Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Theodore T Kim

Tao Wang

Fang Wang

Jeffrey Johnson

Larry T Nitz

Tamara R Thomson

Janpreet S Basi

A battery system includes a battery module, an active cell balancing circuit, and a battery controller. Each cell has diametrically-opposed positive and negative cell tabs. The circuit includes voltage sensors and, at each end of the battery module, first and second tiers of switches and an energy storage element. Each voltage sensor is located between a different pair of adjacent cells. The controller receives measured voltages from the sensors indicative of an electric potential between adjacent battery cells. Responsive to the measured voltages, the controller commands the first tier to selectively connect or disconnect designated pairs of cells to the corresponding second tier. The controller also commands the second tier to selectively connect or disconnect the designated cells to a corresponding energy storage element. This action shuttles energy between the designated pairs of battery cells to balance a state of charge.

Battery module with active cell balancing using energy storage element and two tiers of switches

A high-voltage electrical system includes a high-voltage electrical bus, a low-voltage controller performing battery management system (BMS) functions, and a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) connected to the HV electrical bus. The RESS has contactors connected to the voltage rails, a battery pack, a current sensor outputting a voltage signal indicative of pack current, cell monitoring units (CMUs) connected to designated battery cells that measure corresponding cell voltages, and voltage isolation hardware between the CMUs and the LV controller. The voltage isolation hardware includes the contactors and may include a transformer. The RESS and LV controller are connected via LV serial connections such that the LV controller performs the designated BMS functions, including monitoring the pack current and controlling an open/closed state of the contactors. A powertrain system includes the electrical system, an electric machine, and a coupled load.

High-voltage system with low-voltage control architecture and method

A battery module for use with a controller includes a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) mounted to a plurality of battery cells. The PCBA includes a substrate, a radio frequency (RF) communications circuit, a cell sensing circuit, and a conductive interconnecting member. The cell sensing circuit is operable for measuring a respective cell voltage of each of the battery cells. The conductive interconnect member forms an electrical connection between the battery cells. The RF communications circuit is in wireless communication with the controller and is operable for wirelessly transmitting the measured cell voltages to the controller. A battery system includes a master battery controller and the battery pack. A vehicle includes an electric machine operable for generating output torque for propelling the vehicle, as well as the battery system noted above.

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Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Theodore T Kim