Programmable battery pack
AssigneeAurora Flight Sciences Corporation
InventorsMatthew Kirleis, John Merk
Life of this patent
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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 operably coupled to the battery supervisory circuit to selectively switch, for each of the plurality of switchable battery modules, the battery switch between the first position and the second position such that the output voltage is substantially equal to a predetermined target output voltage.
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 when in a first position and to bypass its battery when in a second position, the method comprising:
- monitoring, for each of the plurality of switchable battery modules, one or more parameters of the battery via a battery supervisory circuit;
- and
- selectively switching, for each of the plurality of switchable battery modules, the battery switch between a first position and a second position via the battery pack controller as a function of the one or more parameters of the battery and in accordance with a predetermined switching routine such that the output voltage is substantially equal to a predetermined target output voltage, wherein the battery pack controller is configured to control the plurality of switchable battery modules based at least in part on instructions received from a solar array consolidation and switching unit (ACSU).
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 configuring the battery switch in a first position electrically places the battery in series with the battery string to increase the output voltage, and
- wherein configuring the battery switch in a second position electrically bypasses the battery from the battery string;
- a battery supervisory circuit operably coupled to each of the plurality of switchable battery modules, wherein the battery supervisory circuit is configured to monitor, for each of the plurality of switchable battery modules, one or more parameters of the battery;
- and
- a battery pack controller operably coupled to the battery supervisory circuit to selectively switch, for each of the plurality of switchable battery modules, the battery switch between the first position and the second position based at least in part on the one or more parameters of the battery and in accordance with a predetermined switching routine such that the output voltage is substantially equal to a predetermined target output voltage, wherein the battery pack controller is configured to control the plurality of switchable battery modules based on at least in part on instructions received from a solar array consolidation and switching unit (ACSU).
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, a battery switch, and an auxiliary isolated power source,
- wherein configuring the battery switch in a first position electrically places the battery in series with the battery string to increase the output voltage,
- wherein configuring the battery switch in a second position electrically bypasses the battery from the battery string, and
- wherein the auxiliary isolated power source is configured to maintain the battery switch in the second position when an open battery terminal condition occurs;
- a battery supervisory circuit operably coupled to each of the plurality of switchable battery modules, wherein the battery supervisory circuit is configured to monitor, for each of the plurality of switchable battery modules, one or more parameters of the battery;
- and
- a battery pack controller operably coupled to the battery supervisory circuit to selectively switch, for each of the plurality of switchable battery modules, the battery switch between the first position and the second position based at least in part on the one or more parameters of the battery and in accordance with a predetermined switching routine such that the output voltage is substantially equal to a predetermined target output voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.