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US Patent 7126312 - Method and apparatus for balancing multi-cell lithium battery systems

US Patent Issued on October 24, 2006
Estimated Patent Expiration Date: Icon_subject July 28, 2024Estimated 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.
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Abstract

A method and apparatus of the present invention are designed to equalize cell-to-cell imbalances in a multi-cell lithium battery system. A time-to-balance parameter is calculated for each cell at the beginning of charge, and balancing occurs for each cell having a positive time-to-balance at the beginning of charge. Alternatively, the time-to-balance parameter is calculated during operation of the battery system and equalization of the cells occur in-sit based on the time-to-balance values.

Inventor

Assignee

Application

No. 10900502 filed on 07/28/2004

US Classes:

320/157, Detection of current or voltage amplitude320/116, SERIALLY CONNECTED BATTERIES OR CELLS320/118, With discharge of cells or batteries180/65.2, Combined with nonelectric drive means320/119, With individual charging of plural batteries or cells320/132With state-of-charge detection

Field of Search

320/116, SERIALLY CONNECTED BATTERIES OR CELLS320/137, BATTERY OR CELL CHARGING320/155, Time control320/157, Detection of current or voltage amplitude320/118, With discharge of cells or batteries320/119, With individual charging of plural batteries or cells320/121, Switchable cells (e.g., for voltage regulation, etc.)320/122, Bypassable battery cell324/98Balancing (e.g., known/unknown voltage comparison, bridge, rebalancing)

Examiners

Primary: Han, Jessica
Assistant: Piggush, Aaron

Attorney, Agent or Firm

US Patent References

5905360, Battery system and electric motor vehicle using the battery system with charge equalizing features
Issued on: 05/18/1999
Inventor: Ukita
5952815Equalizer system and method for series connected energy storing devices
Issued on: 09/14/1999
Inventor: Rouillard, et al.

International Class

H02J 7/04

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