Field expandable battery systems and related methods
US7589497B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 2006 |
| Grant date | Sep 15, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Field expandable battery pack systems and related methods are disclosed that allow for increased battery life while reducing cost and still meeting shipping regulations. In part, the expanded battery system includes a primary battery having a battery management unit (BMU) and additional expansion batteries that couple to the primary battery and are managed together by the shared-BMU within the primary battery. Each battery has its own protection circuitry, and the batteries can be lithium-ion batteries. As such, multiple batteries can be shipped together and then combined by a user to achieve a desired level of battery capacity that is managed as a single battery through the use of the shared-BMU.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.