Low voltage charging system for high voltage rechargeable energy storage system

A low voltage (LV) charging system for charging a high voltage (HV) rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) included onboard a vehicle, the RESS configured for providing HV electrical power to a traction motor to propel the vehicle, comprising:

• an input configured for receiving LV electrical power from a LV source removably connected to receptacles included onboard the vehicle, the LV source being independent of a LV RESS included as part of a LV bus of the vehicle;
• a distributed converter system configured for charging the HV RESS via a plurality of bidirectional converters, each bidirectional converter configured for separately charging one of a plurality of modules of the HV RESS with a charging electrical power derived from converting the LV electrical power;
• and
• a controller configured for individually controlling the charging electrical power provided via each of the bidirectional converters, such that the charging electrical power of the each charging circuit is provided at a greater voltage than the LV electrical power.

A charging assembly for charging a battery pack included onboard a vehicle, the battery pack configured for powering a traction motor to propel the vehicle, comprising:

• an input configured for receiving input electrical power from a source removably connected to receptacles of the vehicle;
• a distributed converter system configured for charging a plurality of modules of the battery pack via a plurality of bidirectional converters, each bidirectional converter configured for separately charging one of the modules with a charging current derived from converting the input electrical power;
• and
• a controller configured for individually controlling the charging current provided via each of the bidirectional converters, such that the charging electrical power of the each charging circuit is provided at a greater voltage than the LV electrical power and at lower voltage than a HV output of the HV RESS.