Balancer circuit for rechargeable batteries
AssigneeSuper B B.V.
InventorMarinus Hendrikus DOORNEKAMP
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A balancer circuit for a cell in a rechargeable battery, having connecting terminals for connection of the balancer circuit to the cell. A first resistor is electrically connected to one of the connecting terminals and a voltage switch is arranged in series with the first resistor and electrically connected to the other one of the connecting terminals. The voltage switch, e.g., an adjustable voltage reference circuit, is operable to shunt a balancing current through the first resistor when a load voltage sensed over the connecting terminals is higher than a threshold voltage.
Claims20
A balancer circuit for a cell in a rechargeable battery, the balancer circuit comprising:
- connecting terminals configured to permit connection of the balancer circuit to the cell;
- a first resistor electrically connected to one of the connecting terminals;
- and
- a voltage switch in series with the first resistor and electrically connected to another one of the connecting terminals, the voltage switch being operable to shunt a balancing current through the first resistor when a load voltage sensed over the connecting terminals is higher than a threshold voltage.
A balancer arrangement configured to provide a balancing current to a rechargeable battery having a plurality of cells in a series configuration, the balancer arrangement comprising:
- a balancer circuit including:
- connecting terminals configured to permit connection of the balancer circuit to the cell;
- a first resistor electrically connected to one of the connecting terminals;
- and
- a voltage switch in series with the first resistor and electrically connected to another one of the connecting terminals, the voltage switch being operable to shunt a balancing current through the first resistor when a load voltage sensed over the connecting terminals is higher than a threshold voltage,
- wherein consecutive balancer circuits share a common terminal for electrical connection to an associated series configuration of cells.
A battery pack comprising:
- a plurality of rechargeable cells;
- and
- a balancer circuit including:
- connecting terminals configured to permit connection of the balancer circuit to the cell;
- a first resistor electrically connected to one of the connecting terminals;
- and
- a voltage switch in series with the first resistor and electrically connected to another one of the connecting terminals, the voltage switch being operable to shunt a balancing current through the first resistor when a load voltage sensed over the connecting terminals is higher than a threshold voltage,
- wherein each one of the plurality of rechargeable cells corresponds and is electrically connected to at least one balancing circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.