Patent classifications
H02J7/0014
Electric storage capacity estimation apparatus and method for operating the same
A battery capacity estimation apparatus includes one or more hardware processors that: calculate a current integrated value by integrating electric currents of a secondary battery system whose capacity is to be estimated; calculate an SOC estimate value in a stabilization state where a change in SOC of a secondary battery per unit time is comparatively small; perform a regression analysis in which the current integrated value is defined as a dependent variable and the SOC estimate value is defined as an independent variable, the regression analysis being performed while correcting the current integrated value based on a value of a coefficient of determination so that a result of the regression analysis has predetermined accuracy; and estimate a capacity of the secondary battery system based on the result of the regression analysis.
Battery monitoring
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method and/or apparatus for use with battery cells having an actual voltage-sourcing level that is at or above a specified battery-output level. Switch circuitry is selectively activated for passing current, and a monitoring circuit is responsive to activation of the switching circuitry by distributing energy corresponding to an actual voltage-sourcing level of a particular one of the battery cells to a voltage node. A voltage-measurement circuit provides an indication of the actual voltage-sourcing level across the particular battery cell by ascertaining voltage differentials between the voltage node and respective voltage nodes of the battery cell, the ascertained voltage differentials being less than the specified battery-output level.
Assembled battery monitoring system
An assembled battery monitoring system includes: a voltage monitoring apparatus; discharging resistance elements and RC filters that are correspondingly coupled between battery cells of an assembled battery and the voltage monitoring apparatus; and discharging switches disposed in the voltage monitoring apparatus correspondingly to the battery cells. The voltage monitoring apparatus has at least three connection terminals for each of the battery cells. Two of the connection terminals are used to monitor a voltage of a corresponding battery cell through an output terminal of a corresponding RC filter, and at least one of a remainder of the connection terminals is used to form a discharging path of the corresponding battery cell when a corresponding discharging switch is turned on. Each discharging resistance element is disposed on the discharging path at a position that prohibits discharging of charges stored in a capacitor of the corresponding RC filter.
Power electronics-based battery management
Methods, systems, and devices for power electronics-based (PE-based) battery management. A system may include a set of battery strings, where each battery string may include a set of battery modules, and where each battery module may include a set of battery cells. The system may also include a set of power converters, where each power converter may be coupled with at least one battery string. A power electronics-based (PE-based) BMS may provide one or more battery management functions for at least one corresponding battery string while also monitoring or controlling a corresponding power converter.
Power continuity apparatus
A power continuity unit includes a battery pack, a power converter, and a housing assembly. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells with monitoring devices that monitor the voltage of the associated battery cell and trim excess voltage. During daytime, the power converter converts a portion of the direct current (DC) power it receives from an alternative energy device into alternating current (AC) power and directs it to a user, while the remainder is stored in the battery pack. During nighttime, the power converter converts DC power it receives from the battery pack into alternating current (AC) power and directs it to the user. The housing assembly provides structural support and protection to the battery pack; its configuration depends on the type of battery cell being used.
CHARGING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
A charging management system according to the present disclosure is a system for charging a plurality of batteries that are respectively mounted on a plurality of electric automobiles connected to a charging facility, the charging management system including: a collection unit configured to collect charging characteristics of the plurality of batteries; and a determination unit configured to determine a distribution of an amount of charging power to be supplied to the plurality of batteries from the charging facility based on the charging characteristics collected by the collection unit. The determination unit determines to supply the batteries having the same charging characteristics as each other with the same amount of charging power as each other, and determines to supply the batteries having charging characteristics different from each other with amounts of charging power different from each other.
Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods
Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods are described. According to one aspect, a rechargeable battery system includes a plurality of rechargeable battery cells coupled between a plurality of terminals and charge shuttling circuitry configured to couple with and shuttle electrical energy between individual ones of the rechargeable battery cells, and wherein the charge shuttling circuitry is configured to receive the electrical energy from one of the rechargeable battery cells at a first voltage and to provide the electrical energy to another of the rechargeable battery cells at a second voltage greater than the first voltage.
Accessories with battery charger interface and battery pack interface
A device includes a first interface configured to connect to a battery charger, a second interface configured to connect to a battery pack and one or more accessory components that define the device. For example, the device may be a fan, a radio, a power adapter, a speaker, a light or other type of device.
Rechargeable battery arrangement with improved symmetrization
A rechargeable battery arrangement includes a plurality of rechargeable battery cells which are connected in series and each have a first and a second connection, and a plurality of differential amplifiers each having an inverting input, a non-inverting input and an output at which an amplified difference between the signal at the inverting input and the signal at the non-inverting input is produced. The non-inverting input of one of the plurality of differential amplifiers is coupled to the second connection of a first rechargeable battery cell unit of the plurality of rechargeable battery cells and to the first connection of a second rechargeable battery cell unit of the plurality of rechargeable battery cells. The inverting input of the one of the plurality of differential amplifiers is connected to the first connection of the first rechargeable battery cell unit of the plurality of rechargeable battery cells via a first resistor and to the second connection of the rechargeable battery cell unit of the plurality of rechargeable battery cells via a second resistor. The output of the differential amplifier is connected to the second connection of the second rechargeable battery cell unit.
Battery charging method and apparatus
A battery charging method and apparatus are provided. The battery charging method includes determining a number of charging ports to charge a battery based on a determined state of the battery, and charging the battery using the number of charging ports.