Peco Ii, Inc.

Richard H Jones

Joseph M McAndrews

An apparatus for controllably charging and discharging individual battery cells or groups of battery cells in a string of batteries employed as a back-up power supply is provided. The apparatus comprises an isolation circuit for at least partially isolating the battery string from the load bus and primary supply; a switching network including at least two controlled switches arranged to selectively form circuits for discharging one or more cells; and a logic circuit for selecting which of the cells will be discharged. In certain disclosed embodiments, the logic circuit and switching network combine to apportion charging current to individual battery cells or groups of cells in accordance with their charging needs.

Back-up battery management apparatus for charging and testing individual

The disclosure generally concerns a battery management system for a back-up battery for an uninterruptible primary DC source for telephone switching equipment or other loads. The battery management system includes variable isolation impedance means having high reverse impedance and variable forward impedance connected in series with the battery for effectively electrically isolating the battery from the system load bus without loss of battery back-up capability. Control means responsive to one or more predetermined system load bus and battery conditions and parameters adjusts the forward impedance of the impedance means between a relatively higher impedance level or levels effective to isolate said battery from the system load bus and a relatively lower forward impedance level or levels effective to connect the battery to the system load bus. During recharge of the battery after an emergency discharge into the load, the control means maintains the forward impedance of the variable impedance means at a normally lower level until the charging current falls to a predetermined charging current level, and then adjusts the forward impedance of the variable impedance means to a relatively higher level to isolate the battery from the primary DC supply voltage.

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Marietta, GA, United States of America

Richard H Jones