# US 2014/0152260 A1 · Response to detection of an overdischarge event in a series connected battery element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0152260 A1 - Document ID: US20140152260A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/690,341 - Filed: 2012-11-30 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30 - Assignees: Tesla Motors, Inc. - Applicants: Tesla Motors, Inc. - Inventors: Francisco LePort; Scott Ira Kohn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152260A1 ## CPC - H02J 7/63: against overdischarge - H02J 7/61: against overcharge - H02J 7/82: Control of state of charge [SOC] - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY ## Abstract A system and method for identifying and responding to exceptional charge events of series-connected energy storage elements. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A microprocessor-implemented response system for an exceptional charge event including an overdischarge of a particular one battery element in an energy storage system having a plurality of series-connected battery elements, comprising: a first charge imbalance detection system monitoring, using the microprocessor, the energy storage system for a charge imbalance using a first detection modality, said first charge imbalance detection system initiating a reduction of said charge imbalance using a first response modality; a second charge imbalance detection system monitoring, using the microprocessor, the energy storage system for the overdischarge of the particular one battery element using a second detection modality different from said first detection modality; and a remediation system initiating a response to said overdischarge using a second response modality different from said first response modality, said response decreasing a risk associated with said overdischarge; wherein said first detection modality includes a measurement of a voltage level of each battery element of the plurality of battery elements establishing a plurality of voltage imbalances between individual ones of the plurality of battery elements; wherein said first response modality includes adjusting said voltage levels to reduce said plurality of voltage imbalances; and wherein said second detection modality includes a statistical evaluation of a parameter of each battery element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The microprocessor-implemented response system of claim 1 wherein said response includes inhibiting any charging event until the energy storage system is serviced. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The microprocessor-implemented response system of claim 1 wherein the particular one battery element includes a particular charge storage target and wherein said response includes use of said first response modality to increase said particular charge storage target intentionally creating an imbalance. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The microprocessor-implemented response system of claim 1 wherein the ESS includes a charge storage target for the plurality of battery elements and wherein said response includes increasing said charge storage targets. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The microprocessor-implemented response system of claim 1 wherein said response includes logging a set of data associated with said overdischarge. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The microprocessor-implemented response system of claim 1 wherein the particular one battery element includes an associated gain factor used when discharging the particular one battery element and wherein said response includes an increase to said associated gain factor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The microprocessor-implemented response system of claim 1 wherein the particular one battery element includes an associated voltage offset factor used when discharging the particular one battery element and wherein said response includes an increase to said associated voltage offset factor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The microprocessor-implemented response system of claim 1 wherein the ESS includes an associated maximum current draw used when discharging the plurality of battery elements and wherein said response includes a decrease to an effective current draw less than said associated maximum current draw. ### Claim 9 A computer-implemented method to respond to an exceptional charge event including an overdischarge in an energy storage system having a plurality of series-connected battery elements, comprising: monitoring, using the microprocessor, the energy storage system for a charge imbalance using a first detection modality; initiating a reduction of said charge imbalance using a first response modality; monitoring, using the microprocessor, the energy storage system for the overdischarge of a particular one battery element of the plurality of battery elements using a second detection modality different from said first detection modality; and initiating a response to said exceptional charge event using a second response modality different from said first response modality, said response decreasing a risk associated with said overdischarge. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising transferring energy to the plurality of series-connected battery elements from a charging station after said discharge and wherein said response initiating step includes asserting a stop charging signal to said charging station and suspending said energy transferring step. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising setting an overdischarge status flag whenever said overdischarge is detected and wherein said stop charging signal remains asserted as long as said overdischarge status flag remains set. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein said particular one battery element includes an SOC charge target wherein said response initiating step includes increasing said SOC charge target. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein the plurality of battery elements each includes an SOC charge target wherein said response initiating step includes increasing said SOC charge target. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein said particular one battery element includes an adjustment profile including one or more of voltage gain and voltage offset factors and wherein said response initiating step includes adjusting said adjustment profile. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein the plurality of battery elements each includes an adjustment profile including one or more of voltage gain and voltage offset factors and wherein said response initiating step includes adjusting said adjustment profiles. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein the ESS includes an associated maximum current draw used when discharging the plurality of battery elements and wherein said response initiating step includes decreasing an effective current draw from the ESS less than said associated maximum current draw.