Patent ID: 8536824

Claim:
A method of equalizing a plurality of batteries, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first set of interconnected inductive windings wherein a first subset of such windings are wound in a first polarity configuration and a second subset of such windings are wound in a second polarity configuration; providing a plurality of controllable switches each directly connected in series with an associated winding of the first set of inductive windings to form a plurality of series-connected components each connected directly to one of the batteries; providing a second plurality of interconnected inductive windings each of which is connected in series with a battery and a series-connected component; and selectively operating the controllable switches to transfer power through inductive windings of the first set between selected one or more first batteries coupled to the windings of the first subset and selected one or more second batteries coupled to the windings of the second subset and wherein the inductive windings of the second set limit currents flowing between the batteries.