Systems and methods for balancing a pair of battery cells are described. A controller can determine a voltage difference based on a first voltage of a first battery cell and a second voltage of a second battery cell. The controller can determine a current difference between current of an inductor and a current limit of the inductor, where the inductor can be connected to a node between the first and second battery cells. The controller can identify at least one switching elements among a plurality of switching elements based on the voltage difference and the current difference. The controller can activate the identified switching elements to perform battery cell balancing between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

A battery system with a large-format Li-ion battery pack powers attached equipment by discharging battery cells distributed among a plurality of battery packs. A limp home notification is generated from a smart lithium-ion battery pack to one or more application devices using an analog signal. The battery pack may provide broadcast messages over electronic communication lines, that includes state of charge (SoC), fault status, etc. which can be read by one or more application devices to enter limp home mode. In another example, a “fully charged” notification is generated from the smart lithium-ion battery pack to one or more application devices using an analog signal. The end device powered by the battery pack system receives and reacts to the outputted fully charged signal by modifying the state of the circuitry on the end device.

A method of maintaining a rechargeable battery pack having a plurality of rechargeable batteries. The method includes measuring charge-level for the rechargeable batteries; and selecting a first battery set including a doner battery having a high charge-level, and a recipient battery having a low charge-level that is less than the high charge-level of the doner battery. The method also includes: rebalancing the first battery set; measuring a rest profile of the recipient battery after rebalancing the first battery set; and determining battery health of the recipient battery based on at least the rest profile.

A method of voltage balancing among a plurality of battery modules connected in series and supplying power to an external device, and a battery system providing the same, and the battery system of the present invention includes: a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules; a switching circuit connecting the plurality of battery modules in series or in parallel; and a battery management system (BMS) controlling the switching circuit so as to connect the plurality of battery modules in series in a discharge mode to supply power from the battery pack to an external device, a charge mode to charge the battery pack by receiving the power from the external device, and a module balancing mode to charge the plurality of battery modules with the power applied from the external device until a voltage difference is a predetermined reference value or less.

A battery system configured to provide power to a load based on a load current includes a first battery cell selectively connected to a first output terminal and a second output terminal and having a first state of charge, a second battery cell selectively connected to the first output terminal and the second output terminal and having a second state of charge indicating a lower charge level than the first state of charge, a direct current (DC)-direct current (DC) converter including an input capacitor connected to the first and second output terminals, and a switching circuit configured to perform a first cell balancing operation or a second cell balancing operation based on a magnitude of the load current, the first cell balancing operation including alternately connecting the input capacitor to the first battery cell or the second battery cell, and the second cell balancing operation including connecting the input capacitor to the first battery cell, based on a magnitude of the load current.

Systems and methods are described for managing charging and discharging of battery packs. In one or more aspects, a system and method are provided to minimize overcharging of battery cells of specific battery chemistries while still enabling fast charging cycles. In other aspects, a buck converter may be used to reduce a voltage of power used to charge the cells. In further aspects, a fast overcurrent protection circuit is described to address situations involving internal short circuits of a battery cell or battery pack. In yet further aspects, a bypass circuit is provided in series-connected battery packs to improve the charging of undercharged battery packs while also increasing the efficiency of the overall charging process. In other aspects, a circuit is provided that permits a controller to determine a configuration of battery packs. In yet further aspects, a system may determine a discharge current for a collection of battery packs based on each battery pack's state of health (SOH) and forward that determination to an external device.

A coordinated multiple power management system provides an efficient and unique means of controlling the power usage of devices attached to a personal energy platform. Power control in an abundant power situation (i.e. commercial power is available) saves money. Power control in a constrained power situation (i.e. commercial power is unavailable e.g. “power failure”) provides more availability of needed computing services (for example, emergency activities, enable longer communication periods, longer video streaming, security monitoring, internet access and communications, or critical healthcare device usage etc.). The power supplied to the devices can be determined automatically and is under program control, which allows the complete management and distribution of power to any, and all, devices attached to the personal energy platform.

Systems and methods are described for managing charging and discharging of battery packs. In one or more aspects, a system and method are provided to minimize overcharging of battery cells of specific battery chemistries while still enabling fast charging cycles. In other aspects, a buck converter may be used to reduce a voltage of power used to charge the cells. In further aspects, a fast overcurrent protection circuit is described to address situations involving internal short circuits of a battery cell or battery pack. In yet further aspects, a bypass circuit is provided in series-connected battery packs to improve the charging of undercharged battery packs while also increasing the efficiency of the overall charging process. In other aspects, a circuit is provided that permits a controller to determine a configuration of battery packs. In yet further aspects, a system may determine a discharge current for a collection of battery packs based on each battery pack's state of health (SOH) and forward that determination to an external device.

This system is directed to a mobile platform having a power array carried by the mobile platform, connected to a distribution hub adapted to provide power to a base power source; an input controller having input computer readable instructions adapted to deliver power to a set of storage units from the base power source, the set of storage power units carried by the mobile platform; an output controller connected to the set of storage units having output computer readable instructions adapted to receive charge requirements from a load connected to the output controller, retrieving from a device lookup table included in the output controller a load type having charge specifications and delivering power to the load according to the charge specifications; and, an external power source connected to the distribution bus for proving power to the base power source from the external power source.

Systems and methods are described for managing charging and discharging of battery packs. In one or more aspects, a system and method are provided to minimize overcharging of battery cells of specific battery chemistries while still enabling fast charging cycles. In other aspects, a buck converter may be used to reduce a voltage of power used to charge the cells. In further aspects, a fast overcurrent protection circuit is described to address situations involving internal short circuits of a battery cell or battery pack. In yet further aspects, a bypass circuit is provided in series-connected battery packs to improve the charging of undercharged battery packs while also increasing the efficiency of the overall charging process. In other aspects, a circuit is provided that permits a controller to determine a configuration of battery packs. In yet further aspects, a system may determine a discharge current for a collection of battery packs based on each battery pack's state of health (SOH) and forward that determination to an external device.