Patent ID: 6031302
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
A battery management system comprising:a battery cell having first and second terminals which form a circuit when connected to powered components;a semiconductor switch having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a control electrode, the semiconductor switch having an on-resistance between its first and second electrodes and the semiconductor switch located such that its first and second electrodes are in series in the circuit;means for storing a value corresponding to the on-resistance of the semiconductor switch;means for measuring the voltage that develops across the first and second electrodes of the semiconductor switch due to current flowing from the battery cell through the semiconductor switch;means for computing a value of the current flowing through the semiconductor switch based on the measured voltage and the stored on-resistance value; andmeans for opening the semiconductor switch by signaling the control electrode of the semiconductor switch if the current flowing through the semiconductor switch is above a threshold value.