In a computing device that includes multiple device sections, one or more rechargeable battery power sources can be placed in each device section. Not only does this approach provide valuable space for multiple batteries, but it can also present the option of powering each device section from any one or both of the battery power sources. However, using multiple battery power sources in a computing device can present challenges in effectively charging the battery power sources using an external power source. The presently disclosed technology adds an independent common charge controller that may bypass the charge circuits for each battery pack based on outputs from fuel gauges internal to each of the battery packs. This permits fast battery charging, while remaining within current and voltage limits that are dependent on the battery state of charge to preserve battery life.

A battery management system having configurable batteries is disclosed. The battery management system generally includes (a) one or more cell control units, each cell control unit configured to control and/or balance a charge in a plurality of battery cells, and (b) a master controller in electrical communication with cell control unit(s). The cell control unit(s) as a whole include one or more switches, configured to be electrically connected to a first battery cell of a plurality of battery cells, and a resistor, a capacitor or an inductor electrically (i) connected to one switch and (ii) connected or connectable to a second battery cell. The master controller is configured to open or close each switch. The configurable battery generally includes a plurality of battery cells and switches configured to connect or disconnect the plurality of battery cells in a configurable or predetermined manner.

Described herein is a battery system that allows a battery pack to operate in different modes at different times. Each of the different modes may provide its own set of functionality that affects how the battery pack operates and/or reacts to external input signals. A mode may change how the battery pack discharges power by, for example, altering whether terminals are enabled or disabled. A mode may change how the battery pack's hardware operates by, for example, disabling or enabling portions of the battery pack's hardware. A mode may change what battery-related services are provided by the battery pack and available to an end user by, for example, enabling or disabling the sending of battery status information from the battery pack.

A battery management system is described that includes a controller configured to control electrical charging and discharging of a plurality of blocks of a battery. The battery management system also includes an inter-block communication network including a master node and a plurality of slave nodes arranged in a ring-type daisy-chain configuration with the master node. The master node is coupled to the controller and configured to initiate all command messages sent through the inter-block communication network and terminate all reply messages sent through the inter-block communication network. The plurality of slave nodes is bounded by an initial node coupled to the master node and a last node coupled to the master node.

A battery includes: a first terminal; a second terminal; a plurality of individually housed batteries; a plurality of switches configured to connect ones of the individually housed batteries to and from ones of the first and second terminals; and a switch control module configured to: at a frequency, vary a voltage applied to a gate of one of the switches, the one of the switches configured to connect at least one of the individually housed batteries to one of the first and second terminals; and diagnose whether a fault is present in the one of the switches based on a voltage across the one of the switches.

The present disclosure discloses an apparatus and a method for power supply and an electronic device. The apparatus for power supply includes a first battery and a second battery connected in series, a first voltage step-down module and a control module. The first battery is a silicon negative lithium ion battery. The control module is configured to control the voltage step-down module to step down the voltage of the first battery and the second battery to supply power based on power supply demands, in a power supply process.

The disclosure describes techniques to implement an isolated power converter circuit topology. The power converter circuit topology may include a level shifter or a low-side capacitor which may be configured to both provide capacitive isolation as well as clamping between power converter circuits arranged in a stacked or interleaved interconnection configuration. By controlling the drive signals to the power converter circuits, each power converter circuit, and the stacked interconnection of power converter circuits, may operate to convert power from one voltage level to a second voltage level in either a forward or reverse direction. In the example of a direct current (DC) battery, the stacked or interleaved interconnection of power converter circuits may be further configured to balance the charge level and amount of power drawn from each cell of a multi-cell DC battery.

An intelligent rechargeable battery pack having a battery management system for monitoring and controlling the charging and discharging of the battery pack is described. The battery management system includes a memory for storing data related to the operation of the battery, and the battery management system is also configured to communicate the data related to the operation of the battery to other processors for analysis.

A system for charging a device can include a housing and a first solar panel, a second solar panel connected in series to the first solar panel, and a third solar panel connected in series to the first solar panel and the second solar panel. The system can include a boost converter including an input channel connected to the first, second, and third solar panels and an output channel configured to couple to the device. The system can include a charge pump including a first flying capacitor connected between the first solar panel and the third solar panel and a second flying capacitor connected between the second solar panel and the third solar panel. The system can include a controller configured to selectively switch connectivity between the set of solar panels and the set of flying capacitors to route current to the boost converter.

Systems and methods for charging and discharging a plurality of batteries are described herein. In some embodiments, a system includes a battery module, an energy storage system electrically coupled to the battery module, a power source, and a controller. The energy storage system is operable in a first operating state in which energy is transferred from the energy storage system to the battery module to charge the battery module, and a second operating state in which energy is transferred from the battery module to the energy storage system to discharge the battery module. The power source electrically coupled to the energy storage system and is configured to transfer energy from the power source to the energy storage system based on an amount of stored energy in the energy storage system. The controller is operably coupled to the battery module and is configured to monitor and control a charging state of the battery module.