Battery management system
AssigneeAurora Flight Sciences Corporation
InventorsMatthew Kirleis, John Merk, Theodor Hoffer-Schaefer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a reconfigurable battery system and method of operating the same. The reconfigurable battery system comprising a plurality of switchable battery modules, a battery supervisory circuit, and a battery pack controller, where the plurality of switchable battery modules electrically arranged in series to define a battery string defining an output voltage. The battery pack controller operable to connect the battery string to the external bus via a pre-charge switch to perform a pre-charge cycle.
Claims20
A method for reconfiguring a battery system having a battery pack controller operably coupled to a plurality of switchable battery modules that are electrically arranged in series to define a battery string defining an output voltage, each of the plurality of switchable battery modules comprising a battery and a battery switch associated therewith, each battery switch configured to selectively connect its battery to the battery string or bypass its battery from the battery string, the method comprising:
- controlling a main switch to disconnect the battery string from an external bus;
- monitoring an amount of current passing through the battery string;
- once the amount of current is less than a predetermined current value, configuring, for each of the plurality of switchable battery modules, the battery switch in either a first position or a second position via the battery pack controller in accordance with a predetermined switching routine such that the output voltage is substantially equal to a predetermined target output voltage,
- wherein configuring the battery switch in the first position electrically places the battery in series with the battery string to increase the output voltage, and
- wherein configuring the battery switch in the second position electrically bypasses the battery from the battery string;
- connecting the battery string to the external bus via a pre-charge switch to perform a pre-charge cycle, wherein the pre-charge switch is operatively coupled in series with a resistor to limit current flow through the pre-charge switch;
- and
- once the pre-charge cycle is complete, controlling the main switch to connect the battery string to the external bus to perform a charge cycle.
A reconfigurable battery system comprising:
- a plurality of switchable battery modules electrically arranged in series to define a battery string defining an output voltage, each of the plurality of switchable battery modules comprising a battery and a battery switch, wherein the battery string is configured to electrically couple with an external bus via a main switch or a pre-charge switch;
- a battery pack controller to selectively switch, for each of the plurality of switchable battery modules, the battery switch between a first position that electrically places the battery in series with the battery string and a second position that electrically bypasses the battery from the battery string, wherein the battery pack controller is configured to perform the steps of:
- disconnecting the battery string from the external bus via the main switch;
- monitoring an amount of current passing through the battery string;
- once the amount of current is less than a predetermined current value, configuring, for each of the plurality of switchable battery modules, the battery switch in either the first position or the second position via the battery pack controller in accordance with a predetermined switching routine such that the output voltage is substantially equal to a predetermined target output voltage;
- connecting the battery string to the external bus via a pre-charge switch to perform a pre-charge cycle, wherein the pre-charge switch is operatively coupled in series with a resistor to limit current flow through the pre-charge switch;
- and
- once the pre-charge cycle is complete, controlling the main switch to connect the battery string to the external bus to perform a charge cycle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.