Patent ID: 6208039
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
Apparatus for controlling a plurality of parallel connected batteries to share the load current of a common load element comprising:a plurality of n batteries connected in parallel to a common load element;a plurality of n DC/DC converter circuits, and a plurality of n battery current monitor circuits, one DC/DC converter circuit and one battery current monitor circuit connected in series with one of the n batteries;a single load current monitor circuit connected in series between the outputs of the plurality of n battery current monitors and the load element to provide an output signal representative of the load current of the load element, the output signal of the load current monitor circuit being connected to each of the n DC/DC converter circuits and connected to a single scale amplifier circuit to scale down the output signal from the load current monitor wherein the scaled down load current output signal from the scale amplifier circuit is fed back and connected to each of the n DC/DC converter circuits;a plurality of n summing circuits, each having a first input connected to the output of the scaling amplifier, and a second input connected to the output of a separate one of the n battery current monitor circuits wherein each summing circuit provides an output control signal, and wherein the output control signal from each of the n summing circuits is connected to a separate one of the n DC/DC converter circuits connected in series with each of the n batteries for controlling the battery current of each battery wherein each battery shares the load current.