Apparatus and method for characterizing and managing stacked energy storage cells

A multi-port power transfer circuit, configured to complete a power transfer operation selected from an operation set consisting of performing a cell balancing and performing a power transfer through a charge adjustment in a target device, the multi-port power transfer circuit comprising:

• a power multiplexer, electrically coupled to a plurality of energy storage devices;
• a power converter electrically coupled to the power multiplexer;
• an isolated power converter circuit, with a primary and secondary side;
• where the primary side is electrically coupled to either an external power source or the plurality of energy storage devices;
• where the secondary side is electrically coupled to a power converter circuit or the power multiplexer;
• a secondary energy storage device, electrically coupled to the power converter circuit and/or to the isolated power converter circuit;
• a charge management controller, electrically coupled to the power multiplexer, the power converter circuit, and the isolated power converter circuit;
• wherein the charge management controller is programmed with instructions to:
• adjust a charge in the secondary energy storage device to a target voltage by transferring energy between the secondary energy storage device or the plurality of energy storage devices, and a support device, selected from at least one member of the plurality of energy storage devices;
• transfer electrical power to the target device from the secondary energy storage device, from a plurality of energy storage devices, or from the external power source;
• and
• complete the charge adjustment when a target device voltage or a state-of-charge reaches a desired level.

A charge management controller assembly, configured to maintain safe operation of a plurality of electrochemical energy storage devices, the charge management controller assembly further comprising:

• a power multiplexer, electrically coupled to a plurality of energy storage devices;
• a power converter circuit, electrically coupled to the power multiplexer and a measurement circuit;
• an isolated power converter circuit, with a primary and secondary side;
• where the primary side is electrically coupled to either an external power source or a plurality of series cells;
• where the secondary side is electrically coupled to the power converter circuit or the power multiplexer;
• a secondary energy storage device, electrically coupled to the power converter circuit and/or to the isolated power converter circuit;
• and
• a charge management controller, electrically coupled to the power multiplexer, the power converter circuit, and the isolated power converter circuit programmed with instructions to:
• maintain a safe operation of all energy storage devices and the plurality of electrochemical energy storage devices during an electrical test;
• and
• maintain the safe operation of all energy storage devices and the plurality of electrochemical energy storage devices during balancing operation.