Modular electronically reconfigurable battery system
An electronically reconfigurable battery includes a number of battery modules selectively interconnected by a number of electronic switches, wherein a selectable number of battery modules may be connected either in a series configuration or in a parallel configuration, as a result of placing selected switches of said plurality of switches in open states or closed states. In a parallel configuration, the battery provides power to a primary load, such as a propulsion load for a vehicle. In a series configuration, the battery is configured to provide a high voltage and high power output to a short-term and/or pulsed load, such as an additional load provided on the vehicle. Current from the battery is limited in one of three ways: a) by the batteries themselves; b) a current limiting device or system in series with the total erected battery; or c) a single level power converter or current limiter that is used to erect and charge the capacitor bank in a sequential one level at a time manner until the battery is fully erected and the capacitor is fully charged.
1. An electronically reconfigurable battery, comprising:
a first plurality of battery modules;
a plurality of switches interconnecting said plurality of battery modules, wherein a number of said plurality of battery modules are connectable either in a series configuration or in a parallel configuration; and
an output switch connecting a first output terminal of said battery to a first load;
wherein each of said plurality of battery modules is associated with at least three of said plurality of switches, one of which connects said battery module in series with an adjacent battery module when closed, and the other two of which connect said battery module in parallel with the adjacent battery module when closed, such that when said one switch is closed, said other two switches are open, and when said switch is open, said other two switches are closed.
2. An electronically reconfigurable battery as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a second plurality of battery modules, each of said second plurality of battery modules being connected in parallel with each other, said first plurality of battery modules being selectively connected to said second plurality of battery modules through at least two of said plurality of switches.
3. An electronically reconfigurable battery as set forth in claim 2 , wherein said second plurality of battery modules are connected to a second load at a second output terminal of said battery.
4. An electronically reconfigurable battery as set forth in claim 3 , wherein said second load comprises a motor for propelling a vehicle or vessel.
5. An electronically reconfigurable battery as set forth in claim 4 , wherein said first load comprises an electromagnetic armor system.
6. An electronically reconfigurable battery as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of switches comprises a plurality of IGBT switches.
7. An electronically reconfigurable battery as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of switches comprises a plurality of MOSFET switches.
8. An electronically reconfigurable battery as set forth in claim 6 , wherein said plurality of IGBT switches are opto-isolated switches.
9. An electronically reconfigurable battery as set forth in claim 7 , wherein said plurality of MOSFET switches are opto-isolated switches.
10. A hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:
a prime mover for providing a primary source of propulsion energy to a vehicle load;
an electronically reconfigurable battery for providing a secondary source of propulsion energy to said vehicle load, and for providing a source of energy for a short-term and/or pulsed load provided on said vehicle, said electronically reconfigurable battery comprising:
a first plurality of battery modules;
a plurality of switches selectively interconnecting said plurality of battery modules, wherein a selectable number of said plurality of battery modules are capable of being connected either in a series configuration or in a parallel configuration, as a result of placing selected switches of said plurality of switches in open states or closed states;
an output switch connecting a first output terminal of said battery to said short-term and/or pulsed load; and
a second output terminal of said battery being connected to said vehicle load;
wherein each of said plurality of battery modules is associated with at least three of said plurality of switches, one of which connects said battery module in series with an adjacent battery module when closed, and the other two of which connect said battery module in parallel with the adjacent battery module when closed, such that when said one switch is closed, said other two switches are open, and when said switch is open, said other two switches are closed.
11. A hybrid electric vehicle as set forth in claim 10 , further comprising a second plurality of battery modules, each of said second plurality of battery modules being connected in parallel with each other, said first plurality of battery modules being selectively connected to said second plurality of battery modules through at least two of said plurality of switches.
12. A hybrid electric vehicle as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said vehicle load comprises a motor for propelling said vehicle.
13. A hybrid electric vehicle as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said short-term and/or pulsed load comprises an electromagnetic armor system for said vehicle.
14. A hybrid electric vehicle as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said plurality of switches comprises a plurality of IGBT switches.
15. A hybrid electric vehicle as set forth in claim 10 , wherein said plurality of switches comprises a plurality of MOSFET switches.
16. A hybrid electric vehicle as set forth in claim 14 , wherein said plurality of IGBT switches are opto-isolated switches.
17. A hybrid electric vehicle as set forth in claim 15 , wherein said plurality of MOSFET switches are opto-isolated switches.
18. An electronically reconfigurable battery comprising:
a first battery module including positive and negative terminals;
a second battery module including positive and negative terminals, wherein the second battery module is adjacent to the first battery module;
an output switch, wherein the positive terminal of the first battery module is connected to the output switch;
a first switch connecting the negative terminal of the first battery module with the positive terminal of the second battery module when closed;
a second switch connecting the positive terminal of the second battery module with the positive terminal of the first battery module when closed; and
a third switch connecting the negative terminal of the first battery module with the negative terminal of the second battery module when closed.
19. The electronically reconfigurable battery of claim 18 , further comprising:
a third battery module including positive and negative terminals;
a fourth switch connecting the negative terminal of the second battery module with the positive terminal of the third battery module when closed;
a fifth switch connecting the positive terminal of the third battery module with the positive terminal of the second battery module when closed; and
a sixth switch connecting the negative terminal of the second battery module with the negative terminal of the third battery module when closed.
20. A system comprising:
electronically reconfigurable battery comprising:
a first battery module including positive and negative terminals;
a second battery module including positive and negative terminals, wherein the second battery module is adjacent to the first battery module;
an output switch, wherein the positive terminal of the first battery module is connected to the output switch;
a first switch connecting the negative terminal of the first battery module with the positive terminal of the second battery module when closed;
a second switch connecting the positive terminal of the second battery module with the positive terminal of the first battery module when closed; and
a third switch connecting the negative terminal of the first battery module with the negative terminal of the second battery module when closed; and
power electronic circuitry configured to connect the first and second battery modules in either (a) a series configuration by closing the first switch and opening the second and third switches or (b) in a parallel configuration by opening the first switch and closing the second and third switches.
21. The system of claim 20 , wherein:
(i) the electronically reconfigurable battery further comprises:
a third battery module including positive and negative terminals;
a fourth switch connecting the negative terminal of the second battery module with the positive terminal of the third battery module when closed;
a fifth switch connecting the positive terminal of the third battery module with the positive terminal of the second battery module when closed; and
a sixth switch connecting the negative terminal of the second battery module with the negative terminal of the third battery module when closed; and
(ii) the power electronic circuitry is configured to connect the first, second, and third battery modules in either (a) a series configuration by closing the first and fourth switches and opening the second, third, fifth, and sixth switches or (b) in a parallel configuration by closing the first and fourth switches and closing the second, third, fifth, and sixth switches.