Battery management system utilizing stackable batteries

摘要

An energy storage system includes a battery management system that has a plurality of loads connected in electrical series with one another, and a controller operatively connected to the plurality of loads. A first battery pack has battery cells connected in electrical series with respect to one another to establish a system voltage. The first battery pack is connected in electrical parallel to the plurality of loads. The controller is operable to balance charges of the battery cells by activating selected ones of the loads. The battery management system and the first battery pack are configured such that an additional battery pack with additional battery cells connected in electrical series with respect to one another or an additional load pack with additional loads connected in electrical series with respect to one another is connectable to the battery management system. A method of managing battery capacity is also provided.

主权项

1. An energy storage system comprising:
a battery management system including: a plurality of loads connected in electrical series with one another; and a controller operatively connected to the plurality of loads; a first battery pack including battery cells connected in electrical series with respect to one another to establish a system voltage, wherein the first battery pack is connected in electrical parallel to the plurality of loads; wherein the controller is operable to balance charges of the battery cells by activating selected ones of the loads; wherein the battery management system and the first battery pack are configured such that at least one of (a) an additional battery pack with additional battery cells connected in electrical series with respect to one another, and (b) an additional load pack with additional loads connected in electrical series with respect to one another, is connectable to the battery management system; and wherein the controller is further operable to balance charges of the additional battery cells of the additional battery pack when the additional battery pack is connected and is operable to activate the additional loads of the additional load pack when the additional load pack is connected, wherein said at least one of the additional battery pack and the additional load pack are connected to the battery management system to maintain a ratio of a total load on the battery cells of the first battery pack and the battery cells of the additional battery pack to a total capacity of the cattery cells of the first battery pack and the battery cells of the additional battery pack within a predetermined ratio range.