Methods and systems are provided for managing multi-battery systems, such as those utilized in an electric vehicle. Multi-battery systems comprise batteries providing power in parallel, thereby making each battery available to the vehicle and avoiding the weight of transporting a backup battery. The methods and systems provided allow for a fault in one battery, in a parallel configuration with at least one other battery, to be detected and managed.

The invention relates to an energy storage comprising a plurality of series connectable energy modules connected to a string via a plurality of switches. Wherein a string controller controls which of the energy modules that are part of a current path through the string by control of the status of the switches. An energy storage monitoring system is monitoring an energy storage element operating parameter of an energy module, the energy storage monitoring system comprises: a current sensor and a plurality of energy module print. The plurality of energy module prints establishes an energy module operating parameter of the associated energy module. The current sensor establishes the current in the current path. The string controller is configured for by-passing an energy module based on information of status of the switches, the measured current in the current path and the battery operating parameter measured at the energy modules.

Bidirectional electrical power systems are provided that include versatile battery packs. For example, a battery pack is introduced which may have both a first interface or port for high voltage fast charging and discharging, and a second interface or port for low voltage supply of power to present equipment without requiring modification or retrofitting. The battery pack may include, for example, a first battery module within the battery pack; a second battery module within the battery pack; and a switching matrix within the battery pack and configured to connect the first and second battery modules in series or in parallel.

A battery system includes at least one battery including a plurality of cells and a hybrid control module configured to monitor a differential capacity of the at least one battery, determine when the monitored differential capacity of the at least one battery corresponds to a predetermined differential capacity of the at least one battery, and determine a state of charge of the battery in response to the determination that the monitored differential capacity corresponds to the predetermined differential capacity.

An automated system and method are provided for adjusting an electrical configuration of a plurality of components of an electrical network associated with a vehicle in order to tune electrical characteristics of the electrical network to continuously match a dynamically changing desired mode of operation of the electrical network associated with the vehicle.

A power system for a vehicle includes: a high voltage battery; a low voltage DC-DC converter configured to step down a voltage of the high voltage battery and to output the stepped down voltage; a low voltage battery charged by an output current of the low voltage DC-DC converter, where the low voltage battery includes a first cell group including a plurality of battery cells, and a second cell group connected in parallel with the first cell group and including a plurality of battery cells; and a plurality of switches configured to electrically connect or disconnect the first cell group or the second cell group with the low voltage DC-DC converter, electrical loads configured to receive power from at least one of the low voltage DC-DC converter and the low voltage battery; and a controller configured to control opening or closing of the plurality of switches.

A power system for a vehicle includes: a high voltage battery; a low voltage DC-DC converter configured to step down a voltage of the high voltage battery and to output the stepped down voltage; a low voltage battery charged by an output current of the low voltage DC-DC converter, where the low voltage battery includes a first cell group including a plurality of battery cells, and a second cell group connected in parallel with the first cell group and including a plurality of battery cells; and a plurality of switches configured to electrically connect or disconnect the first cell group or the second cell group with the low voltage DC-DC converter, electrical loads configured to receive power from at least one of the low voltage DC-DC converter and the low voltage battery; and a controller configured to control opening or closing of the plurality of switches.

Example embodiments of systems, devices, and methods are provided herein for energy systems having multiple modules arranged in cascaded fashion for storing and discharging power. Each module includes an energy source and converter circuitry that selectively couples the energy source to other modules in the system. The modules can be arranged in serial arrays that in turn can be reconfigurably connected for interfacing the system with either an AC entity or a DC entity. Mobile charge stations having reconfigurable arrays are also disclosed.

In an example, a smart battery backup system is disclosed. The system is configured to be installed on or within a vehicle and connected to a main battery of the vehicle. The system includes a housing, a lithium-ion battery disposed at least partially within the housing, and a controller disposed at least partially within the housing and including a set of momentary switches. The controller is configured to jump start the main battery using the lithium-ion battery. The controller is also configured to maintain the lithium-ion battery such that, based on a charge state of the lithium-ion battery and a charge state of the main battery, the lithium-ion battery is charged using the main battery.

In an example, a smart battery backup system is disclosed. The system is configured to be installed on or within a vehicle and connected to a main battery of the vehicle. The system includes a housing, a lithium-ion battery disposed at least partially within the housing, and a controller disposed at least partially within the housing and including a set of momentary switches. The controller is configured to jump start the main battery using the lithium-ion battery. The controller is also configured to maintain the lithium-ion battery such that, based on a charge state of the lithium-ion battery and a charge state of the main battery, the lithium-ion battery is charged using the main battery.