Fault-tolerant battery system employing intra-battery network architecture

Patent 6104967 Issued on August 15, 2000. Estimated Expiration Date:

July 25, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

2812376

3193412

3275770

3390014

3578506

3630783

3786466

3899355

Lithium-iodine battery
Patent #: 3937635
Issued on: 02/10/1976
Inventor: Mead , et al.

Flat battery
Patent #: 4028479
Issued on: 06/07/1977
Inventor: Fanciullo , et al.

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Inventors

Application

No. 900928 filed on 07/25/1997

US Classes:

700/293, Abnormal power, current, or impedance condition429/50, PROCESS OF CELL OPERATION429/61, WITH CONTROL MEANS RESPONSIVE TO BATTERY CONDITION SENSING MEANS429/62, Temperature control700/292, System protection (e.g., circuit interrupter, circuit limiter, voltage suppressor)700/294, Abnormal phase, waveform, or polarity condition700/295Power allocation management (e.g., load adding/shedding)

Examiners

Primary: Gordon, Paul P.
Assistant: Patel, Ramesh

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Mueting, Raasch & Gebhardt, P.A.

Foreign Patent References

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International Classes

H02J 001/14
H02J 003/02
H02J 003/12
H02H 007/00
H02H 009/00

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 functions locally within the module to ensure safe and continued operation.