Abstract: An operational amplifier has an input biased at a predetermined reference voltage. A control unit opens both second switches and third switches corresponding to unit batteries being non-detection object, closes fourth switch. The control unit further closes both one of first switches and one of third switches corresponding to one unit battery being a detection object to charge corresponding one of first capacitors. Thereafter, the control unit opens the fourth switch. The control unit further closes one of the second switches corresponding to the one unit battery being the detection object, instead of the one of the first switches. Thus, the control unit detects a voltage of each of the unit batteries.

Abstract: A battery module includes a metal casing and a battery cell accommodated in the casing. The casing is provided on its outer surface with an insulation layer and a conductive portion.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing operating condition of a device for cutting off and connecting a high-voltage bipolar battery from/to a bipolar onboard power network of a motor vehicle. The device includes a first power relay between a first terminal of the battery and a first terminal of the network, a second power relay between a second terminal of the battery and a second terminal of the network, and a serial arrangement of a third precharge relay and a precharge resistor, connected in parallel to the first power relay. The method: measures two voltages of the cutoff/connection device; compares the measured voltages with predetermined voltage values representing faults of the cutoff/connection device; and diagnoses a fault of a relay used on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A battery system for vehicle comprises a battery unit that is constituted with a plurality of serially connected cell groups each include a plurality of serially connected battery cells, integrated circuits that are each disposed in correspondence to one of the cell groups of the battery unit and each measure terminal voltages at the battery cells in the corresponding cell group, and a signal transmission path through which one of the integrated circuits is connected to another one of the integrated circuits or to a circuit other than that of the integrated circuits.

Abstract: A battery monitoring circuit monitors voltages of a plurality of secondary cells connected in series. The battery monitoring circuit comprises a first switch element, a second switch element, a third switch element, and a first capacitor. The battery monitoring circuit comprises an operational amplifier of which an inverting input terminal is connected to a second end of the first capacitor, a non-inverting input terminal is connected to a fixed potential, and an output is connected to the second end of the first capacitor. The battery monitoring circuit comprises an A/D converter which performs analog-to-digital conversion on a signal output by the operational amplifier and outputs an obtained digital signal. The battery monitoring circuit comprises a control circuit which performs on/off control on the first to third switch elements and controls operations of the operational amplifier and the A/D converter.

Abstract: A battery cell measurement system comprising a signal generator coupled to a pulse density modulation circuit generating a control signal which drives a switch connected between a first terminal of a battery cell and a first terminal of a bleeding impedance, a second terminal of the bleeding impedance being coupled to a second battery cell terminal. The first terminal is coupled to a first terminal of a second switch. The second terminal is coupled to a first terminal of a third switch. A second terminal of the second switch and second terminal of the third switch are coupled and are further coupled to a low-pass filter. A signal generated by the low-pass filter is inputted into an analog to digital converter, which provides a signal representative of either a signal across the bleeding impedance, or a signal between the battery cell terminals.

Abstract: A sensor device for accommodation in a galvanic cell, having a sensor for detecting a predetermined measured quantity of the galvanic cell. The sensor device includes a sensor housing for receiving the sensor, the sensor being disposed in a recess in the sensor housing, and a measured-quantity transfer medium that covers at least the recess in the sensor housing in fluid-tight fashion and is formed to couple the sensor to an external environment of the sensor device for the transfer of the measured quantity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for handling and servicing an electrochemical cell (1), preferably a battery having a number of electrochemical cells (1), comprising a controller (3), in particular a cell controller, preferably a battery controller, at least one sensor (4) connected to the controller (3) for acquiring parameter data (DPar.) of the electrochemical cell (1) or the battery, a storage device (5), which comprises preferably a non-volatile memory, in particular a flash memory, and a unit (2) for data transmission, said method comprising the following steps: (S1) acquiring parameter data (DPar.) of the electrochemical cell (1) or the battery, (S2) feeding the acquired parameter data (DPar.) to the controller (3), (S3) calculating the control data (DStr.) as a function of the supplied parameter data (DPar.) with the controller (3), (S4) feeding the control data (DStr.) to the storage device (5), (S5) reading out the control data (DStr.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that accurately and reliably updates a full charge capacity of a battery. During operation, the system charges the battery from an initial state to a rest point prior to reaching a fully charged state. The system then interrupts the charging process to allow the battery to relax to a resting voltage. Next, the system measures the resting voltage. The system then resumes the charging process toward the fully charged state. The system subsequently estimates the capacity of the battery based on the measured resting voltage and one or more other parameters.

Abstract: A lithium-ion secondary battery includes an aluminum case, an electrolytic solution, a positive plate, a negative plate, a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and voltage sensors. The positive terminal and the negative terminal project to the outside of the case while being insulated from the case. The voltage sensor is connected between the case and the positive terminal and detects the potential of the positive terminal with respect to a potential VR of the case. The voltage sensor is connected between the case and the negative terminal and detects the potential of the negative terminal with respect to the potential VR of the case. From the detected results, the states of the positive plate and the negative plate are separately detected.

Abstract: A wireless handle for a battery tester, comprising a wireless signal transmitting/receiving means capable of exchanging information with a battery tester through wireless communication; an information input means; an information output means; and a signal processing and control means, wherein the wireless signal transmitting/receiving means, the information input means, and the information output means are coupled with the signal processing and control means. The wireless handle enables an operator to control some functions of the battery tester and/or monitor detected information remotely during the process of testing, which can increase efficiency of the testing and avoid any disturbance of the testing circuits caused by the information input means and the information output means.

Abstract: An electrical connector that has a first side configured to interface with a battery module and a second side configured to interface with a mating plug coupled to a first load. The electrical connector includes terminals extending through the first and second sides and configured to route power at a first voltage from the battery module to the mating plug; low voltage lines extending through the first and second sides, wherein the low voltage lines operate at a voltage less than the first voltage; and high voltage lines electrically coupled to the terminals via conductive leads and configured to route an electrical signal from the terminals to a second load. The electrical connector contains a secondary connection interface configured to allow access to the low and high voltage lines.

Abstract: When a battery current is not larger than a limit current set depending on the battery temperature and is flowing continuously for a predetermined time set depending on the battery temperature or longer, a decision is made that a secondary battery is in stable state. When the secondary battery is in stabilized state, the battery voltage is considered to be equal to the open circuit voltage and SOC estimation is performed based on the open circuit voltage-SOC characteristics. When the product of the internal resistance of the secondary battery and the limit current is made substantially constant (constant voltage) by setting the limit current in association with temperature dependence of the internal resistance, estimation error can be kept within a predetermined range in the stabilized state even if SOC estimation is performed while the battery voltage is assumed as the open circuit voltage.

Abstract: A battery testing system with energy circulation includes a battery module to be tested, an electric power storage module, a bi-directional conversion module and a control module, and the control module controls the bi-directional conversion module to discharge the electric power storage module and charge the battery module to be tested, or discharge the battery module to be tested and charge the electric power storage module, so that the electricity can be fully and repeatedly used, and the electric power storage module can use a second-used power battery to save the cost of the electric power storage module while the battery testing system can be isolated from the grid of utility power to avoid creating a burden to the grid of the utility power.

Abstract: A battery voltage measurement system is disclosed. The system includes a measurement unit, a calibration unit, and a control unit. The calibration unit is coupled between the measurement unit and a battery, for providing several test voltages to the measurement unit. The control unit is coupled to the calibration unit and the measurement unit, for controlling the calibration unit and for receiving an output voltage of the measurement unit. Under a calibration mode, the calibration unit outputs test voltages to the measurement unit, and the control unit calculates a calibration value according to a relation between the test voltages and the output voltage of the measurement unit. Under a measurement mode, the calibration unit transmits a battery voltage to the measurement unit, and the control unit calibrates the output voltage of the measurement unit according to the calibration value for acquiring accurate value of the battery voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a voltage of a secondary battery which includes a cathode comprising a first cathode material and a second cathode material with different operating voltage ranges, an anode comprising an anode material and a separator for separating the cathode from the anode. The apparatus comprises a control unit configured to estimate a voltage of a secondary battery based on a circuit model including a first cathode material circuit, a second cathode material circuit and an anode material circuit, each circuit modeled to change its voltage according to State Of Charge (SOC) of the electrode material corresponding the circuit and a current flowing through the circuit.

Abstract: A deep-discharge protection method for protecting a battery of a parking motor vehicle is shown. In this case, a state of charge of the battery is regularly monitored by a battery control unit and is transmitted to an evaluation unit. When a predefined state of charge of the battery is reached, a message is transmitted from a communication unit to a stored address by mobile radio and/or information acquired using a sensor system is used by the evaluation unit to determine whether a situation of the motor vehicle is suitable for autonomous recharging of the battery.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to monitoring battery cells. In accordance with various embodiments, an energy storage cell apparatus includes a current injection circuit that separately inject current into individual ones of a plurality of battery cells that store energy, and an impedance-detection circuit detects an impedance characteristic of each of the plurality of battery cells in response to the injected current. A filter circuit receives impedance data regarding the detected impedance characteristic and separates low-frequency components of the impedance data from high-frequency components of the impedance data. A memory circuit stores data corresponding to high-bandwidth data including both the low-frequency components and the high-frequency components, and an access circuit provides the low-frequency components for the plurality of battery cells to a battery pack controller.

Abstract: A method is used for monitoring a battery pack to check claims under guarantee that could possibly be invalid due to incorrect opening of the battery pack. The battery pack includes at least one electrochemical cell. When the battery pack is monitored, whether the battery pack has been opened is detected and any details relating to an event of opening are recorded in a non-erasable storage medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing open circuit voltage checks of energy storage modules in an energy storage system. Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller of an energy storage system configured to schedule open circuit voltage checks for the energy storage modules, determine if conditions of an energy storage module, and of the overall energy storage system, are favorable for performing an open circuit voltage check, and defer an open circuit voltage check if at least one condition is not favorable. The controller is further configured to abandon an open circuit voltage check in progress if one or more conditions of the overall energy storage system changes in a manner that is unfavorable for continuing with the open circuit voltage check.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a secondary battery includes: discharging the secondary battery initially charged, at a discharge current, from an initial voltage to a discharge ending voltage; calculating an interval capacity in a voltage interval from a check starting voltage to a check ending voltage, based on the discharge current, and discharge time taken in the voltage interval; measuring a voltage change amount from a point in time when the voltage reaches a first voltage to a point in time when a length of time elapses from the above point in time, when the secondary battery is discharged from the initial voltage to the discharge ending voltage; and determining whether a total capacity satisfies a performance requirement, by comparing the calculated interval capacity with a first threshold value, and determining whether an output satisfies a performance requirement, by comparing the measured voltage change amount with a second threshold value.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determining data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery using the data which is representative of (i) the relaxation time of the battery and/or (ii) the overpotential of the battery. In another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adapt one or more characteristics of a charge signal using data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determine a state of charge of the battery using data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery.

Abstract: A measurement system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery pack and at least one type of connected device to which the pack is connected. The pack includes a first detection device detecting a predetermined physical quantity in the pack and having a predetermined measurement range. The connected device includes a second detection device detecting a physical quantity the same as the predetermined physical quantity and having a measurement range different from the range of the first detection device. One of the pack and the connected device includes a receiving device and a measurement processing device that performs a predetermined measurement process by using one of: a detection-value-related information received by the receiving device; and a detection result by one device of the first detection device and the second detection device, the one device being provided in one of the pack and the connected device.

Abstract: A remaining life determining system for a stationary storage battery has a detecting unit configured to detect an evaluation value indicative of a deterioration level of the stationary storage battery, a first storage unit configured to store a usage history of the stationary storage battery, a second storage unit configured to store remaining life information associated with usage information of the stationary storage battery, a third storage unit configured to store remaining life basic information of the stationary storage battery, and a controller configured to estimate the remaining life of the stationary storage battery, from the usage history, the evaluation value, and the remaining life information.

Abstract: A current sensor including at least one first current detection element, which detects a load current (Iload) through an electric conductor and provides an electric measurement signal in dependence on this load current, wherein the current detection element is connected to a signal processing unit, which includes a resistance element, which is configured such that, at least within a defined measurement region of the current sensor, the electrical resistance of the resistance element decreases if the load current detected by the current detection element increases.

Abstract: A control circuit turns on a switching element to discharge a capacitor, and after a voltage between both ends of the capacitor becomes zero, the control circuit turns off the switching element. The control circuit measures the voltage V1, V2 between both ends of the capacitor after the first predetermined time is passed and after the second predetermined time is passed, and calculate a change rate (V1/V2). If V1/V2 is equal to or less than 0.5, the disconnection is detected.

Abstract: A circuit used to measure cell voltages in a battery pack can include a cell voltage level shifter, a sense block, and a compensation current generator. The cell voltage level shifter selects a cell and shifts the terminal voltages of the selected cell from a first voltage level to a second voltage level. The sense block monitors the current consumed by the level shifter, and generates a signal indicative of the consumed current. The compensation current generator generates compensation currents to compensate the current consumed by the level shifter. Therefore, unbalance of the cell capacities caused by the current consumed by the level shifter can be reduced or eliminated, and thus the overall capacity of the battery pack can be improved.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for estimating a state of charge (SOC) in a battery, the apparatus including a detector unit; a soft computing unit for calculating and outputting a battery SOC estimation value by processing a current, a voltage and a temperature detected by the detector unit using a computing algorithm, which is a fuzzy algorithm implemented as a neural network, the soft computing unit storing the battery SOC estimation value in a memory, where the fuzzy algorithm has a form expressed as F=?(P,X)W, where ? is one of a fuzzy radial function, a radial basis function, and an activation function in the neural network, P is a learning parameter, X is an input, and W is a weight to be updated during learning.

Abstract: Kelvin (4-wire) connecting cables are routinely used when performing dynamic measurements (i.e., measurements with time-varying signals) on electrochemical cells and batteries. Current-carrying and voltage-sensing conductor pairs within such cables comprise distributed-parameter two-wire transmission lines which may extend several meters in length. As with all such transmission lines, internally reflected waves can oscillate back and forth at high frequency (hf) whenever the lines are not terminated in their characteristic impedances. Such hf reflected waves, by interacting with measuring circuitry, can seriously degrade low-frequency measurement accuracy. Apparatus is disclosed herein that suppresses hf reflected waves oscillating on Kelvin connecting cables during dynamic measurements of cells and batteries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chuck mechanism of a charge/discharge testing device for flat-rechargeable batteries and has a proposition to provide a chuck mechanism that makes it possible to lighten conventionally needed troublesome works, that is, for example, works of storing and fixing a large number of flat-rechargeable batteries in a container, and that is capable of surely chucking the flat-rechargeable batteries (electrodes).

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery system for a secondary battery including a blended cathode material, and an apparatus and method for managing a secondary battery having a blended cathode material. The blended cathode material includes at least a first cathode material and a second cathode material. The first and second cathode materials have different operating voltage ranges. When the secondary battery comes to an idle state or a no-load state, the battery system detects a voltage relaxation occurring by the transfer of operating ions between the first and second cathode materials.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a voltage of a secondary battery which includes a cathode comprising a first cathode material and a second cathode material with different operating voltage ranges, an anode comprising an anode material and a separator for separating the cathode from the anode. The apparatus comprises a control unit configured to estimate a voltage of a secondary battery based on a circuit model including a first cathode material circuit, a second cathode material circuit and an anode material circuit, each circuit modeled to change its voltage according to State Of Charge (SOC) of the electrode material corresponding the circuit and a current flowing through the circuit.

Abstract: A battery module may include a plurality of rechargeable batteries; a receiving member that inserts the rechargeable batteries; a protective circuit module that is fixed on the receiving member and that is electrically connected to the rechargeable batteries; a circuit connector that is connected to the protective circuit module and that has a plurality of terminals; and a battery connector that is electrically connected to the rechargeable batteries and that is coupled to the circuit connector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining the charge of a battery are disclosed. Embodiments include determining the charge in batteries that exhibit mass diffusion during charging or discharging, such as by evaluating the response of the battery to vibration. Alternate embodiments include evaluating the amplitude response of the battery and the phase shift response of the battery. Still other embodiment include evaluating the H11 response of the battery to vibration. Further embodiment include vibrating the battery, for example, with a chirp frequency that may be in the acoustic range. Still further embodiments include performing a Fourier analysis of the battery response to vibration.

Abstract: The voltage monitoring module (100) includes an input terminal (V1), a cell balancing input terminal (VB1), a switch (SWa—1), and a control circuit (CON). The input terminal (V1) is coupled to a high-voltage-side terminal of a battery cell (EC1) through a filter resistor (Rf). The cell balancing input terminal (VB1) is coupled to the high-voltage-side terminal of the battery cell (EC1). The switch (SWa—1) is coupled to the input terminal (V1). The control circuit (CON) controls ON/OFF of the switch (SWa—1). A filter resistor (C1) is coupled between the switch (SWa—1) and a ground. The control circuit (CON) turns on the switch (SWa—1), so that a high-voltage-side voltage (VH) is compared with a low-voltage-side voltage (VL).

Abstract: A battery-type determination apparatus includes a battery installation unit equipped with battery connection terminals in which a battery is installed, a voltage detector that detects a voltage generated by Seebeck effect between a battery connection terminal and an electrode of the battery, a temperature rise controller that raises a temperature at a contact point between the electrode of the battery and the battery connection terminal, and a type determination unit that determines a type of the battery installed in the battery installation unit, based on the voltage detected by the voltage detector with the temperature risen at the contact point.

Abstract: A method of testing a secondary battery includes first to fourth steps. At the first step, the secondary battery after manufacture is charged to a first voltage. At the second step, a second voltage lower than the first voltage is set as a target voltage and discharge or charge is performed in a constant-current constant-voltage mode before the secondary battery is left standing. At the third step, the open circuit voltage of the secondary battery is measured before and after the secondary battery is left standing. At the fourth step, it is determined whether the secondary battery is a conforming item or not based on the difference in the open circuit voltage before and after the secondary battery is left standing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a voltage sensing assembly for sensing voltage of battery cells, each having electrode terminals formed at an upper or lower end thereof, in a state in which the voltage sensing assembly is mounted to a battery module, the voltage sensing assembly including (a) a block case formed of an electrically insulating material, the block case being mounted, horizontally within a space between electrode terminal connection parts of the battery cells, to the front or rear of the battery module, (b) wires connected respectively to voltage sensing terminals, each of the voltage sensing terminals being integrally formed at an upper or lower end of a corresponding one of bus bars electrically connected to the electrode terminal connection parts of the battery cells, and (c) a connector that transmits detected voltages of the wires to a controller.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochemical cell based on lithium technology, comprising the following components: a positive electrode containing a cathode material, a separator made of an electrically insulating material, a negative a electrode containing an anode material, the electrodes and the separator having layer or sheet form, a liquid and/or solid ion conductor material for transportation of lithium ions between the positive and the negative electrode, the said components being sealed within a casing, wherein the positive and the negative electrode each comprise an electrically conducting structure extending through a wall of the casing for further electrical connection, characterized in that it further comprises: a reference electrode within the said casing which is electrically insulated from the positive and the negative electrode, the reference electrode having layer or sheet form comprising at least one non-metallic lithium compound, and an electrically conducting structure in layer

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for monitoring the voltage on electrical storage units, to a battery and to a motor vehicle having such a battery that are configured to be used particularly for improved establishment of overvoltages and/or undervoltages on modules of the electrical storage unit. To this end, a method for monitoring the voltage on at least one electrical storage unit includes extracting an idle voltage U_OCV on the at least one electrical storage unit from a voltage U_measured that is measured on the at least one electrical storage unit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a first and a second external terminals coupled to power supply wiring that couples one end of a current detecting resistance and a power supply terminal of a battery, a third external terminal coupled to an other end of the current detecting resistance, and a control circuit for controlling an output of a second measurement current destined to the third external terminal, and measures a voltage difference between the first external terminal and the second external terminal.

Abstract: A system for monitoring parameters of an energy storage system having a multiplicity of individual energy storage cells. A radio frequency identification and sensor unit is connected to each of the individual energy storage cells. The radio frequency identification and sensor unit operates to sense the parameter of each individual energy storage cell and provides radio frequency transmission of the parameters of each individual energy storage cell. A management system monitors the radio frequency transmissions from the radio frequency identification and sensor units for monitoring the parameters of the energy storage system.

Abstract: A state-of-charge (SOC) indicator for a battery pack is provided. The operation of the indicator is changed from a first mode to a second mode if a mechanism is activated, and is changed to a third mode if the mechanism remains activated after a timer expires. The indicator consumes a first amount of power in the second mode, and consumes a second amount of power which is less than the first amount in the third mode. The indicator blinks with a regular frequency when the SOC is less than a threshold. A comparator compares a divided signal and a reference signal during a first time interval, and the indicator displays the SOC based upon the comparison result during a second time interval separated from the first time interval.

Abstract: An open circuit voltage estimation device for estimating an open circuit voltage of an electric storage device includes a voltage measurement portion and a controller. The voltage measurement portion measures terminal voltages of the electric storage device. The controller is configured to: control the voltage measurement portion to measure the terminal voltages; store the terminal voltages in association with elapsed time since charge or discharge completion time; calculate a variation in terminal voltage per unit time at predetermined elapsed time since the charge or the discharge of the electric storage device is complete based on the terminal voltages measured by the voltage measurement portion; and estimate the open circuit voltage based on the predetermined elapsed time, the voltage at the predetermined elapsed time, and the variation.

Abstract: An electric storage device management system includes a voltage sensor, a memory, and a controller. The voltage sensor detects a voltage across an electric storage device having a correlation between an open circuit voltage (OCV) and a state of charge (SOC) including a slight change region and a sharp change region. The memory stores information on correlation between OCV and SOC in the sharp change region. The controller is configured to: determine an OCV based on a voltage detected by the voltage sensor; determine whether the defined OCV is within the sharp change region; determine an SOC corresponding to the defined OCV based on the stored information stored if the defined OCV is within the sharp change region; determine the determined SOC as an estimated SOC; and prohibit the determining of the SOC as an estimated SOC if the defined OCV is out of the sharp change region.

Abstract: A direct-current power source apparatus in which a lithium-ion capacitor unit is used as an electric storage system and which can fully utilize the lithium-ion capacitor unit and maintain the supply of electricity to a load is provided. An electric storage system includes a lithium-ion capacitor unit and a lead-acid battery connected in parallel with a load, and a voltage detecting section that detects the voltage of the lithium-ion capacitor unit. When the voltage detecting section detects that the voltage of the lithium-ion capacitor unit has reached a unit lower-limit voltage, a control circuit outputs a conduction signal for causing a switching circuit to get into a conductive state. When the switching circuit gets into a conductive state, the secondary battery supplies an electric power to a motor. At this time, the secondary battery charges the lithium-ion capacitor unit.

Abstract: A battery includes a first terminal, a second terminal, an outer layer, and a power indicator apparatus. The power indicator apparatus comprises an electrical conductor and a mechanical switch. The electrical conductor is configured to be in continuous electrical communication with the first terminal. The mechanical switch is configured to be actuated by an application of pressure at a single location, and upon actuation, to place the electrical conductor in electrical communication with the second terminal such that the power indication apparatus can facilitate a reading of a potential energy stored in the battery. Methods of determining a potential energy stored in the battery are also provided herein.

Abstract: A battery charger is disclosed that is configured to be connected to an external battery by way of external battery cables. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the battery charger is configured with automatic voltage detection which automatically determines the nominal voltage of the battery connected to its battery charger terminals and charges the battery as a function of the detected nominal voltage irrespective of the nominal voltage selected by a user. Various safeguards are built into the battery charger to avoid overcharging a battery. For battery chargers with user selectable nominal battery voltage charging modes, battery charger is configured to over-ride a user selected battery voltage mode if it detects that the battery connected to the battery charger terminals is different than the user selected charging mode.

Abstract: A battery monitoring system utilizes a plurality of transformers interconnected with a battery having a plurality of battery cells. Windings of the transformers are driven with an excitation waveform whereupon signals are responsively detected, which indicate a health of the battery. In one embodiment, excitation windings and sense windings are separately provided for the plurality of transformers such that the excitation waveform is applied to the excitation windings and the signals are detected on the sense windings. In one embodiment, the number of sense windings and/or excitation windings is varied to permit location of underperforming battery cells utilizing a peak voltage detector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying battery capacity and a charge/discharge state of a portable device are provided. The apparatus includes a charge Integrated Circuit (IC) for providing current to recharge the battery using an external charge power source, a sensing resistance interposed between the battery and the charge IC, a switch connected to the sensing resistance in parallel and opened to flow the current to the sensing resistance when a capacity of the battery is measured, and a controller for determining the capacity of the battery using voltage values at both ends of the sensing resistance measured when the switch is opened.