USOO904.

1339B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 9,041,339 B2

Adest et al. (45) Date of Patent: *May 26, 2015
(54) BATTERY POWER DELVERY MODULE (56) References Cited
(71) Applicant: Solaredge Ltd., Herzelia (IL) U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
2,758,219 A 8, 1956 Miller
(72) Inventors: Meir Adest, Raanana (IL); Lior 3,369,210 A 2f1968 Manickella
Handelsman, Givataim (IL); Yoav 3,596,229 A 7, 1971 Hohorst
Galin, Raanana (IL); Amir Fishelov, Tel (Continued)
Aviv (IL); Guy Sella, Bitan Aharon (IL)
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
(73) Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd., Hod
Hasharon (IL) CN 1309.451 A 8, 2001
CN 1122905 C 10, 2003
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this (Continued)
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. OTHER PUBLICATIONS
This patent is Subject to a terminal dis QT Technical Application Papers, "ABB Circuit-Breakers for Direct
claimer. current Applications'. ABBSACES.p.A.. An ABB Group Coupany,
L.V. Breakers, Via Baioni, 35, 24123 Bergamo-Italy, Tel.: +39 035.
(21) Appl. No.: 13/661,496 395.111 Telefax: +39 035.395.306-433, Sep. 2007.
(Continued)
(22) Filed: Oct. 26, 2012
(65) Prior Publication Data Primary Examiner — Yalkew Fantu
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
US 2013/OO43839 A1 Feb. 21, 2013
(57) ABSTRACT
Related U.S. Application Data A system and method for digital management and control of
power conversion from battery cells. The system utilizes a
(63) Continuation of application No. 11/951.562, filed on power management and conversion module that uses a CPU
Dec. 6, 2007, now Pat. No. 8,319,471. to maintain a high power conversion efficiency over a wide
(60) Provisional application No. 60/868,851, filed on Dec. range of loads and to manage charge and discharge operation
6, 2006, provisional application No. 60/868,893, filed of the battery cells. The power management and conversion
module includes the CPU, a current sense unit, a charge?
(Continued) discharge unit, a DC-to-DC conversion unit, a battery protec
tion unit, a fuel gauge and an internal DC regulation unit.
(51) Int. C. Through intelligent power conversion and charge/discharge
H02. 7/00 (2006.01) operations, a given battery type is given the ability to emulate
(52) U.S. C. other battery types by conversion of the output voltage of the
CPC .................................... H02J 7/0063 (2013.01) battery and adaptation of the charging scheme to Suit the
(58) Field of Classification Search battery.
USPC .......................................................... 32Of 103
See application file for complete search history. 22 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets

200
\ 221
214 215

223

225

OS
219
212 -> 213
217

C
 US 9,041,339 B2
Page 2

Related U.S. Application Data 5,949,668 A 9/1999 Schweighofer

5,961,739 A 10, 1999 Osborne
on Dec. 6, 2006, provisional application No. 60/868, 5,963,010 A 10/1999 Hayashi et al.
962, filed on Dec. 7, 2006, provisional application No. 3: A ck ly28 Ethic 1
W - J. Clara Cal. ................
363.98
60908.095, filed on Mar. 26, 2007, provisional appli- 6,038,148 A 3/2000 Farrington et al.
cation No. 60/916,815, filed on May 9, 2007. 6,046,919 A 4/2000 Madenokouji et al.
6,050,779 A 4/2000 Nagao et al.
(56) References Cited 6,078,511 A 6/2000 Fasullo et al.
6,081,104 A 6/2000 Kern
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 6,082,122 A 7/2000 Madenokouji et al.
6,087,738 A 7/2000 Hammond
6,105,317 A 8, 2000 Tomiuchi et al.
2.85. A 1492. Nyay 6,111,188 A 8/2000 Kurokami et al.
4,146,785 A 3, 1979 Neale 6,111,391 A 8, 2000 Cullen
4,171,861. A 10/1979 Hohorst 6,111,767 A 8/2000 Handleman
4.296.461. A 10/1981 Mallory et al. 6,163,086 A 12/2000 Choo
4,346,341 A 8, 1982 Blackburn et al. 6, 166455. A 12/2000 Li
4,452,867 A 6, 1984 Conforti 6,166.527 A 12/2000 Dwelley et al.
4,460,232 A 7/1984 Sotolongo 6,169,678 B1 1, 2001 Kondo et al.
4,481,654. A 1 1/1984 Daniels et al. 6,219,623 B1 4/2001 Wills
4,554,515 A 11, 1985 Burson et al. 6.255,360 B1 7/2001 Domschke et al.
4,598,330 A 7, 1986 Woodworth 6,256.234 B1 7/2001 Keeth et al.
4,623,753 A 1 1/1986 Feldman et al. 6,259,234 B1 72001 Perol
4,637,677 A 1, 1987 Barkus 6,262,558 B1 7/2001 Weinberg
4,641,042 A 2/1987 Miyazawa 6,285,572 B1 9, 2001 Onizuka et al.
4,641,079 A 2f1987 Kato et al. 6,301,128 B1 10/2001 Jang et al.
4,644,458 A 2/1987 Harafuji et al. 6,304,065 B1 10/2001 Wittenbreder
4,652,770 A 3/1987 Kumano 6,320,769 B2 * 1 1/2001 Kurokami et al. ......... 363.56.03
4,783,728 A 11, 1988 Hoffman 6,339,538 B1 1/2002 Handleman
RE33,057 E 9/1989 Clegget al. 6,351,130 B1 2/2002 Preiser et al.
4,868,379 A 9, 1989 West 6,369.462 B1 4, 2002 Siri
4.888,063 A 12, 1989 Powell 6,380,719 B2 4/2002 Underwood et al.
4.888,702. A 12, 1989 Gerken et al. 6,396,170 B1 5/2002 Laufenberg et al.
4,899,269 A 2f1990 Rouzies 6,433,522 B1 8/2002 Siri
4,903,851 A 2/1990 Slough 6,448.489 B2 9/2002 Kimura et al.
4,906,859 A 3/1990 Kobayashi et al. 6,452,814 B1 9, 2002 Wittenbreder
4,987,360 A 1/1991 Thompson 6,469,919 B1 10/2002 Bennett
5,045,988 A 9, 1991 Gritter et al. 6,483.203 B1 1 1/2002 McCormack
5,081,558 A 1/1992 Mahler 6,493,246 B2 12/2002 Suzui et al.
5, 191519 A 3, 1993 Kawakami 6,507, 176 B2 1/2003 Wittenbreder, Jr.
5,280.232 A 1/1994 Kohl et al. 6,531,848 B1 3/2003 Chitsazan et al.
6,545,211 B1 4/2003 Mimura
3. A 3: Sticket al. 6,548,205 B2 4/2003 Leung et al.
5,402,060 A 3, 1995 Erisman 6,587,051 B2 * 7/2003 Takehara et al. .............. 340,635
5,446,645 A 8, 1995 Shirahama et al. 6,590,793 B 72003 Nagao et al.
5,460,546 A 10/1995 Kunishi et al. 6.593,521 B2 7/2003 Kobayashi
5,493,154 A 2f1996 Smith et al. 6,608,468 B2 8/2003 Nagase
5,497,289 A 3/1996 Sugishima et al. 6,611,441 B2 8/2003 Kurokami et al.
5,517,378 A 5/1996 Asplund et al. 6,628,011 B2 9/2003 Droppo et al.
5,530,335 A 6/1996 Decker et al. 6,650,031 B1 1 1/2003 Goldack
5,548,504 A 8, 1996 Takehara 6,650,560 B2 * 1 1/2003 MacDonald et al. ......... 363. 142
5,563,780 A 10, 1996 Goad 6,653,549 B2 11/2003 Matsushita et al.
5,604,430 A 2, 1997 Decker et al. 6,672,018 B2 1/2004 Shingleton
5,616,913 A 4/1997 Litterst 6,678,174 B2 1/2004 Suzui et al.
5,644,219 A 7, 1997 Kurokawa 6,690,590 B2 * 2/2004 Stamenic et al. ............... 363.89
5,646,501. A 7/1997 Fishman et al. 6,731,136 B2 5 2004 Knee
5,659,465. A 8, 1997 Flack et al. 6,738,692 B2 5, 2004 Schienbein et al.
5,686,766 A 11/1997 Tamechika 6,765,315 B2 7/2004 Hammerstrom et al.
5,773.963 A 6, 1998 Blanc et al. 6,768,047 B2 7/2004 Chang et al.
5,777,515 A 7, 1998 Kimura 6,788,033 B2 9, 2004 Vinciarelli
5,780,092 A 7/1998 Agbo et al. 6,795.318 B2 9, 2004 Haas et al.
5,798,631 A 8/1998 Spee et al. 6,801.442 B2 10/2004 Suzui et al.
5,801,519 A 9/1998 Midya et al. 6,810,339 B2 10/2004 Wills
5,804894. A 9, 1998 Leeson et al. 6,850,074 B2 2/2005 Adams et al.
5,821,734 A 10, 1998 Faulk 6,882,131 B1 4/2005 Takada et al.
5,822, 186 A 10/1998 Bull et al. 6,914,418 B2 7/2005 Sung
5,838,148. A 1 1/1998 Kurokami et al. 6,919,714 B2 7/2005 Delepaut
5,869,956 A 2/1999 Nagao et al. 6,927,955 B2* 8/2005 Suzuiet al. .................. 361/42
5,873,738 A 2f1999 Shimada et al. 6,933,627 B2 8/2005 Wilhelm
5,886,890 A 3, 1999 Ishida et al. 6,936,995 B2 8/2005 Kapsokavathis et al.
5,892,354 A 4, 1999 Nagao et al. 6,950,323 B2 9, 2005 Achleitner et al.
5,905,645 A 5, 1999 Cross 6,963,147 B2 11/2005 Kurokami et al.
5,919,314 A 7, 1999 Kim 6,984.967 B2 1/2006 Notman
5,923, 158 A 7, 1999 Kurokami et al. 6,984,970 B2 1/2006 Capel
5,930,128 A 7, 1999 Dent 7,030,597 B2 4/2006 Bruno et al.
5,932,994 A 8, 1999 Jo et al. 7,031, 176 B2 4/2006 Kotsopoulos et al.
5,933,327 A 8/1999 Leighton et al. 7,038.430 B2 5, 2006 Itabashi et al.
5,945,806 A * 8/1999 Faulk ............................ 320,127 7,042,195 B2 5/2006 Tsunetsugu et al.
 US 9,041,339 B2
Page 3

(56) References Cited 8,093,756 B2 1/2012 Porter et al.

8,093,757 B2 1, 2012 Wolfs
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 8, 102,144 B2 1/2012 Capp et al.
8, 111,052 B2 2/2012 Glovinsky
7,046,531 B2 5, 2006 Zocchi et al. 8,570,017 B2 10/2013 Perichon et al.
7,053,506 B2 5, 2006 Alonso et al. 2001/0023703 A1 9, 2001 Kondo et al.
7,072,194 B2 7/2006 Nayar et al. 2001/0034982 A1 1 1/2001 Nagao et al.
7,079,406 B2 7/2006 Kurokami et al. 2002fOO44473 A1 4/2002 Toyomura et al.
7,087,332 B2 8, 2006 Harris 2002.0056089 A1 5, 2002 Houston
T.O90,509 B1 8, 2006 Gilliland et al. 2003/0058593 A1 3/2003 Bertele et al.
7001707 B2 8/2006 Cutler ........................... 323,268 2003/0058662 A1 3/2003 Baudelot et al.
7,097,516 B2 8/2006 Werner et al. 2003/0066076 A1 4, 2003 Minahan
7,126,053 B2 10/2006 Kurokami et al. 2003/OO75211 A1 4/2003 Makita et al.
7,126.294 B2 10, 2006 Minami et al. 2003/0080741 A1 5/2003 LeRow et al.
7,138,786 B2 1/2006 Ishigaki et al. 2003/0214274 A1 11/2003 Lethellier
7,148,669 B2 12/2006 Maksimovic et al. 2004/0004402 A1 1/2004 Kippley
7,158,359 B2 1/2007 Bertele et al. 2004/0041548 A1 3/2004 Perry
7,158,395 B2 1/2007 Deng et al. 2004, OO61527 A1 4/2004 Knee
7,174,973 B1 2/2007 Lysaght 2004/O125618 A1 7/2004 De Rooijet al.
T.193,872 B2 3, 2007 Siri 2004/O140719 A1 7/2004 Vulih et al.
7218,541 B2 5/2007 Price et al. 2004/0169499 A1 9/2004 Huang et al.
7,248,946 B2 7/2007 Bashaw et al. 2004/0201279 A1 10/2004 Templeton
7.256,566 B2 8/2007 Bhavaraju et al. 2004/02O1933 A1 10, 2004 Blanc
7.277.304 B2 10, 2007 Stancu et al. 2004/0246226 A1 12/2004 Moon
7.282.814 B2 0/2007 Jacobs 2005/0002214 A1 1/2005 Deng et al.
7291.036 B1 1 1/2007 Daily et al. 2005.0005785 A1 1/2005 POSS et al.
RE39,976 E 1/2008 Schiff et al. 2005/0017697 A1 1/2005 Capel
7.336,056 B1 2/2008 Dening 2005/0057214 A1 3/2005 Matan
7,348,802 B2
T.352,154 B2
3/2008 Kasanyal et al.
4/2008 Cook
2005/0057215 A1
2005.0068820 A1
3/2005 Matan
3/2005 Radosevich et al.
7371,963 B2 5 2008 Suenaga et al. 2005.0099138 A1 5.2005 Wilhelm
7,372,712 B2 5, 2008 Stancu et al. 2005, 0103376 A1 5/2005 Matsushita et al.
7,385.380 B2 6/2008 Ishigaki et al. 2005. O105224 A1 5.2005 Nishi
7,385,833 B2 6/2008 Keung 2005, 0162018 A1 7/2005 Realmuto et al.
7,394,237 B2 7/2008 Chou et al. 2005/0172995 A1 8/2005 Rohrig et al.
7,420,815 B2 9, 2008 Love 2005/0226017 A1 10/2005 Kotsopoulos et al.
7.435.134 B2 10, 2008 Lenox 2006/0001406 A1 1/2006 Matan
7.435.897 B2 0/2008 Russell 2006, OO17327 A1 1/2006 Siri et al.
7,443,052 B2 10, 2008 Wendt et al. 2006.0034106 A1 2/2006 Johnson
7,456.523 B2 11/2008 Kobayashi 2006, OO38692 A1 2/2006 Schnetker
7,471,014 B2 12/2008 Lumet al. 2006.0043792 A1 3/2006 Hjort et al.
7,504,811 B2 3/2009 Watanabe et al. 2006.0053447 A1 3/2006 Krzyzanowski et al.
7,589.437 B2 9, 2009 Henne et al. 2006/0066349 A1 3/2006 Murakami
7.600.349 B2 10, 2009 Liebendorfer 2006, OO68239 A1 3/2006 Norimatsu et al.
7.602080 Bf 10/2009 Hadar et al. 2006, O108979 A1 5.2006 Daniel et al.
7,605,498 B2 10/2009 Ledenev et al. 2006/01 13843 A1 6/2006 Beveridge
7,612.283 B2 11/2009 Toyomura et al. 2006/0113979 A1 6/2006 Ishigaki et al.
7,646,116 B2 1/2010 Batarseh et al. 2006.0118162 A1 6/2006 Saelzer et al.
7,709,727 B2 5/2010 Roehrig et al. 2006/0132102 A1 6/2006 Harvey
T.719,140 B2 5, 2010 Ledenev et al. 2006, O149396 A1 7/2006 Templeton
7748,175 B2 7/2010 Liebendorfer 2006,0162772 A1 7, 2006 Presher et al.
7.759,575 B2 7, 2010 Jones et al. 2006, O163946 A1 7/2006 Henne et al.
7763.807 B2 7/2010 Richter 2006/0171182 A1 8, 2006 Siri et al.
7780.472 B2 & 2010 enox 2006/0174939 A1 8, 2006 Matan
7,782.031 B2 & 2010 Qinet al. 2006, O185727 A1 8, 2006 Matan
7,787,273 B2 8, 2010 Lu et al. 2006, O192540 A1 8/2006 Balakrishnan et al.
7.804282 B2 9, 2010 Bertele 2006/0208660 A1 9, 2006 Shinmura et al.
7,808.125 Bf 10/2010 Sachdeva et al. 2006/0227578 A1 10, 2006 Datta et al.
7,812,701 B2 10/2010 Lee et al. 2006/0237058 A1 10, 2006 McClintock et al.
7,839.022 B2 11/2010 Wolfs 2007/004.4837 A1 3/2007 Simburger et al.
7,843.085 B2 1/2010 Ledenev et al. 2007.0075711 A1 4, 2007 Blanc et al.
7,864,497 B2 1/2011 Quardt et al. 2007/0081364 A1 4/2007 Andreycak
7,868,599 B2 1/2011 Rahman et al. 2007, 0133241 A1 6/2007 Mumtaz et al.
7,880,334 B2 2/2011 Evans et al. 2007/0147075 Al 6 2007 Bang
7,893,346 B2 2/2011 Nachamkin et al. 2007/O159866 A1 T/2007 Sri
7,900,361 B2 3/2011 Adest et al. 2007, 0164612 A1 7/2007 Wendt et al.
T.919.953 B2 4/2011 Porter et al. 2007/O164750 A1 7/2007 Chen et al.
7945,413 B2 5 2011 Krein 2007. O165347 A1 7, 2007 Wendt et al.
7,948,221 B2 5, 2011 Watanabe et al. 2007/0205778 A1 9, 2007 Fabbro et al.
7.952,897 B2 5/2011 Nocentini et al. 2007/0227574 A1 10, 2007 Cart
7,960,650 B2 6, 2011 Richter et al. 2007/0236187 A1 10, 2007 Wai et al.
7,960,950 B2 6/2011 Glovinsky 2007/0273342 A1 11/2007 Kataoka et al.
8,003,885 B2 8, 2011 Richter et al. 2007,0290636 A1 12/2007 Becket al.
8,004,116 B2 8/2011 Ledenev et al. 2008.0024098 A1 1/2008 Hojo
8,004,117 B2 8, 2011 Adest et al. 2008. O080177 A1 4/2008 Chang
8,013,472 B2 9, 2011 Adest et al. 2008/0088.184 A1 4/2008 Tung et al.
8,067,855 B2 11/2011 Mumtaz et al. 2008.OO97655 A1 4/2008 Hadar et al.
8,077.437 B2 12/2011 Mumtaz et al. 2008/0106250 A1 5/2008 Prior et al.
8,089,780 B2 1/2012 Mochikawa et al. 2008. O115823 A1 5/2008 Kinsey
 US 9,041,339 B2
Page 4

(56) References Cited FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS CN 1.01136129 A 3, 2008
CN 101488271 A T 2009
2008.0143188 A1 6/2008 Adest et al. CN 101523230 A 9, 2009
2008.0143462 A1 6, 2008 Belisle et al. DE 1973.7286 A1 3, 1999
2008. O144294 A1 6, 2008 Adest et al. DE 102005030907 A1 1, 2007
2008. O147335 A1 6, 2008 Adest et al. DE 102O0805.7874 A1 5, 2010
2008.016476.6 A1 7, 2008 Adest et al.
2008/0179949 A1 7, 2008 Besser et al. E. 1925 A. 3E
2008/0236647 A1 10, 2008 Gibson et al. EP T56.178 A2 1/1997
2008/0236648 A1 10, 2008 Klein et al. EP 827254 A2 3, 1998
2008/0238.195 A1 10, 2008 Shaver et al.
2008, O246460 A1 10, 2008 Smith EP 1047179 A1 10, 2000
2008/0246463 A1 10, 2008 Sinton et al. EP 1330009 A2 7, 2003
2009 OO14050 A1 1/2009 Haaf EP 1503490 A1 2/2005
2009/0066399 A1 3, 2009 Chen et al. EP 1531545 A2 5, 2005
2009 OO73726 A1 3, 2009 Babcock EP 16575.57 A1 5/2006
2009/0084570 A1 4/2009 Gherardini et al. EP 1657797 A1 5/2006
20090097.172 A1 4/2009 Bremicker et al. EP 1887675 A2 2/2008
2009.0102440 A1 4, 2009 Coles EP 2048679 A1 4, 2009
2009, O140715 A1 6, 2009 Adest et al. EP 2315328 A2 4, 2011
2009/014 1522 A1 6/2009 Adest et al. EP 23.93178 A2 12/2011
2009, O190275 A1 7, 2009 Gilmore et al. ES 224.9147 A1 3f2006
2009,0206666 A1 8, 2009 Sella et al. ES 2249149 A1 3f2006
2009/0217965 A1 9/2009 Dougal et al. GB 2476508 A 6, 2011
2009/0224817 A1 9, 2009 Nakamura et al. JP 61065.320 A 4f1986
2009,0282.755 A1 11, 2009 Abbott et al. JP 11041832 A 2, 1999
2009/0284998 A1 1 1/2009 Zhang et al. JP 11103538 A 4f1999
2009/0295225 A1 12/2009 Asplund et al. JP 11206038 A 7, 1999
2009/0322494 A1 12, 2009 Lee JP 11289891. A 10, 1999
2010.0052735 A1 3/2010 Burkland et al. JP 1131.8042. A 11, 1999
2010.0060000 A1 3/2010 Scholte-Wassink JP 2OOO174307 A 6, 2000
2010.0085670 A1 4/2010 Palaniswami et al. JP 2001 189476 A T 2001
2010. O139743 A1 6, 2010 Hadar et al. JP 20O2300735. A 10, 2002
2010/0214808 A1 8/2010 Rodriguez JP 2003124492. A 4/2003
2010/0244575 A1 9, 2010 Coccia et al. JP 2003.134667 A 5, 2003
2010/0264736 A1 10, 2010 Mumtaz et al. JP 2004194500 A T 2004
2010/0269430 A1 10, 2010 Haddock JP 2004260944 A 9, 2004
2010/0277001 A1 1 1/2010 Wagoner JP 2007058845. A 3, 2007
2010/0282290 A1 11/2010 Schwarze et al. WO 93.13587 A1 T 1993
2010/0286836 Al 1 1/2010 Shaver, II et al. WO 96.13093 A1 5, 1996
2010. 0288327 A1 11, 2010 Lisi et al. WO 98.23021 A2 5, 1998
2010/0308662 A1 12/2010 Schatz et al. WO OO/OO839 A1 1/2000
2011 OOO6743 A1 1/2011 Fabbro WO OO 21178 A1 4, 2000
2011/0037600 A1 2/2011 Takehara et al. WO OOT5947 A1 12/2000
2011, 0043.172 A1 2/2011 Dearn WO O231517 4/2002
2011/0056533 A1 3, 2011 Kuan WO O3050938 A2 6, 2003
2011/0084553 A1 4/2011 Adest et al. WO 03071655 A1 8/2003
2011/01 14154 A1 5/2011 Lichy et al. WO 2004023278 A2 3, 2004
2011/01 15295 A1 5, 2011 Moon et al. WO 2004.09.0993 A2 10, 2004
2011/O121652 A1 5, 2011 Sella et al. WO 2004O98261 A2 11/2004
2011/O1392.13 A1 6, 2011 Lee WO 2004107543 A2 12/2004
2011/O140536 A1 6, 2011 Adest et al. WO 2005076444 A1 8, 2005
2011/O181251 A1 7, 2011 Porter et al. WO 2005076445 A1 8/2005
2011/0210611 A1 9, 2011 Ledenev et al. WO 2006005.125 A1 1/2006
2011/0227411 A1 9, 2011 Arditi WO 2006007198 A1 1/2006
2011/0232714 A1 9/2011 Bhavaraju et al. WO 2006O78685 A2 T 2006
2011/0254372 A1 10, 2011 Haines et al. WO 2007OO6564 A2 1, 2007
2011/0260866 A1 10/2011 Avrutsky et al. WO 2007048421 A2 5/2007

2011/0273015 A1 11/2011 Adest et al. WO 2007O90476 A2 8, 2007

2011/027301.6 A1 11/2011 Adest et al. WO 2007 113358 A1 10, 2007
2011/0285205 A1 11/2011 Ledenev et al.
2011/0290317 A1 12/2011 Naumovitz et al. WO 2008125915 A2 10, 2008
2011/0291486 All 12/2011 Adest et al. WO 2009051853 A1 4, 2009
2011/0316346 A1 12/2011 Porter et al. WO 2009 118682 A2 10, 2009
2012fOO 19966 A1 1/2012 DeBoer WO 2009 118683 A2 10, 2009
2012/00325 15 A1 2/2012 Ledenev et al. WO 2009136358 A1 11 2009
2012/0043818 A1 2/2012 Stratakos et al. WO 2010.065.388 A1 6, 2010
2012/0048325 A1 3/2012 Matsuo et al. WO 2010O72717 A1 T 2010
2012/0087159 A1 4/2012 Chapman et al. WO 2010O78303 A2 7, 2010
2012/0091810 A1 4/2012 Aiello et al. WO 201101 1711 A2 1/2011
2012/0113554 A1 5, 2012 Paoletti et al. WO 2011017721 A1 2, 2011
 US 9,041,339 B2
Page 5

(56) References Cited Conference), New York, NY: IEEE US, vol. 1, Jun. 23, 2002, pp.
24-29, XPO 10596060 ISBN: 978-0-7803-7262-7, figure 1.
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS Baggio, “Quasi-ZVS Activity Auxiliary Commutation Circuit for
Two Switches Forward Converter', 32nd Annual IEEE Power Elec
WO 2011023732 A2 3, 2011 tronics Specialists Conference. PESC 2001. Conference Proceed
WO 2011059067 A1 5, 2011 ings. Vancouver, Canada, Jun. 17-21, 2001; Annual Power Electron
WO 2011074025 A1 6, 2011 ics Specialists Conference New York, NY: IEEE, US.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS Ilic, “Interleaved Zero-Current-Transition Buck Converter'. IEEE
Transactions on Industry Applications, IEEE Service Center,
Woyte, et al., “Mains Monitoring and Protection in a European Con Piscataway, NJ. US, vol.43, No. 6, Nov. 1, 2007, pp. 1619-1627,
text”, 17th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and XPO11 197477 ISSN: 0093-9994, pp. 1619-1922.
Lee: “Novel Zero-Voltage-Transition and Zero-Current-Transition
Exhibition, Munich, Germany, Oct. 22-26, 2001, ACHIM, WOYTE, Pulse-Width-Modulation Converters'. Power Electronics Specialists
et al., pp. 1-4. Conference, 1997, PESC 97. Record, 28th Annual IEEE St. Louis,
“Implementation and testing of Anti-Islanding Algorithms for IEEE MO, USA, Jun. 22-27, 1997, New York, NY, USAIEEE, US, vol. 1,
929-2000 Compliance of Single Phase Photovoltaic Inverters'. Jun. 22, 1997, pp. 233-239, XPO1024 1553, ISBN: 978-0-7803-3840
Raymond M. Hudson, Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, 2002. 1, pp. 233-236.
Conference Record of the Twenty-Ninth IEEE, May 19-24, 2002. Sakamoto, “Switched Snubber for High-Frequency Switching Con
Fairchild Semiconductor, ApplicationNote 9016, IGBT Basics 1, by verters'. Electronics & Communications in Japan, Part 1—Commu
K.S. OH Feb. 1, 2001. nications, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. US, vol. 76, No. 2, Feb. 1, 1993, pp.
“Disconnect Switches in Photovoltaic Applications'. ABB, Inc., Low 30-38, XP000403.018 ISSN: 8756-6621, pp. 30-35.
Voltage Control Products & Systems, 1206 Hatton Road, Wichita Duarte, "A Family of ZVX-PWM Active-Clamping DC-to-DC Con
Falls, TX 86302, Phone 888-385-1221, 940-397-7000, Fax: 940 verters: Synthesis, Analysis and Experimentation'. Telecommunica
397-7085, 1SXU301 197B0201, Nov. 2009. tions Energy Conference, 1995, INTELEC '95, 17th International
Walker, "A DC Circuit Breaker for an Electric Vehicle Battery Pack'. The Hague, Netherlands, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 1995, New York, NY, US,
Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference and IEAust IEEE, US, Oct. 29, 1995, pp. 502-509, XPO10161283 ISBN: 978-0-
Electric Energy Conference, Sep. 26-29, 1999. 7803-2750-4 p. 503-504.
Combined Search and Examination Report for GB1018872.0 dated IPRP for PCT/IL2007/001064 dated Mar. 17, 2009, with Written
Apr. 15, 2011, 2 pages. Opinion dated Mar. 25, 2008.
International Search Report and Opinion of International Patent IPRP for PCT/IB2007/004586 dated Jun. 10, 2009, with Written
Application PCT/2009/051221, dated Oct. 19, 2009. Opinion.
International Search Report and Opinion of International Patent Gao, et al., “Parallel-Connected Solar PV System to Address Partial
Application PCT/2009/051222, dated Oct. 7, 2009. and Rapidly Fluctuating Shadow Conditions'. IEEE Transactions on
Communication in EP07874025.5 dated Aug. 17, 2011. Industrial Electronics, vol. 56, No. 5, May 2009, pp. 1548-1556.
IPRP for PCT/IB2008/055095 dated Jun. 8, 2010, with Written Opin IPRP PCT/IB2007/004610 date of issue Jun. 10, 2009.
O. Extended European Search Report—EP12176089.6—Mailing date:
ISR for PCT/IB2008/055095 dated Apr. 30, 2009. Nov. 8, 2012.
ISR for PCT/IL07/01064 dated Mar. 25, 2008. Gwon-Jong Yu et al: “Maximum power point tracking with tempera
IPRP for PCT/IB2007/004584 dated Jun. 10, 2009, with Written ture compensation of photovoltaic for air conditioning system with
Opinion. fuzzy controller, 19960513; 19960513-19960517, May 13, 1996,
IPRP for PCT/IB2007/004591 dated Jul 13, 2010, with Written pp. 1429-1432, XPO 10208423.
Opinion. Extended European Search Report—EP12177067.1—Mailing Date:
IPRP for PCT/IB2007/004643 dated Jun. 10, 2009, with Written Dec. 7, 2012.
Opinion. GB Combined Search and Examination Report—GB1200423.0—
Written Opinion for PCT/IB2008/055092 submitted with IPRP dated Mailing date: Apr. 30, 2012.
Jun. 8, 2010. GB Combined Search and Examination Report—GB1201499.9—
IPRP for PCT/US2008/085754 dated Jun. 8, 2010, with Written Mailing date: May 28, 2012.
Opinion dated Jan. 21, 2009. GB Combined Search and Examination Report—GB120 1506.1—
IPRP for PCT/US2008/085755 dated Jun. 8, 2010, with Written Mailing date: May 22, 2012.
Opinion dated Jan. 20, 2009. Ciobotaru, et al., Control of single-stage single-phase PV inverter,
IPRP for PCT/IB2009/051221 dated Sep. 28, 2010, with Written Aug. 7, 2006.
Opinion. International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/IB2007/
IPRP for PCT/IB2009/051222 dated Sep. 28, 2010, with Written 0.04591 dated Jul. 5, 2010.
Opinion. European Communication for EP07873361.5 dated Jul. 12, 2010.
IPRP for PCT/IB2009/051831 dated Nov. 9, 2010, with Written European Communication for EP07874022.2 dated Oct. 18, 2010.
Opinion. European Communication for EP07875148.4 dated Oct. 18, 2010.
IPRP for PCT/US2008/085736 dated Jun. 7, 2011, with Written Chen, et al., “A New Low-Stress Buck-Boost Converter for Univer
Opinion. sal-Input PFC Applications”, IEEE Applied Power Electronics
IPRP for PCT/IB2010/052287 dated Nov. 22, 2011, with Written Converence, Feb. 2001, Colorado Power Electronics Center Publica
Opinion. tions.
ISR for PCT/IB2010/052413 dated Sep. 7, 2010. Chen, et al., “Buck-Boost PWM Converters Having Two Indepen
UK Intellectual Property Office, Application No. GB1109618.7, Pat dently Controlled Switches', IEEE Power Electronics Specialists
ents Act 1977. Examination Report Under Section 18(3), Sep. 16. Converence, Jun. 2001, Colorado Power Electronics Center Publica
2011. tions.
UK Intellectual Property Office, Patents Act 1977: Patents Rules Esram, et al., “Comparison of Photovoltaic Array Maximum Power
Notification of Grant: Patent Serial No. GB248.0015, Nov. 29, 2011. Point Tracking Techniques', IEEE Transactions on Energy Conver
Walker, et al. “PV String Per-Module Maximim Power Point sion, vol. 22, No. 2, Jun. 2007, pp. 439-449.
Enabling Converters'. School of Information Technology and Elec Walker, et al., “PhotoVoltaic DC-DC Module Integrated Converter
trical Engineering The Univiversity of Queensland, Sep. 28, 2003. for Novel Cascaded and Bypass Grid Connection Topologies—De
Walker, "Cascaded DC-DC Converter Connection of Photovoltaic sign and Optimisation', 37th IEEE Power Electronics Specialists
Modules', 33rd Annual IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Confer Converence, Jun. 18-22, 2006, Jeju, Korea.
ence. PESC 2002. Conference Proceedings. Cairns, Queensland, Geoffrey R. Walker Affidavitre: U.S. Appl. No. 11/950,307, submit
Australia, Jun. 23-27, 2002; Annual Power Electronics Specialists ted in an IDS for U.S. Appl. No. 11/950,271, filed Mar. 9, 2010.
 US 9,041,339 B2
Page 6

(56) References Cited Quaschning, “Cost Effectiveness of Shadow Tolerant Photovoltaic

Systems”. Berlin University of Technology, Institute of Electrical
OTHER PUBLICATIONS Energy Technology, Renewable Energy Section. EuroSun '96, pp.
819-824.
Geoffrey R. Walker Affidavitre: U.S. Appl. No. 11/950,271, submit Roman, “Intelligent PV Module for Grid-Connected PV Systems”.
ted in an IDS for U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/950,271, filed Mar. 9, 2010. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 52, No. 4. Aug.
International Search Report for PCT/IB2007/004610 dated Feb. 23, 2006, pp. 1066-1073.
2009. Roman, “Power Line Communications in Modular PV Systems”.
20th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, Jun. 6-10,
International Search Report for PCT/IB2007/004584 dated Jan. 28, 2005, Barcelona, Spain, pp. 2249-2252.
2009. Uriarte, “Energy Integrated Management System for PV Applica
International Search Report for PCT/IB2007/004586 dated Mar. 5, tions”, 20th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, Jun.
2009. 6-10, 2005, Barcelona, Spain, pp. 2292-2295.
International Search Report for PCT/IB2007/004643 dated Jan. 30, Walker, "Cascaded DC-DC Converter Connection of Photovoltaic
2009. Modules', IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 19, No. 4,
International Search Report for PCT/US2008/085736 dated Jan. 28, Jul. 2004, pp. 1130-1139.
2009. Matsui, et al. “A New Maximum Photovoltaic Power Tracking Con
International Search Report for PCT/US2008/085754 dated Feb. 9, trol Scheme Based on Power Equilibrium at DC Link”, IEEE, 1999,
2009. pp. 804-809.
International Search Report for PCT/US2008/085755 dated Feb. 3, Hou, et al., Application of Adaptive Algorithm of Solar Cell Battery
2009. Charger, Apr. 2004.
Kajihara, et al., “Model of Photovoltaic Cell Circuits Under Partial Stamenic, et al., “Maximum Power Point Tracking for Building Inte
Shading”, 2005 IEEE, pp. 866-870. grated Photovoltaic Ventilation Systems”, 2000.
Knaupp, et al., “Operation of a 10 KW PV Facade with 100 W AC International Preliminary Report on Patentability for PCT/IB2008/
Photovoltaic Modules”, 1996 IEEE, 25th PVSC, May 13-17, 1996, 055092 dated Jun. 8, 2010.
pp. 1235-1238, Washington, DC. International Search Report for PCT/IB2008/055092 dated Sep. 8,
Alonso, et al., “Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Converter for Grid 2009.
Connected Photovoltaic Generators with Independent Maximum International Search Report and Opinion of International Patent
Power Point Tracking of Each Solor Array', 2003 IEEE 34th, Annual Application WO2009136358 (PCT/IB2009/051831), dated Sep. 16,
Power Electronics Specialists Conference, Acapulco, Mexico, Jun. 2009.
15-19, 2003, pp. 731-735, vol. 2. Informal Comments to the International Search Report dated Dec. 3,
Myrzik, et al., “String and Module Integrated Inverters for Single 2009.
Phase Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems—A Review'. Power PCT/IB2010/052287 International Search Report and Written Opin
Tech Conference Proceedings, 2003 IEEE Bologna, Jun. 23-26, ion dated Sep. 2, 2010.
2003, p. 8, vol. 2. UK Intellectual Property office, Combined Search and Examination
Chen, et al., “Predictive Digital Current Programmed Control', IEEE Report for GB1100450.4 under Sections 17 and 18 (3), Jul 14, 2011.
Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 18, Issue 1 Jan. 2003. Jain, et al., “A Single-Stage Grid Connected Inverter Topology for
Wallace, et al., “DSP Controlled Buck? Boost Power Factor Correc Solar PV Systems with Maximum Power Point Tracking, IEEE
tion for Telephony Rectifiers”. Telecommunications Energy Confer Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 22, No. 5, Sep. 2007, pp.
ence 2001, INTELEC 2001, Twenty-Third International, Oct. 18, 1928-1940.
2001, pp. 132-138. Lynch, et al., “Flexible DERUtility Interface System: Final Report'.
Alonso, “A New Distributed Converter Interface for PV Panels', 20th Sep. 2004-May 2006, Northern Power Systems, Inc., Waitsfield,
European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, Jun. 6-10, 2005, Vermont B. Kroposki, et al., National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Barcelona, Spain, pp. 2288-2291. Golden, Colorado Technical Report NREL/TP-560-39876, Aug.
Alonso, “Experimental Results of Intelligent PV Module for Grid 2006.
Connected PV Systems', 21st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Schimpf, et al., “Grid Connected Converters for Photovoltaic, State
Conference, Sep. 4-8, 2006, Dresden, Germany, pp. 2297-2300. of the Art, Ideas for improvement of Transformerless Inverters'.
Enslin, “Integrated Photovoltaic Maximum Power Point Tracking NORPIE/2008, Nordic Workshop on Power and Industrial Electron
Converter', IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 44, No. ics, Jun. 9-11, 2008.
6, Dec. 1997, pp. 769-773. Sandia Report SAND96-2797 IUC-1290 Unlimited Release, Printed
Lindgren, “Topology for Decentralised Solar Energy Inverters with a Dec. 1996, “Photovoltaic Power Systems and The National Electrical
Low Voltage AC-Bus”. Chalmers University of Technology, Depart Code: Suggested Practices', by John Wiles, Southwest Technology
ment of Electrical Power Engineering, EPE '99 Lausanne. Development Instutte New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NM.
Nikraz, “Digital Control of a Voltage Source Inverter in a United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office, Combined Search and
Photovoltaic Applications', 200435th Annual IEEE Power Electron Examination Report Under Sections 17 and 18(3), GB1020862.7.
ics Specialists Conference, Aachen, Germany, 2004, pp. 3266-3271. dated Jun. 16, 2011.
Orduz, “Evaluation Test Results of a New Distributed MPPT Con Extended European Search Report EP 13152967.9—Mailing date:
verter', 22nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, Sep. Aug. 28, 2014.
3-7, 2007, Milan, Italy. Supplementary European Search Report—EP08857456—Mailing
Palma, "A Modular Fuel Cell, Modular DC-DC Converter Concept Date Dec. 6, 2013.
for High Performance and Enhanced Reliability, IEEE 2007, pp.
2633-2638. * cited by examiner
U.S. Patent May 26, 2015 Sheet 1 of 3 US 9,041,339 B2

s
S. S.
s \
s

s
i

s
U.S. Patent May 26, 2015 Sheet 2 of 3 US 9,041,339 B2

% Apuebly
S09

mål,
om
g

Z09)
U.S. Patent May 26, 2015 Sheet 3 of 3 US 9,041,339 B2
 US 9,041,339 B2
1. 2
BATTERY POWER DELVERY MODULE suffers from numerous drawbacks. It has a limited life and
after 300-500 cycles the battery’s capacity drops to 80% of
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED the rated capacity. It has very low tolerance to overcharging,
APPLICATIONS and if mistreated might become thermally unstable and haZ
ardous. In order to maintain the battery's safety, it is essential
This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent to have charge/discharge monitoring and protection circuits
Applications, Ser. No. 60/868,851, filed Dec. 6, 2006, and that prevent over-discharge, monitor the charging process and
titled “Distributed Solar Array Monitoring, Management and stop the charging before over-charge. Cells of this chemistry
Maintenance.” Ser. No. 60/868,893, filed Dec. 6, 2006, and have a maximum output Voltage of approximately 4.1V but
titled “Distributed Power Harvesting System for Distributed 10 will provide efficient power at approximately 3.6V, and their
Power Sources. 60/868,962, filed Dec. 7, 2006, and titled voltage shouldn't drop under 2.5V-3V, depending on the kind
“System, Method and Apparatus for Chemically Independent of Li-ion used.
Battery.” Ser. No. 60/908.095, filed Mar. 26, 2007, and titled There is continuous progress in increasing the capacity of
“System and Method for Power Harvesting from Distributed different types of the Li-ion chemistry and new battery tech
Power Sources,” and Ser. No. 60/916,815, filed May 9, 2007, 15 nologies, such as spinnel and Li-Polymer, keep emerging.
and titled “Harvesting Power From Direct Current Power These technologies, while similar to the regular Li-ion tech
Sources, the entire content of which is incorporated herein nology, may require adaptation of the hosting devices due to
by reference. Further, this Application is related to ordinary slightly different Voltages or charge procedures.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/950.224, filed Dec. 4, Finally, there are radically new battery technologies in the
2007, titled “Current Bypass for Distributed Power Harvest making, such as nano-tube based batteries, which hold the
ing Systems. Using DC Power Sources.” patent application promise of much higher charge capacities. However, because
Ser. No. 11/950,271, filed Dec. 4, 2007, titled “Distributed these batteries will have electronic properties different from
Power Harvesting Systems Using DC Power Sources.” patent the currently common batteries, the current electronic prod
application Ser. No. 11/950,307, filed Dec. 4, 2007 titled “A ucts would need an adaptation circuit in order to benefit from
Method for Distributed Power Harvesting Using DC Power 25 such batteries.
Sources.” patent application Ser. No. 11/951,419, filed Dec. As set forth above, most electronic devices are configured
6, 2007, titled “Monitoring of Distributed Power Harvesting for a specific battery type. Locking the design of an electronic
Systems. Using DC Power Sources.” and patent application device into one specific battery type prevents the device own
Ser. No. 11/951,485, filed Dec. 6, 2007, titled “Removal ers from enjoying the benefits of new battery technologies,
Component Cartridge for Increasing Reliability in Power 30 price reductions and other advances. In order to enjoy Such
Harvesting Systems, and incorporates the entire content of benefits, the device must be re-designed in order to fit the new
these applications by this reference. batteries. This is not desirable for the buyer.
Furthermore, if problems are found in the battery manage
BACKGROUND ment circuits, a recall may have to be made in order to fix the
35 problem. Recalls, that happen not infrequently, are costly to
1. Field of the Invention the device manufacturer.
The present invention relates generally to power manage Energy efficiency in analog conversion circuits is greatly
ment, power conversion and batteries and, more particularly, dependant upon the current consumption. The conversion
to power conversion for batteries. efficiency will usually be high for the designed load and
2. Related Arts 40 current consumption, but as the load changes the efficiency
Most of the electronic devices today are configured for drops. Thus, if good energy efficiency is desired, the conver
specific battery types and chemistries. The selection of which sion circuit must be specifically designed for the host device.
chemistry to use is usually based upon an assessment of Building a Voltage-converting circuit to fit many different
among other considerations, the device's environmental con products and, thus, many different loads, is complicated and
ditions and expected lifetime, and the price of the battery at 45 results in a large converter that is not suitable for a small
time of design. battery.
Different batteries have different chemistries, each having
their own properties, advantages and challenges. One con SUMMARY
ventional type of battery, that is used extensively especially in
lower-end products, uses a Nickel-Cadmium (Ni–Cd) 50 The following summary of the invention is included to
chemistry. A Ni–Cd battery has numerous drawbacks and provide a basic understanding of some aspects and features of
limitations: it allows only moderate energy density (45-80 the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of
Wh/Kg); has a high rate of self-discharge of approximately the invention, and as Such it is not intended to particularly
20% per month; and requires charging maintenance in the identify key or critical elements of the invention, or to delin
form of periodic charge/discharge cycles in order to prevent 55 eate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present
memory-effects which limit the usable capacity of the battery. Some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a
Furthermore, the compounds used in its production are highly prelude to the more detailed description that is presented
toxic and cause environmental problems. Cells of this chem below.
istry have an output voltage of approximately 1.25 volts. The Aspects of the invention provide circuitry that may be
Nickel-Metal-Hydride (NiMH) chemistry is a variation of 60 incorporated in the battery itself or outside of the battery. The
Ni–Cad and shares many of the Ni Cad properties. It pro circuitry is programmed to output the Voltage required by the
vides a slightly higher energy density 60-120 Wh/Kg. load, and monitors the power drawn from the battery accord
In the recent years, Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have ing to the battery's characteristics, e.g., type, temperature,
become prevalent, especially in devices which require high age, shelf life, etc.
energy densities such as laptops, medical devices and cell 65 According to an aspect of the invention, an intelligent
phones. This chemistry provides high energy density (150 battery power delivery apparatus is provided, comprising:
190 Wh/Kg) and is environmentally friendly. However, it also input terminals receiving power from one or more battery
 US 9,041,339 B2
3 4
cells; output terminal for providing power to a load; and, a According to aspects of the invention, a method for utiliz
conversion module programmable to maintain output power ing a first type battery in an application designed for a second
characteristics at the output terminals according to pro type battery is provided, the method comprising: converting a
grammed characteristics, and programmable to control power first power from the first type battery to a second power
draw at the input terminals according to programmed char corresponding to the second type battery using digital power
acteristics. The conversion module may comprise an inte conversion; and converting a charging Voltage from a charger
grated circuit. The conversion module may comprise a corresponding to the second type battery to a charging Voltage
DC/DC converter. The conversion module may comprise a appropriate for the first type battery. The converting a first
buck converter and a boost converter and wherein one of the power may comprise digitally converting the first power. The
buck converter and the boost converter is engaged depending 10 method may further comprise monitoring charging Voltage
on the type of the battery cell. The conversion module may applied to the first battery type to protect from overcharging
further comprise a battery protection unit. The battery pro and under charging. The method may further comprise track
tection unit may comprise a fuel gauging unit for monitoring ing battery status by monitoring charge condition in the first
the state of charge of the one or more battery cells. The battery type.
conversion module may further comprise a current sensor. 15
The conversion module may further comprise telemetry ter BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
minals for communicating operation data. The apparatus may
further comprise a casing, and wherein the conversion mod The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in
ule and the one or more battery cells are housed within the and constitute a part of this specification, exemplify the
casing and form an integral intelligent battery. The conver embodiments of the present invention and, together with the
sion module may comprise a digital circuit, the digital circuit description, serve to explain and illustrate principles of the
comprising: a DC to DC voltage conversion unit; a current invention. The drawings are intended to illustrate major fea
sense unit; a fuel gauge; and a central processing unit; tures of the exemplary embodiments in a diagrammatic man
wherein the DC to DC voltage conversion unit is adapted to ner. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of
provide a desirable voltage to the load, wherein the current 25 actual embodiments nor relative dimensions of the depicted
sense unit is adapted to obtain a sensed current from the elements, and are not drawn to scale.
battery module and to utilize the sensed current for function FIG. 1 shows an integral intelligent battery according to
ing of the fuel gauge unit, wherein the fuel gauge unit moni aspects of the invention.
tors a state of charge of the one or more battery cells and FIG. 2 shows a modular intelligent battery according to
reports the state of charge to the central processing unit to 30 aspects of the invention.
prevent overcharge or over-discharge of the one or more FIG. 3 is a block diagram of components of an intelligent
battery cells, and wherein the central processing unit manages battery according to aspects of the invention.
the digital power conversion. The conversion unit may com FIG. 4 is a plot of conversion efficiency versus load and
prise: a charge/discharge unit; a battery protection unit; and shows a comparison between conversion efficiency of an
an internal DC regulation unit, wherein the charge/discharge 35 analog conversion scheme and a digital conversion scheme.
unit is adapted to provide over-current protection during dis FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a power management and
charge and to control charging schemes used by the intelli conversion module used in an intelligent battery according to
gent battery, wherein the battery protection unit is adapted to aspects of the invention.
monitor Voltage, the sensed current and battery module
charge and to alert the central processing unit of potentially 40 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
hazardous conditions, and wherein the internal Voltage regu
lation unit regulates a Voltage required by each of the power Aspects of the present invention are directed to an intelli
management and conversion units. The conversion module gent battery including one or more battery cells together with
may further comprise telemetry terminals for communicating digital power management and conversion electronics. The
with an outside device, and wherein the central processing 45 intelligent battery provides a Substantially constant Voltage
unit communicates with the outside device via the telemetry required by the hosting device and manages the charge/dis
port. charge operations. As a result, the hosting device may be
According to aspects of the invention, an intelligent battery simplified and different battery chemistries may be made
is provided, comprising: a casing; one or more battery cells compatible with a particular hosting device.
housed within the casing; and a conversion circuit housed 50 In one aspect of the invention, a single package is provided,
within the casing, the conversion circuit adapted to perform which includes both battery cell or cells and a power man
digital power conversion; wherein the conversion circuit con agement integrated circuit (IC). In one aspect of the invention,
trols a Voltage conversion to convert a Voltage of the battery the package includes two separate modules, one including the
cells to a Voltage level corresponding to load requirement, and battery cells and the other including the power management
wherein the conversion circuit controls a charging of the 55 IC such that the battery cells may be replaced. The power
battery cells to provide an external DC voltage to the battery management IC that is used may be included in the host
cells according to charging requirements of the battery cells. device, thus enabling the host device to use different battery
The conversion circuit may further comprise programming cells. In one aspect, a safety circuit monitors the battery to
means enabling the conversion circuit to provide output prevent misuse and a charge circuit correctly charges the
power characteristic of at least one of an alkaline battery, a 60 battery in an adequate manner. Fuel-gauging may be used to
lithium ion battery, a metal hydride battery, a Nickel-Cad provide data about the state-of-charge of the battery and
mium battery, and a Nickel-Metal-Hydride battery, regard monitoring may be used to provide data about the state-of
less of the type of one or more battery cells housed within the health of the battery. The battery cells used in various aspects
casing. The conversion circuit may comprise a digital inte of the invention may include chemical battery cells, fuel
grated circuit. The conversion circuit may comprise a charge? 65 cells, photovoltaic cells and the like.
discharge unit; a battery protection unit; and an internal DC Aspects of the invention also provide a method for utilizing
regulation unit. a first type of battery in an application and a circuit that is
 US 9,041,339 B2
5 6
designed for a second type of battery. A power conversion wanted regulator output Voltage, current and Voltage limiting,
scheme is used to convert the power output from the first type and various charge parameters. The charge parameters
of battery to the power that would be output from the second include the charging scheme parameters, amount of charge
type of battery. The power conversion scheme may be imple parameters and safety parameters. The charging schemes
mented digitally, due to its greater versatility and higher effi include constant current, constant Voltage, trickle, and the
ciencies over large load variations. Also, when a charger like. The amount of charge parameters include the maximal
corresponding to the second type of battery is being used to and the minimal charge allowed. The safety parameters
charge the first type of battery, the charging Voltage is include the maximum allowed temperature.
adjusted by the digital power conversion scheme to a level Communications to and from the debug and telemetry
appropriate for charging the first battery. Digital power con 10
terminals 108 may be implemented by various protocols. In
version schemes are used because they maintain a more uni one aspect of the invention, an asynchronous serial commu
form efficiency overa wider range of loads when compared to nication bus may be used, in other embodiments synchronous
analog power conversion schemes that are efficient only near
their design load. communications may be used such as SPI or I2C. Other
FIG. 1 shows an integral intelligent power-converting bat 15 protocols such as PMBus or SMBus may be used. Both point
tery 100, according to aspects of the invention. The battery to-point and bus topologies may be Suitable for this type of
100 shown in FIG. 1 includes one or more battery cells 102 communication. The communication may be wireless, either
and a power management and conversion unit 104 that are in active form by use of IR or RF transceivers, or in passive
encased in the same casing. The battery 100 also includes an form by use of RFID or similar devices.
anode terminal 106 and debug, telemetry and upgrade termi FIG. 2 shows a modular intelligent power-converting bat
nals 108 at the power management and conversion unit 104, tery according to aspects of the invention. The modular intel
and a cathode terminal 110 at the one or more battery cells ligent battery 200 includes two separate and connectable
102. The debug and telemetry terminals 108 are optional. modules. A battery module 212 that includes the battery cells
The casing interfaces to external components and a host 213 and a conversion module 214 that includes a power
device via the anode 106 and the cathode 110 terminals. 25 management and conversion unit 215. In the modular intelli
Through the anode and the cathode terminals 106, 110. gent battery 200 shown in FIG. 2, replacement of the battery
energy from the battery may be Supplied to a hosting device cell or battery cells 213 is possible.
and external voltage may be applied to the battery in order to The battery module 212 includes an external battery cath
charge the battery. ode 217 and terminals 219 to the conversion module 214. The
The power management and conversion unit 104 may pro 30 conversion module 214 includes an external battery anode
vide the power conversion, battery charge/discharge and 221, optional debug, telemetry and upgrade terminals 223
communication functionality. The power management and and terminals 225 to the battery module 212. The battery
conversion unit 104 may be implemented in a PCB with module 212 and the conversion module 214 may be con
discrete components soldered to it. Alternatively, the power nected through the terminals 219 and 225. The conversion
management and conversion unit 104 may be implemented in 35 module 214 may operate as unit 104 to ensure proper power
a single component IC. output and proper power extraction from the battery module
The power management and conversion unit 104 controls 212.
the power delivered to the load and the power extracted from The conversion module may be implemented as applica
the batteries. As for the power delivery to the load, unit 104 tion specific module or a generic module. When it is designed
may be programmed with the parameters of the load, e.g., 40 as application specific module, it is designed for a specific
Voltage and current requirements. The programming can be type of battery and a specific type of load. In Such a case, its
done beforehand in the factory, and may also be done by user input and output power requirements are preprogrammed at
programming or by “learning the requirements from inter the factory for the specific battery and specific load. On the
action with the load. As for power extracted from the battery, other hand, if it is made as a generic module, means for
here too unit 104 may be programmed in the factory for a 45 programming different input and output power characteris
certain type of cell, but may have means for modifying this tics are provided, so that the conversion module 214 may be
programming or for programming in the field by user or by connected to any type of load and be used with any type of
“learning the cell's characteristics. For example, unit 104 battery. Various methods for programming the required out
could learn what battery-cell it is coupled to based on sensing put and input may be implemented. For example, the unit may
the output Voltage, performing short-circuit for a very short 50 be coupled to a computer via a charger, USB, etc., and the
time to determine the maximum current, see how longittakes required programming downloaded via the Internet. Also,
to drain to gather capacity, etc. Using this information unit means may be provided for a user to input a code when the
104 provides the required output power to the load, but battery type or load is changed.
extracts power according to the requirements of the battery or In the modular intelligent battery 200, the battery cells 212
cells. In this manner, any type of battery may be connected to 55 may be replaced when they malfunction or reach the end of
any type of device. their life. The modular intelligent battery 200, however, may
The optional debug and telemetry terminals 108 are used require a larger casing or may be less reliable than the integral
for ascertaining status information about the intelligent bat intelligent battery 100 of FIG. 1.
tery or for providing the intelligent battery with operating FIG. 3 is a block diagram of components of an intelligent
instructions. Status information about the intelligent battery 60 battery according to aspects of the invention. FIG.3 shows the
may be the state of charge (SoC) of the enclosed cell 102, state coupling between a battery module 302 including one or
of health (SoH), internal temperature, and various statistics more battery cells and a power management and conversion
regarding the cell 102 that may be logged in the power man module 305 in an intelligent battery 300. The two modules
agement and conversion unit 104. This statistics include date 302, 305 are coupled via voltage input terminals 308, 314.
of production, number of charge cycles to date, type of cells, 65 The voltage input terminals 308,314 are respectively provid
cell output Voltage, and regulated output Voltage. Operating ing a battery Vcc and a battery ground. The battery module
instructions to the intelligent battery may include requests for 302 and the conversion module 305 may also be connected by
 US 9,041,339 B2
7 8
one or more sensors 312. These sensors may be temperature over-discharge. During charge, the unit 505 controls the
or pressure sensors but they may be any other sensor deemed charging schemes used. Such schemes may be constant
appropriate. charge ratio, constant current, constant Voltage and trickle
Voltage output terminals 310 and 316 are provided at the charge. Because the charging of the battery cells may be
conversion module 305 and may also be used for charging the software controllable, other schemes may also be imple
battery module 302. Optionally, a debug and telemetry termi mented.
nal 318 may be present to provide the functionality discussed The DC to DC voltage conversion unit 506 is included to
above. provide the host device with the desired voltage. The conver
In one aspect of the invention, the conversion module 305 sion unit 506 may be a buck, boost, buck/boost or Cuk con
includes an IC 304 and external components. In FIG. 3, the 10 verter. The conversion may be done substantially inside the
external components are respectively an inductor 306 and a IC 504 with field effect transistors (FETs) and drivers fabri
capacitor 320. The integration of the elements into the IC304 cated on the silicon Substrate and only minimal external com
provides digital power conversion and permits the conversion ponents such as an inductor and a capacitor may be used in
module 305 to include fewer external components. addition to the circuits existing on the IC 504. The use of
FIG. 4 is a plot of conversion efficiency versus load and 15 buck-boost or cascaded buck boost may be useful where the
shows a comparison between conversion efficiency of an cell output voltage may drop below the desired output volt
analog conversion scheme and a digital conversion Scheme. age. For example, if a Li-ion cell is used and a 3.3V output
In FIG. 4, a load being Supplied by a battery through a con Voltage is desired, because fully charged Li-ion cells provide
version module is shown on the horizontal axis and the per 3.6V to 4.1V, a buck conversion is needed when the battery is
cent efficiency of the conversion is shown on the vertical axis. fully charged. The buck conversion provides a step down
A load for which an analog conversion circuit is designed is conversion from 3.6V or 4.1V to the desirable 3.3V output
shown at 402. An efficiency curve 404 using an analog con voltage. However, Li-ion cells may drop to 2.5V and to fully
version and another efficiency curve 406 using a digital con utilize the charge contained in these cells, a boost conversion
version are Superimposed. is performed to raise the output Voltage.
Analog power conversion schemes usually imply a linear 25 The battery protection unit 510 is included such that proper
control algorithm. These linear loops take a relatively long charge and discharge conditions are applied. Monitoring of
time to adapt to changes in current consumption by the load or cell parameters such as temperature or pressure may be
the host. Thus, if the host suddenly starts to take more current, achieved via connection 526 to cell sensors located in a bat
while the loop is adjusting, the Voltage may drop. Large tery module such as the battery module 302 of FIG. 3. Other
external capacitors and inductors are used to prevent the drop 30 critical data Such as Voltage, current and charge is obtained
and maintain the required Voltage until the loop adjusts. When from the internal units within the IC504. If the protection unit
digital conversion is used, the loop feedback may not be 510 finds a potentially hazardous situation it may alert the
linear. As a result the convergence time may be much faster. CPU 514. The CPU may take action to minimize the risk and
Thus, smaller components may be used. This could be ben it may also alert the host device via the telemetry terminals.
eficial in mobile applications that require batteries. 35 The fuel gauging unit 512 may be present to monitor the
As described above, and as depicted in FIG. 4, the analog state of charge of the battery cell. This information is reported
conversion circuitry is usually designed for a specific load to the CPU 514 and may be transferred to the host device. This
Such as the load 402. At this load, the analog conversion is information may also be used to prevent overcharge or over
quite efficient and the efficiency is shown at 95%. However, discharge of the cell. Both overcharge and over-discharge
efficiency of the analog conversion 404 drops at loads far 40 conditions may prove dangerous to certain cell chemistries.
from the design target load 402. As a result, it is difficult to The current sense unit 508 is used to sense the current. The
design an efficient conversion circuit when the host device is sensed current is used for the functioning of both the protec
unknown. tion unit 510 and the fuel gauge unit 512. This current sensing
On the contrary, when digital power conversion schemes may be done by monitoring the Voltage drop across a sense
are used, efficient conversion could be achieved for a wider 45 resistor such as a resistor 517 shown in FIG. 5. Current
array of load conditions. As seen in FIG. 4, the efficiency sensing may be achieved by using a current loop, or by using
curve 406 for digital conversion stays near and above 95% other methods. The current sense unit 508 may be shared by
efficiency over a large range of loads. Therefore, an intelligent both the battery protection unit 510 and the fuel gauge unit
battery using digital power conversion is Suitable for many 512, thus lowering costs and reducing board space.
different applications. The digital power conversion circuits 50 The CPU 514 is used for digital power conversion man
are managed by a CPU such as a CPU 514 shown in FIG. 5. agement. The CPU 514 may be implemented via a micro
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a power management and processor, for ease of development, or via a state-machine,
conversion module used in an intelligent battery according to which may provide lower current consumption. The CPU 514
aspects of the invention. FIG. 5 shows internal units in an monitors various parameters. Such as an input Voltage 518 and
exemplary IC 504 of a power management and conversion 55 an output voltage 520 to the IC504, and controls the various
module according to aspects of the invention. The IC 504 internal units of the IC504 that are described above. The CPU
includes a charge/discharge unit 505, a DC to DC conversion 514 also may communicate with outside devices via the
unit 506, a current sense unit 508, a battery protection unit debug and telemetry port.
510, a fuel gauge 512, the CPU 514, and an internal DC The internal voltage regulation unit 516 regulates the volt
regulation unit 516. The IC 504 engages in digital power 60 age required by each of the other internal units. The internal
management and conversion and therefore may operate over voltage regulation unit 516 may receive voltage from the
a large range of loads with Substantially high efficiency. battery cells, and may also receive Voltage from the host
The charge/discharge unit 505 is provided to prevent a load device in case the cells are exhausted and need to be charged.
or a host device from extracting too much energy from the One exemplary aspect of the present invention may be
battery cells during discharge and to provide over-current 65 embodied in an intelligent battery casing that looks like a
protection. The charge/discharge unit 505 also disconnects regular AA battery, in a manner similar to the battery depicted
the battery cells when they are empty in order to prevent in FIG. 1. This battery has an internal Li-ion cell, which
 US 9,041,339 B2
10
provides energy density greater than the energy density of 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a casing,
Ni–Cd or Ni-MH batteries. However, the cell provides an wherein the integrated circuit and at least one of the one or
output voltage of 3.6V instead of 1.5V, and requires different more battery cells are housed within the casing.
charge schemes. Part of the casing includes a small power 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
management and conversion circuit. This circuit contains an 5 a current sense unit configured to sense a current of a
IC and a few external components. The IC converts the volt particular battery cell;
age of the cell from 3.6V to 1.5V so it would seem like a a fuel gauge configured to monitor a state of charge of the
regular Alkaline or Ni–Cd battery to any device that takes particular battery cell using the sensed current; and
AA batteries. Providing an external DC voltage to the intel a battery protection unit configured to determine a hazard
ligent battery would cause the enclosed circuit to charge the 10 ous condition of the particular battery cell using the
sensed current.
cell in a manner favorable to Li-ion. This Voltage could origi 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
nate from a Ni–Cd charger, a dedicated intelligent battery a battery protection unit configured to determine a hazard
charger, or a simple Voltage source, for example, USB port of ous condition of a particular battery cell and alert the
a computer. The described intelligent battery provides the 15 processor,
advantages of a Li-ion battery to devices that were designed wherein the processor is further configured to reduce a risk
for Ni–Cd AA batteries. Obviously, this conversion may of a hazardous situation or to alert a host device drawing
prove beneficial for other devices and batteries as well. power from the particular battery cell.
The present invention has been described in relation to 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is con
particular examples, which are intended in all respects to be figured to sense an output Voltage of the at least one of the one
illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will or more battery cells and determine a maximum current of the
appreciate that many different combinations of hardware, at least one of the one or more battery cells, and wherein the
software, and firmware will be suitable for practicing the processor is configured to determine the type of the at least
present invention. Moreover, other implementations of the one of the one or more battery cells based on the output
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from 25 Voltage and the maximum current.
consideration of the specification and practice of the inven 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is con
tion disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and figured to create a short circuit to determine the maximum
examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope current of the at least one of the one or more battery cells.
and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is con
claims and their equivalents. 30 figured to perform digital power conversion.
10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the battery protec
What is claimed is: tion unit is configured to monitor a pressure of the at least one
1. An apparatus, comprising: of the one or more battery cells.
input terminals configured to receive power from one or 11. The apparatus of claim3, wherein the integrated circuit
more battery cells; 35 uses the telemetry terminals to receive a date of production of
output terminals configured to provide power to a load; at least one of the one or more battery cells.
a capacitor connected to at least one of the output termi 12. The apparatus of claim3, wherein the integrated circuit
nals; uses the telemetry terminals to receive a number of charge
an inductor; and cycles undergone by at least one of the one or more battery
an integrated circuit connected to the input terminals, the 40 cells.
inductor, and the output terminals, the integrated circuit 13. The apparatus of claim3, wherein the integrated circuit
comprising: uses the telemetry terminals to receive information indicating
a DC to DC converter configured to provide an output the type of the at least one of the one or more battery cells.
Voltage to the at least one of the output terminals; and 14. The apparatus of claim3, wherein the integrated circuit
a processor connected to the DC to DC converter, the 45 uses the telemetry terminals to receive requests for a desired
processor configured to determine a type of at least output Voltage of at least one of the one or more battery cells.
one of the one or more battery cells, wherein the 15. The apparatus of claim3, wherein the integrated circuit
processor is programmable to maintain output power uses the telemetry terminals to receive charge parameters.
characteristics at the output terminals according to 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the integrated cir
programmed characteristics comprising at least one 50 cuit is configured to control charging of at least one of the one
parameter of the load, and wherein the processor is or more battery cells based on the charge parameters.
programmable to control power draw at the input 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein determining the type
terminals according to programmed characteristics of the at least one of the one or more battery cells comprises
comprising at least one characteristic of the at least determining whether a particular battery cell is at least one of
one of the one or more battery cells based on the type 55 an alkaline battery, a Lithium ion battery, a metal hydride
of the at least one of the one or more battery cells. battery, a Nickel-Cadmium battery, a Nickel-Metal-Hydride
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit battery, a Lithium polymer battery, a fuel cell, or a photovol
comprises: taic cell.
a battery protection unit configured to determine a hazard 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein determining the
ous condition of the at least one of the one or more 60 type of the at least one of the one or more battery cells is
battery cells; performed by at least sensing an output Voltage of the par
a fuel gauging unit for monitoring the state of charge of the ticular battery cell, determining a maximum current of the
at least one of the one or more battery cells; and particular battery cell, or determining a capacity of the par
a current sensor connected to at least one of the battery ticular battery cell.
protection unit and the fuel gauging unit. 65 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein determining the type
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising telemetry of the at least one of the one or more battery cells comprises
terminals for communicating operation data. determining that a particular battery cell is at least one of an
 US 9,041,339 B2
11 12
alkaline battery, a Lithium ion battery, a metal hydride bat
tery, a Nickel-Cadmium battery, a Nickel-Metal-Hydridebat
tery, a Lithium polymer battery, a fuel cell, or a photovoltaic
cell by at least creating a short circuit and determining a
maximum current of the particular battery cell.
20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the DC to DC con
Verter comprises a buck converter and a boost converter, and
wherein one of the buck converter and the boost converter is
engaged depending on the type of the at least one of the one or
more battery cells. 10
21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the DC to DC con
verter comprises one or more field effect transistors fabri
cated on a substrate of the integrated circuit.
22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit
further comprises: 15
a current Sensor,
a battery protection unit connected to the current sensor
and configured to monitor at least one of temperature
data or pressure data received via a connection to one or
more sensors obtaining data from at least one of the one
or more battery cells; and
a fuel gauging unit connected to the current sensor and
configured to monitor a state of charge of at least one of
the one or more battery cells.
k k k k k 25