Lawrence Welk, the bandleader who entertained millions of Americans over a generation of broadcasting his TV show, once received a patent: for a music-themed design of an ashtray.
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AbstractA 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. | InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 10900502 filed on 07/28/2004US 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 detectionField of Search320/116, 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)ExaminersPrimary: Han, JessicaAssistant: Piggush, Aaron Attorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent References5905360, Battery system and electric motor vehicle using the battery system with charge equalizing featuresIssued on: 05/18/1999 Inventor: Ukita5952815Equalizer system and method for series connected energy storing devices Issued on: 09/14/1999 Inventor: Rouillard, et al. International ClassH02J 7/04 |