US 11,600,997 B2Granted

Battery system

AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.

InventorsJustin D. Middleton, Jonathan M. Baumann, Jason Lee Miller, Dustin C. Selvey, Adam R. Rosenberger, Evan B. Stumpges

Life of this patent

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Abstract

In some aspects, a method of monitoring a battery system of an industrial vehicle is disclosed. The battery system may include a first string of battery modules including at least two battery modules connected in series; a first contactor connected to a positive end of the first string of battery modules, a second contactor connector to a negative end of the first string of battery modules; a third contactor connected to the first contactor; a fourth contactor connected to the second contactor; and one or more controllers configured to monitor the first contactor and the second contactor. The method may include receiving, at the one or more controllers, an indication of a failure of one of the first contactor and the second contactor; and opening, via the one or more controllers, at least one of the third contactor or the fourth contactor.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method of monitoring a battery system of an industrial vehicle, the battery system including:

a first string of battery modules, the first string including at least two battery modules connected in series;
a first contactor connected to a positive end of the first string of battery modules;
a second contactor connector to a negative end of the first string of battery modules;
a third contactor connected to the first contactor;
a fourth contactor connected to the second contactor;
and
one or more controllers configured to monitor the first contactor and the second contactor;
a second string of battery modules, the second string including at least two battery modules connected in series, wherein the first string of battery modules is connected to the second string of battery modules in parallel;
a fifth contactor connected to a positive end of the second string of battery modules and connected to the third contactor;
and
a sixth contactor connector to a negative end of the second string of battery modules and connected to the fourth contactor;
wherein the method comprises:
receiving, at the one or more controllers, an indication of a failure of one of the first contactor and the second contactor;
and
opening, via the one or more controllers, at least one of the third contactor or the fourth contactor.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/016,114Filed 9 Sep 2020
Published: US 2022/0077699 A110 Mar 2022
Granted: 7 Mar 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

H02J 7/663
Including safety or protection arrangements: using battery or load disconnect circuits
H02J 7/685
Including safety or protection arrangements: using connection detecting circuits
B60R 16/033
For supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for: characterised by the use of electrical cells or batteries
G01R 31/36
Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by…