SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ESTIMATING THE CAPACITY OF A BATTERY STACK DURING CHARGE RETENTION USE

Abstract

A method for estimating the capacity of a battery stack, wherein the method comprises: Charge throughput data is received, describing the amount of charge transferred into or out of the battery stack; the received charge throughput data are integrated; the integrated received charge throughput data are stored in a first data basket, which is assigned to increasing charge throughput data where a charge quantity is transferred into the battery stack, or in a second data basket, which is assigned to decreasing charge throughput data where a charge quantity is transferred out of the battery stack, based on a determination of whether the received charge throughput data includes increasing charge throughput data or decreasing charge throughput data; voltage-based state-of-charge movement data is received, which describes a movement of a state of charge of the battery stack based on a voltage of the battery stack; the received voltage-based charge state movement data are integrated; the integrated voltage-based state-of-charge movement data are stored in a third data basket, which is assigned to increasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement data where the state of charge of the battery stack increases, or in a fourth data basket, which is assigned to decreasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement data where the state of charge of the battery stack decreases, based on a determination of whether the received voltage-based state-of-charge movement data includes increasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement data or decreasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement data; an estimated charging capacity of the battery stack, determined from data during a charging process of the battery stack, based on data stored in the first data basket and the third data basket; and an estimated discharge capacity of the battery stack, determined from data during a discharge process of the battery stack, based on data stored in the second data basket and the fourth data basket.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] This disclosure relates to systems and methods for estimating the capacity of a battery stack. In particular, but not exclusively, the systems and methods disclosed herein relate to estimating the capacity of a vehicle battery stack during trickle charge operation. BACKGROUND

[0002] Passenger vehicles often contain electric batteries to power features of the vehicle's electrical and powertrain systems. For example, vehicles frequently include a 12V lead-acid automotive battery designed to supply electrical power to vehicle starter systems (e.g., a starter motor), lighting systems, and / or ignition systems. In electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles (FC vehicles), and / or hybrid vehicles, a high-voltage battery system (HV battery system) (e.g., a 360V HV battery system) may be used to power the vehicle's electrical powertrain components (e.g., electric drive motors, etc.). For example, a rechargeable HV energy storage system (ESS) included in a vehicle may be used to power the vehicle's electrical powertrain components.

[0003] Monitoring the capacity of a battery system can enable more accurate decisions regarding battery system control and / or management, thereby improving overall battery performance. Accurate knowledge of a battery system's capacity can also allow improved diagnostic and / or predictive methods to identify potential battery system problems. However, conventional methods for estimating battery system capacity are not particularly accurate when estimating the capacity of a battery system contained within a vehicle during trickle charging operation.

[0004] German patent application DE 10 2013 203 809 A1 discloses a method and a device for determining the electrical capacitance of an energy storage unit, in which the energy storage unit is partially charged and discharged several times, and cell voltages are measured. The electrical capacitance is determined from the measured cell voltages.

[0005] German patent application DE 11 2009 001 553 T5 discloses a method for estimating battery capacity in which the battery's state of charge at two different times and the net charge flow to / from the battery between these two times are determined. The battery capacity is calculated as a function of the difference between the states of charge and the net charge flow.

[0006] The object of the invention is to accurately estimate the capacity of a battery system during relatively small operating fluctuations at a given state of charge of the battery system.

[0007] This problem is solved by the method according to claim 1 and the system according to claim 8. Specific embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. SUMMARY

[0008] The systems and methods disclosed herein can provide a more accurate determination and / or more accurate estimate of the capacity of a battery system, thereby improving control, management, and diagnostic decisions for the battery system. Battery capacity can be a measure of how much energy can be stored in a battery system. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods disclosed herein can estimate the capacity of a battery system contained in a vehicle during maintenance charging operation. Specifically, the systems and methods disclosed herein can be used to estimate the capacity of a battery system during relatively small operating fluctuations in the state of charge (SOC) of the battery system. These relatively small operating fluctuations in the SOC can occur during maintenance charging operation of the battery system and / or an associated vehicle.

[0009] In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, a charging current throughput and a discharging current throughput can be accumulated separately during operation of a battery system (e.g., during maintenance charging of the vehicle connected to the battery system). Furthermore, an increasing voltage-based state of charge (“SOCv”) and a decreasing SOCv can be accumulated separately. After accumulating a sufficient number of samples, an estimated capacity (i.e., dAh / dSOC) can be calculated. In some embodiments, the estimated capacity can be used by a regression analysis to track changes in capacity over time.

[0010] In certain embodiments, estimated capacities can be calculated by dividing the charge throughput by the increasing SOCv movement and by dividing the discharge throughput by the decreasing SOCv movement. In certain embodiments, separating the charge and discharge throughput and the increasing and decreasing voltage-based SOC movement into individual integrators (e.g., four total integrators) allows for the comparison of larger datasets, thereby increasing the accuracy of the capacity estimation.

[0011] In certain embodiments, a method for estimating the capacity of a battery stack may include receiving charge throughput data and voltage-based state-of-charge motion data. The received charge throughput data may be integrated and stored in a first data basket associated with increasing charge throughput data or in a second data basket associated with decreasing charge throughput data, based on a determination of whether the received charge throughput data includes data with increasing charge throughput or data with decreasing charge throughput.Similarly, the received data of the voltage-based state-of-charge movement can be integrated and stored in a third data basket associated with data of increasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement, or in a fourth data basket associated with data of decreasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement, based on a determination of whether the received voltage-based state-of-charge movement data includes increasing or decreasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement data.

[0012] An estimated charging capacity of the battery stack can be determined based on data stored in the first and third data baskets. In some embodiments, the estimated charging capacity can be determined by dividing the sum of the data stored in the first data basket by the sum of the data stored in the third data basket. Similarly, an estimated discharging capacity of the battery stack can be determined based on data stored in the second and fourth data baskets. In some embodiments, the estimated discharging capacity can be determined by dividing the sum of the data stored in the second data basket by the sum of the data stored in the fourth data basket.In certain embodiments, it can be determined whether the first, second, third and / or fourth data basket contains a threshold amount of data before the estimated loading and / or unloading capacities are determined.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth data baskets can each comprise multiple data containers. Certain embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods can delete older data from capacity estimation determinations. For example, in some embodiments, it can be determined that a first data container among the multiple data containers, which stores older data, and a second data container among the multiple data containers, which stores newer data, are both full. Based on this determination, the contents of the first data container can be deleted.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the aforementioned method can be carried out by battery control electronics connected to a battery stack and / or implemented using a non-temporary computer-readable medium that stores associated executable instructions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Non-restrictive and non-exhaustive embodiments of the disclosure are described, which contain various embodiments of the disclosure with reference to the figures, in which: Fig. Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary system for estimating the capacity of a battery system in a vehicle in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. Fig. 2 A flowchart of an exemplary method for estimating the capacity of a battery stack in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein is illustrated. Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of another exemplary method for estimating the capacity of a battery stack in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. Fig. Figure 4A illustrates a flowchart of a first part of a method for estimating the capacity of a battery stack in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. Fig. 4B A flowchart of a second part of a procedure for estimating the capacity of a battery stack following the first part of the procedure, which is described in Fig. Figure 4A illustrates this in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. Fig. Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary system for implementing certain embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Below is a detailed description of systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Although several embodiments are described, it is understood that the disclosure is not limited to any one embodiment but instead includes numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. Although numerous specific details are disclosed in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, some embodiments can also be implemented in practice without some or all of these details. Furthermore, certain technical material known in the related field has not been described in detail for the sake of clarity and to avoid unnecessary obfuscation of the disclosure.

[0017] The embodiments of the disclosure are best understood by reference to the drawings, in which identical parts may be designated by the same reference numerals. The components of the disclosed embodiments, which are generally described and illustrated here in the figures, can be arranged and constructed in a wide variety of other configurations. Consequently, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the systems and methods of the disclosure is not intended to limit the claimed scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. Furthermore, the steps of a method need not necessarily be carried out in any particular order or even sequentially, nor need the steps be carried out only once, unless otherwise specified.

[0018] Information regarding battery capacity can be used in a variety of contexts, including, without limitation, management, operational, diagnostic, and predictive decisions for the battery system. This information can be used to improve battery performance and / or determine the state of a battery system, including state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH), and / or the range of an associated vehicle. In certain embodiments, the SOH of a battery system can be a qualitative measure of its ability to store and deliver electrical energy, while the SOC can be a measure of the electrical energy stored in the battery system. Furthermore, an accurate estimate of a battery system's capacity can provide a metric for tracking the degradation of the battery system's performance over its lifetime.

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary system for estimating the capacity of a battery system 102 in a vehicle 100 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. The vehicle 100 can be a motor vehicle, a watercraft, an aircraft, and / or any other type of vehicle, and it can include a powertrain with an internal combustion engine (“ICE” powertrain), an electric motor powertrain, a hybrid powertrain, a fuel cell powertrain, and / or any other type of powertrain suitable for accommodating the systems and methods disclosed herein. The vehicle 100 can include a battery system 102, which in certain embodiments can be a high-voltage (HV) battery system. The HV battery system can be used to supply power to components of the electric powertrain (e.g., in an electric, hybrid, or fuel cell power system).In further embodiments, the battery system 102 can be a low-voltage battery (e.g., a 12 V lead-acid vehicle battery) and it can be designed to supply electrical energy to a variety of systems of the vehicle 100, which include, for example, vehicle starter systems (e.g., a starter motor), lighting systems, ignition systems, and / or the like.

[0020] The battery system 102 can include a battery control system 104. The battery control system 104 can be configured to monitor and control certain operations of the battery system 102. For example, the battery control system 104 can be configured to monitor and control charging and discharging operations of the battery system 102. In certain embodiments, the battery control system 104 can be used in conjunction with the methods disclosed herein to estimate a capacity and / or to determine a state of the battery system (e.g., a state of charge (SOC) and / or a state of health (SOH) of the battery system). In certain embodiments, the battery control system 104 can be equipped with one or more sensors 106 (e.g., voltage sensors, current sensors, and / or the like, etc.).) and / or be coupled to other systems via communication technology, which are designed to enable the battery control system 104 to monitor and control operations of the battery system 102. For example, the sensors 106 can provide the battery control system 104 with information that is used to estimate a capacity, a state of charge (SOC) and / or a state of health (SOH), to estimate a resistance value, to measure a current and / or to measure a voltage of the battery system 102 and / or the components of which it consists.

[0021] The battery control system 104 can further be configured to provide information to and / or receive information from other systems contained in the vehicle 100. For example, the battery control system 104 can be communicatively coupled to an internal vehicle computer system 108 and / or to an external computer system 110 (for example, via a wireless telecommunications system or the like). In certain embodiments, the battery control system 104 can be configured, at least partially, to provide information relating to the battery system 102 (e.g., information measured by the sensors 106 and / or determined by the control system 104) to a user of the vehicle 100, to the vehicle computer system 108, and / or to the external computer system 110.This information may include, for example, information on battery capacity, SOC and / or SOH, battery operating time, battery operating temperature and / or any other information relating to the battery system 102.

[0022] The battery system 102 can contain one or more battery stacks 112 appropriately sized to supply electrical power to the vehicle 100. Each battery stack 112 can contain one or more subsets 114 (e.g., cells). The subsets 114 can comprise sub-stacks, each of which can contain one or more battery cells using any suitable battery technology or a combination thereof. Suitable battery technologies can include, for example, lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride (“NiMH”), lithium-ion (“Li-ion”), lithium-ion polymer, lithium-air, nickel-cadmium (“Ni-Cad”), valve-regulated lead-acid (“VRLA”) with an absorbent glass mat (“AGM”), nickel-zinc (“NiZn”), molten salt (e.g., a ZEBRA battery), nickel-manganese-cobalt (“NMC”), lithium iron phosphate (“LFP”), lithium-manganese oxide (“LMO”), and / or other suitable battery technologies and / or a combination thereof.

[0023] Each subgroup 114 can be connected to a sensor 106, which is designed to measure one or more electrical parameters (e.g., voltage, current, impedance, state of charge, etc.) that is / are connected to each battery subgroup 114. Although Fig. As illustrated by 1 separate sensors 106 which are connected to each battery subgroup 114, in some embodiments a sensor may also be used which is designed to measure different electrical parameters which are connected to several subgroups 114.

[0024] The electrical parameters measured by the sensors 106 can be supplied to the battery control system 104 and / or to one or more other systems. Using these electrical parameters, the battery control system 104 and / or any other suitable system can coordinate the operation of the battery system 102 (e.g., charging operations, discharging operations, balancing operations, etc.). In certain embodiments, one or more electrical parameters can be supplied by the battery control system 104 and / or by the one or more sensors 106 to the vehicle computer system 108 and / or to the external computer system 110.Based on certain measured electrical parameters, the battery control system 104, the vehicle computer system 108 and / or any other suitable system can estimate a capacity and / or state of the battery system 102 and / or of any subgroups 114 of which it consists, using methods disclosed herein.

[0025] Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method 200 for estimating the capacity of a battery stack in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, one or more of the illustrated elements of method 200 can be executed and / or implemented by a battery control system, a vehicle computer system, an external computer system, and / or any other system or combination of systems configured to implement state estimation procedures and / or to monitor, model, and / or otherwise characterize the power capacity of a battery system.

[0026] The procedure can be initiated at 202. At 204, increasing and decreasing charge throughput data associated with a battery system can be measured and stored in separate data baskets. The stored data on increasing and decreasing charge throughput can further be integrated into the respective data baskets. At 206, increasing and decreasing motion of the state of charge (SOCv) associated with the battery system can be measured and stored in separate data baskets. The stored data on increasing and decreasing motion of the SOCv can further be integrated into the respective data baskets. In this way, data can be split based on both the sign (i.e., increasing and decreasing) and the data type (i.e., charge throughput and SOCv motion).

[0027] At 208, an estimated discharge capacity can be calculated based on the decreasing split data by dividing the decreasing charge throughput data by the decreasing SOCv movement data (i.e., dAh / dSOCv). Similarly, an estimated charge capacity can be calculated based on the increasing split data by dividing the increasing charge throughput data by the increasing SOCv movement data. The estimated charge capacity based on the increasing split data and the estimated charge capacity based on the decreasing split data can be used to determine an estimated total charge capacity for the battery system. In some embodiments, the estimated capacities can be used by a regression analysis to track movement and / or change in the battery system's capacity over time.

[0028] In certain embodiments, estimating the charge capacity using embodiments of the disclosed methods can reduce the susceptibility to input fluctuations associated with capacity determinations. Furthermore, certain aspects of the disclosed methods can be iterative, and regression of a continuously updated estimated capacity calculation can enable the determination of a reduction in the statistical significance of an older and an adaptive estimated capacity value. The separation of charge data (i.e., increasing) and discharge data (i.e., decreasing) can further enable data to be accumulated during charge maintenance operations. The use of SOCv motion in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein can also enable a reduced susceptibility to a shift in an open-circuit voltage curve in an associated battery system.

[0029] In certain embodiments, each data basket can comprise multiple data containers (e.g., two data containers per basket). Each container can be configured to store sufficient data for statistical significance in conjunction with battery capacity estimation calculations in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. When a first container is full of data, a second container connected to the same basket can be cleared, and filling it with new data can begin. Data in both containers can be used by embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods to determine an associated charge throughput and / or a corresponding state of charge (SOCv) movement. Once the second container is full, the first container can be cleared, and the accumulation of new data can continue in the first container.

[0030] In some embodiments, four data baskets can be used in conjunction with the disclosed methods, corresponding to data with increasing charge throughput, data with decreasing charge throughput, data with increasing SOCv motion, and data with decreasing SOCv motion. In certain embodiments, each basket can be connected to two data receptacles (i.e., four baskets in total and eight receptacles in total). It should be noted that in other embodiments, any suitable number of data baskets and / or receptacles comprising them can be used in conjunction with the disclosed systems and methods. At 212, the method can proceed to the end.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of another exemplary method 300 for estimating the capacity of a battery stack in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, one or more of the illustrated elements of method 300 can be executed and / or implemented using a battery control system, a vehicle computer system, an external computer system, and / or any other system or combination of systems configured to implement state estimation procedures and / or to monitor, model, and / or otherwise characterize the power capacity of a battery system.

[0032] In certain embodiments, a determination that a sufficient amount of data has been accumulated can be performed before an estimated capacity of the battery system is determined based on this data. In some embodiments, this determination can limit the influence of any single charging and / or discharging event and allow the determination of estimated capacities based on larger data trends. Certain elements (e.g., steps 308 and 312) of the described method 300 can implement such a determination.

[0033] At 302, procedure 300 can begin. At 304, data with increasing and decreasing charge throughput, associated with a battery system, can be measured and stored in separate data baskets. At 306, data for increasing and decreasing SOCv movement, associated with the battery system, can be measured and stored in separate data baskets.

[0034] At 308, it can be determined whether sufficient data has been accumulated with increasing charge throughput and sufficient data with increasing SOCv movement. In certain embodiments, a comparison with a threshold value can be used to determine whether sufficient data has been accumulated for increasing charge throughput and / or sufficient data for increasing SOCv movement. In some embodiments, the threshold value can be determined based on a data set that can be used to determine an estimated charge capacity within a certain degree of accuracy and / or with a certain statistical significance.If sufficient data for increasing charge throughput and sufficient data for increasing SOCv motion have been accumulated, procedure 300 to 310 can be continued, in which an estimated charging capacity can be determined based on the data for increasing charge throughput and the data for increasing SOCv motion. If insufficient data for increasing charge throughput and increasing SOCv motion have been accumulated, procedure 300 to 304 can be continued, in which additional data can be accumulated.

[0035] Following the determination of the estimated capacity at step 310, the procedure 300 can proceed to step 312. At step 312, it can be determined whether sufficient data has been accumulated for a decreasing charge throughput and sufficient data for a decreasing state of charge (SOCv) movement. In certain embodiments, a comparison with a threshold value can be used to determine whether sufficient data has been accumulated for a decreasing charge throughput and / or sufficient data for an increasing SOCv movement. In some embodiments, the threshold value can be determined based on a data set that can be used to determine an estimated discharge capacity within a certain degree of accuracy and / or with a certain level of statistical significance.If sufficient data for decreasing charge throughput and sufficient data for decreasing SOCv motion have been accumulated, procedure 300 to 314 can be continued, in which a discharge capacity can be estimated based on the data for decreasing charge throughput and the data for decreasing SOCv motion. If insufficient data for decreasing charge throughput and insufficient data for decreasing SOCv motion have been accumulated, procedure 300 to 304 can be continued, in which additional data can be accumulated.

[0036] Based on the estimated capacities determined at 310 and 314, an estimated total charge capacity for the battery system can be determined at 316. In some embodiments, the estimated capacities and / or the estimated total charge capacity can be used in a regression to track capacity changes of the battery system over time. The estimated capacities can be used in conjunction with a variety of activities, including, without limitation, management, operational, diagnostic, and predictive decisions for the battery system. The procedure can continue to the end at 318.

[0037] Fig. Figure 4A illustrates a flowchart of a first part 400a of a method for estimating the capacity of a battery stack in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. Fig. Figure 4B illustrates a flowchart of Part 400b of the method for estimating the capacity of a battery stack in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, one or more of the illustrated elements of the method can be executed and / or implemented by a battery control system, a vehicle computer system, an external computer system, and / or any other system or combination of systems, configured to implement state estimation procedures and / or to monitor, model, and / or otherwise characterize the power capacity of a battery system.

[0038] The procedure can begin at step 402. At step 404, it can be determined whether measured current data associated with a battery system is positive (i.e., increasing). If the measured current data is positive (indicating that the measured current data represents a charging current throughput), the procedure can proceed to step 406, where it can be determined whether the measured current data is currently being accumulated in a first data container of a data basket associated with data for an increasing current throughput. If the data is currently being accumulated in the first data container, the procedure can proceed to step 408, where the measured current data can be integrated and stored in the first data container.If the data are not currently being collected in the first data container, the procedure can proceed to 410, in which the measured current data can be integrated and stored in a second data container of the data basket, which is associated with data for an increasing current throughput.

[0039] If, at step 404, it is determined that the measured current data is negative (i.e., indicating that the measured current data is data of a discharge current throughput), the procedure can proceed to step 412, in which it can be determined whether measured current data is currently accumulating in a first data container of a data basket associated with data of a decreasing current throughput. If the data is currently accumulating in the first data container, the procedure can proceed to step 414, in which the measured current data can be integrated and stored in the first data container. If the data is not currently accumulating in the first data container, the procedure can proceed to step 416, in which the measured current data can be integrated and stored in a second data container of the data basket associated with decreasing current throughput data.

[0040] At step 418, it can be determined whether the data of the measured SOCv motion associated with a battery system are positive (i.e., increasing). If the data of the measured SOCv motion are positive (i.e., indicating that the data of the measured SOCv motion are data of charging SOCv motion), the procedure can proceed to step 420, where it can be determined whether the data of the measured SOCv motion are currently being accumulated in a first data container of a data basket associated with data of increasing SOCv motion. If the data are currently being accumulated in the first data container, the procedure can proceed to step 422, where the data of the measured SOCv motion can be integrated and stored in the first data container.If the data are not currently being accumulated in the first data container, the procedure can proceed to 424, where the data of the measured SOCv movement can be integrated and stored in a second data container of the data basket, which is associated with data of an increasing SOCv movement.

[0041] If, at step 418, the measured SOCv motion data are found to be negative (i.e., indicating that the measured SOCv motion data represent a discharging SOCv motion), the procedure can proceed to step 426, where it can be determined whether the measured SOCv motion data are currently being accumulated in a first data container of a data basket associated with data of a declining SOCv motion. If the data are currently being accumulated in the first data container, the procedure can proceed to step 428, where the measured SOCv motion data can be integrated and stored in the first data container. If the data are not currently being accumulated in the first data container, the procedure can proceed to step 430, where the measured current data can be integrated and stored in a second data container of the data basket associated with data of the declining current throughput.The procedure can then continue to 432.

[0042] The procedure can continue from 432 to 434. In 434, an estimated charging capacity can be determined based on the increasing charge throughput data and the increasing SOCv motion data. In certain embodiments, the estimated charging capacity can be determined by dividing the sum of the data stored in the containers of the data basket associated with the increasing current throughput data by the sum of the data stored in the containers of the data basket associated with the increasing SOCv motion data.

[0043] In 436, an estimated capacity at discharge can be determined based on the decreasing charge throughput data and the decreasing SOCv motion data. In certain embodiments, the estimated capacity at discharge can be determined by dividing the sum of the data stored in the receptacles of the data basket associated with decreasing current throughput data by the sum of the data stored in the receptacles of the data basket associated with decreasing SOCv motion data.

[0044] At 438, a reverse-engineered capacity value can be determined based on the estimated charging capacity and the estimated discharging capacity. At 440, it can be determined whether data is currently accumulating in first data containers associated with increasing current throughput data and increasing SOCv motion data. If data is currently accumulating in the first data containers, the procedure can proceed to 442, where it can be determined whether the value of a current integration based on the data from the first data containers is greater than a calibration threshold. If the value is greater than the calibration threshold, the value of second data containers associated with increasing current throughput data and increasing SOCv motion data can be set to zero, and data accumulation in the second data containers can begin at 444.The process can then continue to the end at 460. If the current integration value is less than the calibration threshold, the process can continue to the end at 460.

[0045] If the determination at 440 indicates that data is not currently being accumulated in the first data containers, the procedure can proceed to 446, where it can be determined whether the value of a current integration based on the data from the second data containers is greater than a calibration threshold. If the value is greater than the calibration threshold, the value of the first data containers associated with data of increasing current throughput and data of increasing SOCv movement can be set to zero, and data accumulation in the first data containers can begin at 448. The procedure can then proceed to the end at 460. If the value of the current integration is less than the calibration threshold, the procedure can proceed to the end at 460.

[0046] At 450, it can be determined whether data is currently being accumulated in the first data containers, which are associated with data on decreasing current throughput and decreasing SOCv motion. If data is currently being accumulated in the first data containers, the procedure can proceed to 452, where it can be determined whether the value of a current integration based on the data from the first data containers is greater than a calibration threshold. If the value is greater than the calibration threshold, the value of the second data containers, which are associated with data on decreasing current throughput and decreasing SOCv motion, can be set to zero, and at 454, data accumulation in the second data containers can begin. The procedure can then proceed to the end at 460. If the value of the current integration is less than the calibration threshold, the procedure can proceed to the end at 460.

[0047] If at step 450 it is determined that the data is not currently being accumulated in the first data containers, the procedure can proceed to step 456, where it can be determined whether the value of a current integration based on the data from the second data containers is greater than a calibration threshold. If the value is greater than the calibration threshold, the value of the first data containers associated with the decreasing current throughput data and the decreasing SOCv motion data can be set to zero, and at step 448, data accumulation in the first data containers can begin. The procedure can then proceed to the end at step 460. If the value of the current integration is less than the calibration threshold, the procedure can proceed to the end at step 460.

[0048] Fig.Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary system for implementing certain embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the computer system 500 can be a personal computer system, a server computer system, an on-board computer of the vehicle, a battery control system, and / or any other type of system suitable for implementing the disclosed systems and methods. In other embodiments, the computer system 500 can be any portable electronic computer system or electronic device, including, for example, a notebook computer, a smartphone, and / or a tablet computer.

[0049] As illustrated, the computer system 500 can include, among other things, one or more processors 502, random access memory (“RAM”) 504, a communication interface 506, a user interface 508, and a non-temporary computer-readable mass storage medium 510. The processor 502, the RAM 504, the communication interface 506, the user interface 508, and the computer-readable mass storage medium 510 can be interconnected via a common data bus 512. In some embodiments, the various components of the computer system 500 can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, and / or any combination thereof.

[0050] The user interface 508 can include any number of devices that enable a user to interact with the computer system 500. For example, the user interface 508 can be used to display an interactive interface to a user. The user interface 508 can be a separate interface system that is communicatively coupled to the computer system 500, or it can alternatively be an integrated system, such as a display interface for a laptop or other similar device. In certain embodiments, the user interface 508 can be generated on a display with a touch-sensitive screen. The user interface 508 can also include any number of other input devices, such as a keyboard, a trackball, and / or pointing devices.

[0051] The 506 communication interface can be any interface capable of communicating with other computer systems, peripheral devices, and / or other equipment that are communicatively coupled to the 500 computer system. For example, the 506 communication interface can enable the 500 computer system to communicate with other computer systems (e.g., computer systems connected to external databases and / or the internet), allowing the transmission and reception of data to and from these systems. The 506 communication interface can include, but is not limited to, a modem, a satellite data transmission system, an Ethernet card, and / or any other suitable device that enables the 500 computer system to connect to databases and networks such as LANs, MANs, WANs, and the internet.In further embodiments, the communication interface 506 may also be capable of communicating with one or more sensors and / or other systems configured to measure information and / or otherwise provide it for use in conjunction with the disclosed embodiments.

[0052] The processor 502 can comprise one or more general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, programmable microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, FPGAs or custom or programmable processing devices and / or any other devices or arrangement of devices capable of implementing the systems and methods disclosed herein.

[0053] The processor 502 can be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in the non-temporary computer-readable mass storage medium 510. The computer-readable mass storage medium 510 can optionally store other data or information. In some embodiments, the computer-readable instructions can include computer-executable functional modules 514. For example, the computer-readable instructions can include one or more functional modules configured to implement all or part of the functionality of the systems and methods described above.Special functional modules that may be stored in the computer-readable mass storage medium 510 may include a module configured to perform methods for estimating battery capacity and / or condition and / or related calculations in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein and / or any other modules configured to implement the systems and methods disclosed herein.

[0054] The systems and procedures described here can be implemented independently of the programming language used to generate the computer-readable instructions and / or independently of any operating system running on the Computer System 500. For example, the computer-readable instructions can be written in any suitable programming language, including, but not limited to, C, C++, Visual C++ and / or Visual Basic, Java, Perl, or any other suitable programming language. Furthermore, the computer-readable instructions and / or the functional modules can be in the form of a collection of separate programs or modules and / or as a program module within a larger program or as part of a program module.The processing of data by the Computer System 500 can occur in response to user commands, the results of previous processing, or a request made by another processing machine. It should be noted that the Computer System 500 can use any suitable operating system, including, for example, Unix, DOS, Android, Symbian, Windows, iOS, OSX, Linux, and / or the like.

[0055] Although the foregoing has been described in considerable detail for clarity, it should be noted that certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the underlying principles. It is further noted that there may be many alternative ways to implement both the processes and the systems described herein. Consequently, the present embodiments should be understood as illustrative and not as limiting, and the invention should not be restricted to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

[0056] The foregoing description has been given with reference to various embodiments. However, the person skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, different operating steps, as well as components for carrying out operating steps, can be implemented in alternative ways depending on the specific application or taking into account any number of cost functions associated with the operation of the system. Consequently, any one or more of the steps can be deleted, modified, or combined with other steps. Furthermore, this disclosure must be understood as an illustration rather than a restriction, and all such modifications are intended to be contained within its scope.Similarly, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to various embodiments. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that can cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or be better highlighted, must not be considered critical, necessary, or essential features or elements.

[0057] When used herein, the terms "includes" and "contains" and any other variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, procedure, article, or device comprising a list of elements may include not only those elements but may also include other elements not explicitly listed or inherent to such process, procedure, system, article, or device. Furthermore, the terms "coupled," "couple," and any other variations thereof, as used herein, are intended to cover a physical connection, an electrical connection, a magnetic connection, an optical connection, a communication connection, a functional connection, and / or any other connection.

[0058] The person skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications to the details of the embodiments described above can be made without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention is therefore to be defined only by the following claims.

Claims

[1] Method for estimating the capacity of a battery stack, the method comprising: Charge throughput data is received, describing the amount of charge transferred into or out of the battery stack; the received charge throughput data are integrated; the integrated received charge throughput data are stored in a first data basket, which is assigned to increasing charge throughput data where a charge quantity is transferred into the battery stack, or in a second data basket, which is assigned to decreasing charge throughput data where a charge quantity is transferred out of the battery stack, based on a determination of whether the received charge throughput data includes increasing charge throughput data or decreasing charge throughput data; voltage-based state-of-charge movement data is received, which describes a movement of a state of charge of the battery stack based on a voltage of the battery stack; the received voltage-based charge state movement data are integrated; the integrated voltage-based state-of-charge movement data are stored in a third data basket, which is assigned to increasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement data where the state of charge of the battery stack increases, or in a fourth data basket, which is assigned to decreasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement data where the state of charge of the battery stack decreases, based on a determination of whether the received voltage-based state-of-charge movement data includes increasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement data or decreasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement data; an estimated charging capacity of the battery stack, determined from data during a charging process of the battery stack, based on data stored in the first data basket and the third data basket; and an estimated discharge capacity of the battery stack, determined from data during a discharge process of the battery stack, based on data stored in the second data basket and the fourth data basket. [2] The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: It is determined that a certain threshold amount of data is stored in the first data basket and in the third data basket before the estimated charging capacity of the battery stack is determined. [3] The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: It is determined that a certain threshold amount of data is stored in the second data basket and in the fourth data basket before the estimated discharge capacity of the battery stack is determined. [4] Method according to claim 1, wherein determining the estimated charging capacity of the battery stack comprises dividing a sum of the data stored in the first data basket by a sum of the data stored in the third data basket. [5] Method according to claim 1, wherein determining the estimated discharge capacity of the battery stack comprises dividing a sum of the data stored in the second data basket by a sum of the data stored in the fourth data basket. [6] Method according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, third and fourth data basket each contains multiple data containers. [7] The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises: It is determined that a first data container of several data containers, which stores older data, and a second data container of several data containers, which stores newer data, are both full; and Based on this finding, the contents of the first data container will be deleted. [8] System, comprehensive: a stack of batteries; a first sensor designed to provide charge throughput data associated with the battery stack, describing the amount of charge transferred into or out of the battery stack; a second sensor designed to provide voltage-based state-of-charge motion data connected to the battery stack, describing a movement of the state of charge of the battery stack based on a voltage of the battery stack; a computer-readable mass storage medium; and a battery control electronics unit that is communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors and the computer-readable mass storage medium, wherein the battery control electronics unit is designed to: to receive the charge throughput data; to integrate the received charge throughput data; to store the integrated received charge throughput data in a first data basket of the computer-readable storage medium, which is allocated to increasing charge throughput data, in which a quantity of charge is transferred into the battery stack, or in a second data basket of the computer-readable mass storage medium, which is allocated to decreasing charge throughput data, in which a quantity of charge is transferred out of the battery stack, based on a determination of whether the received charge throughput data includes increasing charge throughput data or decreasing charge throughput data; to receive the voltage-based charge state movement data; to integrate the received voltage-based charge state movement data; to store the integrated voltage-based state-of-charge movement data in a third data basket of the computer-readable mass storage medium, which is assigned to increasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement data where the state of charge of the battery stack increases, or in a fourth data basket of the computer-readable mass storage medium, which is assigned to decreasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement data where the state of charge of the battery stack decreases, based on a determination of whether the received voltage-based state-of-charge movement data includes increasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement data or decreasing voltage-based state-of-charge movement data; to determine an estimated charging capacity of the battery stack, derived from data collected during a charging process of the battery stack, based on data stored in the first data basket and the third data basket; and to determine an estimated discharge capacity of the battery stack, derived from data obtained during a discharge process of the battery stack, based on data stored in the second data basket and the fourth data basket. [9] System according to claim 8, wherein the first, second, third and fourth data baskets each comprise multiple data containers. [10] System according to claim 9, wherein the battery control electronics are further configured to: to determine that a first data container of several data containers, which stores older data, and a second data container of several data containers, which stores newer data, are both full; and based on the determination to empty the contents of the first data container.

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