Battery Banks, Connector Assemblies, and Battery Connecting Methods
Methods for controlling the usage of individual and/or groups of batteries within a bank of batteries are provided. Methods for connecting batteries are also provided. Battery connector boards are provided. Battery banks are also provided. Battery connector assemblies are provided.
1 . A battery connector assembly comprising a plurality of post coupling assemblies comprising a plurality of post clamping assemblies linked by individual rod assemblies, each of the rod assemblies including an actuator configured to couple/decouple the post clamping assemblies from battery posts.
2 . The battery connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the post clamping assemblies are biased in the decoupled position.
3 . The battery connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the rod assembly comprises a continuous rod extending from the actuator through the clamping assemblies to a terminus.
4 . The battery connector assembly of claim 3 wherein the rod assembly further comprises a plurality of sleeves spacing the clamping assemblies along rod.
5 . The battery connector assembly of claim 4 wherein individual ones of the plurality of sleeves are either conductive or insulative.
6 . The battery connector assembly of claim 3 wherein the rod assembly includes a sleeve configured to receive the terminus of the rod, the terminus of the rod being threaded and the sleeve being configured to receive the threads.
7 . The battery connector assembly of claim 1 further comprising a plate associated with at least some of the post coupling assemblies.
8 . The battery connector assembly of claim 7 wherein the plate is in electrical contact with at least one of the post clamping assemblies.
9 . The battery connector assembly of claim 7 wherein the plate comprises at least two plates, a supportive plate and a circuit board.
10 . The battery connector assembly of claim 7 wherein the plate is configured to facilitate the control and/or monitoring of one or more batteries connected to the post clamping assemblies.
11 . The battery connector assembly of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the rod assembly is insulative.
12 . A method for connecting batteries comprising:
aligning a series of clamping assemblies along a rod configured to actuate the clamping assemblies between coupled and decoupled positions;
providing a plurality of batteries, the batteries having posts; and
coupling individuals ones of the clamping assemblies to individuals ones of the battery posts to connect individual batteries.
13 . The method of claim 12 further comprising engaging an actuator to couple or decouple the clamping assemblies from the battery posts.
14 . The method of claim 13 wherein the clamping assemblies are biased in the decoupled position, the engaging the actuator to couple the clamping assemblies to the battery posts comprising applying force against the bias.
15 . The method of claim 14 wherein the applying force against the bias comprises rotating the rod of the assembly along its lengthwise axis.
16 . The method of claim 12 wherein the coupling of the plurality of batteries comprises manipulating a single actuator.
17 . The method of claim 12 further comprising associating a plate with the clamping assemblies, at least a portion of the plate being in electrical connection with at least some of the clamping assemblies.
18 . The method of claim 12 further comprising providing a plurality of connector assemblies, individual ones of the connector assemblies comprising the plurality of clamping assemblies aligned along the rod.
19 . The method of claim 18 further comprising providing the plurality of batteries in columns of batteries, individual ones of the connector assemblies being associated with individual columns of batteries.
20 . The method of claim 19 further comprising associating a plate with the clamping assemblies, at least a portion of the plate being in electrical connection with at least some of the clamping assemblies, the plate being configured to provide for the monitoring and/or control of battery parameters of individual batteries within and across columns.
21 . A battery connector board comprising at least one plate defining multiple openings configured to receive and electrically connect to a plurality of batteries, the plate including integrated circuitry configured to monitor and control individual and/or groups of batteries electrically coupled to the plate.
22 . The board of claim 21 further comprising vents configured to provide for the exchange of air between upper and lower surfaces of the plate.
23 . The board of claim 21 wherein the integrated circuitry includes one or more of jumpers, switches, shunts, and/or embedded fusing.
24 . The board of claim 21 wherein one or more of the multiple openings is configured to conductively engage one or more posts of the plurality of batteries.
25 . The board of claim 24 wherein the posts are threaded and coupled to the plate via complimentary threaded nut.
26 . The board of claim 21 comprising at least two plates, an integrated circuit plate above a supportive plate.
27 . The board of claim 21 wherein the plate is patterned as a circuit board array.
28 . The board of claim 21 further comprising processing and memory circuitry.
29 . The board of claim 28 wherein the processing and memory circuitry is configured to monitor battery parameters and/or reconfigure battery connections to the board.
30 . The board of claim 29 wherein the battery parameters include one or more of temperature, thermal conductivity, voltage, current, and/or impedence.
31 . The board of claim 21 further comprising bus connectors.
32 . The board of claim 21 further comprising PIN connectors.
33 . The board of claim 21 further comprising a plurality of switches, individual ones of the switches having a unique identifier.
34 . A method for controlling the usage of individual and/or groups of batteries within a bank of batteries, the method comprising:
coupling a integrated circuit board to the batteries within the bank of batteries;
monitoring the battery parameters of individual and/or groups of batteries within a bank of batteries; and
engaging and/or disengaging the individual and/or groups of batteries through the circuit board.
35 . The method of claim 34 wherein the coupling the integrated circuit board to the batteries comprises mechanically engaging individual posts of the batteries with individual openings within the circuit board.
36 . The method of claim 34 further comprising providing conductive material along the edges of the board defining the openings.
37 . The method of claim 34 wherein the monitoring the battery parameters comprises monitoring one or more of the temperature, thermal conductivity, voltage, current, and/or impedence associated with batteries.
38 . The method of claim 34 wherein the monitoring the battery parameters comprise storing the battery parameter data with memory circuitry.
39 . The method of claim 34 wherein the monitoring the battery parameters comprises comparing stored battery parameter data with standard battery parameter data using processing circuitry.
40 . The method of claim 34 further comprising processing battery parameter data using processing circuitry to engage and/or disengage the individual and/or groups of batteries.
41 . The method of claim 34 further comprising transferring power between portions of the board.
42 . The method of claim 40 wherein the transferring comprises open/closing individual or groups of switches in the board.
43 . A battery bank comprising:
a plurality of batteries, at least a portion of which are aligned in columns; and
at least one battery connector assembly coupled to a column of batteries.
44 . The battery bank of claim 43 further comprising a tray.
45 . The battery bank of claim 44 wherein the tray is configured to align the batteries within the column.
46 . The battery bank of claim 44 further comprising batteries aligned in rows, the tray configured to align the batteries in columns and rows.
47 . The battery bank of claim 44 wherein the tray is configured to retain battery fluid.
48 . The battery bank of claim 43 wherein the batteries in the columns are serially connected.
49 . The battery bank of claim 43 wherein the batteries in the columns are connected in parallel.
50 . The battery bank of claim 43 wherein the battery connector assembly comprises a clamping assembly and a rod assembly.
51 . The battery bank of claim 43 wherein the battery connector assembly comprises an integrated circuit board.