Abstract: A method for balancing charge over a plurality of cells connected in series in a battery, the method comprising: during the charging/discharging of the battery: determining when a characteristic parameter of a cell of the plurality of cells reaches a characteristic value associated with a first state of charge, counting the number of Coulombs exchanged with the cell by means of a respective Coulomb counter of a plurality of Coulomb counters connected to the plurality of cells, and repeating said acts until a predetermined charging or discharging criteria is fulfilled; determining a charge imbalance based on the counted number of Coulombs for each of the plurality of cells; and transferring charge to or away from at least one cell of the plurality of cells based on the determined charge imbalance to reduce the charge imbalance. A system for balancing charge over the plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring insulation between a DC bus and protective earth, wherein the bus is connected with a DC source. Terminals of the source are connected to protective earth by a first electrical network during a first timespan, and transient first electrical values related to the first network at a plurality of time steps in the first timespan are measured. A first steady state value is calculated using a plurality of first measurement points at the plurality of first time steps. Further, the terminals of the source are connected to protective earth by a second electrical network, during a second timespan, and transient second electrical values related to the second network at a plurality of second time steps in the second timespan are measured. A second steady state value is calculated using a plurality of second measurement points at the plurality of second time steps.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring insulation between a DC bus and protective earth, wherein the bus is connected with a DC source. Terminals of the source are connected to protective earth by a first electrical network during a first timespan, and transient first electrical values related to the first network at a plurality of time steps in the first timespan are measured. A first steady state value is calculated using a plurality of first measurement points at the plurality of first time steps. Further, the terminals of the source are connected to protective earth by a second electrical network, during a second timespan, and transient second electrical values related to the second network at a plurality of second time steps in the second timespan are measured. A second steady state value is calculated using a plurality of second measurement points at the plurality of second time steps.

Abstract: An electric machine including a first energy consuming unit and a second energy consuming unit, the first energy consuming unit requiring a higher power energy source and the second energy consuming unit requiring a lower power energy source, wherein the machine further includes a first energy storage device and a second energy storage device, the first energy storage device having a higher power with respect to the second energy storage device, wherein the first energy storage device is configured to power the first energy consuming unit, wherein the second energy storage device is configured to power the second energy consuming unit, and wherein the first energy storage device is connectable to a charger for charging, the first energy storage device requiring a lower charging time for reaching its maximum state of charge than the second energy storage device, and wherein the first energy storage device is configured to directly provide power to the first energy consuming unit.

Abstract: A hybrid battery charger-testing device is described being a modification of a battery charger having a DC output stage, and a boost converter added to the DC output stage of the charger, the boost converter being configured to output pulses and/or a continuous AC wave for testing a battery. The hybrid charger can be used to output a purely AC test wave, e.g. sinusoidal wave for an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test, to output pulses such as HPPC pulses and/or to perform GITT or incremental charge tests. For example, determination of battery parameters by diagnostic testing can be achieved by combining the existing functionality of a battery charger with test procedures involving currents much lower than used during charging of the battery or of returning battery energy to the electricity grid.

Abstract: Reconfiguration of a rechargeable energy storage system into two or more new capacitor or battery or fuel cell packs arranged in “connections”, e.g. series or parallel strings. Each pack of rechargeable energy storage devices includes rechargeable energy storage modules. In each rechargeable energy storage module, which can include one or more capacitors or fuel cells or battery cells, there is arranged a network of banks of switches. A first bank of switches is arranged to connect a rechargeable energy storage module in a first series connection string with other rechargeable energy storage modules. A second bank of switches is arranged to connect a rechargeable energy storage module in a second connection string with other rechargeable energy storage modules. A first bypass switch is arranged to exclude a rechargeable energy storage module from the first series connection string when the first bypass switch is activated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring individual cell voltages of an energy storage system. The measured cell voltages can be reported back to a central controller. Based on parameters such as the overall health of the system, this controller can be adapted to decide which cells to balance, in which direction and optionally for how long. Balancing can be performed by cell monitoring and balancing units which can be implemented in hardware, i.e. as one or more circuits. The decision information from the controller can be reported to the cell monitoring and balancing units as a command. The cell monitoring and balancing means can execute the command, for example irrespective of the voltage or SoC of the cell connected to it.

Abstract: A hybrid battery charger-testing device is described being a modification of a battery charger having a DC output stage, and a boost converter added to the DC output stage of the charger, the boost converter being configured to output pulses and/or a continuous AC wave for testing a battery. The hybrid charger can be used to output a purely AC test wave, e.g. sinusoidal wave for an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test, to output pulses such as HPPC pulses and/or to perform GITT or incremental charge tests. For example, determination of battery parameters by diagnostic testing can be achieved by combining the existing functionality of a battery charger with test procedures involving currents much lower than used during charging of the battery or of returning battery energy to the electricity grid.

Abstract: A method and corresponding device, for monitoring a charge of a battery. The method obtains a battery current measurement value and a battery voltage measurement value, and applies a current integration method to update a primary charge estimate value representative of the charge stored in the battery by taking into account the battery current measurement value. The method further determines an ancillary charge estimate value representative of the charge stored in the battery using a battery model taking into account the battery voltage measurement value, and determines an error value for the ancillary charge estimate value, in which the error value expresses the reliability of the battery model. The method also applies a correction to the primary charge estimate value as function of the ancillary charge estimate value and the error value. Interpretation of the correction applied in this manner allows determination of current sensor offset and battery capacity change.

Abstract: Reconfiguration of a rechargeable energy storage system into two or more new capacitor or battery or fuel cell packs arranged in “connections”, e.g. series or parallel strings. Each pack of rechargeable energy storage devices includes rechargeable energy storage modules. In each rechargeable energy storage module, which can include one or more capacitors or fuel cells or battery cells, there is arranged a network of banks of switches. A first bank of switches is arranged to connect a rechargeable energy storage module in a first series connection string with other rechargeable energy storage modules. A second bank of switches is arranged to connect a rechargeable energy storage module in a second connection string with other rechargeable energy storage modules. A first bypass switch is arranged to exclude a rechargeable energy storage module from the first series connection string when the first bypass switch is activated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring individual cell voltages of an energy storage system. The measured cell voltages can be reported back to a central controller. Based on parameters such as the overall health of the system, this controller can be adapted to decide which cells to balance, in which direction and optionally for how long. Balancing can be performed by cell monitoring and balancing units which can be implemented in hardware, i.e. as one or more circuits. The decision information from the controller can be reported to the cell monitoring and balancing units as a command. The cell monitoring and balancing means can execute the command, for example irrespective of the voltage or SoC of the cell connected to it.

Abstract: Systems, methods and component parts for portable or handheld measuring of a characteristic of batteries or other energy storage devices, in particular, for measuring a characteristic of high voltage batteries, e.g. 0.1 to 1 kV and/or automotive batteries as used in electric or hybrid automobiles or vehicles. The systems, methods and component parts are used to perform a battery diagnostic test, for example on high voltage batteries, e.g. 0.1 to 1 kV and/or automotive batteries as used in electric or hybrid automobiles. One such characteristic or diagnostic parameter is the impedance of such batteries and one such method is impedance spectroscopy testing.

Abstract: A method and system for providing pulsed power and data from a main control unit to slave units via a first bus. The main control unit has an AC signal generator for providing a plurality of first pulses (P1) on the bus for providing the power to the slave units. Each slave unit is AC-coupled to the bus via a first series capacitor arranged for converting the first pulses (P1) into second pulses (P2). Data communication from the main control unit to the slave units is established by modulating the first pulses (P1), and by demodulating the second pulses (P2). The modulation may be based on Pulse Position Modulation, Pulse Width Modulation, Pulse Count Modulation, Pulse Amplitude modulation. Zero, one or more bits may be communicated per first pulse. Optionally the slave units may communicate to the main control unit via a second bus.

Abstract: A power cell system, e.g. a fuel cell system, having a plurality of power cells, e.g. fuel cells and plurality of first resistances, the plurality of power cells and first resistances being connected in the form of a ladder circuit, and electronic filters each having a first connection to a first node between two of the first resistances, each electronic filter comprising a second resistance and a charge storage device connected to the second resistance.

Abstract: A method and system for providing pulsed power and data from a main control unit to slave units via a first bus. The main control unit has an AC signal generator for providing a plurality of first pulses (P1) on the bus for providing the power to the slave units. Each slave unit is AC-coupled to the bus via a first series capacitor arranged for converting the first pulses (P1) into second pulses (P2). Data communication from the main control unit to the slave units is established by modulating the first pulses (P1), and by demodulating the second pulses (P2). The modulation may be based on Pulse Position Modulation, Pulse Width Modulation, Pulse Count Modulation, Pulse Amplitude modulation. Zero, one or more bits may be communicated per first pulse. Optionally the slave units may communicate to the main control unit via a second bus.

Abstract: A method and corresponding device, for monitoring a charge of a battery. The method obtains a battery current measurement value and a battery voltage measurement value, and applies a current integration method to update a primary charge estimate value representative of the charge stored in the battery by taking into account the battery current measurement value. The method further determines an ancillary charge estimate value representative of the charge stored in the battery using a battery model taking into account the battery voltage measurement value, and determines an error value for the ancillary charge estimate value, in which the error value expresses the reliability of the battery model. The method also applies a correction to the primary charge estimate value as function of the ancillary charge estimate value and the error value. Interpretation of the correction applied in this manner allows determination of current sensor offset and battery capacity change.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for charge balancing over a plurality of rechargeable energy storage devices coupled in series, said system comprising a plurality of balancing units each assigned to one of the rechargeable energy storage devices, an AC signal generator for providing an AC signal to the plurality of balancing units, and a capacitive coupling between the AC signal generator and each of the plurality of balancing units for common mode rejection. A first balancing unit comprises a plurality of switches for transferring, on the one hand, charge from the AC signal generator or from an energy storage device assigned to another balancing unit for charging the energy storage device assigned to the first balancing unit, and, on the other hand, for transferring charge to the AC signal generator or to an energy storage device assigned to another balancing unit for discharging the energy storage device assigned to the first balancing unit.

Abstract: Provided is a device comprising at least one tubular piezo element for the electro mechanical positioning of a slider within the piezo element. The device has least one elastic friction means for exerting a normal force on the slider, the friction means being connected to the piezo element. A method for controlling the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power cell system, e.g. a fuel cell system, having a plurality of power cells, e.g. fuel cells and plurality of first resistances, the plurality of power cells and first resistances being connected in the form of a ladder circuit, and electronic filters each having a first connection to a first node between two of the first resistances, each electronic filter comprising a second resistance and a charge storage device connected to the second resistance.

Abstract: A power cell system such as a fuel cell system, with apparatus for detecting a discontinuity. A power cell system, e.g. a fuel cell system, includes a plurality of power cells, e.g. fuel cells and plurality of first resistances, the plurality of power cells and first resistances being connected in the form of a ladder circuit, and electronic filters each having a first connection to a first node between two of the first resistances, each electronic filter having a second resistance and a charge storage device connected to the second resistance.