Abstract: A method of identifying a non-communicative battery Cell Sensing Board (CSB) within a plurality of battery CSBs arranged in a serial chain includes sequentially reconfiguring the serial chain of the battery CSBs to sequentially define each of the plurality of battery CSBs as a last battery CSB in a temporary test serial chain. Communication with the last battery CSB of each temporary test serial chain is sequentially established with a loopback feature of the battery CSBs. When a disruption in communication between the battery system manager controller and the last battery CSB of the current temporary test serial chain is detected, the last battery CSB of the current temporary test serial chain is identified as the non-communicative battery CSB.

Abstract: A method for estimating the voltage of a battery element of a vehicle battery system is provided. The method comprises providing a balancing/sensing circuit having a series combination of a balancing switch and a balancing resistive element electrically connected in parallel with the battery element, and measuring the voltage across the combination of the balancing switch and balancing resistive element when the balancing switch is presumed to be in a “closed” state. The method further comprises deriving a compensated value for the measured voltage using empirically-derived data, wherein the compensated value compensates for a voltage drop occurring in the balancing/sensing circuit when the balancing switch is in the “closed” state and represents an estimate of the voltage of the battery element. A battery system is also provided that includes a battery element, a balancing/sensing circuit, a sensor, and a control module configured to perform the method described above.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a performance level of a battery of a vehicle having an electronic control unit (ECU) includes enabling a charging diagnostic module (CDM) and determining, with the CDM, a charging status of the battery. The method also includes enabling a discharging diagnostic module (DDM) and determining, with the DDM, a discharging status of the battery. The charging status and the discharging status are recorded in a memory location of the ECU.

Abstract: A method for estimating the voltage of a battery element of a battery system is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a balancing/sensing circuit having a series combination of a balancing switch and a balancing resistive element electrically connected in parallel with the battery element, and measuring the voltage across the balancing switch/balancing resistive element combination when the switch is presumed to be in a “closed” state.” The method further comprises deriving a compensated value for the measured voltage by applying a calculated compensation factor to the measured voltage, the compensated value compensating for a voltage drop occurring in the balancing/sensing circuit when the balancing switch is in the “closed” state and represents an estimate of the battery element voltage. A battery system is also provided that includes a battery element, a balancing/sensing circuit, a sensor, and a control module configured to perform the method described above.

Abstract: A method for estimating the voltage of a battery element of a vehicle battery system is provided. The method comprises providing a balancing/sensing circuit having a series combination of a balancing switch and a balancing resistive element electrically connected in parallel with the battery element, and measuring the voltage across the combination of the balancing switch and balancing resistive element when the balancing switch is presumed to be in a “closed” state. The method further comprises deriving a compensated value for the measured voltage using empirically-derived data, wherein the compensated value compensates for a voltage drop occurring in the balancing/sensing circuit when the balancing switch is in the “closed” state and represents an estimate of the voltage of the battery element. A battery system is also provided that includes a battery element, a balancing/sensing circuit, a sensor, and a control module configured to perform the method described above.

Abstract: Methods and systems for balancing a state of charge of cell units of a battery pack of a vehicle are provided. Voltage sensors each measure a first value of state of charge of respective cell units at a first time, and a second value of state of charge of the respective cell units at a second time that is subsequent to the first time. A current sensor measures a current of the battery pack. A controller is coupled to the voltage sensors and the current sensor. The controller balances the state of charge around a predetermined calibrated value using the first values of state of charge, the second values of state of charge, and the current.

Abstract: A method of determining a state of health of a battery in real time includes estimating a parameter value associated with the state of health of the battery and determining one or more of a terminal voltage, an accumulated charge, a state of charge, and a temperature of the battery. The method further includes determining, via a computing device, a reserve capacity of the battery based at least in part on the estimated parameter value and one or more of the terminal voltage, the accumulated charge, the state of charge, and the temperature of the battery.

Abstract: Methods and systems for balancing a state of charge of cell units of a battery pack of a vehicle are provided. Voltage sensors each measure a first value of state of charge of respective cell units at a first time, and a second value of state of charge of the respective cell units at a second time that is subsequent to the first time. A current sensor measures a current of the battery pack. A controller is coupled to the voltage sensors and the current sensor. The controller balances the state of charge around a predetermined calibrated value using the first values of state of charge, the second values of state of charge, and the current.

Abstract: A method of determining a state of health of a battery in real time includes estimating a parameter value associated with the state of health of the battery and determining one or more of a terminal voltage, an accumulated charge, a state of charge, and a temperature of the battery. The method further includes determining, via a computing device, a reserve capacity of the battery based at least in part on the estimated parameter value and one or more of the terminal voltage, the accumulated charge, the state of charge, and the temperature of the battery.