Abstract: The invention addresses individual electronic components on a shared communication bus by using spatial indexing to route data based on the physical location of the electronic components. The spatially indexed two-line data bus maps a spatial grid to a plurality of indexed connection points, which are geometrically arranged in physical space, to a set of electrically conductive grid lines. The grid lines form a communication network which can be connected to electronic components physically located on the mapped spatial grid. In the preferred embodiment, the grid lines are comprised of copper traces on a printed circuit board (PCB). In another embodiment, the grid lines are comprised of connecting wires. The electronic components are connected electrically in parallel with the grid lines.

Abstract: A battery management system comprises a printed circuit board having a current collector circuit and at least one independent battery cell management circuits. Each battery cell management circuit can sense and regulate the voltage and amperage of a single battery cell, such that each battery cell is independently managed for operation. Each battery cell management circuit includes a means for independently connecting a battery cell with said current collector circuit for electrical energy transfer. Said battery cell management circuits further include operational voltage and amperage values for a battery cell, which may vary over time, based on predetermined parameters. Each battery cell management circuit further includes operational limits, and a means for independently disconnecting a battery cell from said current collector circuit for electrical energy transfer. The battery cell management circuits can be operated concurrently for electrical energy transfer.

Abstract: The invention addresses individual electronic components on a shared communication bus by using spatial indexing to route data based on the physical location of the electronic components. The spatially indexed two-line data bus maps a spatial grid to a plurality of indexed connection points, which are geometrically arranged in physical space, to a set of electrically conductive grid lines. The grid lines form a communication network which can be connected to electronic components physically located on the mapped spatial grid. In the preferred embodiment, the grid lines are comprised of copper traces on a printed circuit board (PCB). In another embodiment, the grid lines are comprised of connecting wires. The electronic components are connected electrically in parallel with the grid lines.

Abstract: A composite thermal control substrate for heating and cooling printed circuit boards (PCBs), or other temperature-sensitive equipment, which thermally connects said equipment to a single thermally conductive surface plane, while maintaining electrical isolation of the equipment and its components. The thermally conductive surface plane provides a large, uniform, flat, exposed thermal control surface which can be connected to industrial thermal control systems, such as heat sinks, air or liquid heat exchangers, thermoelectric cooling systems, or heating elements. This provides a substantially large and efficient heat collection and dissipation surface area, and more thermal mass, providing increased thermal stability and flexibility in the design and application of external heating or cooling systems for PCBs or other temperature-sensitive equipment. Furthermore, the composite thermal control substrate is manufactured and applied separately from the panel-based PCB manufacturing process.

Abstract: The bidirectional synchronous soft-switching DC-to-DC buck-boost controller of the present disclosure comprises a means for controlling electronic switches for synchronous voltage rectification on both electrical sides of the regulator (the high-voltage side and the low-voltage side). This allows the controller to use carefully-timed switches, in conjunction with other circuit components such as inductors and capacitors, to regulate energy flow. The controller also contains a means for sensing voltage on both of said sides. This allows the controller to determine the optimal switching rate for a given operating mode via an algorithm. The algorithm is executed electronically using a means such as, but not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a parallel processor.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a non-welded leaf spring battery cell connector which allows for unrestricted outgassing during Lithium-Ion thermal runaway. The connector also has a low-resistance electrical connection surface for applications with rough, uneven contact surfaces such as those on refurbished Lithium-Ion battery cells. The connector is compatible with both protected and unprotected Lithium-Ion cells, as it allows for up to about 5 mm of vertical travel to support varying battery cell lengths caused by battery protection circuits. The leaf spring connector for Lithium-Ion battery cells is made of a conductive sheet of metal, cut and folded into a leaf-spring connector for a removable, non-welded battery cell. The leaf spring connector has one or more areas of material removed, as to not block the flow of caustic gasses during emergency outgassing.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a battery connector for cylindrical battery cells having a positively charged anode contiguous with the circular, or oval, first end, a negatively charged cathode contiguous with the circular, or oval, second end, and straight parallel sides electrically connected with said cathode. The battery connector has an electrically nonconductive outer shell, open-ended on one side, with a cylindrical inner cavity into which one end of the battery cell is inserted. In the preferred embodiment, the nonconductive outer shell is comprised of plastic. In another embodiment, the nonconductive outer shell may be comprised of a Silicon-based material, but other embodiments are also possible. In the preferred embodiment, the nonconductive outer shell is sufficiently tall, and the cylindrical cavity's diameter is sufficiently narrow, to substantially prevent either the anode or the cathode of the battery cell from contacting both battery terminals simultaneously.