charging and discharging method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chen Chia Chang, Chuang Chih Tarng
  • Publication number: 20090061302
    Abstract: A battery pack including an electric coupling assembly. The battery pack includes a top housing, a bottom housing, a cell pad, a plurality of battery cells, a harness, and a circuit board. The harness includes a frame and electric coupler assembly having a plurality of internal and external electric couplings. The internal and external electric couplings include cell couplings and circuit board couplings. The internal and external couplings are held in place during manufacturing by links which are cut after the electric coupler assembly is molded into the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: John S. Scott, Troy C. Thorson, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger
  • Patent number: 7471064
    Abstract: A battery ECU controls a main battery composed of a plurality of battery cells connected to each other in series. The battery cells are grouped into cell blocks each having a cell-block monitor circuit. A control unit controls charging/discharging processes on the basis of signals output by the cell-block monitor circuit. A signal output by a cell-block monitor circuit on a high-voltage side turns on a transistor for propagating a signal to a cell-block monitor circuit on a middle-voltage side. In the cell-block monitor circuit on a middle-voltage side, the propagated signal turns on another transistor for further propagating a signal to a cell-block monitor circuit on a low-voltage side. In the cell-block monitor circuit on a low-voltage side, the propagated signal turns on a further transistor for outputting a signal to a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Sobue, Tomohisa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7463009
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid battery module with voltage balancing unit, which comprises: a first cell set; a first programmable fuse; a first discharging switch; a first charging switch; a first analog front end circuit; a first thermister; a second cell set; a second programmable fuse; a second discharging switch; a second charging switch; a second analog front end circuit; a second thermister; a controller; and a voltage balancing unit; whereby the voltage of the first cell set and the second cell set can reach a balance state by the voltage balancing unit; and during the charging process, the first charging switch and the second charging switch will simultaneously be turned off when it meets a safety event; and during the discharging process, the first programmable fuse and the second programmable fuse will simultaneously be burned off when it meets a critical safety event so as to prevent cell from being burned; Furthermore, the present invention also provides a method for charging and disch
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
  • Patent number: 7446575
    Abstract: A capacitor charging circuit and method including a plurality of serially connected capacitors and parallel monitor circuits connected in parallel on a one-to-one basis to the capacitors. Each one of parallel monitor circuits applies a direct-current source voltage to a capacitor and bypasses a charge current of the capacitor when the charge voltage of the capacitor exceeds a reference voltage. Each of the parallel monitor circuits includes a reference voltage circuit, a voltage detecting circuit, a comparator, a bypass switching circuit, and a voltage limiter. The reference voltage circuit generates the reference voltage. The voltage detecting circuit detects the charge voltage of the capacitor. The comparator compares the reference voltage with an output voltage from the voltage detecting circuit and controls the bypass switching circuit to bypass the charge voltage using the voltage limiter to limit a voltage applied to the bypass switching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohichi Yano, Akihiko Fujiwara