Abstract: An apparatus to communicate with a battery management system (BMS) of a battery includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The apparatus further includes a first electrical conductor configured to connect the processor to a controller area network (CAN) bus connected to the battery management system (BMS) of the battery. The apparatus further includes a second electrical conductor configured to connect the processor to a first winding of a transformer of the battery. A second winding of the transformer is connected to a power line of the battery. The processor is further configured to receive first data from the BMS via the CAN bus, transmit second data based on the first data to the battery charger via the power line, receive third data from the battery charger via the power line, and transmit fourth data based on the third data to the BMS via the CAN bus.

Abstract: An inductor or transformer for a switching power converter includes a primary coil and a secondary coil inside the air gap of the primary coil. A secondary core of the secondary coil is magnetized to saturation by a small current through the primary coil, such that the secondary coil produces a nonzero output voltage when the current through the primary coil crosses zero. The secondary coil may be used to detect a zero-current state of the primary coil and to actuate a switch to operate the converter in critical conduction mode (CCM) or other zero-current-triggered switching mode.

Abstract: An example battery charging system utilizes demand response management to reduce energy consumption during times of high demand. The system includes a plurality of battery chargers and a charge controller in communication with the plurality of battery chargers. The charge controller may be configured to receive, from each of the plurality of battery chargers, a respective state of charge of a battery coupled to the battery charger, receive data indicative of a demand on a power source that provides power to the plurality of battery chargers, calculate a charge reduction quantity for one or more of the battery chargers according to the demand data, the states of charge of the batteries, and/or the prioritizations of batteries to meet operational needs, and transmit the charge reduction quantities to the one or more battery chargers.

Abstract: Modular power systems, smart battery modules, and monitoring and control systems are described herein. The modular power system comprises at least one mains converter connected between a mains supply and a DC bus, a monitoring and control system connected to the DC bus, and a plurality of smart battery modules configured to be removably connected in parallel to the DC bus. Each battery module comprises a decoupling unit configured to electrically disconnect, or connect the battery module to, or from, the DC bus. The monitoring and control system is configured to monitor supply of mains power to the mains converter, the voltage of the DC bus, the terminal voltage of each smart battery module, and the magnitude of the load is that is present on the DC bus. The monitoring and control system is configured to control the DC output voltage of the mains converter; and control the decoupling unit of each smart battery module to be in one of at least: a connected mode, and a disconnected mode.