Patent ID: 8957625
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: H01M,H02J,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method for balancing a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells, wherein said method comprises: accessing a plurality of cell parameters of said plurality of battery cells, wherein said battery cells are logically grouped into a plurality of battery modules that comprise a first battery module including a first number of battery cells and comprise a second battery module including a second number of battery cells, said second number different from said first number; averaging cell parameters of battery cells in each of said battery modules to obtain an average cell parameter for each of said battery modules; determining a donator group of battery modules and a receiver group of battery modules from said plurality of battery modules; identifying a battery module having the maximum average cell parameter among said donator group of battery modules as a donator module; identifying a battery module having the minimum average cell parameter among said receiver group of battery modules as a receiver module; transferring energy from said donator module to said receiver module to balance battery cells in said battery pack; determining a first group of battery modules among said plurality of battery modules according to configurations of a first switch array coupled to said plurality of battery cells; and determining a second group of battery modules among said plurality of battery modules according to configurations of a second switch array coupled to said plurality of battery cells, wherein said donator group of battery modules includes said first and second groups.