Abstract:
A system (100) for balancing a battery assembly (200) and methods (1000) for making and using same are provided. The system (100) can obtain a status of a battery assembly (200) with a plurality of batteries (210). One or more of the batteries (210) can be selected based on the obtained status (1010), and the selected batteries (210) can be balanced (1020). The system (100) can control active balancing/selective discharging/selective charging of the selected batteries (210) when the battery assembly (200) is in a static/discharging/ charging state. One or more cells (212) comprised in the individual batteries (210) alternatively can be selected for balancing. A protective circuit (170) can help ensure safety of the balancing. Thus, battery balancing can be energy-efficient and time-efficient. The lifetime of the battery assembly (200) can advantageously be extended.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for forming and changing electrical connections between a plurality of batteries (1041~2046, 2041~2046, 3041~3046, 6041, 6043~6046, 8041, 8043, 8044, 8046) within a battery assembly (100, 200, 300, 600, 800) are provided to balance the battery properties. The batteries (1041~2046, 2041~2046, 3041~3046, 6041, 6043~6046, 8041, 8043, 8044, 8046) having similar properties may be grouped into one battery pack, and an adjustment to existence of electrical connections between the plurality of batteries (1041~2046, 2041~2046, 3041~3046, 6041, 6043~6046, 8041, 8043, 8044, 8046) may be enabled while the battery assembly (100, 200, 300, 600, 800) is powering the object.
Abstract:
A system for determining an operational status of a battery and methods for making and using same. The system includes detectors for measuring electrical characteristics, such as voltages, of battery cells. Cells that are damaged or likely to become damaged can be identified by measuring static voltages (during low cell activity) and dynamic voltages (during high cell activity) of the cells. These voltages can be used to find a maximum static voltage difference and a maximum dynamic voltage difference from among the cells, parameters that can be used to gauge cell damage. The reliability of the cell damage diagnostics can also be assessed based on operating criteria, such as ambient temperature and cell voltage. The systems and methods are particularly useful for real-time diagnosis of cell damage in mobile platform such as unmanned aerial vehicles and advantageously can be applied for avoiding incidents due to cell failure.
Abstract:
Systems, methods and devices are provided herein for removing a byproduct of a fuel cell from a vehicle. The vehicle comprises a fuel cell (530) and a venting system (560). The fuel cell (530) is in communication with a fuel storage container (510). The fuel is configured to generate electricity and a byproduct, by reacting a first fuel from the fuel storage container (510) with a second fuel through an electrochemical reaction. The venting system (560) is configured to expose the byproduct to forced convection.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and devices are provided herein for improving the power performance of vehicle. A hybrid power system may comprise a power controller adapted to be in communication with a first power source, a second power source, and a load. The power controller may be configured to detect whether a current drawn by the load exceeds a predetermined threshold, control discharging of the first power source without permitting discharging of the second power source to power the load when the current drawn by the load is less than the predetermined threshold current, and control discharging of the first power source and the second power source to power the load when the current drawn by the load is greater than the predetermined threshold current.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and devices of managing a battery assembly used to power an object are provided to discharge a battery assembly for a safe and long-term storage. A controlled self-discharge of the battery assembly may be initiated when the power to the object is turned off for a certain length of time or the battery assembly is not in use for a threshold length of time. The controlled self-discharge may be terminated if the battery assembly reaches a threshold voltage value or the battery is in use again during the self-discharge.