Methods, apparatus, and systems for identification of cells in a network
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsJOSEPH BERG, KENNETH L. KAYE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for identification of slave elements and/or cells in a communication system within a vehicle. In some implementations, such methods may comprise measuring a first voltage of a first slave device of a plurality of slave devices within the communication system, and measuring a second voltage of a second slave device of the plurality of slave devices within the communication system. A location of at least the first and second slave devices, which may be linked with respective cells, such as battery cells or fuel cells, may then be identified by comparing at least the first voltage with the second voltage.
Claims22
A method for identification of slave elements in a polled communication system within a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- measuring a first voltage of a first slave device of a plurality of slave devices within the polled communication system;
- measuring a second voltage of a second slave device of the plurality of slave devices within the polled communication system;
- and
- determining a location of at least the first and second slave devices within the polled communication system by comparing at least the first voltage with the second voltage.
A method for identification of slave elements in a resistor divider network within a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- measuring a plurality of voltages of a plurality of slave devices within the resistor divider network between two adjacent resistors of each of the plurality of slave devices;
- using an expected relationship between the plurality of voltages to identify a location of each of the plurality of slave devices;
- and
- polling at least one of the plurality of slave devices independent of the other slave devices for information unique to the at least one of the plurality of slave devices.
A system for identification of cells associated with slave elements in a network within a vehicle, comprising:
- a master device of the network;
- a plurality of slave devices of the network, wherein the master device is configured to communicate with each of the plurality of slave devices over the network;
- and
- a vehicle propulsion system comprising a plurality of cells, wherein each of
- the cells is associated with a separate slave device of the plurality of slave devices,
- wherein the master device is configured to receive an indication of a location of each of the plurality of cells within the vehicle propulsion system derived from a measurement of a voltage of each of the plurality of slave devices and an expected relationship between the voltages of each of the plurality of slave devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.