Multicell battery pack bilateral power distribution unit with individual cell monitoring and control

摘要

A power distribution unit (PDU) for series connected multicell battery packs which uses a common hardware platform for both charging and providing power to an external load. Using switching circuitry (2), and tap points (5a,5b,5c,5d,5e) individual access to cells (4a,4b,4c,4d) or groups of series connected cells is accomplished. Under control of microcontroller circuitry (1), series connected cell groups of varying sizes are selected and prioritized for connection to a common power bus (29),(30) at real-time speeds. The PDU uses these groups to maintain balance over cells with varying characteristics, adapt to varying charge sources and to produce a regulated output voltage during discharge.