Methods and systems for managing bi-directional converter based battery modules

1. A bi-directional converter based battery module control method for a vehicle electrical system, the method comprising:

monitoring a plurality of Smart Charging Modules (SCMs) to establish communication with each of the plurality of SCMs;

monitoring a load from the vehicle electrical system;

determining an operational mode for each of the plurality of SCMs;

determining a synchronization pattern for the plurality of SCMs based on the load and the operational mode; and

one of more of the plurality of SCMs directing power to the load based on the synchronization pattern,

wherein the synchronization pattern is a pattern for phasing current draws such that a current draw for each of the plurality of SCMs do not overlap.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein monitoring a plurality of Smart Charging Modules (SCMs) to establish communication with each of the plurality of SCMs includes

determining a topology of the plurality of SCMs,

wherein determining the synchronization pattern for the plurality of SCMs includes:

determining a plurality of timeslots that corresponds to the plurality of SCMs;

assigning each of the plurality of timeslots to each of the plurality of SCMs based on the topology and the load; and

periodically communicating with each of the plurality of SCMs the assignment of the timeslots.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the synchronization pattern for the plurality of SCMs includes assigning a sequence number to each of the plurality of SCMs to control a start sequence of the plurality of SCMs.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the synchronization pattern for the plurality of SCMs includes:

determining a state of charge for each of the plurality of SCMs;

determining a pulse width value for each of the plurality of SCMs based on the state of charge;

determining a plurality of timeslots based on the pulse width value for each of the plurality of SCMs; and

assigning each of the plurality of SCMs a timeslot of the plurality of timeslots.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

a current sensor sensing a current on a system bus of the vehicle electrical system; and

a controller monitoring the current sensed by the current sensor; and

the controller determining a load change based on the monitored current and when the controller determines a load change:

the controller determining a new synchronization pattern for the plurality of SCMs; and

the plurality of SCMs directing power to the load based on the new synchronization pattern.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining a load change based on a change in the operational mode,

wherein the operational mode includes a charging mode and a discharging mode, the charging mode includes a bulk charging mode, an absorption charging mode, and a float charging mode.

7. A bi-directional converter based battery module control system for a vehicle electrical system, the bi-directional converter based battery module control system comprising:

at least one load;

a plurality of Smart Charging Modules (SCMs); and

a controller configured to:

monitor the plurality of SCMs:

monitor the at least one load from the vehicle electrical system;

determine an operational mode for each of the plurality of SCMs; and

determine a synchronization pattern for the plurality of SCMs based on the load and the operational mode,

wherein one of more of the plurality of SCMs is configured to direct power to the at least one load based on the synchronization pattern,

wherein the synchronization pattern is a pattern for phasing current draws such that a current draw for each of the plurality of SCMs do not overlap.

8. The bi-directional converter based battery module control system of claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of SCMs includes:

a bi-directional converter; and

a plurality of electric switches.

9. The bi-directional converter based battery module control system of claim 7 , further comprising:

a current sensor configured to sense a current on a system bus of the vehicle electrical system,

wherein the controller is configured to monitor the current sensed by the current sensor, the controller is configured to determine a load change based on the monitored current and when the controller determines a load change:

the controller is configured to determine a new synchronization pattern for the plurality of SCMs, and

the plurality of SCMs is configured to direct power to the load based on the new synchronization pattern.

10. A transport unit comprising:

a vehicle electrical system having a bi-directional converter based battery module control system,

wherein the bi-directional converter based battery module control system includes:

at least one load;

a plurality of Smart Charging Modules (SCMs); and

a controller configured to:

monitor the plurality of SCMs;

monitor the at least one load from the vehicle electrical system;

determine an operational mode for each of the plurality of SCMs; and

determine a synchronization pattern for the plurality of SCMs based on the load and the operational mode,

wherein one or more of the plurality of SCMs is configured to direct power to the at least one load based on the synchronization pattern,

wherein the synchronization pattern is a pattern for phasing current draws such that a current draw for each of the plurality of SCMs do not overlap.

11. The transport unit of claim 10 , wherein the vehicle electrical system includes a power source supplying power to the at least one load and the plurality of SCMs.