Patent ID: 8159191
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: B60K,B60L,B60W,B60Y,F03D,F05B,H01M,H02J,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A rechargeable battery system having a plurality of cells and a charging means for charging the rechargeable battery system, comprising a plurality of cells electrically connected to form a rechargeable battery system; a self-discharge voltage measuring means for continually measuring a self-discharge voltage and a corresponding self-discharging means, both connected in parallel to at least one of a cell in a series circuit, a cell set in a series circuit and a cell pack in a series circuit; an over-charge voltage measuring means for continually measuring an over-charge voltage across at least one of a cell in a series circuit, a cell set in a series circuit and a cell pack in a series circuit; a charging means connected in series with the rechargeable battery system for charging all of the cells of the rechargeable battery system; a system voltage measuring means for continually measuring a system voltage across the charging means; a limiting means for limiting the charging current of the rechargeable battery system; and a controlling means for controlling the rechargeable battery system, wherein: (a) during charging, if the self-discharge voltage measured by any one of the self-discharge voltage measuring means is ≧ a preset self-discharge voltage, then, the corresponding self-discharging means operates until the measured self-discharge voltage is less than the preset self-discharge voltage, then, the corresponding self-discharging means does not operate; and (b) during charging, if any of the measured over-charge voltages is > a preset overcharge voltage, then, the charging current to the rechargeable battery system is limited, then, when all the measured over-charge voltages are ≦ a preset first resume voltage, then, the charging current to the rechargeable battery system is not limited; and (c) during charging, if the measured system voltage is > a preset overall voltage, then, the charging current to the rechargeable battery system is limited, then, when the measured system voltage is ≦ a preset second resume voltage, then, the charging current to the rechargeable battery system is not limited; and (d) during charging, if the period of time for the charging current to the rechargeable battery system being limited is > a preset system period of time, then, the charging current to the rechargeable battery system is not limited.