Patents Assigned to Powin Energy Corporation
  • Publication number: 20210336302
    Abstract: A modular unit, for use in a modular battery system, that can include a housing having a roof portion, a base portion, and two side portions; a central component disposed within the housing; and one or more electrical distributor units coupled to the housing and operatively coupled to the central component. The modular unit can be configured to be operatively connected to one or more additional modular units to create a modular battery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Stu STATMAN, Geoff BROWN
  • Publication number: 20210218250
    Abstract: One or more of the present embodiments provide for a battery cell balancing system and strategy that delivers more efficient use of battery capacities as needed for different use cases. For example, a balancing circuit is provided to support targeted battery cell passive and active balancing according to a balancing strategy for the use cases. Further the balancing circuit allows for cell balancing to be performed while the battery cells are collectively being charged or discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Stu Statman
  • Patent number: 10978884
    Abstract: One or more of the present embodiments provide for a battery cell balancing system and strategy that delivers more efficient use of battery capacities as needed for different use cases. For example, a balancing circuit is provided to support targeted battery cell passive and active balancing according to a balancing strategy for the use cases. Further the balancing circuit allows for cell balancing to be performed while the battery cells are collectively being charged or discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Stu Statman
  • Patent number: 10699278
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring battery usage information. In an embodiment, battery usage data is received from a battery energy storage system comprising a battery pack. The battery usage data may include battery identification information, one or more battery sensor measurements for a period of time, and a cumulative warranty value for the battery pack. A project to which the battery pack belongs may then be determined based on the received battery identification information. Finally, the battery usage data may be stored in a warranty database. The warranty database may store battery usage data for a plurality of battery packs. The warranty database may further be partitioned by project, and the battery usage data for is stored in a partition of the warranty database for the determined project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee Beaston, Daniel Dee Williams
  • Publication number: 20200052502
    Abstract: One or more of the present embodiments provide for a battery cell balancing system and strategy that delivers more efficient use of battery capacities as needed for different use cases. For example, a balancing circuit is provided to support targeted battery cell passive and active balancing according to a balancing strategy for the use cases. Further the balancing circuit allows for cell balancing to be performed while the battery cells are collectively being charged or discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Stu Statman
  • Publication number: 20200052503
    Abstract: One or more of the present embodiments provide for a suite of preset and customizable balancing applications that can be configured, selected and implemented to match the requirements a present use case. The suite of preset and customizable balancing applications may be presented to and selected by a user to tailor the balancing system to a particular use case. Alternatively, the balancing system may automatically select a balancing application, such as based on one or more inputs, to tailor the balancing system to the present use case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Stu Statman
  • Patent number: 10536007
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an electrical energy storage unit, a control system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit (which may also be referred to as a battery energy storage system (“BESS”) includes a battery system controller and a plurality of battery packs. Each battery pack of the plurality of battery packs has a plurality of battery cells, a battery pack controller that monitors the plurality of battery cells, a battery pack cell balancer that adjusts an amount of energy stored in each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells, and a battery pack charger. The battery pack controller operates the battery pack cell balancer and the battery pack charger to control a state-of-charge of each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. In an embodiment, the battery cells are lithium ion battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee Beaston, Robert Nelson Tyrrell
  • Patent number: 10270266
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery energy storage system (BESS) that can be used to store energy that is produced by conventional sources (e.g., coal, gas, nuclear) as well as renewable sources (e.g., wind, solar), and provide the stored energy on-demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Patent number: 10263436
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee Beaston, Yunhua Gao
  • Patent number: 10254350
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a warranty tracker embedded in a battery pack. In an embodiment, the warranty tracker may include a memory device and a warranty controller. The warranty controller may receive an electric current measurement indicating a rate of charge or discharge of the battery pack from a device that is external to the battery pack. A warranty value may then be calculated using the received electric current measurement and added to a stored cumulative warranty value. The memory device may store the cumulative warranty value, which may be used to evaluate warranty conditions. In various embodiments, the warranty tracker may also include a temperature sensor and/or a voltage sensor. The warranty controller may then use received temperature and/or voltage measurements in the calculation of the warranty value. In an embodiment, the stored cumulative warranty value may be used to determine expiration of a warranty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Patent number: 10153521
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting a battery pack having an operating issue or defect. In an embodiment, a balancing charger may be configured to charge a battery pack. An amount of time that the balancing charger is operating may be recorded. The recorded time may then be compared to a threshold time that indicates a determined variance from an expected operating time. If the recorded time exceeds the threshold time, the battery pack may be determined to have an operating issue or defect. In an embodiment, the threshold time may be adjusted based on an average battery cell or battery module temperature of the battery pack. In various embodiments, an alert may also be issued in response to determining that the battery pack has an operating issue or defect and operation of the battery pack may be halted to prevent any potential adverse effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Patent number: 10122186
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery pack that may be used in an battery energy storage system. In an embodiment, the battery pack may include an integrated battery management system (BMS) having isolated, distributed, daisy-chained battery module controllers. The daisy-chained battery module controllers may be coupled to a battery pack controller, which may charge and/or discharge the battery pack using the battery modules controllers and a balancing charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph Nystrom, Virgil Lee Beaston, Patten Atwood Emmons
  • Publication number: 20180233931
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery energy storage system (BESS) that can be used to store energy that is produced by conventional sources (e.g., coal, gas, nuclear) as well as renewable sources (e.g., wind, solar), and provide the stored energy on-demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Patent number: 10040363
    Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods are directed to a battery assisted charging station. A battery system comprising plurality of batteries and a battery management system software controlling the operations of the battery system, function together with a vehicle charging system that charges electric vehicles using one or both of stored power provided by a battery system, and power provided by a utility power grid. The battery system uses the power grid to charge the batteries therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee Beaston, Daniel Dee Williams, Patten Atwood Emmons
  • Publication number: 20180181967
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring battery usage information. In an embodiment, battery usage data is received from a battery energy storage system comprising a battery pack. The battery usage data may include battery identification information, one or more battery sensor measurements for a period of time, and a cumulative warranty value for the battery pack. A project to which the battery pack belongs may then be determined based on the received battery identification information. Finally, the battery usage data may be stored in a warranty database. The warranty database may store battery usage data for a plurality of battery packs. The warranty database may further be partitioned by project, and the battery usage data for is stored in a partition of the warranty database for the determined project.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee BEASTON, Daniel Dee WILLIAMS
  • Publication number: 20180123357
    Abstract: An electrical energy storage unit and control system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit (which may also be referred to as a battery energy storage system (“BESS”) 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee BEASTON, Robert Nelson TYRRELL
  • Patent number: 9923247
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery pack that may be used in an battery energy storage system. In an embodiment, the battery pack may include an integrated battery management system (BMS) having isolated, distributed, daisy-chained battery module controllers. The daisy-chained battery module controllers may be coupled to a battery pack controller, which may charge and/or discharge the battery pack using the battery modules controllers and a balancing charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee Beaston, Patrick Joseph Nystrom, Patten Atwood Emmons
  • Patent number: 9882401
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery energy storage system (BESS) that can be used to store energy that is produced by conventional sources (e.g., coal, gas, nuclear) as well as renewable sources (e.g., wind, solar), and provide the stored energy on-demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Patent number: 9847654
    Abstract: An electrical energy storage unit and control system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit (which may also be referred to as a battery energy storage system (“BESS”)) 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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Publication number: 20170126032
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery energy storage system (BESS) that can be used to store energy that is produced by conventional sources (e.g., coal, gas, nuclear) as well as renewable sources (e.g., wind, solar), and provide the stored energy on-demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee BEASTON