BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR EXTENDING SERVICE LIFE OF A BATTERY

摘要

Battery management systems and methods for optimizing and extending the service life of a battery generally include subjecting the battery to a test cycle that appropriately sets the state of charge for the battery to less than the nominal capacity of the battery, i.e., to less than 100% state of charge. The state of charge of other batteries in the system not being tested can be increased to insure that the system battery capacity is not degraded during the test cycle. Periodic testing of the battery and adjusting the state of charge maintains an optimal state of charge as the battery ages. Batteries that do not meet the required capacity can be readily identified and replaced on demand.