Protection for battery module with diode memory

Details Protection for battery module with diode memory Protection for battery module with diode memory

2000-01-03

2001-09-25

Sherry, Michael J. (Department: 2836)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Safety and protection of systems and devices

Load shunting by fault responsive means

C361S078000, C361S086000, C361S091500, C361S104000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06295189

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to a battery module including at least one cell and at least one sensor responsive to malfunctions of one or more cells.
The invention relates to the protection of battery cells against malfunctions, such as pressure rises in sealed cells, overheating, overvoltages, undervoltages, short circuits, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
French Patent Application No. 98 05541 filed Apr. 30, 1998 describes a battery module including cells with at least one sensor, a fuse connected in series with the cells and an electronic switch controlled by the sensor and which closes the series-connected circuit made up of the cells and the fuse. The above application mentions transistors, thyristors, IGBT and MOS as examples of electronic switches.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention proposes an electronic switch of the above kind. It thereby provides a solution to the problem of protecting a battery module using an interrupter device disposed in or on the module and in particular proposes a solution to the problem of protecting the module without increasing its internal resistance.
The invention provides a simple and effective way to assure the memory function described in the French application referred to above. It thereby enables the module to remain conductive even after the cells have been isolated.
To be more precise, the present invention proposes a battery module including at least one cell, at least one sensor, an interrupter device connected in series with the cells and an electronic switch including:
at least one power transistor short circuiting the series-connected components and the interrupter device if the sensor senses a malfunction, and
a diode for assuring that the power transistors maintain the series-connected circuit short circuited regardless of the subsequent status of the sensor.
In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic switch further includes a control transistor for turning on the power transistor if the sensor senses a malfunction and the diode is adapted to apply the voltage of the cells to the gate of the control transistor if the power transistors are turned on.
The diode is advantageously connected to the gate of the control transistor and to the terminal of the module on the same side as the interrupter device.
In this case, the diode is preferably connected to the gate of the control transistor via a resistor.
In another embodiment of the invention the module includes a capacitor for delaying application of a voltage to the gate of the control transistor.
The module advantageously includes a zener diode for limiting the voltage applied to the gate of the control transistor.
In an embodiment of the invention the sensors include a pressure-sensitive switch. There can be a pressure-sensitive switch connected to the terminals of each cell.
In an embodiment of the invention the sensors include an overvoltage sensor. There can be an overvoltage sensor connected to the terminals of each cell.
In an embodiment of the invention the sensors control switches which are connected in parallel and are open when the cells are operating normally, the series-connected combination of a resistor and the switches shunts the terminals of the cells, and the gate of the control transistor is connected between said resistor and said sensors.
In another embodiment of the invention the sensors control switches which are connected in series with a resistor and are closed when the cells are operating normally, the switches and the resistor shunt the terminals of the cells, and the gate of the control transistor is connected between said resistor and said sensors.
The invention also provides a method of protecting against malfunctions of a battery module including at least one cell connected in series with an interrupter device, at least one sensor and at least one power transistor controlled by said sensor, in which method, if the sensor detects a malfunction, it operates the power transistor which closes the series-connected circuit made up of the cells and the interrupter device, and the diode keeps the transistor in the state closing the series-connected circuit regardless of the subsequent status of the sensor.
The sensor preferably operates the transistor if the malfunction continues after a time-delay.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4975798 (1990-12-01), Edwards et al.
patent: 5625273 (1997-04-01), Fehling et al.
patent: 0 372 832 (1990-06-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Protection for battery module with diode memory does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Protection for battery module with diode memory, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Protection for battery module with diode memory will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2511594