MODULAR BATTERY CELL ARCHITECTURE AND CONTROL METHOD

摘要

Embodiments of the invention relate to a multi-cell battery, with at least two cells electrically connected in a first parallel arrangement, which is connected in series to a second parallel arrangement of at least two additional cells. Each cell is locally connected to a sensor to sense and control the current of each cell in parallel or parallel-series combination in the multi-cell battery. A control module is in communication with each sensor, and associated instructions electrically remove or disable a cell from the battery determined to be defective based on measurements from the associated sensor. Accordingly, the configuration measures and monitors the state of health of each cell in the battery pack, the measurements including temperature, voltage and current sensing. The identification of one of the cells as subject to a performance failure results in electrically switching the identified cell to an off position.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
arranging a battery pack with multiple cells, the multiple cells arranged in a parallel configuration with each cell electrically connected in series to a current sensor, including a first cell in communication with a first current sensor and a second cell in communication with a second current sensor; using each respective current sensor in measuring current at an associated cell in the battery pack, including the first current sensor measuring current through the first cell and the second current sensor measuring current through the second cell; controlling current flow in each individual cell within the battery pack responsive to the current measured at each individual cell, including balancing current flow in each cell in the battery pack; and in response to identifying one of the multiple cells as subject to a performance failure, electrically switching the identified cell to an off position.