Abstract: A method for discharge balancing for a battery array including a plurality of partitions of battery cells 210 is disclosed. The method includes: transferring charge from a first partition of battery cells to a high capacity storage device 240; and transferring charge from the high capacity storage device 240 to a second partition of battery cell; wherein the capacity of the first partition of battery cells is higher than the capacity of the second partition of battery cells. The method may further include determining the discharge status of each partition of battery cells 210. Charge is transferred from the partition of battery cells with the highest charge capacity to the high capacity storage device 240 based on the discharge status of the partitions. Furthermore, charge may be transferred from the high capacity storage device 240 to a partition of battery cells with the lowest charge capacity based on the discharge status of the partitions.

Abstract: A method for managing the charging of a battery array 100, including the steps of: charging the battery array with a constant current at maximum rating 101; monitoring the status of a plurality of partitions among the battery array for overheating conditions 102; reducing the charging current to turn off charge balancing when overheat conditions are detected in any of the partitions 105; maintaining the charging current when overheat conditions are eliminated in all of the partitions 103; and repeating the steps of reducing and maintaining charging current until the charging current reaches the optimum rating where heat generated thereby can be tolerated.

Abstract: Rechargeable battery array is described. The rechargeable battery array is constructed from: a battery row 101 that includes a plurality of battery cells 102, 103 connected in parallel for supplying a larger current; and at least one balancing circuit 105 in the battery row, the balancing circuit provides a high impedance path across that battery row initially when charging process begins, and provides a path of desired constant voltage drop across that battery row when voltage across that battery row rises close to the charge termination voltage. The rechargeable battery array may further include a plurality of the battery rows 101, 111, 121 connected in series for supplying a higher voltage; and at least one balancing circuit 105 for each of the battery rows 101, 111, 121. The rechargeable battery array may also have at least one balancing circuit on each battery cell that is responsive to the voltage across that battery cell.