Fault-tolerant battery system employing intra-battery network architecture
US6104967A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 25, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02J7/0024
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A distributed energy storing system employing a communications network is disclosed. A distributed battery system includes a number of energy storing modules, each of which includes a processor and communications interface. In a network mode of operation, a battery computer communicates with each of the module processors over an intra-battery network and cooperates with individual module processors to coordinate module monitoring and control operations. The battery computer monitors a number of battery and module conditions, including the potential and current state of the battery and individual modules, and the conditions of the battery's thermal management system. An over-discharge protection system, equalization adjustment system, and communications system are also controlled by the battery computer. The battery computer logs and reports various status data on battery level conditions which may be reported to a separate system platform computer. A module transitions to a stand-alone mode of operation if the module detects an absence of communication connectivity with the battery computer. A module which operates in a stand-alone mode performs various monitoring and control funct…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.