Apparatus, system, and method for automatically displacing a faulty in-use battery in a battery-powered electric equipment
US7705491B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 2008 |
| Grant date | Apr 27, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 1, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T10/70
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automatically displacing a faulty in-use member battery in an electric equipment, such as electric vehicle, powered by an array of member batteries configured to self detect battery fault conditions and output a control signal upon such detection. By use of a charged spare battery and deactivated single pole double throw relay switches with activation means for coupling all batteries, member batteries are normally interconnected in series electrically to provide a predetermined voltage, with the spare battery standing by. While the electric equipment is in operation, as soon as a member battery detects a fault, the corresponding relay switch is activated to cause the faulty member battery to be electrically bypassed by the battery array. Concurrently, the spare relay switch is activated to electrically connect the spare battery to the battery array in series, thereby displacing the faulty in-use member battery.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.