Abstract: A device including a bridge assembly including: first, second, third, and fourth nodes, the first and third nodes being connected to a direct voltage source; a first branch connecting the first and second nodes; a second branch connecting the second and third nodes; a third branch connecting the first and fourth nodes; a fourth branch connecting the third and fourth nodes; a fifth branch connecting the second and fourth nodes and including a capacitor connected between the second and fourth nodes; a circuit controlling the switches to successively a) close the switches to charge the capacitor, and b) keep one switch closed and the other switches open; a measuring circuit measuring the current flowing through the capacitor; and a circuit determining magnitude of an insulation fault according to a current measured during b).

Abstract: An accumulator battery system includes series-connected accumulators with potentials across stages powering corresponding controllers that measure potential differences between terminals of accumulators. A first analog-to-digital converter encodes the potential measured between terminals of an accumulator. A first output delivers a first digital sequence corresponding to the encoded potential difference, logic levels of which are defined by at least two potentials across the first-stage accumulator terminals. A decoder decodes a potential measured by the first control-device from the first digital sequence. A second analog-to-digital converter selectively encodes a potential difference measured between terminals of a second-stage accumulator of the second stage and two potentials of the digital sequence received on the input.

Abstract: An electrical power supply includes DC source outputting Vm and a device that detects insulation defects in the DC source. The device includes input terminals connected to the source's terminals, impedances Z1 and Z2 connected in series between the input terminals, where Z1=Z2=Z and Vm/Imax<z<(3/2)*Vm/Imax, wherein Imax is a maximum insulation defect current defined by a standardized safety threshold, and a current-detection circuit connected between ground and an intermediate point between the impedances. The current-detection circuit includes a microcontroller that receives a voltage proportional to the defect current originating from the intermediate point, the input terminal being connected by Z3 to a power supply with Vcc<Vm, the input terminal being connected to ground by way of Z4. The microcontroller is configured to determine amplitude of an insulation defect as a function of the voltage applied to the input terminal, wherein Z*Vcc/(4*Vm)<(Z3,Z4)<Ztmax=Z*Vcc/2Vm.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electrical system that comprises:—an electrical charge (42, 43);—a decoupling capacitor (41);—a DC voltage power supply system, comprising first and second terminals (321, 322), including:—a DC voltage source (2) comprising first and second poles;—a first branch including a first contactor (51);—a second branch including first and second switches (302, 303) and an inductor (305) connected in series in order to selectively connect the DC voltage source to the first terminal (321) of the power supply system;—a unidirectional conducting device (307, 308, 309) for conduction from the second terminal of the DC power supply system to a connection node (323) between the second switch (303) and said inductor (305);—a control circuit (304) comprising—a mode for supplying electrical load (42, 43);—a mode for charging the decoupling capacitor (41).

Abstract: A battery including: modules connected to each other; electrically insulating supports upon which the modules are arranged, each support including an upper face upon which the module rests and a lower face, and a rim aligned downwards to cause a potential stream of liquid to flow under gravity; and a mechanism monitoring impedance between the module and an electrically conductive element at least vertically in line with the rim.

Abstract: A module for an electrochemical battery including plural accumulators electrically connected together by connection elements, a mechanism for electrical connection of the module with an exterior and a continuous envelope made from a dielectric polymer material that covers exterior surfaces of the accumulators, and connection elements that do not cover the mechanism for electrical connection of the module with the exterior. The continuous envelope is made by soaking to ensure coating of the accumulators and of the one or more connecting elements. The plural accumulators are distributed into plural layers, arranged in relation to each other so that one or more passages are made between the accumulators, wherein the continuous envelope covers a surface of the accumulator or accumulators delimitating the passages between the accumulators.

Abstract: A device balancing overall levels of electrical charge in plural blocks of cells in a battery. The blocks can be connected in a circuit during a charging phase of the cells accumulating charge, and during a discharging phase of the cells giving back charge. The device includes one series switch and one parallel switch. The series switch can, when closed and the parallel switch is open, connect a block to the circuit, in series with the other blocks, so that the block is connected during the charging and discharging phases. The parallel switch can, when closed and the series switch is open, disconnect the block from the circuit, so that the block is disconnected if discharging disconnection conditions are met during the discharging phase or if charging disconnection conditions are met during the charging phase. The block includes a mechanism locally balancing charge levels of its cells when disconnected.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus, including: a circuit breaker having a breaking capacity and a breaking current; a DC voltage source including two batteries connected in parallel, connected in series with the circuit breaker, the sum of short-circuit currents of the batteries being greater than the breaking capacity, each battery including: a first branch including storage batteries and a switch connected in series; a second branch connected in parallel with the first branch and including a free-wheeling diode; an ammeter measuring output current; and a control circuit configured to detect a short-circuit. The control circuits simultaneously keep a majority of switches open and close one switch to apply a current passing through the circuit breaker which is higher than the breaking current and lower than the breaking capacity.

Abstract: A storage battery, including: first and second stages connected electrically in series, each stage including at least first, second, and third batteries connected electrically in parallel; at least first and second breakers by which the batteries of the first stage are connected in parallel and by which the batteries of the second stage are connected in parallel, each one of the breakers including: first and second electrodes; a fuse including a conducting link connected in series between the first and second electrodes and a fusible portion; an explosive, with a heat bridge between the fuse and the explosive causing the conducting link to open, the explosive having an explosion initiation temperature that is lower than the melting point of the fusible portion.

Abstract: A switch including: first and second electrically conductive electrodes; an electrically conductive element; an electrically insulating medium separating the first and second electrodes and separating the electrically conductive element from the second electrode; and a pyrotechnic element including an explosive, explosion of the explosive causing the electrically conductive element to be driven into contact with the second electrode and the conductive element to be welded to the second electrode to form an electrically conductive link between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A device including a bridge assembly including: first, second, third, and fourth nodes, the first and third nodes being connected to a direct voltage source; a first branch connecting the first and second nodes; a second branch connecting the second and third nodes; a third branch connecting the first and fourth nodes; a fourth branch connecting the third and fourth nodes; a fifth branch connecting the second and fourth nodes and including a capacitor connected between the second and fourth nodes; a circuit controlling the switches to successively a) close the switches to charge the capacitor, and b) keep one switch closed and the other switches open; a measuring circuit measuring the current flowing through the capacitor; and a circuit determining magnitude of an insulation fault according to a current measured during b).

Abstract: A device for detecting an insulation fault of a direct voltage source that can induce electrocution, including: first and second input terminals for the voltage source; first and third resistive dipoles connected in series between an electric ground and the second input terminal, the first resistive dipole having a resistance at least ten times higher than that of the third dipole; a second resistive dipole and a switch connected in series between the first input terminal and the electric ground; and a detection circuit connected to the terminals of the third dipole, configured to alternately open and close the switch, measure the voltage at the terminals of the third dipole, and determine the amplitude of an insulation fault according to the measured voltages.

Abstract: A security system for a battery module includes at least one battery module having positive and negative poles and defined by a matrix comprising two or more columns and two or more lines. The matrix is such that each column defines an accumulator branch having m accumulators in series and such that each line of the matrix defines an accumulator stage. At least one charge control device is connected to the poles of the battery module. The battery module includes a plurality of resistors respectively electrically linked to the intermediate point between two accumulators of two adjacent accumulator stages and a third predefined number of connection nodes respectively connected to a set of resistors connected to the intermediate points of the accumulators of the two adjacent accumulator stages. The charge control device is connected to the set of connection nodes.

Abstract: An electrical power supply device includes a DC voltage source with terminals, a controller, and an insulation-defect detecting device for detecting an insulation defect of the voltage source. The device has input terminals connected to source terminals, and circuits connected between respective input terminals and an intermediate point. The insulation-defect current-detection circuit connects between ground and the intermediate point. Both circuits have current-limiter circuits that open and close a connection between respective inputs and the intermediate point. Both current-limiter circuits are rated for traversal by a current of less than a standardized safety threshold when the first current-limiter circuit is closed and one of the terminals of the DC voltage source is shorted to ground. The control circuit is configured to simultaneously keep one current-limiter circuits open and the other closed.

Abstract: A device balancing overall levels of electrical charge in plural blocks of cells in a battery. The blocks can be connected in a circuit during a charging phase of the cells accumulating charge, and during a discharging phase of the cells giving back charge. The device includes one series switch and one parallel switch. The series switch can, when closed and the parallel switch is open, connect a block to the circuit, in series with the other blocks, so that the block is connected during the charging and discharging phases. The parallel switch can, when closed and the series switch is open, disconnect the block from the circuit, so that the block is disconnected if discharging disconnection conditions are met during the discharging phase or if charging disconnection conditions are met during the charging phase. The block includes a mechanism locally balancing charge levels of its cells when disconnected.

Abstract: A battery element includes series-connected electrochemical accumulators applying a difference in potential between first and second poles, two power output terminals, and a securing device. The securing device comprises first and second switches connected in series between the first and second poles. The first switch is a normally-closed switch, and the second switch is a normally-open switch. The normally-open second switch is configured to selectively isolate/connect the first pole and the first terminal, and the normally-closed first switch being configured to selectively isolate/connect the first and second terminals. The electrochemical accumulators are configured to apply a voltage as a control signal for the normally closed first switch.

Abstract: A method for estimating insulation resistance between a terminal of a battery and an electrical ground, including: connecting a measuring circuit to one terminal of the battery, the measuring circuit including a resistance of known value and a capacitance; application of a known input signal having an input voltage; measurement of an output voltage between the ground and a point located between the resistance of known value and the capacitance; determination of a complex impedance of a dipole of the capacitance and the insulation resistance or determination of parameters of a differential equation; and determination of the insulation resistance from the parameters of the differential equation or the complex impedance.

Abstract: A device for detecting an insulation fault of a direct voltage source that can induce electrocution, including: first and second input terminals for the voltage source; first and third resistive dipoles connected in series between an electric ground and the second input terminal, the first resistive dipole having a resistance at least ten times higher than that of the third dipole; a second resistive dipole and a switch connected in series between the first input terminal and the electric ground; and a detection circuit connected to the terminals of the third dipole, configured to alternately open and close the switch, measure the voltage at the terminals of the third dipole, and determine the amplitude of an insulation fault according to the measured voltages.

Abstract: A power battery having electrochemical accumulators connected in series between two output terminals (B1, B2). There is a switch allowing one of the output terminals to be selectively isolated from an electrical load. There is a detection circuit for detecting an external short-circuit, to which the voltage between the output terminals of the battery is applied. The detection circuit is configured to compare the applied voltage to a voltage threshold representative of a short-circuit and to generate a signal for opening said switch when the applied voltage drops below the threshold.

Abstract: An accumulator battery, comprising at least: first and second stages electrically connected in series, each stage including at least first to third accumulators electrically connected in parallel. There are at least first and second current limiters via which the first to third accumulators of said first stage are connected in parallel and via which the first to third accumulators of said second stage are connected in parallel.