IP Library Granted Patent US 9,157,967
Granted Patent B2
US 9,157,967 · App. 13/578,530 · Granted Oct 13, 2015

System and method for assessing voltage threshold detecting circuitry within a battery pack

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,157,967
App. No.
13/578,530
Granted
Oct 13, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for assessing voltage threshold detection circuitry of individual battery cells within a battery pack supplying power to a vehicle are disclosed. One example system comprises, a plurality of battery cells within a battery pack, a plurality of voltage threshold detecting circuits detecting voltage of the plurality of battery cells, a voltage of a first battery cell of the plurality of battery cells coupled to a first voltage threshold detecting circuit of the plurality of voltage threshold detecting circuits, and a network that selectively couples a second battery cell to the first voltage detecting circuit while the first battery cell is coupled to the first voltage detecting circuit.

Claims (8)

1. A method for assessing a voltage threshold detecting circuit for a battery cell of a battery pack supplying power to propel a vehicle, comprising:

coupling a first battery cell to a voltage threshold detecting circuit; and

selectively coupling a second battery cell to said voltage threshold detecting circuit, said second battery cell in a battery cell stack, said battery cell stack including said first battery cell, wherein said second battery cell is coupled to said voltage threshold detecting circuit via an output of a microcontroller, and wherein said second battery cell is coupled to said voltage threshold detecting circuit in response to a diagnostic routine.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said second battery cell is coupled to said voltage threshold detecting circuit when said battery pack is transitioned from a sleep mode to an operating mode.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said second battery cell is coupled to said voltage threshold detecting circuit by a network comprised of resistors and switches.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said switches are bipolar junction transistors.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein said switches are field effect transistors.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said second battery cell is adjacent to said first battery cell in the battery cell stack.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 18, 2013
From: A123 SYSTEMS, INC.
To: WANXIANG CLEAN ENERGY USA ACQUISITION LLC
Reel/Frame 030639/0213 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 18, 2013
From: WANXIANG CLEAN ENERGY USA ACQUISITION LLC
To: A123 SYSTEMS LLC
Reel/Frame 030639/0244 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 17, 2012
From: FIREHAMMER, PAUL W.; FLOROS, JOHN H.
To: A123 SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 028808/0356 →