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NZ740981B2 - Battery system - Google Patents

Battery system Download PDF

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Publication number
NZ740981B2
NZ740981B2 NZ740981A NZ74098116A NZ740981B2 NZ 740981 B2 NZ740981 B2 NZ 740981B2 NZ 740981 A NZ740981 A NZ 740981A NZ 74098116 A NZ74098116 A NZ 74098116A NZ 740981 B2 NZ740981 B2 NZ 740981B2
Authority
NZ
New Zealand
Prior art keywords
battery cell
cell unit
battery
circuit module
terminals
Prior art date
Application number
NZ740981A
Other versions
NZ740981A (en
Inventor
Daniel Crowley
Jan Valentin Muenzel
Original Assignee
Relectrify Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Relectrify Holdings Pty Ltd filed Critical Relectrify Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority claimed from PCT/AU2016/050917 external-priority patent/WO2017054049A1/en
Publication of NZ740981A publication Critical patent/NZ740981A/en
Publication of NZ740981B2 publication Critical patent/NZ740981B2/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K6/00—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines
    • B60K6/20—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs
    • B60K6/22—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs
    • B60K6/28—Arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion, e.g. hybrid propulsion systems comprising electric motors and internal combustion engines the prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines, e.g. HEVs characterised by apparatus, components or means specially adapted for HEVs characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2240/00—Control parameters of input or output; Target parameters
    • B60L2240/40—Drive Train control parameters
    • B60L2240/54—Drive Train control parameters related to batteries
    • B60L2240/545—Temperature
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2240/00—Control parameters of input or output; Target parameters
    • B60L2240/40—Drive Train control parameters
    • B60L2240/54—Drive Train control parameters related to batteries
    • B60L2240/547—Voltage
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2240/00—Control parameters of input or output; Target parameters
    • B60L2240/40—Drive Train control parameters
    • B60L2240/54—Drive Train control parameters related to batteries
    • B60L2240/549—Current
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L3/00—Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposes; Monitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption
    • B60L3/0023—Detecting, eliminating, remedying or compensating for drive train abnormalities, e.g. failures within the drive train
    • B60L3/0046—Detecting, eliminating, remedying or compensating for drive train abnormalities, e.g. failures within the drive train relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/60—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries
    • B60L50/64—Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/60—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by batteries
    • B60L50/66—Arrangements of batteries
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/12—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries responding to state of charge [SoC]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/18—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries of two or more battery modules
    • B60L58/22—Balancing the charge of battery modules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/10—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries
    • B60L58/24—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling batteries for controlling the temperature of batteries
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
    • B60Y2200/00—Type of vehicle
    • B60Y2200/90—Vehicles comprising electric prime movers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/425—Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/44—Methods for charging or discharging
    • H01M10/441—Methods for charging or discharging for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/44—Methods for charging or discharging
    • H01M10/443—Methods for charging or discharging in response to temperature
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/425—Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing
    • H01M2010/4271—Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2220/00—Batteries for particular applications
    • H01M2220/20—Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
    • H01M50/543—Terminals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
    • H01M50/572—Means for preventing undesired use or discharge
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M6/00—Primary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a circuit module for coupling a plurality of battery cell units. The circuit module includes a first set of terminals having a positive terminal and a negative terminal for coupling to a first battery cell unit, and a second set of terminals having a positive terminal and a negative terminal for coupling to a second battery cell unit. The positive terminal of the first set of terminals is coupled to the negative terminal of the second set of terminals either directly or via one or more passive components, and the negative terminal of the first set of terminals and the positive terminal of the second set of terminals each is coupled to a switching assembly. The switching assembly is operatively configured to selectively connect or disconnect each one of the battery cell units. The invention is also directed to a battery system including the circuit module and a plurality of battery cell units. minal and a negative terminal for coupling to a second battery cell unit. The positive terminal of the first set of terminals is coupled to the negative terminal of the second set of terminals either directly or via one or more passive components, and the negative terminal of the first set of terminals and the positive terminal of the second set of terminals each is coupled to a switching assembly. The switching assembly is operatively configured to selectively connect or disconnect each one of the battery cell units. The invention is also directed to a battery system including the circuit module and a plurality of battery cell units.

Description

Battery System Technical Field The invention described herein generally relates to energy storage systems such as battery s.
Background Art Energy storage systems for applications such as full electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and stationary energy storage in grid connected or off grid applications, frequently include an arrangement of multiple energy storage cell units.
Each cell unit is limited by its functional mechanism and design to provide an output voltage within a certain range depending on its state of charge and operating conditions.
Each cell unit is also limited by its functional mechanism and design to provide a certain maximum charge storage capability, ing on the operating conditions.
Electrically connecting cell units in series increases the maximum achievable output voltage, therefore decreasing the magnitude of current required to supply a given power . This increases the system ency as ohmic losses se with current magnitude. Electrically ting cell units in parallel ses the maximum achievable storage capacity for a given cell unit capacity.
The individual cell units inevitably display some differences in terms of charge e ty, internal resistance, and other performance related factors. Even before entering their operating life, cell units inevitably have differences caused by manufacturing tolerances that allow for certain variations in cell units during manufacturing with even the most advanced state of the art manufacturing processes.
Throughout the operating life, ions in cell unit mance degradation conditions or profiles further contribute to these differences. In applications in which used cell units are recycled for re-use, the cell units can be associated with notable performance differences, particularly if the cell units have been exposed to different usage profiles. Utilising cell units with different specifications can also contribute to cell unit differences.
In energy storage s that include multiple energy storage units, such differences between cell units can impact how the overall energy storage system is managed and performs. In cell units that are electrically connected in parallel, lower performing cell units bute or accept a lower current during a discharge or charge process, respectively. This leads to higher performing cell units contributing to or accept a higher current during a discharge or charge process, respectively. Such rate increases can decrease the system efficiency, increase cell unit degradation, and potentially present safety risks. It is therefore often ary to ain the entire system to a lower power input or output level. In cell units that are electrically connected in series, lower charge capacity cell units can contribute or accept less electric charge during a discharge or charge s, respectively. Due to the series arrangement, higher charge capacity cell units are limited to contribute only an equal amount of charge as the lowest charge capacity cell unit. This means that the cell unit with the lowest charge capacity limits the charge storage capacity of the full energy storage system.
Conventional battery management systems typically use switched resistors to dissipate surplus energy from higher d cell units, or switched tors or switched inductors to transfer energy from higher charged cell units to lower charged cell units. The primary role of these systems is to equalise the state of charge differences of cell units ted in series at a particular point in the charge discharge cycles, for example at the end of charging. Equalising the state of charge at one specific point in the cycle ensures that the lowest capacity cell unit in a series arrangement is able to be fully used. It does not, however, allow higher capacity cell units to contribute more energy to the output.
For example, assume two fully charged battery cell units connected in a series arrangement have capacities for 1Ah and 10Ah, respectively. If this system discharges at a rate of 1A then, ng no equalisation during the discharge, the entire system has a discharge time of one hour during which it will provide 2Ah consisting of 1Ah from the lower capacity cell unit and 1Ah from the higher capacity cell unit.
In order to overcome the tions posed by the lowest capacity cell unit in an energy storage system comprising multiple cell units connected in , a more advanced approach is required. Switched capacitor or switched inductor balancing systems can be operated to transfer energy on a continuous basis, for example transferring energy from higher charge capacity cell units to lower charge capacity cell units throughout part or all of the discharge process. However, the electrical pathways and components used to se the cell units are typically rated to energy throughputs that are only a fraction of the rating of the full energy storage system. As such, the systems lly can only t for a fraction of the difference between the cell units.
For example, assume two fully charged battery cell units connected in a series arrangement have capacities for 1Ah and 10Ah, respectively. If this system discharges at a rate of 1A and additionally transfer energy from the lower charged cell unit to the higher d cell unit at a rate of 0.1A, then after one hour, the system has provided a capacity of 2Ah. At this point, due to the energy transfer, the lower charge capacity cell unit still holds 0.1Ah and the higher charge capacity cell unit still holds 8.9Ah, allowing discharging to be continued for approximately 0.1 hours longer and resulting in a full energy storage system capacity that is around 0.2Ah larger than without any equalisation system. The additional discharge time and energy that can be maintained from higher charge capacity cell units increases with the energy rating of the equalisation system, which can increase the cost and space requirements among other s. This leads such battery management approaches to predominantly be useful for energy storage systems with relatively small differences only, such as energy e systems based on not previously used cell units with the same specifications.
Furthermore, using switched capacitors or switched inductors requires energy to be transferred via intermediary storage devices such as capacitors or inductors, respectively, which can be associated with losses that negatively impact the full energy storage system efficiency.
A further method to address the limitations posed by differences between cell units that are connected in series is to use voltage converters. Typically, each cell unit is connected to one voltage converter, and the voltage converters are connected in parallel leading to a ng on the direct current side. This can then be either directly or via a further voltage converter connected to an er. Another option is to connect each cell unit to one voltage converter, and connect each voltage converter to an inverter and connect the inverters in parallel so that the energy from the cell units is connected on the alternating current side. A further option is to use e converters with the output ted in series. Disadvantages of using voltage ters include the considerable component cost of converters, some prospective limitations in llability of cell charging and discharging depending on ller type and layout, and the limited efficiency of voltage converters, partly due to energy losses in storage elements used for voltage conversion such as inductors and/or capacitors. es can also be used to t, bypass (i.e. disconnect) the cell units. By disconnecting performing cell units, additional charge and discharge capacity can be unlocked from the other cell units. Some disadvantages of current systems using this approach are that for each cell unit connected in series, an onal switch is placed in any given current path contributing an ated on resistance and energy loss.
It is an aim of the invention to provide a battery system which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides the consumer with a useful choice.
Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a circuit module for coupling a plurality of battery cell units, the t module ing a first set of terminals having a positive terminal and a negative al for ng to a first battery cell unit, a second set of terminals having a positive terminal and a negative terminal for coupling to a second battery cell unit, and a third set of terminals having a positive terminal and a negative terminal for coupling to a third battery cell unit the positive terminal of the first set of terminals being coupled to the ve terminal of the second set of terminals either directly or via one or more passive components, and the negative terminal of the first set of terminals, the positive terminal of the second set of terminals and at least one of the terminals of the third set of terminals each being coupled to a ing assembly, wherein the switching assembly is operatively configured to selectively connect or disconnect each one of the battery cell units, and wherein the switching ly is operatively configured to selectively allow operation in a first state in which the first battery cell unit and the second battery cell unit are electrically connected in series and the third battery cell unit is disconnected, operation in a second state in which the first y cell unit and the third battery cell unit are electrically connected in series and the second y cell unit is disconnected, and operation in a third state in which the second battery cell unit and the third battery cell unit are electrically connected in series and the first battery cell unit is disconnected.
Therefore, the positive terminal of the first set of terminals may be directly coupled to the negative terminal of the second set of terminals, or the positive terminal of the first set of terminals may be coupled to the negative terminal of the second set of terminals via one or more passive components such as conductors, fuses, resistors, inductors or any other like components. In the present specification, passive components refer to any circuitry component such as conductors, fuses, resistors, inductors or any other like that operates in a non-switching manner.
In practice, ing the circuit in such a way that the ve terminal of the first set of terminals are directly d or coupled via passive component(s) to the negative terminal of the second set of terminals may advantageously allow all of the switching assemblies to be located on a single side of the circuit module, thereby greatly simplifying the configuration of the circuit module. In a battery system orating such a circuit module, this allows all circuitry components, (e.g. PCB circuit boards and the like carrying the switching assemblies) to be located on a single side of the terminal sets (e.g. a single side of the battery cell units once coupled to the circuit module). In this manner, the overall number of circuit components can be minimised and the arrangement or configuration of the t components can be simplified, thus reducing nce and losses in the overall battery system, and also reducing manufacturing time and costs. Moreover, the overall weight and size of the y system can be minimised. This can be advantageous particularly in applications where space and weight restrictions apply.
In one embodiment, in any ing state of the switching assemblies, at most one switch is closed in a current path between adjacent y cell units during ion of the circuit .
In one embodiment, when all of the battery cell units are connected to the circuit module, at most one switch is closed in a current path between adjacent battery cell units.
In one embodiment, in any switching state of the switching lies, the ratio of closed switches to battery cell units is less than one during operation of the circuit module.
In one embodiment, when all of the battery cell units are connected to the circuit module, the ratio of closed es to battery cell units is less than one.
Reducing the number of closed switches in the current path between active battery cell units advantageously reduces losses due to switching resistance, thereby ing the overall performance of the battery system.
Each switching assembly may include a first switch for connecting an associated battery cell unit, and a second switch for disconnecting the associated battery cell unit.
In a first embodiment, for the first set of terminals, the first switch of the associated switching ly is coupled to the ve terminal of the first set of terminals on one side, and the second switch on a second side; and the second switch of the associated switching assembly is coupled to the first switch on one side, and the positive al of the first set of terminals on a second side. In this embodiment, for the second set of terminals, the first switch of the associated switching assembly is coupled to the positive terminal of the second set of terminals on one side, and the second switch on a second side; and the second switch of the associated switching assembly is coupled to the first switch on one side, and the negative terminal of the second set of terminals on a second side.
The first and second set of terminals along with their ated switching lies may form one unit of the t module. The circuit module may include a plurality of units coupled together.
Any suitable switching devices may be used. In some embodiments, the ing assemblies may include one or more electromechanical re ays. The switching assemblies may include one or more transistors.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a y system including a circuit module as previously described, and a plurality of y cell units coupled to the circuit .
In one embodiment, the battery cell units are used battery cell units. In particular, the battery cell units may be used as batteries for hybrid-electric or pure electric vehicles.
In one application, the circuit module may be used for repurposing used vehicle batteries. In particular, used vehicle ies may be coupled in series in the circuit module to provide a battery system for electrical energy storage. The battery system may provide electrical energy storage for residential or commercial use.
The battery system may further include a battery mount configured to allow one or more battery cell units to be mounted for coupling to the circuit module, wherein all switching assemblies of the circuit module are located to one side of the battery mount.
The battery mount may be ured to allow the one or more battery cell units to be retrofitted to the battery system at any time during its operating life. This advantageously allows the battery cell units to be conveniently added, removed and/or replaced.
The battery system may further include a controller for controlling the switching assemblies of the circuit module. The controller may l the switching assemblies based on the charge and discharge behaviour of the battery cell units. More specifically, the controller may determine the charge and discharge behaviour of each battery cell unit based on the e, current and/or temperature of the y cell unit during charging and/or rging.
In one embodiment, the controller may compare a measured voltage, current and/or ature of a battery cell unit with predetermined voltage, current and/or temperature ranges and/or a measured voltage, current and/or ature of a second battery cell unit, ine the y cell units to connect and/or disconnect, and control the switching assemblies to connect or disconnect each battery cell unit.
Moreover, the controller may operate the switching assemblies at high frequency.
In some embodiments, the plurality of battery cell units can comprise a ation of individual battery cell units and blocks of parallel connected cells. In this specification, the terms "battery cell unit" or "cell unit" can refer to an individual battery cell or a block of cells connected in parallel, and similar reasoning applies to variations of those terms, such as plurals. It can also refer to a block of cells connected in parallel in which one or more circuit components such as fuses, resistors or inductors are connected in series and/or parallel with individual cells.
The y cell units can be any suitable energy e elements including for example, supercapacitors, and the like.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is a circuit module for coupling a plurality of battery cell units, the circuit module including a first submodule and a second submodule, each submodule including a first set of terminals having a positive terminal and a negative terminal for coupling to a first battery cell unit, and a second set of terminals having a positive terminal and a negative terminal for ng to a second battery cell unit, the positive terminal of the first set of terminals being coupled to the negative terminal of the second set of als either directly or via one or more passive components, and the negative terminal of the first set of als and the positive terminal of the second set of terminals each being coupled to a switching assembly, wherein the switching assemblies can be operatively configured to selectively connect or disconnect any one or more of the battery cell units, and wherein the switching assemblies are operatively configured to selectively allow operation in a first state in which the first battery cell unit of the first submodule and the second battery cell unit of the first submodule are electrically connected in series and the first battery cell unit of the second submodule is nected, operation in a second state in which the first battery cell unit of the first submodule and the first battery cell unit of the second submodule are ically connected in series and the second battery cell unit of the first submodule is disconnected, and operation in a third state in which the second battery cell unit of the first submodule and the first battery cell unit of the second submodule are electrically connected in series and the first battery cell unit of the first submodule is nected.
The switching assemblies may be operatively configured to selectively connect or nect any one or more of the battery cell units so as to vary a total voltage output from the plurality of battery cell units.
In this specification, the term "switch" refers to one or a plurality of circuit elements that can be controlled in a way that changes the path of current flow. In some embodiments, a switch comprises of one or a plurality of omechanical relays. In some other embodiments, a switch comprises of one or a plurality of transistors.
In order that the invention may be more y understood and put into practice, one or more preferred embodiments f will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a t diagram of a battery system ing to one embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of a battery system according to another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of a battery system ing to a further embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a housing of a battery system according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a battery pack of a battery system according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of controlling the switch assemblies of a battery system according to an embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment(s) A battery system 100 according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1. The y system 100 includes a circuit module 102 for coupling to a ity of battery cell units 104. For exemplary purpose, the battery system 100 includes six battery cell units 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, 104e, 104e, 104f. However, any suitable number of battery cell units 104 may be used in the battery system 100. The battery system 100 es battery pack terminals 101 and 103 for providing electrical energy to an external load or receiving electrical energy from an external supply (not shown).
The t module 102 includes six sets of als 106 - 116 for coupling with the battery cell units 104, each terminal set having a positive terminal 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a, 114a, 116a, and a corresponding negative terminal 106b, 108b, 110b, 112b, 114b, 116b. Each terminal set 106 – 116 is configured for ng to a y cell unit 104 (herein referred to as an associated battery cell unit 104). However, a person skilled in the art would understand that any number of terminals and battery cell units may be used in the battery system 100 or any of the battery s described herein without departing from the scope of the ion.
In the battery system 100, the components of circuit module 102 are arranged in such a way that a positive terminal of one set of terminals 106a, 110a, 114a is directly coupled to the negative al of an adjacent set of terminals 108b, 118b, 116b by a conductor 118a -118c.
The negative terminal 106b of a first set of terminals 106 is coupled to a switching assembly 120a. Switching assembly 120a includes a first switch 122 for connecting battery cell unit 104a to the circuit module 102 when , and a second switch 124 for disconnecting battery cell unit 104a when . More particularly, battery cell unit 104a is active or connected to the circuit module 102 when the first switch 122 is closed and the second switch 124 is open, and the battery cell unit 104a is inactive or disconnected from the circuit module 102 when the first switch 122 is open and the second switch 124 is closed.
Similarly, the positive terminal 108a of a second set of terminals 108 is coupled to a second switching assembly 120b. Switching ly 120b includes a first switch 126 for connecting battery cell unit 104b to the circuit module 102 when closed, and a second switch 128 for disconnecting battery cell unit 104b when closed. More particularly, battery cell unit 104b is connected to the circuit module 102 when the first switch 126 is closed and the second switch 128 is open, and the battery cell unit 104b is disconnected from the circuit module 102 when the first switch 126 is open and the second switch 128 is closed.
Accordingly, current flowing through battery cell unit 104a is controlled via the switches 122, 124. If switch 122 is closed and switch 124 is open, then any current flowing between pack terminals 101, 103 flows through switch 122 and battery cell unit 104a. If switch 122 is open and switch 124 is closed, then any current flowing between pack terminals 101, 103 passes through switch 124, but does not pass through battery cell unit 104a. Other battery cell units 104b – 104f are controlled in a similar n via their associated switch assemblies.
The circuit layout including the two sets of als 106, 108, and the associated switching assemblies 120a, 120b respectively forms a single circuit unit block 131a of the y system 100. The y system 100 includes a further two circuit unit blocks 131b, 131c which are arranged in the same manner as unit block 131a. The three circuit units 131a, 131b, 131c are coupled together to form the overall system 100. However, it is tood that the system 100 may include any suitable number of unit block 131 to meet energy storage requirements of the specific application at hand.
As described, the positive al 106a for battery cell unit 104a is directly connected to the ve terminal 108b for battery cell unit 104b. Arranging the circuit in this way allows switches 122, 124, 126, 128 to be d in close physical vicinity on one side of the battery cell units 104a, 104b without the need to extend the length of the current path length between battery cell units 104 and the es 122, 124, 126, 128. This advantageously results in d manufacturing costs, decreases space requirements, and avoids additional resistance, and thus energy losses caused by increased current path length.
However, in the battery system 100, to connect the positive terminal 106a for battery cell unit 104a to the negative terminal 112b of 104d through y cell units 104b and 104c, the current passes through two switches 126, 130. In this ment, if all six battery cell units 104a – 104f are to carry current, then the current also must pass through switches 122, 126, 130, 134, 138 and 142. This corresponds to current passing through one switch per cell unit, each of which has an on resistance and associated energy loss.
The battery system 200 as shown in Figure 2 further reduces the battery system on resistance and associated energy losses when all battery cell units 204 are ted to the t module 202 by reducing the total number of closed switches in the current path in this switching state as further ned below.
The battery system 200 includes circuit module 202 configured to receive six battery cell units 204a – 204f coupled thereto. However, any suitable number of battery cell units 204 may be used in the battery system 200. The battery system 100 includes battery pack terminals 201 and 203 for providing electrical energy to an external load or receiving ical energy from an external supply (not shown).
The circuit module 202 includes six sets of terminals 206 - 216 for coupling with the battery cell units 204, each terminal set having a positive terminal 206a, 208a, 210a, 212a, 214a, 216a, and a corresponding negative terminal 206b, 208b, 210b, 212b, 214b, 216b. Each terminal set 206 – 216 is configured for coupling to a battery cell unit 204.
In the battery system 200, the components of circuit module 202 are also arranged in such a way that a positive terminal of one set of terminals 206a, 210a, 214a is directly coupled to the negative terminal of an adjacent set of terminals 208b, 212b, 216b by a conductor 218a - 218c.
The ve terminal 206b of a first set of terminals 206 is coupled to a switching assembly 220a. Switching ly 220a includes a first switch 222 for connecting battery cell unit 204a to the circuit module 202 when closed, and a second switch 224 for disconnecting battery cell unit 204a when closed. More particularly, battery cell unit 204a is connected to the circuit module 202 when the first switch 222 is closed and the second switch 224 is open, and the battery cell unit 204a is disconnected from the circuit module 202 when the first switch 222 is open and the second switch 224 is . The circuit layout including the set of terminals 206a, 206b and the switching assembly 220a forms a first end circuit unit block 231a.
Similarly, on an opposite end of the circuit module 202, the positive al 216a of terminal set 216 is coupled to switching assembly 220b. In a similar manner to switching assembly 220a, switching assembly 220b es a first switch 242 for ting battery cell unit 204f to the circuit module 202 when closed, and a second switch 244 for disconnecting battery cell unit 204f when closed. The circuit layout including the set of als 216a, 216b and the switching assembly 220b forms a second end circuit unit block 231d.
Two further circuit unit blocks 231b, 231c are coupled n the end unit blocks 231a, 231d. For unit block 231b, the positive terminal 208a for battery cell unit 204b and the negative terminal 210b for battery cell unit 204c is coupled to a switching assembly comprising switches 226, 228, 230, 232. In particular, the positive terminal 208a for cell unit 204b is ted to one side of switches 226 and 228; the negative terminal 208b is connected to one side of switches 230 and 232; the negative terminal 210b for cell 204c is connected to the other side of switches 226 and 230; and the positive terminal 210a is connected to the other side of switches 228 and 232, Battery cell units 204b and 204c can be each connected and/or disconnected according to the ing states for switches 226 – 232 as shown in the table below.
Cell unit 204b Cell unit 204c Switch 226 Switch Switch Switch 228 230 232 Connected/Active Connected/Active Closed Open Open Open Connected/Active Disconnected/Inactive Open Closed Open Open Disconnected/Inactive Disconnected/Active Open Open Closed Open Disconnected/Inactive Disconnected/Inactive Open Open Open Closed Battery cell units 204b and 204c are both connected to the t module 202 when switch 226 is closed and switches 228, 230 and 232 are open; cell unit 204b is connected to and cell unit 204c is disconnected from the circuit module 202 when switch 228 is closed and switches 226, 230 and 232 are open; cell unit 204b is disconnected from and cell unit 204c is connected to the t module 202 when switch 230 is closed and switches 226, 228 and 232 are open; and cell units 204b and 204c are both disconnected from the circuit module 202 when switch 232 is closed and switches 226, 228 and 230 are open. Circuit unit block 231c operates in the same manner as circuit unit blocks 231b.
To reduce the total number of cell units 204 in battery system 200, one or more ediate circuit unit blocks 231b, 231c can be removed or added to the t between end unit blocks 231a, 231b.
In y system 200, the switches 222 - 244 are arranged in such a way that for at least one switching state, a battery cell unit 204 can be coupled to an adjacent battery cell unit 204 with at most one closed switch in the current path connecting the two adjacent battery cell units 204. In addition, the system 200 allows a battery cell unit to be d to an adjacent or non-adjacent cell unit 204 with at most one closed switch in the current path. For example, battery cell unit 204a can be coupled to adjacent battery cell unit 204b via conductor 218a and no switches; battery cell unit 204a can be coupled directly to non-adjacent battery cell unit 204c via conductors and a single closed switch 230; y cell unit 204a can be coupled directly to non-adjacent battery cell unit 204d via conductors and a single closed switch 232. This configuration of circuit components ageously reduces the total number of switches in the current path during operation to thereby reduce the ohmic energy losses due to on resistance of switches, and increasing the energy efficiency of the overall battery system 200.
Accordingly, to connect the positive terminal 206a for battery cell unit 204a to the negative terminal 212b of battery cell unit 204d, whilst connecting intermediate battery cell units 204b and 204c, the t only needs to pass through a single switch 226. In this battery system 200, when all six battery cell units 204a – 204f are to carry current, only four switches 222, 226, 234 and 242 are closed and all other switches are open. In this switching state, as the current only flows through four switches 222, 226, 234 and 242, a switch to active battery cell unit ratio of less than one is achieved. y system 200 therefore decreases switch associated energy loss.
Similar to Figure 1, the system 200 of Figure 2 can also a ity of switches to be located in close vicinity to one another and on a single side of the battery cell units 204, which in practice can decrease both manufacturing cost and space constraints.
A battery system 300, portions of which can be repeated to form a larger battery system (not shown) is provided in Figure 3. The battery system 300 includes circuit module 302 configured to receive four battery cell units 304a – 304d coupled thereto.
The circuit module 302 includes four sets of terminals 306 - 312 for coupling with the battery cell units 304, each terminal set having a positive terminal 306a, 308a, 310a, 312a and a corresponding negative terminal 306b, 308b, 310b, 312b. Each al set 306 – 312 is ured for coupling to a battery cell unit 304.
In the battery system 300, the components of circuit module 302 are also arranged in such a way that a positive terminal of one set 308a, 312a is directly coupled to the negative terminal of an adjacent set of terminals 306b, 310b by a conductor 318a, 318b.
The positive al 306a of a first set of als 306 is d to a switching ly comprising switches 322, 326. Battery cell unit 304a is connected to the circuit module 302 when switch 322 is closed and switch 324 is open, and the battery cell unit 304a is disconnected from the circuit module 302 when switch 322 is open and the second switch 324 is closed.
Similarly, the negative terminal 308b of a second set of terminals 308 is d to a second switching assembly comprising switches 328, 330. Battery cell unit 304b is connected to the t module 302 when switch 330 is closed and switch 328 is open, and battery cell unit 304b is nected from the circuit module 302 when switch 330 is open and the second switch 328 is closed. The switching assemblies associated with terminals 310 and 312 operate in a similar manner.
Accordingly, battery system 300 operates in a similar manner to battery system 100 of Figure 1. Additional switch 326 is closed in the ing sequence that require both switches 324, 328 to be closed. Using a single switch 326 rather than two switches 324, 328 reduces losses created by switch resistance. Switches 321, 333, 338 serve a similar function to switch 326.
In system 300, when all cell units 304a – 304d are ted into the current path, the current only flows two switches 321, 333. In this switching state, current passes through less than one switch per active battery cell unit 304, which also results in a switch to active battery cell unit ratio of less than one.
A battery pack housing 400 for a battery system is shown in Figure 4. The housing 400 provides a battery mount 402 mounting and dismounting individual y cell units 104, 204, 304 for coupling to the circuit module 102, 202, 302. In particular, the battery mount 402 includes a plurality of enclosures 404, each enclosure being configured for receiving a battery cell unit 104, 204, 304 therein. The battery mount 402 allows the y cell units 104, 204, 304 to be easily removable and eable.
The housing 400 includes a door 406 which includes conductors for coupling the battery cell units 104, 204, 304 to the circuit module 102, 202, 302. When the door 406 is open, for example for nance, the battery cell units 104, 204, 304 inside the housing 400 are disconnected. In a battery system comprising a number of battery packs each including a housing 400, the battery cell units 104, 204, 304 in any one of the housings 400 can be ined via door 406 without ing the operation of adjacent y packs each having a separate housing 400.
Moreover, integrated circuit boards containing the switching assemblies are located on a single side 408 of the battery pack housing 400 for compactness, reduced losses due to conductor resistance, and manufacturing costs.
An alternative battery pack 500 of a battery system is shown in Figure 5. The battery pack 500 has a battery mount 502 similar to that shown in Figure 4. However, the battery pack 500 housing provides each battery cell unit with its own dual connection interface 504 so that each individual battery cell unit 104, 204, 304 can be removed, replaced/maintained without disruption to the operation of the other connected battery cell units 104, 204, 304 in the battery pack 500.
A controller including a g circuit is provided to determine the appropriate switching sequence of the switching assemblies described above. In some embodiments, the controller is a centralised ller to lly control all switching assemblies. In other embodiments, the controller can include one or more decentralised controllers, each decentralised controller controlling a subset of the switching assemblies.
Now turning to Figure 6, a method 600 of controlling the switching assemblies is described.
At step 602, the charging and discharging capacity of each battery cell unit 104, 204, 304 is determined based on ements of the battery voltage and/or battery current, thresholds for voltage and/or current, and/or historical battery measurement data.
At step 604, the ller ranks the capacity of each battery cell unit 104, 204, 304 from highest to lowest or vice versa, and ines a threshold capacity by halving the sum of the capacity for the cell unit with the highest capacity and the cell unit with the lowest capacity.
At query step 606, the ller determines r the charging and discharging ty of a given battery cell unit 104, 204, 304 is above or below the old determined in step 604. If the capacity of a particular battery cell unit 104, 204, 304 is above the old, the method 600 proceeds to step 608, and if not, the method 600 proceeds to step 610.
At step 608, the particular battery cell unit is made active or connected to the circuit module by opening and closing the appropriate switches in the associated switching assembly.
At step 610, the particular battery cell unit is made inactive or disconnected from the circuit module by opening and closing the appropriate switches in the associated ing assembly.
The method 100 is repeated until the battery cell units 104, 204, 304 which are connected to the respective circuit module 100, 200, 300 are fully charged or discharged.
In some embodiments, two or more threshold capacities can be determined and used based on the application requirements. For example, a lower threshold (calculated by multiplying the sum of the capacity for the cell unit with the highest capacity and the cell unit with the lowest capacity by 1/3) and an upper thresh hold (calculated by multiplying the sum of the capacity for the cell unit with the highest capacity and the cell unit with the lowest capacity by 2/3); and activating the battery cell units having a capacity below the lower threshold a third of the time, activating the battery cell units having a capacity above the lower threshold and below the upper threshold two thirds of the time, and activating the battery cell units having a capacity above the upper threshold on full time. This method can similarly be modified to have three or more olds, for example for battery packs having a larger number of battery cell units.
In some embodiments, the controller may monitor each battery cell unit 104, 204, 304 based on maintenance requirements to optimise battery system performance.
This optimisation takes into account inputs regarding the y cell unit behaviour, which can include t and/or past measurements of one or more es, currents, and/or temperatures, current and/or past computations of cell unit state of charge and/or state of health. It can also take into account inputs regarding battery maintenance requirements, which can include ial costs associated with battery maintenance, a schedule of when battery maintenance is next operationally feasible or advantageous.
In one io in which the next maintenance opportunity is some time away, this optimisation may reduce the utilisation and therefore the ageing of lower performing battery cell units to prolong their life until the next maintenance opportunity.
In a ent scenario in which the next maintenance is ing, this sation may increase the utilisation of weaker battery cell units in order to se their utilisation before they get replaced as part of the maintenance.
In another embodiment, the controller carries out automated identification of battery cell unit characteristics. When using battery cell units with variations in performance, there is often value in fying characteristics in order to provide inputs for battery cell unit usage optimisation. Existing state of the art methods require manual entering of battery data where battery cell units are labelled. This can be a time intense and/or error prone exercise. In one embodiment, automatic identification can be done by monitoring one or more battery cell units’ charge and discharge behaviour including but not limited to measurements of voltage, t, and/or temperature. The system may then compare the observed behaviour to a database of information on cell unit types and/or chemistries. This database may provide characteristics that can include but are not limited to the battery chemistry, which may be linked to upper and/or lower voltage limits, current limits, temperature limits and/or ageing impacts of ic utilisation factors. retation This specification, ing the claims, is intended to be reted as follows: Embodiments or examples described in the specification are ed to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will y occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the exact construction and operation described or illustrated, but only by the following claims.
The mere disclosure of a method step or product element in the specification should not be construed as being essential to the invention claimed herein, except where it is either expressly stated to be so or expressly recited in a claim.
The terms in the claims have the broadest scope of meaning they would have been given by a person of ordinary skill in the art as of the relevant date.
The terms "a" and "an" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.
Neither the title nor the abstract of the present application is to be taken as limiting in any way as the scope of the claimed invention.
Where the preamble of a claim recites a purpose, benefit or le use of the d invention, it does not limit the d invention to having only that e, benefit or le use.
In the specification, including the claims, the term “comprise”, and variants of that term such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are used to mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise, or unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required.
The disclosure of any document referred to herein is incorporated by reference into this patent application as part of the present disclosure, but only for purposes of written description and enablement and should in no way be used to limit, define, or otherwise construe any term of the present application where the present application, t such incorporation by reference, would not have failed to provide an ascertainable meaning. Any incorporation by reference does not, in and of itself, constitute any ement or ratification of any statement, opinion or argument contained in any incorporated document.
Reference to any background art or prior art in this specification is not an admission such ound art or prior art constitutes common general knowledge in the relevant field or is otherwise admissible prior art in relation to the validity of the claims.

Claims (18)

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
1. A circuit module for coupling a plurality of battery cell units, the circuit module including 5 a first set of terminals having a positive terminal and a ve terminal for coupling to a first battery cell unit, a second set of terminals having a positive terminal and a negative terminal for coupling to a second battery cell unit, a third set of terminals having a ve terminal and a negative terminal for 10 coupling to a third battery cell unit, and a fourth set of terminals having a positive terminal and a negative terminal for coupling to a fourth battery cell unit, the positive terminal of the first set of terminals being coupled to the negative terminal of the second set of als either directly or via one or more passive 15 components, the positive terminal of the third set of terminals being coupled to the negative terminal of the fourth set of terminals either ly or via one or more passive components, the negative terminal of the first set of terminals, the positive terminal of the 20 second set of terminals, at least one of the terminals of the third set of terminals and at least one of the terminals of the fourth set of terminals each being coupled to a switching ly, and wherein the switching assemblies are operatively ured to ively connect or nect each one of the battery cell units, each switching assembly 25 including one or more switching devices, each switching device operable in a conductive state and a non-conductive state, wherein the switching assemblies are operatively configured to selectively allow ing in a plurality of states in which any two or more battery cell units are connected in series, each state including a charging cycle and a discharging cycle of the 30 battery cell units connected in series, the plurality of states including a first state in which the first battery cell unit and the second battery cell unit are electrically connected in series and the third y cell unit is disconnected, a second state in which the first battery cell unit and the third battery cell unit are electrically connected in series and the second battery cell unit is disconnected, a third state in which the second battery cell unit and the third battery 5 cell unit are electrically connected in series and the first battery cell unit is disconnected, a fourth state in which the first battery cell unit, the second battery cell unit and the fourth battery cell unit are electrically connected in series and the third battery cell unit is disconnected, and 10 a fifth state in which the first battery cell unit, the second battery cell unit, the third battery cell unit and the fourth battery cell unit are electrically connected in series, and wherein the first battery cell unit, the second battery cell unit, the third battery cell unit and the fourth battery cell unit are adjacently positioned to one 15 another such that the fifth state is achieved via a connection path having a minimum number of conducting switching devices within the circuit module, wherein when the second battery cell unit and the third battery cell unit are ted in , a series tion path between the second battery cell 20 unit and the third battery cell unit includes a maximum of two switching devices operating in the conductive state.
2. The circuit module of claim 1, wherein the circuit module allows a battery cell unit to be connected to an nt y cell unit with at most one ting 25 ing device in a t path therebetween.
3. The t module according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the circuit module allows a battery cell unit to be connected to a non-adjacent battery cell unit with at most one conducting switching device in a current path therebetween.
4. A circuit module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in any switching state of the switching assemblies, the ratio of conductive switching devices to battery cell units is less than one during operation of the circuit module.
5. A circuit module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each switching assembly includes a first ing device for connecting an associated battery cell unit, and a second switching device for disconnecting the associated battery cell unit.
6. A circuit module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switching assemblies include one or more omechanical relays.
7. A circuit module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 10 switching assemblies includes one or more transistors.
8. A circuit module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switching assemblies can be operatively configured to selectively connect any one or more y cell units to the circuit module without ng the polarity of the 15 connected y cell units.
9. A y system including one or more t modules according to any one of the preceding claims, and a plurality of battery cell units coupled to the circuit module.
10. The battery system of claim 9, wherein the battery cell units are used battery cell units.
11. The battery system of claim 9 or 10, wherein the y cell units are used 25 vehicle batteries.
12. A battery system according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further including a battery mount configured to allow one or more battery cell units to be mounted for coupling to the circuit module, n all switching assemblies of the circuit module 30 are located to one side of the battery mount.
13. The battery system of claim 12, wherein the battery mount is configured to allow the one or more battery cell units to be retrofitted to the battery system at any time during its operating life.
14. A battery system according to any one of claims 9 to 13, further including a controller for controlling the ing assemblies of the circuit module. 5
15. The battery system of claim 14, wherein the controller controls the switching assemblies based on the charge and discharge behaviour of the y cell units.
16. The battery system of claim 15, wherein the controller determines the charge and discharge behaviour of each battery cell unit based on the voltage, current and/or 10 ature of the battery cell unit during charging and/or discharging.
17. The battery system of claim 16, wherein the controller compares a measured voltage, t and/or temperature of the battery cell unit with predetermined voltage, current and/or temperature , 15 determines the battery cell units to connect and/or disconnect, and controls the switching assemblies to connect or disconnect each y cell unit.
18. A circuit module ing to any one of claims 1 to 8, or a battery system according to any one of claims 9 to 17, wherein the switching assemblies can be 20 operatively configured to selectively connect or disconnect any one or more of the battery cell units so as to vary a total voltage output from the plurality of battery cell units.
NZ740981A 2015-09-30 2016-09-29 Battery system NZ740981B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2015903990A AU2015903990A0 (en) 2015-09-30 Battery management system and method
AU2015903990 2015-09-30
PCT/AU2016/050917 WO2017054049A1 (en) 2015-09-30 2016-09-29 Battery system

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NZ740981A NZ740981A (en) 2020-09-25
NZ740981B2 true NZ740981B2 (en) 2021-01-06

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