An apparatus includes a battery pack with N battery bricks, each with a DC output voltage. The output of each brick is connected in series providing a bus voltage. Each brick includes battery power modules (“BPMs”) connected in parallel and each connected to a battery cell. Each BPM charges/discharges the connected battery cell. Each brick has a battery brick controller that provides a control signal to each brick's BPMs. A control signal of a BPM is derived from a BPM error signal that includes a battery cell current of the battery cell of BPM subtracted from a summation of an average current signal, a local droop current and a balancing current. The balancing current is based on a current SOC of the battery cell connected to the BPM and a desired SOC for the battery cell connected to the BPM. A BMS derives the balancing current for the BPMs.

A power supply system for preventing battery packs connected in parallel from charging each other is provided. Each of a plurality of battery packs includes a plurality of batteries, a sensing resistor, a detector circuit, a discharging transistor, a charging transistor, and a controller circuit. The sensing resistor has a first end connected to a negative terminal of the battery packs and a second end connected to a negative electrode of the battery circuit. The detector circuit is connected to the first end and the second end of the sensing resistor. The discharging transistor has a first end connected to a positive terminal of the battery packs and a second end connected to a first end of the charging transistor. According to a current of the sensing resistor, the controller circuit controls the discharging transistor and the charging transistor to be turned on or off.

A power supply system for preventing battery packs connected in parallel from charging each other is provided. Each of a plurality of battery packs includes a plurality of batteries, a sensing resistor, a detector circuit, a discharging transistor, a charging transistor, and a controller circuit. The sensing resistor has a first end connected to a negative terminal of the battery packs and a second end connected to a negative electrode of the battery circuit. The detector circuit is connected to the first end and the second end of the sensing resistor. The discharging transistor has a first end connected to a positive terminal of the battery packs and a second end connected to a first end of the charging transistor. According to a current of the sensing resistor, the controller circuit controls the discharging transistor and the charging transistor to be turned on or off.

A battery assembly and a control unit for aiming at outputting a target voltage during charging or discharging and a method, a battery assembly and a control unit for maintaining a target voltage of a battery assembly during charging or discharging are disclosed. The battery assembly (100) comprises a first battery module (110) configured to receive a first signal representing a first voltage to be output over the first battery module (110), wherein the first signal is configurable to represent a range of voltages capable of being output over the first battery module (110). Moreover, the battery assembly (100) comprises a plurality of second battery modules (160-180). Each second battery module (160, 170, 180) of the plurality of second battery modules (160-180) is configured to receive a respective second signal, representing a respective configuration, which indicates whether said each second battery module (160, 170, 180) is to be switched-on or bypassed.

A battery including a separator film, a plurality of cathodes, each having a cathode base, a first end of each cathode base having a cathode connection portion extending contiguously across the width of the cathode base and free of a cathode material, the battery including a plurality of anodes, each having an anode base, a first end of each anode base having an anode connection portion extending contiguously across the width of the anode base and free of an anode material, and the anode connection portion. The cathodes and anodes are in an electrode stack with alternating anodes and cathodes and each separated by a portion of the separator film. Each cathode connection portion of each cathode connected to a bus bar at a first end of the battery, and each anode connection portion electrically connected to a bus bar disposed at a second end of the battery.

A battery pack assembly includes a housing, a battery cell assembly, and a fan. The housing having a plurality of sides and defining an internal cavity. The battery cell assembly positioned in the internal cavity. The battery cell assembly includes a plurality of battery cells and a frame supporting the battery cells. The frame includes a first support member, a second support member, and a plurality of leg members connecting the first support member and the second support member. The first support member and the second support member each has a body extending between a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The body defines a plurality of openings configured to align with one of the battery cells. The fan is configured to circulate air within the housing and through the battery cell assembly.

There is provided a battery system including parallel-connected bus bars each connecting the plurality of prismatic battery cells in parallel, and a safety mechanism configured to be capable of interrupting a current path of prismatic battery cells connected in parallel by the parallel-connected bus bars, where the sealing plate of one of the prismatic battery cells convexly deforms due to a rise in an internal pressure of this prismatic battery cell when an abnormality occurs, the sealing plate that has convexly deformed comes into contact with the parallel-connected bus bars to form external short circuitry between the electrode terminals that are positive and negative of one prismatic battery cell connected in parallel to the prismatic battery cell with the abnormality, and external short circuitry activates the safety mechanism that interrupts a current flowing into the prismatic battery cell with the abnormality.

According to one embodiment, an electrode is provided. The electrode includes an active material-containing layer. The active material-containing layer contains an active material and a flat plate-shaped silicate.

An energy storage facility includes a plurality of energy storage apparatuses. Each of the plurality of energy storage apparatuses includes: an energy storage unit including a plurality of energy storage devices and an outer case holding the plurality of energy storage devices; a positive electrode power cable; and a negative electrode power cable. Each of the positive electrode power cable and the negative electrode power cable is connected to the energy storage unit inside the outer case, and extends from an end of the outer case toward the outside of the outer case. The positive electrode power cable includes a positive electrode connector, and the negative electrode power cable includes a negative electrode connector separated from the positive electrode connector. The positive electrode connector of one energy storage apparatus in two energy storage apparatuses adjacent to each other in the plurality of energy storage apparatuses is directly connected to the negative electrode connector of the other energy storage apparatus in the two energy storage apparatuses.

A vacuum cleaner assembly includes a vacuum body, a suction wand removably connected to the vacuum body, and an accessory removably connected to the suction wand. A suction motor is disposed in the vacuum body and is configured to create flow through a suction path. An accessory motor is disposed in the accessory. A first power source is configured to supply power to the suction motor and to the accessory motor. A second power source is configured to supply power to the suction motor and to the accessory motor when the first power source falls below a predetermined charge level.