Multicell battery pack bilateral power distribution unit with individual cell monitoring and control
US5656915A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 28, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 28, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A power distribution unit (PDU) for series connected multicell battery packs which uses a common hardware platform for both charging and providing power to an external load. Using switching circuitry (2), and tap points (5a,5b,5c,5d,5e) individual access to cells (4a,4b,4c,4d) or groups of series connected cells is accomplished. Under control of microcontroller circuitry (1), series connected cell groups of varying sizes are selected and prioritized for connection to a common power bus (29),(30) at real-time speeds. The PDU uses these groups to maintain balance over cells with varying characteristics, adapt to varying charge sources and to produce a regulated output voltage during discharge.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.