Patent ID: 6329792
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: G01R,H02J

Abstract:
A battery management system for directly assessing the useful capacity of at least one battery module in a battery pack, the system comprising:a programmable logic controller for controlling the system and for calculating data regarding the useful capacity of the at least one battery modulea monitor circuit connected to the programmable logic controller, the monitor circuit including:charging means for charging the at least one battery moduledischarging load means for discharging the at least one battery moduleat least one current measurement means for measuring a current of the at least one battery modulea plurality of relays connected between the monitor circuit and the battery packwhereinthe at least one current measurement means measures a current of the at least one battery module and the programmable logic controller calculates data regarding the useful capacity of the at least one battery module based on the current of the at least one battery modulethe programmable logic controller selectively opens and closes the plurality of relays to define a circuit chosen from the group comprising:a discharge circuit which enables the at least one battery module to be discharged by the discharging load meansa charging circuit which enables the at least one battery module to be charged by the charging means.