Abstract: In a battery pack manager that manages series-connected rechargeable unit cells, a cell equalizer equalizes the cell voltages by individually discharging the unit cells according to deviations from reference voltages. An overcharge/overdischarge detector detects an overcharge and an overdischarge state of each unit cell. An inhibit circuit prevents the cell equalizer from discharging the unit cells when the overcharge/overdischarge detector is activated to reduce the cell voltage variability, which would otherwise occur as a result of interference from the overcharge/overdischarge detector, so that the overcharge/overdischarge states of all unit cells can be determined with precision. Connecting lines of the unit cells are monitored to detect a line-cut.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting battery cell abnormalities in a multi-cell series battery for effectively and quickly detecting abnormalities with a simple, small circuit that provides improved reliability, safety and service life of the multi-cell series battery. In the voltage monitoring device 12, immediately after the start of the monitoring cycle of any battery cell BTi, cell voltage abnormality detector 14 checks whether cell voltage Vi is outside of the normal operating range. The cell voltage abnormality detector 14 has: a group of selection switches 18 for selecting any battery cell BT of multi-cell series battery 10 and retrieving its voltage to first and second monitoring terminals A, B; cell voltage/monitoring current converter 20; monitoring current/monitoring voltage converter 22; comparison/evaluation circuit 24; evaluation signal output circuit 26 and abnormality detection controller 28.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium battery protection device uses an external circuit to control charging or discharging a rechargeable lithium battery for preventing an overcharge or an overdischarge of the battery. The rechargeable lithium battery protection device includes a diagnostic circuit, a light coupling circuit, a balance circuit, and an identifier circuit. The battery diagnostic circuit checks the voltage of the chargeable battery and outputs a detect signal, and then the balance circuit determines whether or not the detect signal is an overcharge signal and discharges the battery. Meanwhile, the light coupling circuit adjusts an impedance of the light coupling circuit according to the detect signal for disconnecting the battery from the external circuit and the identifier circuit provides the position of a battery that sends out the signal.

Abstract: A secondary-battery internal short detection apparatus is provided which is capable of precisely detecting an internal short being generated in a secondary-battery.

Abstract: An abnormal voltage detection apparatus is provided for an assembled battery including a plurality of battery blocks connected in series to each other. In the abnormal voltage detection apparatus, each of a plurality of signal detectors is provided in each of battery blocks. Each of the signal detectors detects voltage abnormality or normality in each battery block based on a voltage of each battery block, generates an abnormality detecting signal containing information about the detected voltage abnormality or normality, and outputs the abnormality detecting signal. A signal generator generates an abnormality detecting information signal containing information about whether or not any of the battery blocks in the voltage abnormality is present based on the abnormality detecting signals. A transmission device has an input terminal pair and an output terminal pair which are electrically insulated from each other, and transmits the abnormality detecting information signal to an external apparatus.

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: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system of determining over-voltage and under-voltage conditions for cells in a battery pack. The method includes combining the cells in a battery pack into groups, detecting each cell group's voltage, and calculating ratios of cell group voltages to determine over-voltage and under-voltage conditions.

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: 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: Various systems and methods for determining micro-shorts are disclosed. For example, some embodiments of the present invention provide battery systems including a determination of potential micro-shorts based on rate of change of state of charge. Such battery systems include: a battery, a processor, and a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes instructions executable by the processor to: determine a rate of change of the state of charge of the battery; compare the rate of change of the state of charge of the battery against a threshold; and indicate a potential failure where the result of the comparison is beyond the threshold.

Abstract: The car power source apparatus is provided with a leakage detection circuit 3 having a battery 1 with a plurality of battery units 2 connected in series, a first series circuit 11 made up of first leakage detection resistors 12 and a first leakage detection switch 13 to connect the first connection node 10 of the series connected battery units 2 to ground 9, a second series circuit 21 made up of second leakage detection resistors 22 and a second leakage detection switch 23 to connect the second connection node 20 of the series connected battery units 2 to ground 9, and voltage detection circuits 4 to detect voltage of the first leakage detection resistors 12 and the second leakage detection resistors 22. Further, the car power source apparatus is provided with a failure detection circuit 5 to control the first leakage detection switch 13 and the second leakage detection switch 23 ON and OFF and determine failure of the leakage detection circuit 3 from voltages detected by the voltage detection circuits 4.

Abstract: A cell-voltage measuring structure for a fuel cell stack, in which a plurality of unit cells, having conductive separators which includes anode-side separators and cathode-side separators to form pairs of unit separators with the anode-side separators and the cathode-side separators adjacent to each other, respectively, are stacked in a stack direction, is provided with a voltage-measuring unit having a conductive voltage-measuring terminal, a contact section, with which the conductive voltage-measuring terminal is to be held in contact, formed on an outer periphery of a first pair of unit separators, a non-contact section, with which the conductive voltage-measuring terminal is not to be held in contact, formed on an outer periphery of a second pair of unit separators adjacent to the first pair of unit separators. A length of the conductive voltage-measuring terminal is greater than a thickness of the first pair of unit separators, in the stack direction.

Abstract: A lead acid battery model suitable for programming on a motor vehicle body computer uses environmental and target battery operating variables for maintaining synchronization of the model with the target battery under actual operating conditions. The model includes a energy flow section with at least two integrators for simulating primary and recovery reservoirs of charge in the battery. An output voltage estimation signal provides a signal for comparison with measured battery voltage for synchronization. Capacity of the reservoirs is generated from manufacturer specifications measured against battery performance.

Abstract: When minor short-circuiting abnormality of a battery is determined at timing t4, a battery ECU turns on a fail-safe flag to perform a fail-safe process. In the fail-safe process, the battery ECU changes a discharging power limiting value from a first discharging power limiting value to a second discharging power limiting value that is smaller than the first discharging power limiting value as time elapses, and changes a charging power limiting value from a first charging power limiting value to a second charging power limiting value that is greater than the first charging power limiting value as time elapses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a voltage monitoring method and circuit for an electrical energy storage device. The voltage monitoring method includes detecting the voltages of one or more unit cells constituting the electrical energy storage device; generating logical signals depending on the respective levels of the detected voltages; and generating a detection signal indicating whether the unit cells are abnormal in response to the logical signals.

Abstract: A plurality of result signals are driven low when abnormal condition is detected and driven high when no abnormal condition is detected. Presence and absence of the abnormal conditions of different types are indicated in a predetermined sequence by high and low signal levels of the result signals. The voltage detecting circuits simultaneously output the result signals on corresponding branching lines connected to a main line of a communication line. An OR gate outputs a result signal on which the result signals output by the voltage detecting circuits are superimposed. When at least one of the result signals of the voltage detecting circuits is at a level indicative of the presence of the abnormal condition, the OR gate outputs on the main line the result signal having the level indicative of the abnormal condition.

Abstract: A multi-series battery control system comprises a unit battery cell of which unit consists of multiple battery cells, control IC comprising a control IC chip containing a control circuit for controlling the unit battery cell and a cell monitor IC chip for monitoring the voltage of the unit battery cell, and main controller that sends and receives signal to/from the control IC via insulation of which cell monitor IC chip and control IC chip are paired to control the unit battery cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has an oxidizer gas flow rate adjuster that adjusts a flow rate of oxidizer gas of the fuel cell stack and a controller that determines a humidity state in the fuel cell stack. The controller has an average cell voltage calculator that calculates an average cell voltage, a minimum cell voltage calculator that calculates a minimum cell value, a voltage difference calculator that calculates a voltage difference between the average cell voltage and the minimum cell voltage, and a voltage comparator that compares the absolute voltage difference with a preset value. The flow rate of the oxidizer gas is changed based on a comparison between the absolute voltage difference and the preset value, and then the humidity state in the fuel cell stack is determined based on a change in the absolute voltage difference.

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 pair of measuring switches S21, S22 is interposed between both terminals of a capacitor C, and inputs T1, T2 of AID 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 battery monitoring system is provided to monitor a battery stack having multiple cells connected in series. The monitoring system includes monitor modules to monitor respective subsets of the cells of the battery stack, each monitor module, in response to one or more control signals, measuring cell voltages of the respective subset of cells and providing at least one readout signal that represents the sampled cell voltages, the monitor modules being electrically connected in a stack such that each monitor module is referenced to the voltage of the respective subset of cells, and the control signals and the readout signal are connected through the monitor modules of the stack, and a system control unit to provide the control signals to the monitor modules and to receive the readout signals from the monitor modules.

Abstract: A method for detecting a discharge condition fault in an electrical system of a vehicle or a piece of machinery includes supplying electrical energy to the electrical system from an auxiliary battery or batteries of a multiple battery system when a main battery of the multiple battery system does not have sufficient power to start the vehicle or piece of machinery. The supply of electrical energy from the auxiliary battery or batteries is sufficient to at least enable the vehicle or piece of machinery to start. After the vehicle or piece of machinery has been started using the auxiliary battery or batteries, electrical energy is supplied to the electrical system from the main battery. A general operating fault is determined to exist in the electrical system in the event that the vehicle or piece of machinery stops running after being supplied electrical energy from the main battery.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for measuring impedance and voltage characteristics of individual cells of multi-cell electrochemical devices, for example a battery or a fuel cell stack. The electrochemical system comprises a plurality of cells; a measuring device including a plurality of inputs connected across the plurality of cells to generate voltage and current signals indicative of voltage and current characteristics of the plurality of cells; a current supply/draw means for superimposing modulated current values through the plurality of cells; and a controller for controlling at least one system operating condition based on the voltage and current characteristics received from the measuring device, the controller being connected to the measuring device.

Abstract: To provide a voltage measurement device for measuring a battery voltage of a secondary battery formed by serially connecting a plurality of battery blocks, which is able to calculate the battery voltage in block units even though a potential detection line is disconnected. Specifically, when the voltage detection unit fails to measure the battery voltage of the measurement target battery block by selecting potential detection lines connected to both terminals of the measurement target battery block, the switch control unit selects the potential detection lines connected to both terminals of the battery block group including a serially connected plurality of battery blocks including the measurement target battery block, then measures the integrated voltage of the battery block group, and measures the battery voltage of the measurement target battery block based on the measured integrated voltage.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus which detects when a battery having a different characteristic is mixed in a plurality of batteries accommodated therein. An average voltage V1 per battery of plural batteries connected in series and an average voltage V2 per battery at a connecting point halfway of those connected batteries are detected. A difference in voltage |V1?V2| between the average voltage V1 and average voltage V2 is compared with a tolerable voltage difference ?V. If it is determined that a battery having a different characteristic is mixed, the operation of the apparatus is interrupted and an alarm is displayed or the supply of power is shut down.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a group of electrochemical cells (C1, . . . , Ci, . . . , Cn) arranged in series, wherein each cell (Ci) is provided for outputting a DC voltage (Vi) greater than a minimum value (Vmin). According to the invention, said monitoring system includes a corresponding set of n electronic components (D1, . . . , Di, . . . , Dn) arranged in series, wherein each component (Di) is biased by the DC voltage (Vi) of a corresponding cell (Ci) by means of a low-frequency connecting element (Li), and has a conductivity threshold voltage (Vs) no lower than said minimum value (Vmin); and a means (D) for measuring a high-frequency conductivity parameter of all of said components. The system is useful in fuel cells.

Abstract: A system for measuring individual cell voltages of a fuel cell stack includes a plurality of voltage scanning units (VSU). Each VSU is arranged for being connected to a group of cells, belonging to the fuel cell stack, the group of cells being provided with terminals that allow measuring a cell voltage. Each VSU comprises a filter/regulator that provides a voltage reference signal Vref, that is applied to a first terminal of a first cell of the group of cells. The VSU further includes a multiplexer arranged for consecutively connecting the other terminals of the group of cells to a first input of an A/D converter, whereby the A/D converter is further provided with a second input for receiving the voltage reference signal Vref. The ADC is further arranged for being fed with a supply voltage Vsup+ and for A/D converting a signal derived from the signals at the first and second input.

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: A car power source apparatus is provided with a battery having a plurality of battery modules connected in series on positive and negative sides of a midpoint reference node, and a voltage detection circuit that detects the voltage of one or a plurality of battery modules with respect to the midpoint reference node of the battery. The battery midpoint reference node of the power source apparatus is connected to the voltage detection circuit via a plurality of reference connection lines. Further, one or a plurality of conduction detection circuits connect to the reference connection lines, supply a voltage to each reference connection line, and detect current. The connection status of each reference connection line to the midpoint reference node is determined by this conduction detection circuit.

Abstract: A system and method 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 a primary analog-to-digital converter (ADC) connected to the capacitor may process a representation of the voltage of the cell being measured. A secondary ADC is connected directly to the cell being measured. The measurements of the primary and secondary ADCs are then compared to verify the accuracy of the flying capacitor.

Abstract: A battery voltage monitoring apparatus monitoring an assembled battery voltage, the assembled battery including a plurality of battery cells, includes a voltage sensor detecting potential of the plurality of battery cells; an output logic circuit outputting a potential detect signal based on an output of the voltage sensor, the potential detect signal representing that abnormal potential is detected; and a delay circuit adding certain delay to the output of the voltage sensor and outputting the delayed voltage detect signal to the output logic circuit; wherein, the voltage sensor comprises at least one comparator having hysteresis characteristic, and detects the potential of the battery cell based on an output of the comparator.

Abstract: A battery protection device protects a battery from an abnormal state. The battery protection device includes a detector that detects an abnormality of the battery and outputs an abnormality detection signal when the abnormality is detected. A current is input to an input terminal from outside. A voltage converter converts the current input to the input terminal to voltage and outputs the voltage. A combiner combines the abnormality detection signal with the voltage and outputs a combined signal. A current converter converts the combined signal to a current. An output terminal outputs the current.

Abstract: For providing a malfunction detecting apparatus for detecting a malfunction of a voltage detecting device accurately, a low-voltage-system CPU controls voltage detecting circuits to detect voltage between both terminals of one unit cell from among unit cells included in blocks corresponding to voltage detecting circuits. When variation of the voltage between both terminals detected by the low-voltage-system CPU is at least allowable error determined by a detection accuracy of the voltage detecting circuits, an abnormal condition of the voltage detecting circuits is detected.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus has a battery apparatus that is composed of a battery, a temperature sensor that is thermally coupled to the battery and whose electrical resistance changes with the temperature of the battery to which it is thermally coupled, a temperature detection circuit that detects the temperature of the battery by detecting the electrical resistance of the temperature sensor, and a power supply circuit that feeds electrical power to the temperature detection circuit. The temperature sensor is connected via an overcurrent protection circuit to the power supply circuit.

Abstract: An implantable energy supply system having at least two cells is disclosed. The system may have a switch with a first state in which the cells are electrically connected to a load, and a second state in which each cell is electrically connected with its own charger. A measurer may be electrically connected to a cell to provide an indication of the charge on the cell.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for projecting the useful life Yproj of an ultracapacitor undergoing at least one ON period after an OFF period. The apparatus comprises sensors coupled to the ultracapacitor for measuring the instantaneous voltage V(t) and temperature T(t) thereof as a function of time t, and a measuring system coupled to the sensors, the measuring system receiving V(t), T(t) and computing Yproj based at least in part on combining values of the instantaneous ultracapacitor life Y(V(t),T(t))=10(aT+bV+c) where a, b and c are constants, for different values of t. The measuring system preferably includes program, temporary and non-volitile memory, a processor, a timer and an I/O for communicating with the sensors and other vehicle systems. In a preferred embodiment, values of V(t), T(t) at the beginning and end of the OFF period are also used in determining Yproj.

Abstract: A voltage detecting apparatus for a combination battery includes a multiplexer type flying capacitor voltage detecting circuit, a synchronous control type A/D converter, and a battery controller. The battery controller has a timing table to regulate generation timings of a switching control signal, an activation signal, and a transfer command signal on a common time axis. The timing control is carried out by outputting the switching control signal, the activation signal, and the transfer command signal to the flying capacitor voltage detecting circuit, the A/D converter, and the battery controller at the timing regulated in the timing table and according to an order memorized in the timing table.

Abstract: A parallel monitor circuit (1A) for monitoring one (C1) of serially connected plural capacitors (Cn) receiving a direct recharging current is disclosed. The circuit comprises a bypassing transistor (Q1) for bypassing the capacitor (C1) with the recharging current when the capacitor voltage (VSo1) exceeds a monitor voltage (Vr1) determined by a voltage setting circuit in order to equally recharge the capacitors. A transferring unit transfers a voltage control circuit (VS1) and an internal circuit connected to the voltage control circuit to a standby mode when the voltage control circuit receives a specific combination of voltage codes (RC1).

Abstract: A method for testing battery connectivity in a battery-backed up system, the method includes inducing a step increase in a battery bus voltage, and monitoring a magnitude of a corresponding current pulse of a battery charge due to the step increase in the battery bus voltage, where the magnitude of the current pulse provides an indicator of battery connectivity.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conserving energy in a battery powered tag which comprises a battery, one or more sensors, and a transmitter. The tag may be used in a pneumatic tire monitoring system which senses and transmits tire pressure and temperature readings. The method fundamentally comprises: hibernating between transmissions by the transmitter; and reading at least one of the sensors after each of a plurality of sleep periods while hibernating. A hibernation period may be ended if one of the sensor readings, preferably tire temperature, is very low, and at least one of a plurality of qualification criteria is met.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting battery removal, battery absence, and/or defective battery condition for use with battery charging and testing systems is provided. The apparatus includes a regulator, feedback module, controller, and detector module. The regulator and feedback module supply a regulated charging signal to a battery. The controller interrupts the feedback module so as to cause the regulator to suspend supplying the charging signal to the battery, which in turn, allows the charging signal to discharge for a predetermined period of time. During the predetermined period, the detector module detects whether the charging signal discharges below a predetermined threshold. When the charging signal discharges below the predetermined threshold, the detector module detects one or more conditions that indicate that the battery cannot be charged. These conditions include conditions that indicate that the battery is absent, missing, and/or defective.

Abstract: Switches (306) are used to connect stacks of fuel cells (302, 304) in series or in parallel depending on the load to keep total cell voltage below a maximum input voltage requirement. The cells (302, 304) are coupled in parallel under low power conditions, and the cells are coupled in series under high power conditions to provide a more efficient system (500).

Abstract: For the measurement of the voltage of each block which constitutes a battery pack with different timings, a voltage (V) and current (I) every block the current of which is measured at the same timing as the voltage is measured are read (S100-S108) and an inner resistance (R) is derived from the temperature (T) of the assembled battery (S110, S112). A value of the difference (IN−IN+1) of two currents corresponding to two voltages of respective blocks of a plurality of battery blocks multiplied by the inner resistance (R) of the battery pack is added to the difference (VN−VN+1) of two voltages to calculate the voltage difference &Dgr;V (S116). When the maximum value &Dgr;Vmax of the calculated voltage difference &Dgr;V exceeds the threshold value Vref, the state is judged to be an overdischarge (S122, S124, S128).

Abstract: The invention provides for measuring the voltage across an associated pair of flow field plates of each electrochemical cell in a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series to form a stack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring impedance and voltage characteristics of cells of multi-cell electrochemical devices, for example a battery or a fuel cell stack. Voltages are measured across individual cells, or groups of cells. At the same time, a load is connected in series with the electrochemical device. Both the device for measuring the voltages and the load are controlled together, preferably by means of a controller, which can include some form of microprocessor. This enables the load to be controlled to provide a desired combination of DC and AC current characteristics. By setting appropriate DC and AC current characteristics, desired characteristics of the impedance of individual cells can be measured.

Abstract: A battery cell voltages are read in parallel to a capacitor for each battery block of a battery pack by the use of analog switches. The stored voltages of the capacitors are A/D-converted sequentially through the analog switches. Thereby, each cell voltage is measured with suppression of measurement error by the use of the simple flying capacitor type circuit structure, while the circuit safety is secured by providing the current limitation resistor having a large resistance value between each cell and the analog switch. A noise reduction circuit having a pair of capacitors is provided.

Abstract: In a method for fault tracing in automatically operating electronic measurement and test arrangements for a large number of electrochemical elements, cell simulators are inserted into the holders which are provided for the electrochemical elements. The external shape and size, including the electrical connections, of these cell simulators simulate an electrochemical element. They contain test electronics, whose behaviour with inverse polarity differs to a major extent from the behaviour with polarity based on the application. One cell simulator is activated and has a measurement current applied to it. The voltage and/or the voltage response on the cell simulator are/is then measured and are/is compared with the nominal voltage value predetermined for this cell simulator. The test electronics comprise at least a resistor and a diode connected in parallel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring conductance are provided. The method and apparatus are particularly well adapted for use with a removable or replaceable cartridge in a blood analysis system. The apparatus generally involves providing a system having a first, unfiltered, conductance measurement cell and a second, filtered, conductance measurement cell. The preferred method involves relating values measured in the two cells for a whole blood sample and for a known calibrant together, to obtain a value, for example hematocrit, for the unknown whole blood sample.

Abstract: A cell buffer with built-in testing mechanism is provided. The cell buffer provides the ability to measure voltage provided by a power cell. The testing mechanism provides the ability to test whether the cell buffer is functioning properly and thus providing an accurate voltage measurement. The testing mechanism includes a test signal-provider to provide a test signal to the cell buffer. During normal operation, the test signal is disabled and the cell buffer operates normally. During testing, the test signal is enabled and changes the output of the cell buffer in a defined way. The change in the cell buffer output can then be monitored to determine if the cell buffer is functioning correctly. Specifically, if the voltage output of the cell buffer changes in a way that corresponds to the provided test signal, then the functioning of the cell buffer is confirmed. If the voltage output of the cell buffer does not change correctly, then the cell buffer is known not to be operating correctly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enabling qualification of at least a portion of a fuel cell system. The method includes electronically obtaining at least one result of a test of the at least a portion of a fuel cell system and electronically comparing the at least one result to at least one qualifying criteria.