Patent ID: 6025696
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: H02H

Abstract:
A battery cell bypass module comprising:sensing means for detecting an operating condition of a battery cell;controller means connected across the battery cell and having a conductive mode and a normally non conductive mode, said controller means being operable in response to an operating condition of the battery cell in excess of a predetermined magnitude to change to the conductive mode and thereby shunt current around the battery cell; andnormally open actuating switch means connected across the cell and movable between open and closed positions; andcomparator means responsive to voltage across the battery cell to generate, in one instance, a voltage excessive actuating signal in the event the voltage across the battery cell exceeds a predetermined maximum value and, in another instance, a voltage minimal actuating signal in the event the voltage across the battery cell falls below a predetermined minimal value;said actuating switch means responsive to either said voltage excessive actuating signal or to said voltage minimal actuating signal to move to the closed position;whereby electric current is shunted around the battery cell.