Abstract: A battery pack and a method of sensing a voltage of the battery pack are disclosed. The battery pack has more battery cells than an individual cell voltage sensing unit can sense the voltages of. The additional battery cells are sensed using a multi-cell voltage sensing unit and digital processing.

Abstract: A BMS and driving method, the BMS including a sensing unit sensing voltages and currents of battery cells and an MCU determining an SOC of the battery cells and controlling charging and discharging based on cell voltages and currents of the battery cells, wherein the MCU includes an SOC measurer measuring first SOCs and, after a predetermined duration, second SOCs of the battery cells; and a controller determining whether a first difference value between a maximum second SOC value and the second SOCs of each battery cell is greater than a first reference value or determining whether a second difference value between the first and second SOCs of respective battery cells is greater than a second reference value, and determining which battery cell is shorted when the first difference value is greater than the first reference value or when the second difference value is greater than the second reference value.

Abstract: A state-of-charge equalizing device equalizes the state of charge of each of cells connected in series to form an assembled battery, and comprises charging/discharging circuits connected in parallel to the respective cells to discharge and/or charge the respective cells, voltage measurement circuits connected to the respective charging/discharging circuits to measure the voltages across the respective cells, and a control circuit.

Abstract: A pair of measuring switches S21, S22 is interposed between both terminals of a capacitor C, and inputs T1, T2 of A/D converters 11c, 11d via resistors R1, R2. A pair of measuring switches S23, S24 is interposed between both inputs T1, T2 and a ground. The CPU 12a controls the measuring switches S21 to S24 so that when a terminal “a” of the capacitor C is positive charged, while the other terminal “b” of the capacitor C is grounded, both terminals “a” and “b” are respectively connected to the inputs T1 and T2. The CPU 12a controls the measuring switches S21 to S24 so that when the terminal “b” of the capacitor C is positive charged, while the terminal “a” of the capacitor C is grounded, both terminals “a” and “b” are respectively connected to the inputs T1 and T2.

Abstract: A voltage measuring device includes a current detecting section that detects a charging or discharging current of a multiple-set battery; block voltage detecting sections that detect voltages of a plurality blocks respectively; and a control section that outputs a request to the block voltage detecting sections via a first communication line to acquire voltage data. Each of the block voltage detecting sections includes an active power source and a lower-power source. The control section transmits a low-power consumption mode setting signal to the block voltage detecting sections respectively when the charging or discharging current has not been detected by the current detecting section for a first time period. Each of the block voltage detecting sections switches an operating mode from a normal mode to a low-power consumption mode when the low-power consumption mode setting signal is received.

Abstract: A system for measuring voltage of individual cells connected in series includes a single flying capacitor. The capacitor stores the charge of one of the cells such that an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) connected to the capacitor may process an accurate representation of the voltage of the cell being measured. A plurality of MOSFET-based switches electrically connects and disconnects the cells and the capacitor. A controller is in communication with the ADC and the switches for sequencing the switches and recording the voltage measurements of each cell.

Abstract: A state monitoring unit monitors a state of an assembled battery in which a plurality of unit cells are connected in series. The state monitoring unit includes: a plurality of voltage monitoring devices provided in a high voltage side and a controller provided in a low voltage side electrically isolated with the high voltage side. The controller transmits a common voltage measurement command to the respective voltage monitoring devices connected via a communication channel in a daisy-chain scheme. The controller includes a storage for storing latency time determined based on a required time for each of the voltage monitoring devices elapsing from transmission of the common voltage measurement command with respect to the communication channel to voltage measurement of the unit cells, and measures charging/discharging current of the assembled battery when the latency time has elapsed from the transmission of the common voltage measurement command with respect to the communication channel.

Abstract: Lower order control devices control plural battery cells configuring plural battery modules. An input terminal of the low order control device in the highest potential, an output terminal of the low order control device in the lowest potential, and a high order control device are connected by isolating units, photocouplers. Diodes which prevent a discharge current of the battery cells in the battery modules are disposed between the output terminal of the low order control device and the battery cells in the battery module on the low potential side. Terminals related to input/output of a signal are electrically connected without isolating among the plural low order control devices.

Abstract: The battery management system of the present invention measures a cell voltage of a battery more efficiently using a small number of elements, and measures a pack current and voltage thereof when measuring the voltages of a plurality of cells. The battery management system is coupled to the battery formed with one pack having a plurality of battery cells. The battery includes a first sub-pack having first and second batteries among the plurality of battery cells. The battery management system includes first to fourth relays and an A/D converter. The first and the second relays transmit the cell voltages in response to respective first and second control signals by being coupled to each output terminal of the first and second battery cells of the first sub-pack. The third relay transmits the cell voltage transmitted though one of the first and second relays in response to a third control signal, and the first charging unit stores the cell voltage transmitted from the third relay.

Abstract: A battery monitor for monitoring the performance of at least one battery within an array of batteries, comprising: a data acquisition device for measuring at least one parameter of the at least one battery associated with the battery monitor, a first data interface operable to exchange data with a first device, and a second data interface operable to exchange data with a second device.

Abstract: There is provided a voltage measuring apparatus for measuring a voltage of an assembled battery in which a plurality of unit cells are connected in series. The voltage measuring apparatus comprises: block voltage detection sections, each section measuring a voltage of each block of a plurality of blocks into which the plurality of unit cells are divided; a reference voltage output section provided in each of the voltage detection sections to output a reference voltage; a difference voltage calculating section which calculates a difference voltage between measured values of the reference voltages measured by two block voltage detection sections; a difference voltage determination section which determines whether each of the difference voltages exceeds a given threshold voltage or not; and an abnormality determination section which determines that abnormality occurs in the voltage measuring apparatus when at least one of the difference voltages is determined as greater than the threshold voltage.

Abstract: There is provided a voltage monitoring apparatus for monitoring an output voltage of an assembled battery. The voltage monitoring apparatus comprises: voltage monitoring sections, each section monitoring a voltage of each block of the plurality of blocks into which the plurality of unit cells are divided, wherein the voltage monitoring sections are connected one another through communication lines; and a control unit which is connected to the voltage monitoring section through the communication lines. The voltage monitoring section compares the respective detected voltages of the unit cells with the threshold voltage to determine a result of the comparison, and transmits the comparison result to the control unit. In a case where the threshold voltage is changed, the control unit transmits a registration signal indicating the changed threshold voltage, and when received the registration signal, the voltage monitoring section changes the stored threshold voltage to the changed threshold voltage.

Abstract: A monitoring circuit is provided for an energy storage device. The energy storage device has a plurality of cells which each provide a voltage between their first and second connections and are switched in series. At least two voltage measuring circuits are provided, wherein the voltage measuring circuits each measure the voltage between a first measurement input and a second measurement input. A first connection conductor connects the first terminal of the first cell to the first measurement input of a first voltage measurement circuit. A second connection conductor connects the second terminal of the first cell to the second measurement input of a first voltage measurement circuit. A first load resistor can be switched between the first measurement input of the second voltage measurement circuit and a first fixed potential.

Abstract: A locomotive, a battery system and a method for monitoring a battery are provided. The battery has a first plurality of cells electrically coupled in series to one another. The first plurality of cells includes a second plurality of cells and a third plurality of cells electrically coupled together at a node. The method includes calculating a first number of failed cells in the first plurality cells. The method further includes calculating a second number of failed cells in the second plurality cells and a third number of failed cells in the third plurality cells.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The car power source apparatus is provided with a driving battery 1 that supplies power to the car's electric motor, a voltage detection circuit 3 that measures the voltage of batteries 2 in the driving battery 1, a plurality of voltage detection lines 8 connected in parallel between the input-side of the voltage detection circuit 3 and driving battery 1 voltage detection nodes 9, and a decision circuit 6 that determines if a voltage detection line 8 is open circuited from the voltage measured by the voltage detection circuit 3. Each voltage detection line 8 has a voltage drop resistor 10 connected in series. The voltage detection circuit 3 is provided with input resistors 13 on its input-side. The car power source apparatus makes computations on the voltage measured by the voltage detection circuit 3, which is from the voltage divider formed by the input resistor 13 and voltage drop resistors 10, to detect voltage detection line 8 open circuit.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a voltage of a battery cell or a battery stack. A first monitoring unit has a first plurality of battery monitoring nodes, first and second data ports, a first supply port switchably coupled to the first plurality of battery monitoring nodes, a second supply port switchably coupled to the first plurality of battery monitoring nodes, and a third supply port. A controller is connected to the first monitoring unit. Alternatively, a reference voltage may be connected to the controller or it may be connected to the first monitoring unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery protection circuit for protecting a plurality of batteries connected in series. The battery protection circuit includes: a controller for monitoring the batteries and outputting control signals based on predetermined conditions associated with the batteries; a first N-channel MOSFET and a second N-channel MOSFET coupled in a common-drain configuration in a low-side path, wherein at least one of the first and second N-channel MOSFETs turns off in response to the control signal received from the controller when at least one of the predetermined conditions is detected; and a gate protection circuit for preventing gate-to-source voltages of the first and second N-channel MOSFETs from exceeding a predetermined gate-to-source voltage level.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, and includes a voltage bus bar and a voltage/current bus bar that connect electrodes of the plurality of battery cells to one another. Solder traces are formed in regions that are spaced apart from each other in the voltage/current bus bar. Furthermore, the battery module includes an amplifying circuit and a detecting circuit. The amplifying circuit amplifies a voltage between the solder traces formed in the voltage/current bus bar. The detecting circuit detects the voltage between the solder traces amplified by the amplifying circuit.

Abstract: A voltage detecting circuit comprises: an operational amplifier whose one input terminal is applied with a first reference voltage; a first capacitor whose one end is connected to the other input terminal of the operational amplifier; a second capacitor whose one end is connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier, and whose other end is connected to the other input terminal of the operational amplifier; a switch circuit for applying a first voltage and a second voltage sequentially to the other end of the first capacitor; and a discharging circuit for discharging the second capacitor before the second voltage is applied to the other end of the first capacitor, a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage being detected based on a voltage at the output terminal of the operational amplifier after the second voltage is applied to the other end of the first capacitor.

Abstract: A battery monitoring system, comprises a battery state detection circuit that detects battery states of a plurality of battery cells that are connected in series, based on respective cell voltages of the plurality of battery cells, and a control circuit that monitors state of a battery cell, based on each cell voltage of the plurality of battery cells. The control circuit inputs pseudo voltage information to the battery state detection circuit, and thereby diagnoses whether or not the battery state detection circuit is operating normally.

Abstract: In an electrical device, in which the load is supplied by a battery cascade, the voltages of the batteries of the battery cascade must be measured with high precision in order to start charge equalization and prevent undervoltages or overvoltages, wherein if possible favorable components should be used simultaneously. This problem is solved in that a circuit arrangement having a battery cascade is proposed, comprising a first battery (A1), the negative pole of which has a ground potential (GND), a second battery (A2), the negative pole of which is coupled to the positive pole of the first battery, and further comprising a capacitor (C1), which on the first side thereof is coupled to the positive pole of the first battery by way of a resistor (R1) and with the second side thereof can be applied to the ground potential (GND) by way of a first switch (S1). Furthermore, the positive pole of the second battery (A2) can be coupled between the resistor (R1) and the capacitor (C2) by way of a second switch (S2).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for short circuit detection for batteries. Some embodiments of a method include receiving a battery pack in a system, where the battery pack is rechargeable and includes multiple battery cell blocks, each cell block including one or more battery cells. The voltages of the plurality of cell blocks are monitored. Upon shutting down the system, the voltages of the plurality of cell blocks are logged to generate a set of logged voltage values. Upon restarting the system, the current voltage values of the cell blocks are measured. A determination whether any of the battery cells of the battery pack has developed a short circuit is made based at least in part on a comparison of the current voltage values with the set of the logged voltage values.

Abstract: A voltage measuring apparatus for measuring an output voltage of an assembled battery in which a plurality of unit cells are connected in series and are divided into a plurality of blocks is provided. The voltage measuring apparatus includes: a block voltage detection unit which detects a voltage of at least one of the plurality of blocks; a sampling voltage generation unit which is provided in the block voltage detection unit and generates an analog sampling voltage applied in the sampling voltage generation unit; an A/D conversion unit which is provided in the block voltage detection unit and digitizes the analog sampling voltage to output a digital sampling voltage; and a voltage variation detection unit which obtains an error ratio of the voltage detected by the block voltage detection unit based on the digital sampling voltage.

Abstract: A locomotive, a battery system and a method for monitoring a battery are provided. The battery has a first plurality of cells electrically coupled in series to one another. The first plurality of cells includes a second plurality of cells and a third plurality of cells electrically coupled together at a node. The method includes calculating a first number of failed cells in the first plurality cells. The method further includes calculating a second number of failed cells in the second plurality cells and a third number of failed cells in the third plurality cells.

Abstract: A voltage detection circuit can include a status sensing network and a comparing network. The status sensing network can simultaneously detect a cell voltage for each battery cell of a plurality of battery cells. The comparing network can simultaneously compare the detected cell voltages with a predetermined voltage threshold by comparing the maximum of the cell voltages with a first (high-voltage) threshold, and by comparing the minimum of the cell voltages with a second (low-voltage) threshold. The comparing network can also generate an indication signal when a cell voltage does not satisfy the respective voltage threshold.

Abstract: A microcontroller is disclosed. The microcontroller comprises a processor system and a high voltage interface coupled to the processor system and adapted to be coupled to a battery. The microcontroller further includes a battery management system for monitoring the battery and managing the battery based upon the monitoring of the battery. The microcontroller is a single chip. This one-chip solution saves design cost and PCB space in addition to broadening the functionality of the smart battery application. With the accuracy of the microcontroller, the charge status of the battery can be predicted more accurately and therefore effectively increases actual battery capacity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cell anomaly detection are provided. The disclosed systems and methods of cell anomaly detection may use a single circuit to detect both cell-open and imbalance conditions. Disclosed embodiments may incorporate a continuous or a sampled time system (i.e. cell anomaly detection is performed when an enable signal is active). An example embodiment includes receiving voltages of a plurality of cells of a battery pack; converting the received voltages to currents; determining a maximum current of the currents; determining whether at least one of the currents is anomalous; and reporting the at least one anomalous current as indicative of a bad cell.

Abstract: A battery system and a method for monitoring a battery are provided. The battery has a first plurality of cells electrically coupled in series to one another. The first plurality of cells includes a second plurality of cells and a third plurality of cells electrically coupled together at a node. The method includes calculating a first number of failed cells in the first plurality cells. The method further includes calculating a second number of failed cells in the second plurality cells and a third number of failed cells in the third plurality cells.

Abstract: A switching circuit includes a capacitor, a combination battery having a plurality of unit cells connected in series, each of the unit cells containing battery, and a plurality of change-over switches sequentially connecting both ends of the each of the unit cells to the capacitor. The change-over switch has two semiconductor switches connected in series so that the source-drain directions thereof are oriented opposite to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus measures a voltage of a cell while scanning a group of cells in a cell stack, in which a plurality of cells is electrically connected in series. The apparatus has a first switching device and a voltage detecting device. The first switching device is connected in series with a signal line carrying a voltage of a cell. The voltage detecting device detects the voltage of the cell, which is electrically connected with signal lines carrying voltages of cells belonging to a group. When the first switching device is electrically connected with a connecting point between two successive groups of cells, the first switching device is shared by the two groups.

Abstract: An abnormal voltage detector apparatus is provided for an assembled battery including a plurality of battery blocks connected in series to each other. In the abnormal voltage detector apparatus, a detecting part detects whether or not each of the battery blocks is in a voltage abnormality state by comparing either one of a voltage of each battery block and each battery measuring voltage, that is a voltage lowered from the voltage of each battery block, with a predetermined reference voltage, generates each of abnormality detecting signals containing information about a detected result, calculates a time ratio of a time interval, for which the assembled battery is in a voltage abnormality state, to a predetermined time interval, based on the abnormality detecting signals, and detects a voltage abnormality of the assembled battery based on a calculated time ratio.

Abstract: The voltage detection circuit 3 is provided with an isolation transformer 4 having its primary side connected to battery 2 connection nodes 10, a switching device 5 connected to the primary side of the isolation transformer 4, an isolated input circuit 7 that switches the switching device 5 ON and OFF, and a secondary voltage detection section 8 that detects output voltage from the secondary side of the isolation transformer 4. In the voltage detection circuit 3, the series input circuit 6 of the isolation transformer 4 primary side and the switching device 5 are connected to battery 2 measurement nodes, the switching device 5 is switched ON and OFF with a given periodicity by the isolated input circuit 7, and the output voltage from the secondary side of the isolation transformer 4 is detected by the secondary voltage detection section 8 to determine the voltage across the measurement nodes.

Abstract: An abnormality detecting device for a storage element is able to improve accuracy of abnormality detection for the storage element. The device includes at least an equalization process portion, an abnormality determination portion, a voltage measurement portion, and a control portion. The control portion issues a command to the equalization process portion to start an equalization process in a case where there is a variance in capacity of storage element blocks B1, B2, . . . and BN. The abnormality determination portion performs an abnormality determination on the storage element blocks B1, B2, . . . , and BN using voltages across the terminals of the respective storage element blocks B1, B2, . . . , and BN that have been allowed to stand after an elapse of a predetermined time since the end of the equalization process.

Abstract: A communication circuit is used for transmitting data between a plurality of devices which have non-common ground voltages. The communication circuit comprises a plurality of transmitting input nodes coupled to the devices, respectively, a transmitting current path, a plurality of receiving output nodes coupled to the devices, respectively, and a receiving current path. The transmitting current path is coupled to the transmitting input nodes. The current through the transmitting current path is varied according to the input signal of the transmitting input nodes. The receiving current path is coupled to the receiving output nodes. The current through the receiving current path is varied according to the current of the transmitting current path such that data is transmitted from the transmitting input nodes to the receiving output nodes.

Abstract: A battery management system for controlling a secondary battery module which includes a plurality of unit batteries includes a sensor, a comparator and a controller. The sensor sequentially measures respective voltages of the unit batteries. The comparator compares the respective voltages of the unit batteries to a cut-off voltage range and a recovery voltage range to determine if the voltages are within the cut-off voltage range and the recovery voltage range. The controller receives comparison results from the comparator, cuts off the secondary battery module from an external device when there is at least one unit battery within the cutoff voltage range, and couples the secondary battery module to the external device when all of the unit batteries are within the recovery voltage range.

Abstract: A voltage detection apparatus includes: a battery including unit cells mutually connected in series; a first block including at least one of the unit cells; a second block including at least one of the unit cells, and provided adjacent to the first block; a first voltage detector connected to the first block, which detects a voltage between both ends of the unit cell in the first block, and which includes: a current source; a current detection element connected to the current source; and a voltage measuring unit which detects a voltage between both ends of the current detection element; and a second voltage detector connected to the second block, which has a similar construction with the first voltage detector. An abnormality detector of the voltage detection apparatus detects an abnormality of the voltage detectors in accordance with the voltages between both ends of the current detection elements.

Abstract: A battery voltage monitoring system monitors voltage of an arrangement of more than two batteries (U1, U2, U3, U4, U5) in series. The system comprises a voltage divider comprises a first (R1, R2, R3, R4) and second resistive element (R5, R6, R7, R8) arranged parallel to at least a part of the battery arrangement and connected to a reference voltage line and to a node (N1, N2, N3, N4) in the battery arrangement. In between the first (R1, R2, R3, R4) and second resistive element (R5, R6, R7, R8) a transistor (Q11, Q12, Q13, Q14) is arranged. The base of the transistor is, via a diode (D1, D2, D3, D4), connected to a further node (N2, N3, N4, N5) in the series arrangement of batteries, and a switching element (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) is provided to address the transistor (Q11, Q12, Q13,Q14).

Abstract: A battery voltage detecting circuit includes: a first capacitor having one end connected to one input terminal of an operational amplifier; a second capacitor having one end connected to an output terminal of the operational amplifier and the other end connected to the one input terminal of the operational amplifier; a third capacitor having one end connected to the other input terminal of the operational amplifier; a fourth capacitor having one end applied with a reference voltage and the other end connected to the other input terminal of the operational amplifier; and a switching circuit configured to electrically connect the one input terminal of the operational amplifier to the one end of the first capacitor after the transient current has stopped flowing.

Abstract: A method of voltage measurement, and an apparatus for the same, having an improved accuracy and low cost is provided. The apparatus includes: a charging unit for charging a capacitor; a measuring unit for measuring a charge of the capacitor; and a microcomputer for calculating a voltage of the voltage supply. The microcomputer includes a correction value calculating program. The correction value calculating program applies a voltage of a correction measurement voltage supply to the measuring unit, measures the voltage of the correction measurement voltage supply, and calculates a correction value from a difference between a measurement value and a theoretical value of the voltage of the correction measurement voltage supply. The microcomputer also includes a voltage measurement program for subtracting the correction value from the measurement value of the charge during the prescribed period of time of charge measurement and for calculating the voltage of the voltage supply.

Abstract: A remaining-capacity dispersion detecting apparatus for a battery pack having a plurality of cells includes a total voltage sensing section adapted to sense a total voltage which is a terminal voltage of the whole of battery pack; a storing section adapted to store a value of the total voltage when the battery pack becomes under unloaded condition from loaded condition; and a dispersion detecting section. The dispersion detecting section is adapted to detect a value of the total voltage at a time of activation before the battery pack becomes under the loaded condition from the unloaded condition, to compare the currently-detected total voltage value with the total voltage value previously stored by the storing section, and to detect a dispersion in respective remaining capacities of the plurality of cells in the case where a difference between the currently-detected total voltage value and the previously-stored total voltage value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A power tool and a method of operating a power tool. The power tool can include a housing supporting a motor, a switch assembly, and a fuel gauge. The method can include the acts of activating the switch assembly to electrically connect the motor and a battery, measuring a state of charge of the battery, displaying the state of charge on the fuel gauge before electrically connecting the motor and the battery, and stopping the display of the state of charge before deactivating the switch assembly.

Abstract: A battery system includes a battery module that is constituted with a plurality of serially connected battery cells, a plurality of integrated circuits that group the battery cells by a plurality thereof so as to perform processing on battery cells in each group, a first transmission path through which a command signal is transmitted via a first insulating circuit from a higher-order control circuit that controls the plurality of integrated circuits to a highest-order integrated circuit of the integrated circuit, a second transmission path through which a data signal collected by the plurality of integrated circuits is transmitted from the highest-order integrated circuit to a lowest-order integrated circuit, and a third transmission path through which the data signal is transmitted from the lowest-order integrated circuit to the higher-order control circuit via a second insulating circuit.

Abstract: In a status detector for a power supply, a power supply, and an initial characteristic extracting device for use with the power supply, a measuring unit obtains measured values of at least current, voltage and temperature of the electricity accumulating unit. A processing unit executes status detection of the electricity accumulating unit by using the measured values and the characteristic information of the electricity accumulating unit which is stored in a memory unit. A discrepancy detecting unit detects the presence of a discrepancy away from a theoretical value when a result of the status detection is changed over a predetermined threshold or reversed with respect to the measured values. A modifying unit modifies the characteristic information depending on the detected discrepancy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery management system for securely maintaining battery charging capacity and precisely measuring a battery pack voltage. The battery management system, which is coupled to a battery including a plurality of battery cells as one battery pack, includes a sensing stabilization unit, a relay, a battery pack voltage measurement signal generating unit, and an analog/digital (A/D) converter. The sensing stabilization unit includes a first and a second signal lines electrically coupled to a first and a second terminals of the battery, respectively, and maintains a stable potential difference between the first and second signal lines. The relay is turned on in response to a control signal, and transmits the potential difference between the first and second signal lines.

Abstract: A battery warranty and metrics tracking network with a programmable battery product for storing, sending and receiving data from a battery warranty, enablement, and metrics tracking network, having an at least one onboard electronics module and storage media on the battery product, an at least one point of sale/point of maintenance device providing communication with the battery product and communicating data from the battery product and to the battery product, an at least one network communicating data from the programmable battery product and to the programmable battery product and an at least one product warranty and features database in communication with the network, the database including storage of data from the programmable battery product and communication of stored data to the battery product to enable or disable the programmable battery product or enable or disable features on the battery product based on the information communicated to or from the programmable battery product or the at least one p

Abstract: A voltage measurement apparatus is provided in which: among battery cells which make up a battery-cell group, a sampling switch electrically connects any one or more battery cells targeted for measurement to a capacitor so that the capacitor is charged by these battery cells; a measurement section acquires the voltage of the charged capacitor as a measurement voltage and corrects the measurement voltage so that the voltage error in the measurement voltage caused by the inter-terminal capacitance of the sampling switch can be narrowed; and an over-voltage prevention switch turns on immediately before the sampling switch is turned on and grounds the input terminal of the measurement section so that the measurement section can be protected from an over-voltage.

Abstract: An electric quantity indicator for an electromotive vehicle comprises an electric measuring wire parallel connected to a battery; a feedback circuit connected between a motor of the power supply load and the electric measuring wire; and a meter responsed to the quantity of electricity of the electric measuring wire. The meter is an electronic display panel, and the feedback circuit and the electric measuring wire are installed with analog to digital (A/D) converter for address dividing the value in a memory, in which this value is displayed in the aforesaid meter. Thereby, as a load is actuated and power is consumed, the feedback circuit will detect, and the electric measuring wire will conduct, a real value about the power stored in the battery is displayed on the meter so as to be viewed by a user. Therefore, the condition that due to an error of electric quantity, the user can not know the real the electric quantity and thus the car is stopped owing to exhaustion of electric power is avoided.

Abstract: A method for operating a battery having a plurality of battery cells includes determining when certain end of life criteria for the battery are met. A counter is incremented when the certain end of life criteria are met. The battery is rebalanced when it is determined that the end of life criteria are met, and the counter is not greater than a predetermined value. An end of life of the battery is indicated when it is determined that the end of life criteria are met, and the counter is greater than the predetermined value.

Abstract: In a method of charging batteries, a microcontroller and a series divider resistor are used to control the level of a charge current source supplied from a power supply, so that a plurality of serially connected batteries in a battery pack could be best charged. The microcontroller detects a voltage value of the battery pack via the series divider resistor. When all the batteries in the battery pack have been charged in a first charging cycle, the microcontroller controls the power supply to lower the output charge current and to charge the batteries in a second charging cycle, until the charge has been cycled a preset number of times. As a result, all the serially connected batteries in the battery pack are best charged.