With Individual Charging Of Plural Batteries Or Cells Patents (Class 320/119)
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Patent number: 8334676Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery (100) has a property of securing a flat charge-discharge capacity range (FC) in which fluctuation of terminal voltage is 0.2 V or lower in both the cases where the battery is charged and discharged with electric current having a current value of 1 C over a capacity range of 50% or more of the electric capacity range having a theoretical electric capacity as an upper limit.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2008Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomitaro Hara, Takeshi Abe, Akira Tsujiko
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Patent number: 8334673Abstract: A voltage monitoring apparatus includes a plurality of voltage monitoring sections corresponding to a plurality of blocks of unit cells of a multiple-set battery respectively and a main control section. Each of the voltage monitoring section includes a voltage detection section which detects voltages of the unit cells of a corresponding block, a voltage adjustment section which adjusts the voltages of the unit cells of the corresponding block so that the voltages are uniformized, an active power source which obtains power from the unit cells of the corresponding block, and supplies power to the voltage detection section and the voltage adjustment section, a power source switching section which switches a power supply mode and a power disconnect mode of the active power source, and a low consumption power source which obtains the power from the unit cells of the corresponding block, and supplies power to the power source switching section.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2010Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Satoshi Ishikawa, Kimihiro Matsuura, Masashi Sekizaki
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Publication number: 20120313584Abstract: A vehicle includes a PCU controlling electric power supplied to a motor, a first power storage device, a second power storage device, an ECU, a charger, system main relays SMR1 to SMR4, SMRA, SMRB, and charging relays CR1 to CR4. The first power storage device is formed such that a first module and a second module which are separately disposed are connected in series through SMRA and SMRB. The first power storage device is connected to the PCU through SMR1 and SMR2. The second power storage device is connected to the PCU through SMR3 and SMR4. The charger has a capacitor that is connected to the first power storage device through CR1 and CR2 and also connected to the second power storage device through CR3 and CR4. When charging is completed, the ECU turns on CR1, CR2, SMR1, and SMR2, and turns off SMRA, SMRB, CR3, CR4, SMR3, and SMR4.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2010Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshinobu Sugiyama, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Itagaki, Yoshikazu Kataoka, Naomi Matsumoto
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Patent number: 8324862Abstract: A charge redistribution circuit (2) for an energy storage unit (1) with several storage elements (4) which are connected in series comprises several charge redistribution control units (5) for monitoring and redistributing the load, each of which is assigned an energy storage sub-group (3) of storage elements (4). The charge redistribution control units (5) take the energy used for their own supply in each case from the sub-group (3) assigned to them, and are thus supplied with a voltage which is higher than the voltage of the individual storage element (4) and lower than the voltage of the energy storage unit (1). The charge redistribution circuit (2) is established in such a manner that a monitoring and—when necessary a charge redistribution is achieved for each individual storage element (4).Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbHInventors: Matthias Ridder, Andreas Schwendinger, Manfred Malik
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Patent number: 8320110Abstract: A notebook computer storage and charging cart includes a cart having mobile racks arranged in stacks for carrying notebook computers, a power system having electrical power connectors connectable to an external power source and battery charges connected to the electrical power connectors and controllable by a power management device to charge the notebook computers subject to a predetermined charging time, and a network unit having a network connection apparatus installed in the cart and first and second network lines respectively connected between first and second ports network connection apparatus and the notebook computers for the transmission of network signals for real-time online data update and download.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Chen-Source Inc.Inventor: Feng-Ming Chen
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Patent number: 8314592Abstract: An energy storage unit has several storage elements (2, 2?) which are switched in series and a charge redistribution circuit (6, 6?). The latter is installed in such a manner that the voltage of the storage element (UELn, UEln?) is measured and compared with a voltage threshold value (UTHRn, UTHR, UTHRn?, UTHR?). When the threshold value is exceeded by a storage element, it removes charge from said storage element, thus reducing its voltage. According to one aspect, a storage-related temperature determination is conducted, and the threshold value is set variably in dependence on the determined temperature (Tn, T) in such a manner that it is reduced as the temperature increases. According to a further aspect, the threshold value is set variably in dependence on the current vehicle operating state, in such a manner that it is set higher for relatively brief periods of time when the storage or removal requirement is relatively high.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2006Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbHInventors: Axel Rudorff, Manfred Malik
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Patent number: 8310204Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic charge equalization apparatus and method having an automatic PWM generating means for a series-connected battery string. The automatic charge equalization method and apparatus for a series-connected battery string according to the present invention can improve charge equalization by accomplishing charge equalization operation after comparing the potential of the corresponding battery cell with the average potential of the plurality of battery cells including the corresponding battery cell upon charging or discharging the corresponding battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignees: SK Innovation Co., Ltd., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Joong Hui Lee, Soo Yeup Jang, Jeon Keun Oh, Gun Woo Moon, Chong Eun Kim, Hong Sun Park, Chol Ho Kim
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Patent number: 8306692Abstract: An input/output control device for a secondary battery mounted on a vehicle includes a current estimating unit estimating a battery current input to or output from the secondary battery based on an input/output power of the secondary battery and outputting an estimated value (estimated current (Is)), a current sensor measuring the battery current and outputting a measured value (measured current (It)), and an input/output control unit controlling the input/output power based on the estimated value and the measured value. The input/output control device controls the input/output of the secondary battery, using the measured current (It) as well as the estimated value (Is), and therefore can suppress more reliably significant increase in heating value of the secondary battery and its peripheral parts.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Teruo Ishishita
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Patent number: 8294428Abstract: An electricity accumulating device includes capacitors connected in series, balanced voltage adjusting portions connected to the capacitors respectively, and a control circuit connected to the balanced voltage adjusting portions. The control circuit performs the following operations: measuring two voltages at different times from each other across each capacitor during the non-charge-or-discharge period of the capacitors by using the balanced voltage adjusting portions; calculating the absolute value of the difference between the two voltages; determining the balanced voltage of each of the capacitors according to the absolute value; and controlling the balanced voltage adjusting portions to make the voltage across each capacitor a balanced voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Kimiyasu Kakiuchi
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Patent number: 8294421Abstract: A cell balancing circuit for balancing battery cells includes a transformer and a switching controller. The transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The switching controller can select a first cell coupled to the primary winding and select a second cell coupled to the secondary winding. The first cell and the second cell are coupled in series. The first cell has a cell voltage that is greater than the second cell. The cell balancing circuit further includes a controller coupled to the primary winding. The controller controls energy from the first cell to the primary winding so as to transfer the energy from the first cell to the second cell to balance the battery cells.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: O2Micro IncInventors: Constantin Bucur, Stefan Maireanu
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Patent number: 8294426Abstract: According to one embodiment, a secondary battery device includes a first assembled battery including a plurality of secondary battery cells, a second assembled battery including a plurality of secondary battery cells and connected in series to a low-potential terminal of the first assembled battery, a disconnecting module capable of mechanically switching connection between the first assembled battery and the second assembled battery, a voltage measurement circuit configured to measure voltages of the plurality of secondary battery cells of the second assembled battery, a first power source wiring connected between a high-potential terminal of the second assembled battery and the voltage measurement circuit, a second power source wiring connected between a low-potential terminal of the second assembled battery and the voltage measurement circuit, and a filter connected between the first power source wiring and the second power source wiring.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Shinichiro Kosugi, Yasuhiro Miyamoto
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Patent number: 8294425Abstract: A charging apparatus able to safely and reliably secure capacity is provided. The charging apparatus comprises: a charging current configuration unit that configures a set value for the charging current flowing to the battery; a charging current controller that controls the charging current on the basis of the set value configured by the charging current configuration unit; a cell voltage detector that detects the cell voltages applied to each cell; and a voltage determining unit that determines whether or not at least one of the cell voltages detected by the cell voltage detector has exceeded a threshold voltage. If it is determined by the voltage determining unit that at least one of the cell voltages has exceeded the threshold voltage, then the charging current configuration unit switches the set value to a smaller value.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takao Aradachi, Kazuhiko Funabashi
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Patent number: 8288031Abstract: A battery disconnect unit for selectively coupling a battery pack to a load is provided. The unit includes a base portion that holds first and second contactors, a pre-charging relay, and a charging relay, thereon. The unit further includes a circuit board having first, second, third and fourth bus bars disposed thereon. The first and second bus bars are coupled to first and second terminals, respectively, of the first contactor. The first bus bar is further coupled to the battery pack, and the second bus bar is further coupled to the load. The third and fourth bus bars are coupled to third and fourth terminals, respectively, of the second contactor. The third bus bar is further coupled to the battery pack, and the fourth bus bar is further coupled to the load.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Bob Matejek, Mark Niedzwiecki, Greg Phillips, Hee Kook Yang, Bryan Symons, Bob Merriman
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Patent number: 8288992Abstract: A cell management system and method for balancing energy across a plurality of cells coupled to a circuit bus. The system can include a transformer, two transformer switches, and for each cell, a first switch pair allowing transfer of energy between the transformer and the cell, and a second switch pair allowing removal or inclusion of the cell in the serial connection of cells. The system can include an energy storage device, a switch pair allowing transfer of energy between the transformer and the storage device, and for each cell, a third switch pair allowing transfer of energy between the storage device and the cell. The system can include cell, bus and storage device sensors and state estimators. The system can include a controller that controls the transformer switches, cell switches, and storage device switches based on the sensor readings and states.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Indy Power Systems, LLCInventors: Quentin Wayne Kramer, Andrew S. Hintz, Robert L. Galyen
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Patent number: 8288993Abstract: The present invention discloses a battery charging controller for balancing the charged batteries. The battery charging controller comprises a battery reference voltage generator, a voltage balancing module and a balance judging circuit. The battery charging controller determines which one has the lower voltage between battery units of a battery module according to reference voltages generated by the battery reference voltage generator. The voltage balancing module controlled by the balance judging circuit allows the charging current of the lower-voltage battery larger than the charging current of the higher-voltage battery in such that the final voltages of the battery units are substantially equaled when they are completely saturated.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Green Solution Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shian-Sung Shiu, Chung-Che Yu, Li-Min Lee
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Publication number: 20120249055Abstract: An individual cell charger and method of using it are disclosed. The voltage of each individual battery cell of a series connected cell configuration, is measured. A controlled power source charges the cells individually at an initial voltage. The voltage on each individual one of the charged cells is subsequently measured by a battery management system. The voltage of the controlled power source is incrementally increased to charge the cells individually at an incrementally higher voltage. The measuring and charging of each individual cell is repeated until the voltage on at least one of the cells reaches a predetermined voltage. Once the voltage on at least one of the cells reaches a predetermined voltage, the measuring and charging each individual cell continues at substantially the same last incremental voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: GRRREEN, Inc., a Delaware corporationInventor: John M. Wade
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Patent number: 8274395Abstract: A system for monitoring batteries comprises a current control element coupled in parallel to a diode and across a battery. The current control element measures current on the cathode end of the diode. Once the voltage potential reaches a threshold, the current control element routes the current from the cathode end of the diode to the anode end of the diode thereby reducing the voltage potential across the battery terminal. Accordingly, a battery sensing element is prevented from falsely sensing a presence of an operable battery due to leakage current of the diode.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: ADTRAN, Inc.Inventors: Earl Erickson, William Shindel
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Patent number: 8269464Abstract: An electronic device having a display section, which may include, a housing section configured to house a plurality of batteries, a detection section configured to detect status of each of the plurality of batteries housed in the housing section, a selection section configured to select part of the plurality of batteries for use as a power supply of the electronic device in accordance with the status detected by the detection section, and a display control section configured to display on the display section an indication identifying the part of the plurality of batteries.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2008Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Nobuyuki Mori, Makoto Akesaka
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Patent number: 8258755Abstract: A method of charging a secondary battery and a charging device that can improve stability and extend the life span of the battery. When the secondary battery includes a plurality of cells, the charging method is changed when a voltage imbalance from 100 mV to 300 mV occurs among the cells. In that range, the charging method changes from a constant current-constant voltage charging method to a pulse-charging method. When the voltage imbalance is 300 mV or more, the electricity path is blocked, shutting down the battery. When the voltage imbalance is 100 mV or less, the constant current-constant voltage charging method is maintained. The method and device also stop charging when the battery reaches full charge.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2008Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jong-Woon Yang
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Patent number: 8253378Abstract: A battery management system according to the present invention comprises a battery module consisted of a plurality of batteries connected in series; a switch module connected in parallel to the battery module; a voltage sensor measuring a voltage of each battery composing the battery module; a charge equalizer causing each battery composing the battery module to be charged, discharged or charged/discharged; and a microprocessor controlling the switch module to determine whether to charge or discharge each battery composing the battery module according to the voltage values measured by the voltage sensor and; wherein the voltage sensor and the charge equalizer are connected in parallel to each battery composing the battery module by the switch module.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: SK Innovation Co., Ltd.Inventors: Joong Hui Lee, Soo Yeup Jang, Jeon Keun Oh, Gun Woo Moon, Hong Sun Park, Chol Ho Kim
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Patent number: 8248030Abstract: A device for monitoring a rechargeable battery having a number of electrically connected cells includes at least one current interruption switch for interrupting current flowing through at least one associated cell and a plurality of monitoring units for detecting cell voltage. Each monitoring unit is associated with a single cell and includes a reference voltage unit for producing a defined reference threshold voltage and a voltage comparison unit for comparing the reference threshold voltage with a partial cell voltage of the associated cell. The reference voltage unit is electrically supplied from the cell voltage of the associated cell. The voltage comparison unit is coupled to the at least one current interruption switch for interrupting the current of at least the current flowing through the associated cell, with a defined minimum difference between the reference threshold voltage and the partial cell voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Matthias Doepke, Henning Eisermann
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Patent number: 8242745Abstract: A battery management system for a battery pack comprising multiple battery modules is disclosed. Each of the battery modules includes multiple battery cells. The battery management system includes multiple first balancing units, multiple first controllers, a second balancing unit including multiple second balancing circuits, and a second controller coupled to the battery modules and the second balancing circuits. The first controllers are operable for controlling the first balancing units to adjust voltages of battery cells in the battery module if an unbalance occurs between the battery cells. The second controller is operable for controlling said second balancing circuits to adjust voltages of said battery modules if an unbalance occurs between battery modules.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: O2Micro Inc.Inventors: Wei Zhang, Han-Jung Kao
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Publication number: 20120200242Abstract: Applicant has disclosed a method and apparatus for a bipolar automotive electrical system. In the preferred “apparatus” embodiment, Applicant's bipolar electrical system comprises: two (e.g., 12 V) batteries of equal, but opposite voltage (e.g., +12 V, ?12 V), with bipolar outputs; an alternator, responsive to the batteries, which controls electrical charge to the batteries individually; an automotive DC motor connected by a single lead wire to the bipolar outputs from the batteries; and, wherein the reversible motor is run off the bipolar output without the need for any intervening devices between the bipolar command outputs and the motors. Alternatively, the alternator can inherently charge the batteries sequentially with the lowest voltage battery being addressed first. This approach allows heavy loads to be powered by 24 V or 48 V DC, yet the arc voltage to ground is still only 12 V or 24 V DC.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: August 9, 2012Inventor: John K. Grady
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Publication number: 20120194137Abstract: A voltage equalizer is applied to balance voltages among multiple battery units that are connected in series as a battery assembly. The voltage equalizer has a transformer, a switch and a controller. The transformer has a primary winding connected to the battery assembly and the controller through the switch, and further has multiple secondary windings connected to the battery units respectively. When the switch is alternately turned on and off, the transformer draws energy from the battery units with the higher voltage and couples the energy to the secondary windings to charge the battery unit with the lower voltage for balancing the voltages of the battery units.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: ACBEL POLYTECH INC.Inventor: Shih-Yuan Wang
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Publication number: 20120194138Abstract: An electric energy storage system is designed to equally utilize electric energy storage banks during charging/discharging, and keep fluctuation of an input voltage from a charger or an output voltage to a load, within an arbitrary range, while equally utilizing the electric energy storage banks during charging/discharging. The electric energy storage system comprises an electric energy storage module, a charger, a balancing circuit, a voltage detection section, taps led out, respectively, from one of opposite terminals of the electric energy storage module and/or the other terminal of the electric energy storage module and/or one or more of series-connection points between the electric energy storage units, through respective switches, and a switch control section for switching the switches such that one of the taps is connected to one of opposite terminals of the charger. The switch control section is operable to sequentially switch the switches according to progress of the charging.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicants: JAPAN CAPACITOR INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCYInventors: Masatoshi Uno, Akio Kukita, Kazushige Ito, Tsutomu Sekido
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Patent number: 8232767Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for testing batteries, which can prevent errors from occurring due to the tolerance of voltage sensors when the charged states of batteries are measured, and can charge a battery having a charged state deteriorated due to the difference in the resistance of each battery. The apparatus includes a voltage circuit for measuring voltages of N batteries. A resistance circuit decreases voltages of batteries, which are greater than a reference voltage. A connection switch unit selects any one of the N batteries. A divert change unit separates polarities of each battery and changes positions of an cathode and a anode of the battery depending on separated polarities. A selection switch unit selectively connects the cathode and anode of the battery to an cathode and a anode of the voltage circuit or the resistance circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2006Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: SK Innovation Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jeon Keun Oh, Joong Hui Lee, Soo Yeup Jang
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Patent number: 8228040Abstract: There are provided a battery control system and a battery control method which can eliminate a management device controlling voltages of individual cells in a battery pack, resist the influence of noise, prevent an increase in size, and reduce the load on a management device. A cell for a battery pack will be interconnected with another cell to be used as a battery pack, the cell comprises unit cell 5 and control circuit 1, unit cell 5 is one electrochemical cell, and control circuit 1 includes: measurement means 1a for acquiring cell-state information including at least a voltage of unit cell 5; transmission means 1f for transmitting the cell-state information to the outside; reception means 1f for receiving external information; and means 1d for discharging unit cell 5 based upon the cell-state information on unit cell 5 and the external information, to bring the voltages of interconnected cells closer.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: NEC CorporationInventors: Kazuaki Utsumi, Keiji Katayama
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Patent number: 8217624Abstract: An object is to improve safety. Provided is a power storage system including a battery apparatus 1; a power converter 2 provided between the battery apparatus 1 and a load 3 and that can control power supplied from the battery apparatus 1 to the load 3; and a battery monitoring circuit 4 that detects an abnormality in the battery apparatus 1. When an abnormality in the battery apparatus 1 is detected by the battery monitoring circuit 4, the power converter 2 supplies power stored in the battery apparatus 1 to the load 3 or to an internally provided internal load at or below a current value or power value that is set in advance, or alternatively, at a current value or power value that the load 3 demands, within a range that does not exceed an upper limit that is set in advance.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignees: Mitsubishi Industries, Ltd., Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.Inventors: Takehiko Nishida, Katsuaki Kobayashi, Katsuo Hashizaki, Hidehiko Tajima, Kazuyuki Adachi
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Patent number: 8212524Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method of controlling the operation of battery modules in a battery system, which includes two or more battery modules or battery module assemblies, wherein the battery system further includes energy consuming loads for consuming charged energy, and the method includes, when a specific battery module or a specific battery module assembly is abnormally operated, connecting the abnormally operated battery module or the abnormally operated battery module assembly to the corresponding energy consuming load to forcibly discharge the charged energy, and a battery system that is capable of performing the battery system control method.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2007Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Jin Woong Ha, Jeeho Kim, Yongshik Shin
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Patent number: 8212522Abstract: A battery assembly having batteries connected in series to form rows and columns of battery cells into packs that combine the energy of multiple batteries. The battery cells are joined together to form columns of cells connected mechanically together by an exterior connection sleeve, and mechanically and electrically connected together by a conductive epoxy joining the end of one cell to the end of an adjacent cell in series. The columns of cells are mounted and held in place by racks, with bolts passing through the racks to form a sandwich structure that secures the position and orientation of the cells and columns, and that maintains the electrical connection between joined cells. Perpendicularly disposed to the direction of the columns are a series of conductive bands that join adjacent cells together along rows of cells.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Inventors: Larry L. Deal, Gary J. Gloceri, Adam G. Sciriha, Todd A. Kendall, Wayne B. Uhrick, Phillip Piatkowski, Jr., Leah M. Piatkowski, legal representative, Sarwar Islam, Ladislau M. Mako, Theodore L. Hoag
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Patent number: 8207740Abstract: A system and method for use with a vehicle battery pack having a number of individual battery cells, such as a lithium-ion battery commonly used in hybrid electric vehicles. In one embodiment, the method evaluates individual battery cells within a vehicle battery pack in order to obtain accurate estimates regarding their average transient voltage effect, open circuit voltage (OCVCell) and/or state of charge (SOCCell) so that a cell balancing process can be performed. These cell evaluations may be performed fairly soon after the vehicle is turned off and in a manner that utilizes a minimal amount of in-vehicle resources.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jian Lin, Xidong Tang, Brian J. Koch, Joseph M. Lograsso, Andrew J. Namou, Rezina S. Nabi, Damon R. Frisch
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Patent number: 8203308Abstract: A charge circuit interrupt device comprises a ground fault interrupt module, a current generation module and a current injection module. The ground fault interrupt module disconnects a load from a charging source when a current imbalance exceeds a threshold. The current generation module generates a balancing current based on the current imbalance. The current injection module inputs the balancing current into the charging source to oppose the current imbalance. The charge circuit interrupt device may further include an input balance disable control module that disables the current generation module from generating the balancing current when the current imbalance exceeds the threshold, and a current isolation module that isolates the charging source and the ground fault interrupt module, the current generation module and the current injection module.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.Inventors: Sam Y. Guo, Yongmin Sheng, Xiaopeng Wang
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Patent number: 8198862Abstract: A battery management system for a battery pack comprising multiple battery modules is disclosed. Each of the battery modules includes multiple battery cells. The battery management system includes multiple first balancing units, multiple first controllers, a second balancing unit including multiple second balancing circuits, and a second controller coupled to the battery modules and the second balancing circuits. The first controllers are operable for controlling the first balancing units to adjust voltages of battery cells in the battery module if an unbalance occurs between the battery cells. The second controller is operable for controlling said second balancing circuits to adjust voltages of said battery modules if an unbalance occurs between battery modules.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: O2Micro Inc.Inventors: Wei Zhang, Han-Jung Kao
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Patent number: 8193768Abstract: A contactless charging system for an electric musical instrument includes an instrument stand configured to support a musical instrument, and which includes a contactless charging port configured for connection to a power source such as an electric wall outlet. A charging circuit module is configured for incorporation within the musical instrument, and includes a second contactless charging port in physical electrical contact with circuit elements configured to provide at least one predetermined voltage to at least one rechargeable portable power supply. The second contactless charging port is configured for contactless charging engagement with the first contactless charging port, so that the second port receives power from the power source when the instrument is placed in the stand.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Inventor: Jason S. Hallett
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Patent number: 8188750Abstract: A battery module voltage detector can reduce the difference in frequency response of an anti-aliasing filter for each battery module whose voltage is measured, and provide an accurate voltage measurement. The battery module voltage detector includes a plurality of switches connected to battery modules constituting a battery pack, resistors having an equal resistance value, and a filter composed of capacitors having equal capacitance and being disposed between the battery modules and the switches. The capacitors are divided into a first capacitor group and a second capacitor group which are symmetrical at the center of the battery pack. The first capacitor group is on the positive terminal side of the second battery. The second capacitor is on the negative terminal side of the battery pack. Capacitors may be connected between an output terminal of a (1+M/2)-th resistor and an N-th resistor, except a (1+m/2), the (1+M/2)-th resistor and the N-th resistor.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasumichi Ohnuki
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Patent number: 8183833Abstract: A voltage balancer device has a plurality of discharge paths. Each pair of the discharge paths correspond to each secondary battery unit. Each of a pair of the discharge paths has a resistance of a different value. Discharging the voltage of each secondary battery unit is at first performed through the discharge path of a smaller resistance value. The voltage balancer device switches the currently used discharge path to another discharge path having a large resistance value at the time the voltage of the secondary battery unit nearly equal a desired voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2007Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Tetsuya Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8183870Abstract: A battery system utilizes a plurality of transformers interconnected with the battery cells. The transformers each have at least one transformer core operable for magnetization in at least a first magnetic state with a magnetic flux in a first direction and a second magnetic state with a magnetic flux in a second direction. The transformer cores retain the first magnetic state and the second magnetic state without current flow through said plurality of transformers. Circuitry is utilized for switching a selected transformer core between the first and second magnetic states to sense voltage and/or balance particular cells or particular banks of cells.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Francis J. Davies
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Patent number: 8174237Abstract: In a battery system, battery modules (3a, 3b) connected to each other in series respectively include: one or more single cells (3a1 to 3an, 3b1 to 3b-n) connected to one another in any one of series, parallel, and series-parallel; cell voltage switches (7a, 7b) for detecting voltages respectively of the one or more single cells; module monitoring control units (9a, 9b) each for monitoring the detected voltages respectively of the one or more signal cells; and communications level converter circuits (14a, 14b). The battery system includes a master unit (8a) for receiving information on the voltages respectively of the one or more single cells from the module monitoring control units via the communications level converter circuits. One of the communications level converter circuits includes a switch element (Q32) for transmitting a signal of a low-potential battery module to a high-potential battery module.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2006Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Shinichiro Kosugi, Nobuo Shibuya
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Patent number: 8154242Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell stack and an EESD electrically coupled to a common high voltage bus line. The EESD has a higher voltage output than the fuel cell stack, and thus the stack is unable to fully charge the EESD, for example, at system shut-down. In order to allow the fuel cell stack to fully charge the EESD, the EESD is separated into a plurality of separate electrical storage banks having lower voltage potentials. A series of contactors are provided to electrically couple the storage banks in series during normal system operation, and separately charge the storage banks using the fuel cell stack so that they are fully charged. The series of contactors can also be configured so that the storage banks can be electrically coupled in series during normal operation of the system and be electrically coupled in parallel during charging at system shut-down.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Kristian M. Whitehouse, David John Keyes, Joseph J. Ferrero
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Patent number: 8154250Abstract: The present invention discloses a battery charging controller for achieving a balanced battery charge. The battery charging controller includes a voltage divider, a switch module and a balance circuit. A reference voltage generated by the voltage divide is used to determine which battery unit in a battery module has an insufficient voltage lower than the others, so that the balance circuit controls the switch module to allow a larger current to charge a lower-voltage battery than a higher-voltage battery, so as to result in substantially the same voltage for each fully charged battery of the battery module.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Green Solution Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chung-Che Yu, Shian-Sung Shiu
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Patent number: 8137830Abstract: An electrochemical storage device including a plurality of electrochemical cells connected electrically in series. Each cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and an aqueous electrolyte. The charge storage capacity of the anode electrode is less than the charge storage capacity of the cathode.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Aquion Energy, Inc.Inventor: Jay Whitacre
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Patent number: 8134337Abstract: An electric storage device is disclosed, this device can balance voltages across each one of energy storage devices with each other in a short time even if the voltages disperse in a wide range, and also it can reduce needless power consumption. This device includes the energy storage devices and an equalizing voltage circuit coupled in parallel with the energy storage devices. The equalizing voltage circuit includes a balancing resistor, a balancing switch coupled between respective energy storage devices and respective balancing resistors, a discharging resistor coupled in parallel with the respective energy storage devices and having a smaller resistance value than the balancing resistor, and a discharging switch coupled between the respective energy storage devices and the respective discharging resistors.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Kazuki Morita
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Patent number: 8129952Abstract: This disclosure includes battery systems and operational methods. According to one aspect, a battery system includes conversion circuitry, a plurality of main terminals configured to be coupled with a load, a charger and a plurality of rechargeable battery modules which are coupled in series with one another intermediate the main terminals, switching circuitry configured to couple a first of the battery modules with an input of the conversion circuitry, and the conversion circuitry being configured to modify an electrical characteristic of electrical energy received from the first of the battery modules and to output the electrical energy having the modified characteristic to a second of the battery modules.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.Inventor: Erik Lee
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Patent number: 8129945Abstract: A system and method for charging an undercharged cell of a bank of series connected cells utilizes a charging circuit. The charging circuit includes an inductor that receives current from the entire bank of cells and then provides current to the undercharged cell. Pulse width modulation is utilized to turn the switches on and off to regulate the current that flows to the inductor and thus is provided to the undercharged cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Enerdel, Inc.Inventor: Chad Hartzog
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Patent number: 8130501Abstract: In one embodiment, a power cell chamber for a drive system includes moveable and fixed portions. The moveable portion includes a rectifier stage to rectify an input signal received from a secondary winding of a transformer to provide a rectified signal and an inverter stage having a plurality of switching devices to receive a DC signal and output an AC signal. This moveable portion can be slidably adapted within a cabinet of the drive system. In turn, the fixed portion includes a DC link having at least one capacitor to receive the rectified signal and provide the DC signal to the inverter stage.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: TECO-Westinghouse Motor CompanyInventors: Enrique Ledezma, Thomas Keister, Mehdi Abolhassani, Ryan Edwards, Alex Skorcz, Randall Pipho, Srinivas Satumahanti
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Patent number: 8120209Abstract: A voltage sensing device with which high-precision voltage sensing is possible without the need to obtain a unique correction constant for each device. A pair of voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 is selected from voltage input nodes NC0-NCn in switch part 10, and they are connected to sensing input nodes NA and NB in two types of patterns with different polarity (forward connection, reverse connection). Sensing input nodes NA and NB are held at reference potential Vm by voltage sensing part 20, and current Ina and Inb corresponding to the voltage at voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 flows to input resistors RIk and RIk-1. Currents Ina and Inb are synthesized at different ratios in voltage sensing part 20, and sensed voltage signal S20 is generated according to the synthesized current Ic. Sensed voltage data S40 with low error is generated according to the difference between the two sensed voltage signals S20 generated in the two connection patterns.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Toru Tanaka, Akio Ogura, Kazuya Omagari, Nariaki Ogasawara
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Patent number: 8120322Abstract: The present invention relates to a charge equalization apparatus, in which series-connected batteries are divided into modules having certain sizes, and intra-module charge equalization and inter-module charge equalization are simultaneously performed, thus improving charge equalization performance and reducing the circuit size.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignees: SK Energy Co., Ltd., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Joong Hui Lee, Soo Yeup Jang, Jeon Keun Oh, Gun Woo Moon, Chong Eun Kim, Hong Sun Park, Chol Ho Kim
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Patent number: 8115453Abstract: A system for managing energy stored in a plurality of series connected energy storage units has a plurality of energy storage unit controllers, each controller being associated with one of the plurality of energy storage units, a balancing circuit between two of the energy storage units, the balancing circuit being controlled by at least one of the energy storage unit controllers, a serial electrical interface between the energy storage unit controllers for providing voltage isolated bi-directional communication, and a central controller in electrical communication with the energy storage unit controllers.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Texas Instruments Northern Virginia IncorporatedInventors: John Houldsworth, Gary L. Stirk
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Patent number: 8102149Abstract: The present invention relates to a charger capable of performing the integrated control and separate control of parallel operations. The charger includes a plurality of charging modules connected in parallel with each other. Each of the charging modules includes a rectification unit for converting input AC power into DC power. The system also includes a power conversion unit, a switching control unit, a DC unit, a detection unit, and a computation control unit. The computation control unit receives the voltage and current, detected by and fed back from the detection unit, computes the voltage and the current, and transmits a control signal required to allow the DC unit to supply a primary constant current, a constant voltage, and a secondary constant current to a battery.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Signet System Inc.Inventor: Ho Chul Hwang
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Patent number: 8102144Abstract: A solar array power generation system includes a solar array electrically connected to a control system. The solar array has a plurality of solar modules, each module having at least one DC/DC converter for converting the raw panel output to an optimized high voltage, low current output. In a further embodiment, each DC/DC converter requires a signal to enable power output of the solar modules.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Beacon Power CorporationInventors: F. William Capp, William J. Driscoll