Multi-module battery system testing

Abstract

Methods for testing battery systems, battery management systems, and manufactured products are disclosed. [Solution] The battery system may include multiple battery modules. A test process is performed on the battery system via a battery management system. The battery management system includes a controller device and multiple module interface devices. In each of the multiple battery modules, each module interface device of the multiple module interface devices is operably coupled to the anode and cathode terminals of that battery module. Each module interface device may include a measurement circuit and a switching circuit. The test process can be used to independently connect, disconnect, and measure various operating states of the battery modules and loads.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] The disclosed invention broadly relates to testing a battery system that includes a plurality of battery modules.

Background Art

[0002]

[0002] A battery system can incorporate a plurality of battery modules to provide an overall battery function and performance with respect to a load. Fixed and mobile platforms such as aircraft, spacecraft, land vehicles, and submarines, as well as power grid systems, can carry single-module to multi-module battery systems, and if these batteries fail, it can lead to losses or damages to vehicles or facilities during operation. Multi-module battery systems, including high-voltage battery systems, and battery systems mounted on mobile platforms and fixed systems can pose significant challenges with respect to determining the state of individual battery modules and the overall battery system. In this context, "state" can refer to an operating state that represents the soundness and performance of individual battery modules and the overall battery system.

Summary of the Invention

[0003]

[0003] A method for testing a battery system, a battery management system, and a product are disclosed. The battery system may include a plurality of battery modules. A test process is performed on the battery system via a battery management system. The battery management system includes a controller device and a plurality of module interface devices. In each of the plurality of battery modules, each module interface device of the plurality of module interface devices is operably coupled to the anode and cathode terminals of that battery module. Each module interface device may include a measurement circuit and a switching circuit. Using the test process, various operating states of the battery modules can be independently connected, disconnected, and measured.

[0004]

[0004] A test process performed in or by a controller device may include independently disconnecting each of a plurality of battery modules from a connected state to a disconnected state to an electrical load via a switching circuit of a module interface device operably coupled to the cathode and anode terminals of the battery modules.

[0005]

[0005] A test process performed in or by a controller device may include, for each battery module of a plurality of battery modules, independently connecting that battery module from a disconnected state to a connected state to an electrical load via a switching circuit of a module interface device operably coupled to the cathode and anode terminals of that battery module, while the remaining battery modules of the plurality of battery modules are disconnected.

[0006]

[0006] A test process performed in or by a controller device may include, for each of a plurality of battery modules, independently measuring the module-specific operating state of the connected battery module via a measurement circuit of a module interface device operably coupled to the cathode and anode terminals of that battery module, in order to obtain module-specific measurements, while the remaining battery modules remain connected. Module-specific operating states may include, as a plurality of examples, voltage or current.

[0007]

[0007] A test process performed in or by a controller device may include, for each of the multiple battery modules of a battery system, measuring load-specific operating conditions across the electrical load in order to obtain load-specific measurements, with the battery module connected and the remaining battery modules disconnected. Load-specific operating conditions may include, as a plurality of examples, voltage or current.

[0008]

[0008] A test process performed in or by a controller device may include measuring load-specific operating conditions between the ends of an electrical load in order to obtain further load-specific measurements, while each of the multiple battery modules is in a disconnected state.

[0009]

[0009] A test process performed in or by a controller device may include independently measuring the module-specific operating state of each of the battery modules via a measurement circuit of a module interface device operably coupled to the cathode and anode terminals of the battery modules, in order to obtain further module-specific measurements while the battery modules are disconnected.

[0010]

[0010] A test process performed in or by a controller device may include one or more of the following, or output a set of test results based on one or more of the following: (1) module-specific measurements taken for each of a plurality of battery modules while the battery module is connected and the remaining battery modules are disconnected; (2) load-specific measurements taken for each of a plurality of battery modules while the battery module is connected and the remaining battery modules are disconnected; (3) further load-specific measurements taken while each of the plurality of battery modules is disconnected; and (4) further module-specific measurements taken while each of the plurality of battery modules is disconnected. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1]

[0011] This is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary battery management system for testing a battery system including multiple battery modules. [Figure 2]

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a further embodiment of the exemplary module interface device. [Figure 3A]

[0013] This flowchart illustrates an exemplary method for testing a battery system that includes multiple battery modules. [Figure 3B] This flowchart illustrates an exemplary method for testing a battery system that includes multiple battery modules. [Figure 4]

[0014] This is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary circuit that may form part of a module interface device. [Figure 5]

[0015] This shows a first view of an exemplary configuration of a module interface device. [Figure 6]

[0016] Figure 5 shows a second view of an exemplary configuration of the module interface device. [Figure 7]

[0017] Figure 5 shows a third view of an exemplary configuration of the module interface device. [Figure 8]

[0018] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary computing system that may form part of a controller device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012]

[0019] Methods for testing battery systems, battery management systems, and manufactured products are disclosed, enabling testing of individual battery modules and the entire battery system.

[0013]

[0020] As briefly mentioned above, significant challenges exist in identifying the status of individual battery modules and the overall battery system, particularly in the context of mobile and stationary platforms and / or high-voltage installations incorporating multi-module battery systems. In this context, "status" may refer to the operational state representing the health and performance of individual battery modules and the overall battery system. One challenge associated with identifying the status of individual battery modules may stem from the high voltage associated with the battery modules while they are connected within the battery system. For example, high-voltage installations can pose safety and / or logistical risks to the test. This challenge can be exacerbated in the context of mobile and stationary platforms where disassembling the battery system or disconnecting battery modules from the battery system or load is not feasible.

[0014]

[0021] Furthermore, there is a global problem of the rapidly increasing number of high-voltage electric vehicles and fixed installations endangering people, property, or the environment. Current approaches to battery testing do not provide predictive identification of degraded or damaged modules before failure. As mentioned above, due to the continuously present high power and voltage within the installation, it can be difficult to perform tests that can detect module degradation or the integrity of the installation before use. Existing solutions do not appear to allow for the independent testing of battery modules, particularly within high-voltage installations. Instead, battery system checks appear to be performed at all voltage and power levels, and typically, the charge state and open-circuit voltage are verified only before operation in the operating environment or before operation of the battery system within the installation.

[0015]

[0022] The methods, battery management systems, and products of this disclosure for testing battery systems offer the potential ability to address the challenges associated with identifying the condition of individual battery modules and the overall battery system, enabling the measurement of health, performance, and other operating conditions. The approaches described herein provide the ability to independently operate, measure, and test individual modules of a multi-module battery system as part of a test process. Using the test process, partial (in the process) and complete battery equipment can measure various operating conditions associated with the battery modules and associated with the electrical load, and provide test results comparing the measured values ​​with associated standards. The approaches that may be described herein provide the ability to electrically connect, disconnect, or otherwise bypass individual battery modules from the equipment without direct human intervention. For example, the test process can be performed without physically disconnecting any battery module from the battery system, electrical load, or equipment through human intervention, and without disassembling the battery system. This ability allows for human-safe testing at lower voltage and controlled power levels associated with individual battery modules. The testing process may enable the detection of degraded or faulty battery modules or equipment before the battery system is put into use or before its continued use.

[0016]

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary battery management system 100 for testing a battery system including multiple battery modules. In Figure 1, the exemplary battery system 110 includes at least a first battery module 112-1 and a second battery module 112-2. The battery system 110 may further include one or more additional battery modules, shown in Figure 1 as battery module 112-N, where "N" can be any suitable number of battery modules.

[0017]

[0024] Each battery module of the battery system 110 includes a set 114 of battery cells that includes one or more battery cells. An example of this is shown as battery cell 116. In at least some embodiments, each battery module may include any suitable number of plural battery cells, for example, dozens, hundreds, or more battery cells.

[0018]

[0025] The plural battery modules of the battery system 110 may be arranged with respect to the electrical load 130 in a series configuration, a parallel configuration, or a combination of a series configuration and a parallel configuration. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 1, battery modules 112-1 and 112-2 to 112-N are arranged in a series configuration to form a battery group 118-1. The battery system 110 may include plural battery groups arranged in a parallel configuration with respect to the electrical load 130. In that case, each battery group includes one or more battery modules. For example, in FIG. 1, battery groups 118-2 to 118-M are shown. In that case, "M" may be any suitable number of battery groups. In another embodiment, battery modules 112-2 to 112-N may be included within different battery groups arranged in parallel with battery group 118-1, which includes at least battery module 112-2. For example, battery module 112-2 may form part of battery group 118-2, and battery module 112-N may form part of battery group 118-M. Accordingly, the plural battery modules of the battery system 100 may include any suitable arrangement of battery modules with respect to the electrical load 130.

[0019]

[0026] The battery management system 100 includes a controller device 120 and plural module interface devices 122-1 to 122-N that are each operatively coupled to the controller device via electrical connections 124-1 to 124-N. Plural aspects of the controller device 110 are described in more detail herein while referring to subsequent drawings.

[0020]

[0027] In each battery module of the plurality of battery modules of the battery system 110, each module interface device 122-1 to 122-N of the plurality of module interface devices of the battery management system 100 is operably coupled to, or configured to be operably coupled to, the anode terminal and the cathode terminal of that battery module, as will be described in more detail while referring to FIG. 2. Accordingly, the battery management system 100 may include a module interface device for each battery module of the battery system 110. In one embodiment of FIG. 1, the battery management system 100 includes a first module interface device 122-1 operably coupled to the anode terminal and the cathode terminal of the battery module 112-1, and a second module interface device 122-2 operably coupled to the anode terminal and the cathode terminal of the battery module 112-2. In each further battery module of the battery system 110 represented by the battery module 112-N, the battery management system 100 includes a further module interface device represented by the module interface device 122-N.

[0021]

[0028] As will be described in more detail while referring to FIG. 2, each module interface device 122-1 to 122-N of the battery management system 100 includes a measurement circuit and a switching circuit. The measurement circuit of each module interface device is used by the controller device 120 to independently measure one or more operating states of the battery module to which the module interface device is operably coupled. The operating state of the battery module is referred to herein as a module-specific operating state. This can be measured as a module-specific measurement value. A plurality of examples of module-specific operating states that can be measured by the measurement circuit of the module interface device are the voltage between the anode and the cathode of the battery module or the current passing therethrough.

[0022]

[0029] The switching circuits of each module interface device are used by the controller device 120 to connect and disconnect the battery modules to and from the electrical load 130. For example, the controller device 120 can disconnect the first battery module 112-1 independently from the electrical load 130 via the switching circuit module of the module interface device 122-1, and can connect the first battery module 112-1 independently to the electrical load 130. The controller device 120 can also independently measure one or more operating states of the first battery module 112-1 via the measurement circuit of the module interface device 122-1. In another embodiment, the controller device 120 can disconnect the second battery module 112-2 independently from the electrical load 130 via the switching circuit of the module interface device 122-2, and can connect the second battery module 112-2 independently to the electrical load 130. The controller device 120 can also independently measure one or more operating states of the second battery module 112-2 via the measurement circuit of the module interface device 122-2.

[0023]

[0030] In at least some embodiments, the electrical load 130 takes the form of a test electrical load that forms part of the battery management system 100. In these embodiments, the electrical load 130 can be used as a test load to perform a test process on the battery system 110 before the battery system interacts with another system or device powered by the battery system. In several other embodiments, the electrical load 130 may form part of another system or device powered by the battery system 110 during the operating phase or state of that system or device. The test processes that can be described herein may be performed as part of a test phase that is performed before, during, or after the operating phase or state of a system or device that utilizes the battery system 110 as an electrical energy source.

[0024]

[0031] The battery management system 100 may further include a load measurement circuit 132 and a relay device 134. A controller device 120 can use these to measure the operating state across the electrical load 130 in the power supply circuit 136. Such operating states are referred to herein as load-specific operating states. These can be measured as load-specific measurements. In one embodiment, one or more load-specific operating states may include voltage between the high and low sides of the electrical load and / or current through the electrical load.

[0025]

[0032] The power supply circuit 136, schematically shown in Figure 1, includes various electrical paths that operably couple an electrical load 130 with multiple module interface devices 122-1 to 122-N for the supply or transfer of power. The multiple module interface devices 122-1 to 122-N are then operably coupled with multiple battery modules 112-1 to 112-N according to any suitable series and / or parallel configuration. A relay device 134 is used by a controller device 120 in conjunction with a load measurement circuit 132 to measure the operating state between the two ends of the electrical load 130 by controlling the relay device 134 to connect or disconnect the load measurement circuit 132 between the power supply circuit 136 and, for example, the high and low sides of the electrical load 130. In Figure 1, electrical connections 142 and 144 operably couple the controller device 120 with the load measurement circuit 132 and the relay device 134, respectively.

[0026]

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating further multiple embodiments of the module interface device of Figure 1, described with reference to module interface device 122-1 operably coupled to battery module 112-1. Further multiple embodiments of the module interface device of Figure 1 will be described using module interface device 122-1 and battery module 112-1 of Figure 2, but each module interface device of the battery management system 100, including module interface devices 122-2 to 122-N, may have the same configuration and components as module interface device 122-1 of Figure 2. Similarly, each battery module operably coupled to the battery management system 100 of Figure 1, including battery modules 112-2 to 112-N, may have the same or similar configuration and components as battery module 112-1 of Figure 2. However, in at least some embodiments, the battery modules may have different numbers of battery cells and / or performance ratings (e.g., voltage and / or current) among some or all of battery modules 112-1 and 112-2 to 112-N.

[0027]

[0034] In Figure 2, battery module 112-1 includes a cathode terminal 210 and an anode terminal 212. Each battery module in the battery system 110 of Figure 1, including battery modules 112-2 through 112-N, similarly includes a cathode terminal and an anode terminal.

[0028]

[0035] Module interface device 122-1 includes a module-side cathode interface 220. The module-side cathode interface 220 configures the module interface device to be operably coupled to or operably connected to the cathode terminal 210 of the battery module 112-1. Module interface device 122-1 also includes a module-side anode interface 222. The module-side anode interface 222 configures the module interface device to be operably coupled to or operably connected to the anode terminal 212 of the battery module 112-1. Each of the module interface devices 122-2 through 122-N in Figure 1 similarly includes an instance of the module-side cathode interface 220 and an instance of the module-side anode interface 222. The instances of the module-side cathode interface 220 and the module-side anode interface 222 configure the module interface device to be operably coupled to or operably connected to the respective cathode and anode terminals of the respective battery modules.

[0029]

[0036] Module interface device 122-1 further includes an electrical load-side cathode interface 230. The electrical load-side cathode interface 230 configures the module interface device to be operably coupled to or operably coupled with an electrical load, such as the electrical load 130 in Figure 1. Module interface device 122-1 further includes an electrical load-side anode interface 232. The electrical load-side anode interface 232 configures the module interface device to be operably coupled to or operably coupled with an electrical load, such as the electrical load 130 in Figure 1. Each of the module interface devices 122-2 through 122-N in Figure 1 similarly includes an instance of the load-side cathode interface 230 and an instance of the load-side anode interface 232. The instances of the load-side cathode interface 230 and the load-side anode interface 232 configure the module interface device to be operably coupled to or operably coupled with an electrical load.

[0030]

[0037] The module interface device 122-1 further includes a measurement circuit 240 and a switching circuit 250. An example of these will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 4. Each of the module interface devices 122-2 to 122-N in Figure 1 similarly includes instances of the measurement circuit 240 and the switching circuit 250, as will be described in more detail herein.

[0031]

[0038] The measurement circuit 240 of each module interface device is operable to independently measure one or more module-specific operating states of a battery module to which the module interface device is operablely coupled, in order to obtain one or more module-specific measurements by the controller device 120 in Figure 1. In one embodiment, the measurement circuit 240 of module interface device 122-1 is operable to independently measure one or more module-specific operating states of battery module 112-1 by the controller device 120 in Figure 1. An example of a module-specific operating state includes the voltage between or across the cathode terminal 210 and the anode terminal 212. In this case, the module-specific measurement may take the form of a voltage value. Another example of a module-specific operating state includes the current flowing between or across the cathode terminal 210 and the anode terminal 212. In this case, the module-specific measurement may take the form of a current value. The controller device 120 can control the measurement circuit 240 via one or more of the electrical connections 124-1 in Figure 1 and can receive module-specific measurements from the measurement circuit. Several examples of these are schematically shown in Figure 2 as electrical connections 242 and 244. The controller device 120 can similarly control the other module interface devices 122-2 to 122-N measurement circuits 240 via one or more of the electrical connections 124-2 to 124N in Figure 2, and can receive module-specific measurements from instances of the other module interface devices 122-2 to 122-N measurement circuits 240.

[0032]

[0039] The switching circuit 250 for each module interface device is operable by the controller device 120 in Figure 1 to independently connect and disconnect the battery module to and from the electrical load. The module interface device is operablely coupled to the cathode and anode terminals of the battery module. In one embodiment, the switching circuit 250 of module interface device 122-1 is operable by the controller device 120 to independently connect battery module 112-1 from a disconnected state to a connected state with respect to the electrical load 130 in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the switching circuit 250 can independently connect the battery module to the electrical load by establishing an electrical connection between the cathode terminal 210 of the battery module and the load-side cathode interface 230 of the module interface device, and by establishing an electrical connection between the anode terminal 212 of the battery module and the load-side anode interface 232 of the module interface device. In another embodiment, the switching circuit 250 of the module interface device 122-1 can be operated by the controller device 120 to independently disconnect the battery module 112-1 from the connected state to the electrical load 130 in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the switching circuit 250 can disconnect the battery module independently of the electrical load by disconnecting the electrical connection between the cathode terminal 210 of the battery module and the load-side cathode interface 230 of the module interface device, and by disconnecting the electrical connection between the anode terminal 212 of the battery module and the load-side anode interface 232 of the module interface device. The controller device 120 can control the switching circuit 250 of the module interface device 122-1 via one or more of the electrical connections 124-1 in Figure 1. Several examples of these are schematically shown as electrical connections 252 and 254 in Figure 2.The controller device 120 can similarly control instances of the switching circuit 250 of other module interface devices 122-2 to 122-N via one or more of the electrical connections 124-2 to 124-N in Figure 2.

[0033]

[0040] Figures 3A and 3B are flowcharts illustrating an exemplary method 300 for testing a battery system comprising multiple battery modules. The battery system 110 in Figure 1 is an embodiment of a battery system that can be tested by performing method 300. In one embodiment, method 300 for testing a battery system can be performed via the battery management system 100 in Figure 1. The battery management system 100 includes a controller device 120 and, for each of the multiple battery modules, a module interface device operably coupled to the anode and cathode terminals of that battery module. For example, various operations of method 300 and the method for testing a battery system can be performed by the controller device 120 in Figure 1.

[0034]

[0041] Referring to Figure 3A, in 310, the method includes receiving control inputs to initiate and execute a test process. In one embodiment, a user may provide control inputs via a user interface. These control inputs are received by a controller device of the battery management system. The test process may be initiated and executed by the controller device in response to the control inputs.

[0035]

[0042] In 312, the method includes performing a test process 302 on the battery system. As previously stated, the test process 302 may be performed in or by a controller device of the battery management system (e.g., 110 in Figure 1).

[0036]

[0043] In 314, the method includes independently disconnecting each of a plurality of battery modules from a connected state to a disconnected state to an electrical load via a switching circuit of a module interface device operably coupled to the cathode and anode terminals of the battery modules. In one embodiment, the switching circuit may refer to the switching circuit 250 shown in Figure 2.

[0037]

[0044] In 316, the method includes independently measuring one or more module-specific operating states of each of a plurality of battery modules via a measurement circuit of a module interface device operably coupled to the cathode and anode terminals of the battery modules, in order to obtain one or more module-specific measurements for each module-specific operating state while the plurality of battery modules are disconnected. In one embodiment, the measurement circuit may refer to the measurement circuit 240 in Figure 2. Module-specific measurements obtained for a disconnected battery module may be called disconnected module-specific measurements. Multiple examples of module-specific operating states include voltages measured between the cathode and anode terminals of the battery module and currents measured through them. In at least some embodiments, for each connected battery module, one or more module-specific measurements obtained in 316 may include multiple measurements obtained for (one or more) module-specific operating states over a period of time.

[0038]

[0045] In 318, the method includes measuring one or more load-specific operating conditions across an electrical load in order to obtain one or more load-specific measurements for each load-specific operating condition, while each (or all) of the battery modules are disconnected. Load-specific measurements obtained while the battery modules are disconnected may be called disconnected load-specific measurements. Multiple examples of load-specific operating conditions include voltages measured across the electrical load and currents measured through them. In at least some embodiments, the one or more load-specific measurements obtained in 318 while the battery modules are disconnected may include multiple measurements obtained for one or more load-specific operating conditions over a period of time.

[0039]

[0046] As part of operation 318, the method may further include, in 320, controlling a relay device of the battery measurement system (e.g., 134 in Figure 1) to measure load-specific operating conditions. For example, the relay device may be controlled by a controller device to operably couple a load measurement circuit (e.g., 132 in Figure 1) and / or a test load (e.g., 130 in Figure 1) as part of the test process.

[0040]

[0047] In operation 322, the method includes performing module-specific tests on multiple battery modules of a battery system. As part of the module-specific tests performed in operation 322, each battery module of the multiple battery modules may be connected independently to an electrical load for testing, while the remaining battery modules of the multiple battery modules are disconnected. The battery modules on which the module-specific tests are performed in operation 322 may be referred to as the target battery modules. As will be described later, operations 324-334 may be performed on each target battery module of the multiple battery modules as part of the module-specific tests performed in operation 322.

[0041]

[0048] In 324, the method includes, for each battery module of a plurality of battery modules, independently connecting that battery module from a disconnected state to a connected state to an electrical load via a switching circuit of a module interface device operably coupled to the cathode and anode terminals of that battery module, while the remaining battery modules of the plurality of battery modules are disconnected. For example, a controller device may instruct the switching circuit of the module interface device of the target battery module to connect the battery module to an electrical load. The battery module connected in 324 while the remaining battery modules are disconnected may be called the target battery module.

[0042]

[0049] In 326, the method includes independently measuring one or more module-specific operating states of a connected battery module for each battery module in a plurality of battery modules, in order to obtain one or more module-specific measurements of that battery module via a measurement circuit of a module interface device operably coupled to the cathode and anode terminals of that battery module, while the remaining battery modules are disconnected. For example, a controller device may obtain one or more module-specific measurements of each module-specific operating state for a target battery module via a measurement circuit. Module-specific measurements obtained for a target battery module in a connected state may be called connected module-specific measurements. As stated above, several examples of module-specific operating states include the voltage measured between the cathode and anode terminals of a battery module and the current measured through them. In at least some embodiments, the one or more module-specific measurements obtained in 326 for each connected battery module may include several measurements obtained for (one or more) module-specific operating states over a period of time.

[0043]

[0050] In operation 328, the method includes measuring one or more load-specific operating conditions across an electrical load for each of a plurality of battery modules in a battery system, while that battery module is connected and the remaining battery modules are disconnected, in order to obtain one or more load-specific measurements. Load-specific measurements obtained while a battery module is connected may be called connected load-specific measurements. As previously stated, some examples of load-specific operating conditions include voltage measured across an electrical load and current measured through an electrical load. As part of operation 328, the method may include controlling a relay device (e.g., 134 in Figure 1) in operation 330 to measure load-specific operating conditions. For example, a controller device may obtain load-specific measurements via a load measurement circuit (e.g., 132 in Figure 1) associated with the relay device, as previously stated with reference to operation 320. In at least some embodiments, the one or more load-specific measurements obtained in 328 for each connected battery module may include a plurality of measurements obtained for load-specific operating conditions over a period of time.

[0044]

[0051] In 332, the method includes disconnecting each of the multiple battery modules from a connected state to an electrical load to a disconnected state. For example, a controller device may disconnect a target battery module from which a module-specific test has been performed in 322 via a switching circuit of a module interface device operably coupled to the target battery module.

[0045]

[0052] As outlined in 334, module-specific testing can be performed on each of multiple battery modules by repeating operations 324-332 for each battery module, with a different battery module as the target battery module.

[0046]

[0053] In operation 336, the method includes processing the measurements taken in operations 316, 318, 326, and 328 to identify a set of test results. Figure 3B shows several further embodiments of operation 336 in which the measurements are processed to identify a set of test results. Referring to Figure 3B, some or all of operations 350 through 380 may be performed as part of processing the measurements to identify a set of test results in operation 336.

[0047]

[0054] In 350, the method includes calculating one or more test results for each of the multiple battery modules based on the disconnected module-specific measurements obtained in operation 316. In one embodiment, if the disconnected module-specific measurements include voltage and current measurements, the test results calculated in 350 may include the power of each disconnected battery module based on the voltage and current measurements. Furthermore or alternatively, the test results calculated in 350 may include the rate of change of voltage, current, or power measured over time.

[0048]

[0055] In 352, the method may include calculating one or more test results for each battery module of a plurality of battery modules based on connected module-specific measurements obtained in operation 326. In one embodiment, if the connected module-specific measurements include voltage and current measurements, the test results calculated in 352 may include the power of each connected battery module based on the voltage and current measurements obtained, while the remaining battery modules are disconnected. Furthermore or alternatively, the test results calculated in 352 may include the rate of change of voltage, current, or power measured over time.

[0049]

[0056] In 354, the method may include calculating one or more test results based on load-specific measurements taken in operation 318 while multiple battery modules are disconnected. In one embodiment, if the load-specific measurements include voltage and current measurements, the test results calculated in 354 may include the power supplied to the load while multiple battery modules are disconnected, based on the voltage and current measurements. Furthermore or alternatively, the test results calculated in 354 may include the rate of change of voltage, current, or power measured over time.

[0050]

[0057] In 356, the method may include calculating one or more test results for each connected battery module, while multiple battery modules are disconnected, based on connected load-specific measurements obtained in operation 328. In one embodiment, if the connected load-specific measurements include voltage and current measurements, the test results calculated in 356 may include the power supplied to the load while the battery module in question is connected, based on the voltage and current measurements. Furthermore or alternatively, the test results calculated in 356 may include the rate of change of voltage, current, or power measured over time.

[0051]

[0058] In 358, the method may include comparing one or more disconnected module-specific measurements obtained in 316 and / or one or more test results calculated in 350 with a module criterion in order to obtain one or more test results for each of a plurality of battery modules. The module criterion may define one or more thresholds and / or one or more target values ​​for each module-specific operating state measured in 316 and / or test results calculated in 350. In one embodiment, the comparison performed in 358 may include applying one or more thresholds (of the module criterion) in 360 and / or one or more target values ​​(of the module criterion) in 362 to one or more disconnected module-specific measurements of each battery module measured in 316 and / or test results obtained in 350 in order to obtain one or more test results for that battery module. One or more thresholds and / or one or more target values ​​may distinguish between an unacceptable operating range or value and an acceptable operating range or value. The test results obtained in 358 may include an indication of whether one or more disconnected module-specific measurements obtained in 316 and / or the test results obtained in 350 for each battery module meet the module criteria, for example, whether one or more measurements are within an acceptable operating range or value.

[0052]

[0059] In 364, the method may include comparing one or more connected module-specific measurements obtained in 326 and / or one or more test results calculated in 352 with a module standard in order to obtain one or more test results for each battery module of a plurality of battery modules. In one embodiment, the comparison performed in 364 may include applying one or more thresholds (of the module standard) in 366 and / or applying one or more target values ​​(of the module standard) in 368 to one or more connected module-specific measurements measured in 326 and / or test results obtained in 352 for each battery module in order to obtain one or more test results for that battery module. As stated above, one or more thresholds and / or one or more target values ​​can distinguish between an unacceptable operating range or value and an acceptable operating range or value. The test results obtained in 364 may include an indication of whether one or more connected module-specific measurements obtained in 326 and / or test results obtained in 352 for each battery module meet the module standard, for example, whether one or more measurements are within an acceptable operating range or value.

[0053]

[0060] In 370, the method may include comparing one or more disconnected load-specific measurements obtained in 318 and / or one or more test results calculated in 354 with a load criterion in order to obtain one or more test results. The load criterion may define one or more thresholds and / or one or more target values ​​for each load-specific operating state measured in 318 and / or the test results calculated in 354. In one embodiment, the comparison performed in 370 may include applying one or more thresholds (of the load criterion) in 372 and / or applying one or more target values ​​(of the load criterion) in 374 to one or more disconnected load-specific measurements measured in 318 and / or the test results calculated in 354 in order to obtain one or more test results. One or more thresholds and / or one or more target values ​​may distinguish between an unacceptable operating range or value and an acceptable operating range or value. The test results obtained in 370 may include an indication of whether one or more measured values ​​specific to the disconnected load obtained in 318 and / or the test results obtained in 354 meet the load criteria, for example, whether one or more measured values ​​are within an acceptable operating range or value.

[0054]

[0061] In 376, the method may include comparing one or more connected load-specific measurements obtained in 328 and / or one or more test results calculated in 356 with a load criterion in order to obtain one or more test results for each connected battery module, while the remaining battery modules are disconnected. As previously stated, the load criterion may define one or more thresholds and / or one or more target values ​​for each load-specific operating state measured in 328 and / or the test result calculated in 356. In one embodiment, the comparison performed in 376 may include applying one or more thresholds (of the load criterion) in 378 and / or one or more target values ​​(of the load criterion) in 380 to one or more connected load-specific measurements measured in 328 and / or the test result calculated in 356 in order to obtain one or more test results. As previously stated, one or more thresholds and / or one or more target values ​​may distinguish between an unacceptable operating range or value and an acceptable operating range or value. The test results obtained in 376 may include an indication of whether one or more connected load-specific measurements obtained in 328 and / or the test results obtained in 356 meet the load criteria, for example, whether one or more measurements are within an acceptable operating range or value.

[0055]

[0062] Referring again to Figure 3A, in 338, the method includes outputting and / or storing a set of test results including and / or based on one or more measurements obtained by method 300, including some or all of the test results identified in operation 336 of Figure 3B. For example, the set of test results may include measurements obtained in 316, 318, 326, and 328 of method 300. Further or alternatively, in one embodiment, the set of test results output and / or stored in 338 may be based on one or more of the following: Specifically, these are: (1) module-specific measurements obtained for each of the multiple battery modules acquired while that battery module is connected and the remaining battery modules are disconnected (measurements specific to the connected module); (2) load-specific measurements obtained for each of the multiple battery modules acquired while that battery module is connected and the remaining battery modules are disconnected (measurements specific to the connected load); (3) load-specific measurements obtained while each of the multiple battery modules is disconnected (measurements specific to the disconnected load); and (4) module-specific measurements obtained for each of the multiple battery modules while each of the multiple battery modules is disconnected (measurements specific to the disconnected module).

[0056]

[0063] Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment of Method 300, the load-specific operating state includes voltage or current, and the load criterion, compared to a disconnected load-specific measurement, includes a target value of zero voltage or zero current. In another embodiment, the module criterion includes a target value of zero voltage or zero current when disconnected from the load, and the set of test results indicates whether the module-specific measurement is zero voltage or zero current. In yet another embodiment, the set of test results includes, for each battery module in a set of battery modules, whether the module-specific measurement obtained for that battery module is consistent with the obtained load-specific measurement, while that battery module is connected and the remaining battery modules are disconnected. For example, the set of test results includes an indication of whether the current or voltage of the battery module is within an acceptable operating range, defined by one or more thresholds. In yet another embodiment, the set of test results includes an indication of whether the rate of change of the current or voltage of the battery module is within an acceptable operating range, defined by one or more thresholds.

[0057]

[0064] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary circuit 400 that may form part of the module interface devices of the battery management system 100 of Figure 1, including module interface devices 122-1, and 122-2 through 122-N. The circuit 400 includes several examples of the module-side cathode interface 220, module-side anode interface 222, electrical load-side cathode interface 230, electrical load-side anode interface 232, measurement circuit 240, and switching circuit 250 of Figure 2.

[0058]

[0065] In one embodiment shown in Figure 4, the circuit 400 includes a set of electrical components interconnected via an electrical path, including six transistors 410-1, 410-2, 410-3, 410-4, 410-5, 410-6, five resistors 420-1, 420-2, 420-3, 420-4, 420-5, four optical isolators 430-1, 430-2, 430-3, 430-4, and two diodes 450-1, 450-2. It will be understood that the circuit 400 can take any suitable form and may include different quantities and configurations of electrical components than those shown in the embodiment in Figure 4 in order to implement the functions of the measurement circuit 240 and the switching circuit 250.

[0059]

[0066] Figure 4 schematically shows several exemplary positions of the module-side cathode interface 220, module-side anode interface 222, electrical load-side cathode interface 230, and electrical load-side anode interface 232 within the circuit 400. It will be understood that in some embodiments of the circuit 400, the positions of the cathode and anode may be reversed.

[0060]

[0067] Circuit 400 includes an electrical path 460 extending from the module-side cathode interface 220 to the electrical load-side cathode interface 230. Circuit 400 further includes an electrical path 462 extending from the module-side anode interface 222 to the electrical load-side anode interface 232.

[0061]

[0068] In one embodiment of Figure 4, the measurement circuit 240 includes a resistor 420-3 through which current can be measured and / or voltage can be measured across its terminals, as several examples of module-specific operating states that can be measured through the measurement circuit 240 as described herein. In at least some embodiments, the measurement circuit 240 may further include an electrical load (e.g., 130, test load, etc.) and a disconnection circuit (e.g., relay device 134). Furthermore, in one embodiment of Figure 4, the switching circuit 250 includes module interface devices (e.g., 122-1, 122-2 to 122-N).

[0062]

[0069] Figure 5 shows a first view of an exemplary configuration 500 for each module interface device, from module interface devices 122-1 to 122-N in Figure 1. The first view of Figure 5 shows a first side of configuration 500.

[0063]

[0070] An exemplary configuration 500 of each module interface device includes a device body 510. The device body 510 defines one or more through holes or openings 512-1, 512-2, 512-3, 512-4, 512-5. These allow the module interface device to be attached to a battery module (e.g., 112-1, 112-2 to 112-N) via their respective fasteners.

[0064]

[0071] The configuration 500 of each module interface device includes electrical conductors 560-1 and 560-2, which extend to the module-side cathode interface 220 and the electrical load-side cathode interface 230. Electrical conductors 560-1 and 560-2 are examples of the electrical path 460 in Figure 4. The configuration 500 of each module interface device further includes an electrical conductor 562, which extends to the module-side anode interface 222 and the electrical load-side anode interface 232. Electrical conductor 562 is an embodiment of the electrical path 462 in Figure 4.

[0065]

[0072] In Figure 5, region 520 is shown, which includes resistors 420-1, 420-2, 420-4, 420-5, optical isolators 430-1, 430-2, 430-3, 430-4, and diodes 450-1, 540-2. Figure 5 further shows region 522, which includes resistor 420-3. The current and / or voltage across resistor 420-3 can be measured. Exemplary locations of transistors 410-1, 410-2, 410-3, 410-4, 410-5, 410-6 are also schematically shown in Figure 5.

[0066]

[0073] Figure 6 shows a second view of the exemplary configuration 500 of Figure 5. The second view of Figure 6 shows the edge of the configuration 500. Figure 6 further shows an embodiment of the configuration 500 housed within the housing 600 schematically shown in Figure 6.

[0067]

[0074] Figure 7 shows a third view of the exemplary configuration of the module interface device shown in Figure 5. The third view of Figure 7 shows the second side of the configuration 500 opposite to the first side shown in Figure 5.

[0068]

[0075] In at least some embodiments, the methods and operations described herein may be performed by a computing system of one or more computing devices. In particular, such methods and operations may be implemented as computer application programs or services, application programming interfaces (APIs), libraries, and / or other computer program products.

[0069]

[0076] Figure 8 schematically shows an exemplary computing system 800 configured to perform the methods and operations described herein. The computing system 800 may form part of the controller device 120 in Figure 1. The computing system 800 is shown in a simplified form in Figure 8. The computing system 800 may take the form of one or more personal computers, server computers, network computers, mobile computers, and / or other computing devices.

[0070]

[0077] The computing system 800 includes a logical machine 810, a storage machine 812, and one or more input / output (I / O) interface devices. The computing system 800 may include other components not shown in Figure 8.

[0071]

[0078] The logic machine 810 includes one or more physical logic devices configured to execute instructions. For example, the logic machine 810 may be configured to execute instruction 816. Instruction 816 is part of one or more applications, services, programs, routines, libraries, objects, components, data structures, or other logical constructs. Such instructions may be implemented to perform work, implement data types, transform the state of one or more components, achieve technical effects, or otherwise reach a desired result.

[0072]

[0079] The logical machine 810 may include one or more processor devices configured to execute software instructions. Furthermore, or alternatively, the logical machine 810 may include one or more hardware or firmware logical machines configured to execute hardware or firmware instructions. The processor devices of the logical machine may be single-core or multi-core, and the instructions executed therein may be configured for sequential, parallel, and / or distributed processing. Individual components of the logical machine may optionally be distributed across two or more separate devices. These devices may be remotely located and / or configured for coordinated processing. Multiple embodiments of the logical machine 810 may be executed by remotely accessible network computing devices that are virtualized and configured as cloud computing configurations.

[0073]

[0080] The storage machine 812 includes one or more physical storage devices configured to hold instructions 816 and other data 818 that can be executed by the logical machine 810 in order to perform or otherwise carry out the methods and operations described herein. When such methods and operations are performed or otherwise carried out, the state of the storage machine 812 may be transformed, for example, to hold different data.

[0074]

[0081] The storage machine 812 may include removable and / or built-in storage devices. Among other things, the storage machine 812 may include optical memory (e.g., CD, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-ray Disc, etc.), semiconductor memory (e.g., RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.), and / or magnetic memory (e.g., hard disk drives, floppy disks, tape drives, MRAM, etc.). The storage machine 812 may include volatile devices, non-volatile devices, dynamic devices, static devices, read / write devices, read-only devices, random access devices, sequential access devices, location addressable devices, file addressable devices, and / or content addressable devices.

[0075]

[0082] It will be understood that the storage machine 812 includes one or more physical storage devices. However, some aspects of the instruction 816 described herein may, alternatively, be propagated by a communication medium (e.g., electromagnetic signals, optical signals, etc.) that is not held by a physical device for a finite duration, under certain conditions or circumstances.

[0076]

[0083] Multiple embodiments of the logic machine 812 and the storage machine 810 may be integrated into one or more hardware logic components. Such hardware logic components may include, for example, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), program-specific integrated circuits / application-specific integrated circuits (PASICs / ASICs), program-specific standard products / application-specific standard products (PSSPs / ASSPs), systems-on-a-chip (SOCs), and complex-programmable logic devices (CPLDs).

[0077]

[0084] The terms “module,” “program,” and “engine” may be used to describe multiple embodiments of a computing system 800 implemented to perform a particular function. In some cases, a module, program, or engine may be instantiated via a logical machine 810 that executes instructions 816 held by a storage machine 812. It will be understood that various modules, programs, and / or engines may be instantiated from the same application, service, code block, object, library, routine, API, function, etc. Similarly, the same module, program, and / or engine may be instantiated by various applications, services, code block, object, routine, API, function, etc. The terms “module,” “program,” and “engine” may encompass individual or grouped executable files, data files, libraries, drivers, scripts, database records, etc.

[0078]

[0085] Figure 8 further illustrates several embodiments of instruction 816 and data 818. In one embodiment of Figure 8, instruction 816 includes a test module 820. The test module 820 is executable by the logic machine 810 to perform method 300 of Figures 3A and 3B, which includes the test process described herein. Instruction 816 may include other instructions 822 in addition to the test module 820. The test module 820 includes, as an example of instruction 816, a module criterion 824 and a load criterion 826. Module-specific measurements obtained through the measurement circuit of the module interface device described herein may be compared by the test module 820 with respect to the module criterion 824 as part of identifying a set of test results, as previously stated with reference to Figure 3B. In at least some embodiments, the module criterion may differ for some or all of the battery modules among a plurality of battery modules to accommodate battery modules having different performance ratings and / or configurations (e.g., different voltages, currents, and / or powers).

[0079]

[0086] The load criterion 826 may define a target value to be compared with a load-specific measurement obtained via the load measurement circuit 132 in Figure 1. The test results generated by the test module 820 may include an indication of whether the load-specific measurement satisfies the load criterion. In one embodiment, the load-specific operating state includes at least one of the voltage measured across the ends of the electrical load or the current measured through them. For example, if each of the battery modules is disconnected, the load criterion may include zero voltage or zero current as the target load-specific measurement for comparison with the load-specific measurement. If the remaining battery modules are disconnected while a particular battery module is connected, the load criterion may, in another embodiment, include a target voltage or target current provided by the connected battery module.

[0080]

[0087] Figure 8 further illustrates an example of data 818. In this embodiment, data 818 includes a set of connected module test data 830. This set 830 includes data and test results representing measurements taken when the battery module of interest is connected and the remaining battery modules in the battery system are disconnected. An example of the set of test data 830 is shown in Figure 8 as connected module test data 832. Test data 832 was taken while the battery module of interest is connected and the remaining battery modules are disconnected. For each battery module of interest tested in the connected state, at least one module-specific operating state 834 (e.g., current or voltage) may be measured by the controller device and represented by at least one module-specific measurement 836 (e.g., a value of current or voltage). Furthermore, for each battery module tested in the connected state, at least one measured load-specific operating state 838 (e.g., current or voltage) may be represented by at least one load-specific measurement 840 (e.g., a value of current or voltage). The test results 842 of the connected module test data 832 may include module-specific measurements 836, load-specific measurements 840, and processed forms of such measurements, for example, test results obtained by comparing the measurements to a module criterion 824 or a load criterion 826. Instances of the connected module test data 832 may be obtained for each subject battery module measured in a connected state, while the remaining battery modules are disconnected.

[0081]

[0088] Data 818 further includes a set 850 of disconnected module test data. This set 850 includes data and test results representing measurements taken when all battery modules in the battery system are disconnected. An example of the set of test data 850 is shown in Figure 8 as disconnected module test data 852 taken when all battery modules in the battery system are disconnected. For each battery module tested in the disconnected state, at least one module-specific operating state 854 (e.g., current or voltage) is measured by a controller device and may be represented by at least one module-specific measurement 865 (e.g., a value of current or voltage). Furthermore, for the disconnected state of the battery modules, at least one measured load-specific operating state 858 (e.g., current or voltage) may be represented by at least one load-specific measurement 860 (e.g., a value of current or voltage). The test results 862 of the disconnected module test data 852 may include module-specific measurement 856, load-specific measurement 860, and processed forms of such measurement values. For example, test results obtained by comparing measured values ​​with module criterion 824 or load criterion 826.

[0082]

[0089] The input / output interface device 814 may include interface devices that operably connect the computing system to the measurement circuits 240 and switching circuits 250 of each module interface device. Thus, the input / output interface device 814 can be used by the control system 110 to communicate with the battery interface modules 122-1, 122-2 to 122-N of Figure 1 via electrical connections 124-1 and 124-2 to 124-N. The input / output interface device 814 may include interface devices that operably connect the computing system to the load measurement circuit 132 via electrical connection 142 and to the relay device 134 via electrical connection 144. Furthermore, the input / output interface device 814 may include interface devices that operably connect the computing system to other devices (e.g., peripheral devices, computing devices, or other remote devices) or to a communication network (e.g., the Internet and / or a local area network). In at least some embodiments, the input / output interface device 814 may include peripheral devices such as a graphical display, a user input device (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, etc.), other input devices, and / or other output devices.

[0083]

[0090] Figure 8 shows that the computing system 800 receives a control input 870 via an input / output interface device 814. The control input 870 may be initiated via another device, which, in one embodiment, is operably coupled with the computing system 800. Furthermore, Figure 8 shows that the computing system 800 outputs data as a data output 872. The data output 872 may include any of the data described herein, including data 818, module-specific measurements (e.g., 836, 856), load-specific measurements (e.g., 840, 860), and test results (e.g., 842, 862) which include processed data based on the measurements described herein. The data output 872 may, as an example, include presentation of the data via a graphical display or other output device. In one embodiment, the computing system 800 may provide the data output 872 in response to receiving the control input 870 through the execution of the test module 820. In this embodiment, the control input 870 may instruct the computing system 800 to initiate and execute the method 300 shown in Figures 3A and 3B, which includes the test process described herein.

[0084]

[0091] Furthermore, this disclosure includes multiple components under the following clauses:

[0085]

[0092] Article 1. A method for testing a battery system including multiple battery modules, comprising performing a test process on the battery system via a battery management system including a controller device and multiple module interface devices, wherein in each of the multiple battery modules, each module interface device of the multiple module interface devices is operably coupled to the anode and cathode terminals of the battery module, and the test process is performed by, in the controller device, independently disconnecting each of the multiple battery modules from a connected state to a disconnected state to an electrical load via a switching circuit of the module interface devices operably coupled to the cathode and anode terminals of the battery module, and for each of the multiple battery modules, while the remaining battery modules of the multiple battery modules are in the disconnected state, the cathode terminal of the battery module and independently connect the battery module to the electrical load from the disconnected state to the connected state via the switching circuit of the module interface device operably coupled to the anode terminal; for each of the plurality of battery modules, while the remaining battery modules are in the disconnected state, independently measure the module-specific operating state of the battery module in the connected state via the measurement circuit of the module interface device operably coupled to the cathode terminal and the anode terminal of the battery module in order to obtain module-specific measurements; for each of the plurality of battery modules of the battery system, while the battery module is in the connected state and the remaining battery modules are in the disconnected state, measure the load-specific operating state between both ends of the electrical load in order to obtain load-specific measurements; and while the battery module is in the connected state and the remaining battery modules are in the disconnected state,A method comprising performing a test process that includes outputting a set of test results based on the obtained measurements, including module-specific measurements and load-specific measurements for each of the plurality of battery modules.

[0086]

[0093] Article 2. The method according to Clause 1, wherein the module-specific operating state includes the voltage between the anode terminal and the cathode terminal of the battery module, and the load-specific operating state includes the voltage.

[0087]

[0094] Article 3. The method according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the module-specific operating state includes a current passing between the anode terminal and the cathode terminal of the battery module, and the load-specific operating state includes a current.

[0088]

[0095] Article 4. Performing the test process further includes measuring the load-specific operating state between the ends of the electrical load in order to obtain further load-specific measurements while the plurality of battery modules are in the disconnected state, and the set of test results is further based on the further load-specific measurements, according to any one of the methods of Clauses 1 to 3.

[0089]

[0096] Article 5. The set of test results, as described in any one of the provisions 1 to 4, includes an indication of whether the further load-specific measurements meet the load criteria.

[0090]

[0097] Article 6. The method according to any one of the clauses 1 to 5, wherein the load-specific operating state includes voltage or current, and the load criterion includes a target value of zero voltage or zero current.

[0091]

[0098] Article 7. The set of test results includes, for each of the plurality of battery modules, an indication of whether the module-specific measurement meets the module criteria, the module-specific operating state includes at least one of the voltage measured between the anode terminal and the cathode terminal of the battery module, or the current measured through the anode terminal and the cathode terminal, and the module criteria includes a target voltage or a target current, as described in any one of Clauses 1 to 6.

[0092]

[0099] Article 8. The module criteria are different for at least some or all of the battery modules among the plurality of battery modules, as described in Clause 7.

[0093]

[0100] Article 9. Performing the test process further includes independently measuring the module-specific operating state of each battery module of the plurality of battery modules via the measurement circuit of the module interface device operably coupled to the cathode terminal and anode terminal of the battery module, in order to obtain further module-specific measurements while the plurality of battery modules are in the disconnected state, and the set of test results is further based on the further module-specific measurements for each battery module of the plurality of battery modules, according to any one of the claims 1 to 8.

[0094]

[0101] Article 10. The method according to Clause 9, wherein the set of test results includes an indication of whether the further module-specific measurements for each of the plurality of battery modules meet the module criteria.

[0095]

[0102] Article 11. The method according to clause 10, wherein the module-specific operating state includes voltage or current, and the module criterion includes a target value of zero voltage or zero current.

[0096]

[0103] Article 12. The method according to any one of the clauses 1 to 11, wherein the set of test results includes, for each battery module in the set of battery modules, an indication of whether the module-specific measurement obtained for that battery module is consistent with the load-specific measurement obtained, while that battery module is in the connected state and the remaining battery modules are in the disconnected state.

[0097]

[0104] Article 13. The test process described above is performed by the controller device in response to a control input, according to any one of the provisions 1 to 12.

[0098]

[0105] Article 14. A battery management system for testing a battery system including multiple battery modules, comprising a controller device and multiple module interface devices operably coupled to the controller device, each module interface device including a measurement circuit and a switching circuit, wherein each of the multiple battery modules is configured such that each module interface device of the multiple module interface devices is operably coupled to the anode and cathode terminals of the battery module, the controller device is configured to perform a test process on the battery system, the test process independently disconnecting each of the multiple battery modules from a connected state to a disconnected state to an electrical load via the switching circuit of the module interface device operably coupled to the cathode and anode terminals of the battery module, and each of the multiple battery modules With respect to a module, while the remaining battery modules of the plurality of battery modules are in the disconnected state, the battery module is independently connected to the electrical load from the disconnected state to the connected state via the switching circuit of the module interface device which is operably coupled to the cathode terminal and anode terminal of that battery module; with respect to each of the plurality of battery modules, while the remaining battery modules are in the disconnected state, the module-specific operating state of that battery module is independently measured via the measurement circuit of the module interface device which is operably coupled to the cathode terminal and anode terminal of that battery module in order to obtain module-specific measurements; with respect to each of the plurality of battery modules of the battery system, while the battery module is in the connected state and the remaining battery modules are in the disconnected state, the load-specific operating state between both ends of the electrical load is measured in order to obtain load-specific measurements; andA battery management system that, while the battery module is in the connected state and the remaining battery modules are in the disconnected state, outputs a set of test results including module-specific measurements and load-specific measurements for each of the acquired plurality of battery modules, or based on such measurements.

[0099]

[0106] Article 15. The battery management system according to Clause 14, wherein each of the plurality of module interface devices includes a module-side cathode interface configured such that the module interface device is operably coupled to the cathode terminal of the battery module, a module-side anode interface configured such that the module interface device is operably coupled to the anode terminal of the battery module, an electrical load-side cathode interface configured such that the module interface device is operably coupled to the electrical load, and an electrical load-side anode interface configured such that the module interface device is operably coupled to the electrical load.

[0100]

[0107] Article 16. The battery management system according to clause 14 or 15, further comprising an electrical load measurement circuit operably coupled to both sides of the electrical load via relays, wherein the load-specific operating state is measured by the controller device via the electrical load measurement circuit.

[0101]

[0108] Article 17. The battery management system according to any one of Clauses 14 to 16, wherein the measurement circuit of each module interface device includes a resistor, and the module-specific measurement includes a voltage measured across the resistor or a current measured through the resistor.

[0102]

[0109] Article 18. The test process performed by the controller device on the battery system further includes measuring the load-specific operating state between the ends of the electrical load in order to obtain further load-specific measurements while each of the plurality of battery modules is in the disconnected state, and the set of test results is further based on the further load-specific measurements, as described in any one of Clauses 14 to 17.

[0103]

[0110] Article 19. The test process performed by the controller device on the battery system further includes independently measuring the module-specific operating state of each of the plurality of battery modules via the measurement circuit of the module interface device operably coupled to the cathode terminal and anode terminal of the battery module, in order to obtain further module-specific measurements while the plurality of battery modules are in the disconnected state, and the set of test results is further based on the further module-specific measurements for each of the plurality of battery modules, according to any one of the clauses 14 to 18.

[0104]

[0111] Article 20. The battery management system according to any one of Clauses 14 to 19, wherein the set of test results includes, for each of the plurality of battery modules, an indication of whether the module-specific measurement values ​​meet the module criteria, and the module-specific operating state includes at least one of the voltage measured between the anode terminal and the cathode terminal of the battery module, or the current measured through the anode terminal and the cathode terminal.

[0105]

[0112] Article 21. The battery management system according to Clause 20, wherein the module criteria differ for at least some of the battery modules among the plurality of battery modules.

[0106]

[0113] Article 22. A manufactured product for testing a battery system comprising multiple battery modules, comprising a data storage machine storing instructions, wherein the instructions are executable by a logic machine to perform a test process on the battery system via a battery management system comprising multiple module interface devices, wherein in each of the multiple battery modules, each module interface device of the multiple module interface devices is operably coupled to the anode and cathode terminals of the battery module, and the test process independently disconnects each of the multiple battery modules from a connected state to a disconnected state to an electrical load via a switching circuit of the module interface device operably coupled to the cathode and anode terminals of the battery module, wherein for each of the multiple battery modules, the cathode of the battery module is disconnected while the remaining battery modules of the multiple battery modules are disconnected. To independently connect the battery module to the electrical load from the disconnected state to the connected state via the switching circuit of the module interface device operably coupled to the cathode terminal and the anode terminal; for each of the plurality of battery modules, while the remaining battery modules are in the disconnected state, to independently measure the module-specific operating state of the battery module in the connected state via the measurement circuit of the module interface device operably coupled to the cathode terminal and the anode terminal of the battery module in order to obtain module-specific measurements; for each of the plurality of battery modules of the battery system, while the battery module is in the connected state and the remaining battery modules are in the disconnected state, to measure the load-specific operating state between both ends of the electrical load in order to obtain load-specific measurements; and while the battery module is in the connected state and the remaining battery modules are in the disconnected state,A manufactured product that includes, or outputs, a set of test results based on, the module-specific measurements and load-specific measurements for each of the plurality of battery modules obtained.

[0107]

[0114] Article 23. The set of test results includes, for each of the plurality of battery modules, an indication of whether the module-specific measurement meets the module criteria, and the module-specific operating state includes at least one of the voltage measured between the anode terminal and the cathode terminal of the battery module, or the current measured through the anode terminal and the cathode terminal, as described in Clause 22.

[0108]

[0115] Article 24. The module standards differ for at least some of the battery modules among the plurality of battery modules, as described in Clause 23.

[0109]

[0116] The configurations and / or approaches described herein are substantially illustrative, and it should be understood that these particular embodiments or examples should not be considered restrictive, as numerous variations are possible. A particular routine or method described herein may represent one or more of any number of processing strategies. Thus, the various actions illustrated and / or described may be performed in the illustrated and / or described order, or in a different order, or simultaneously, or omitted. Similarly, the order of the processes described above may be changed.

[0110]

[0117] The subject matter of this disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various processes, systems, and configurations disclosed herein, as well as other features, functions, operations, and / or characteristics, and any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A method (300) for testing a battery system (110) including multiple battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N), The method involves performing a test process (302) on the battery system (110) via a battery management system (100) which includes a controller device (120) and a plurality of module interface devices (122-1, 122-2, 122-N), In each of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N), each module interface device (122-1) of the plurality of module interface devices (122-1, 122-2, 122-N) is operably coupled to the anode terminal (212) and cathode terminal (210) of the battery module (112-1). Performing the aforementioned test process (302) in the controller device (120) The switching circuit (250) of the module interface device (122-1), which is operably coupled to the cathode terminal (210) and anode terminal (212) of the battery module (112-1), allows each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) to be independently disconnected from the electrical load (130) via the switching circuit (250) of the module interface device (122-1), With respect to each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N), while the remaining battery modules (112-2, 112-N) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) are in the disconnected state, the battery module (112-1) is independently connected from the disconnected state to the connected state with respect to the electrical load (130) via the switching circuit (250) of the module interface device (122-1) which is operably coupled to the cathode terminal (210) and anode terminal (212) of the battery module (112-1). For each of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N), while the remaining battery modules (112-2, 112-N) are disconnected, in order to obtain module-specific measurement values ​​(856), the module-specific operating state (834) of the connected battery module (112-1) is measured independently via the measurement circuit (240) of the module interface device (122-1) which is operably coupled to the cathode terminal (210) and the anode terminal (212) of the battery module (112-1). With respect to each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) of the battery system (110), while the battery module (112-1) is in the connected state and the remaining battery modules (112-2, 112-N) are in the disconnected state, the load-specific operating state (858) between both ends of the electrical load (130) is measured in order to obtain load-specific measurement values ​​(860), and A method (300) comprising performing a test process (302) while the battery module (112-1) is in the connected state and the remaining battery modules (112-2, 112-N) are in the disconnected state, the process including outputting a set of test results (842) based on the acquired battery module (112-1) (856) and load-specific measurements (860), or the acquired set of test results (842) based on the measurements (856, 860).

2. The module-specific operating state (834) includes the voltage between the anode terminal (212) and the cathode terminal (210) of the battery module (112-1). The method according to claim 1 (300), wherein the load-specific operating state (858) includes voltage.

3. The module-specific operating state (834) includes a current passing between the anode terminal (212) and the cathode terminal (210) of the battery module (112-1). The method according to claim 1 (300), wherein the load-specific operating state (858) includes current.

4. Performing the aforementioned test process (302) means While the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) are in the disconnected state, the method further includes measuring the load-specific operating state (858) between both ends of the electrical load (130) in order to obtain further load-specific measurements (860), The method according to claim 1 (300), wherein the set of test results (842) is further based on the further load-specific measurements (860).

5. The method according to claim 4 (300), wherein the set of test results (842) includes an indication of whether the further load-specific measurement (860) satisfies the load criterion (826).

6. The load-specific operating state (858) includes voltage or current, The method according to claim 5 (300), wherein the load criterion (826) includes a target value of zero voltage or zero current.

7. The set of test results (842) includes, for each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N), an indication of whether the module-specific measurement value (856) meets the module standard (824). The module-specific operating state (834) includes at least one of the voltage measured between the anode terminal (212) and the cathode terminal (210) of the battery module (112-1), or the current measured through the anode terminal (212) and the cathode terminal (210). The method according to claim 1 (300), wherein the module reference (824) includes a target voltage or target current.

8. The method according to claim 7 (300), wherein the module criterion (824) differs for at least some of the battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) among the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N).

9. Performing the aforementioned test process (302) means While the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) are in the disconnected state, the method further includes independently measuring the module-specific operating state (834) of each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) via the measurement circuit (240) of the module interface device (122-1) which is operably coupled to the cathode terminal (210) and anode terminal (212) of the battery module (112-1) in order to obtain further module-specific measurements (856), The method according to claim 1 (300), wherein the set of test results (842) is further based on the further module-specific measurements (856) for each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N).

10. The method of claim 9 (300), wherein the set of test results (842) includes an indication of whether the further module-specific measurements (856) for each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) meet the module criteria (824).

11. The module-specific operating state (834) includes voltage or current, The method according to claim 10 (300), wherein the module criterion (824) includes a target value of zero voltage or zero current.

12. The method according to claim 1 (300), wherein the set of test results (842) includes, for each battery module (112-1) of the set of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N), an indication of whether the module-specific measurement (856) obtained for the battery module (112-1) is consistent with the obtained load-specific measurement (860) while the battery module (112-1) is in the connected state and the remaining battery modules (112-2, 112-N) are in the disconnected state.

13. The method according to claim 1 (300), wherein the test process (302) is performed by the controller device (120) in response to a control input (870).

14. A battery management system (100) for testing a battery system (110) including multiple battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N), Controller device (120), and A plurality of module interface devices (122-1, 122-2, 122-N) operably coupled to the controller device (120), each module interface device (122-1) including a measurement circuit (240) and a switching circuit (250), wherein each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) is configured to be operably coupled to the anode terminal (212) and cathode terminal (210) of the battery module (112-1), and the plurality of module interface devices (122-1, 122-2, 122-N) comprises The controller device (120) is configured to perform a test process (302) on the battery system (110), and the test process (302) is: The switching circuit (250) of the module interface device (122-1), which is operably coupled to the cathode terminal (210) and anode terminal (212) of the battery module (112-1), allows each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) to be independently disconnected from the electrical load (130) via the switching circuit (250) of the module interface device (122-1), With respect to each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N), while the remaining battery modules (112-2, 112-N) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) are in the disconnected state, the battery module (112-1) is independently connected from the disconnected state to the connected state with respect to the electrical load (130) via the switching circuit (250) of the module interface device (122-1) which is operably coupled to the cathode terminal (210) and anode terminal (212) of the battery module (112-1). For each of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N), while the remaining battery modules (112-2, 112-N) are in the disconnected state, the module-specific operating state (834) of the battery module (112-1) is measured independently via the measurement circuit (240) of the module interface device (122-1), which is operably coupled to the cathode terminal (210) and anode terminal (212) of the battery module (112-1), in order to obtain module-specific measurement values ​​(856). With respect to each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) of the battery system (110), while the battery module (112-1) is in the connected state and the remaining battery modules (112-2, 112-N) are in the disconnected state, the load-specific operating state (858) between both ends of the electrical load (130) is measured in order to obtain load-specific measurement values ​​(860), and A battery management system (100) that, while the battery module (112-1) is in the connected state and the remaining battery modules (112-2, 112-N) are in the disconnected state, includes outputting a set of test results (842) based on the acquired battery module-specific measurement (856) and load-specific measurement (860) for each of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N), or the acquired measurement (856, 860).

15. Each of the above-mentioned module interface devices (122-1, 122-2, 122-N) is a module interface device (122-1), A module-side cathode interface (220), wherein the module-side cathode interface (220) is configured such that the module interface device (122-1) is operably coupled to the cathode terminal (210) of the battery module (112-1), A module-side anode interface (222), wherein the module-side anode interface (222) is configured such that the module interface device (122-1) is operably coupled to the anode terminal (212) of the battery module (112-1), An electrical load-side cathode interface (230), wherein the electrical load-side cathode interface (230) is configured such that the module interface device (122-1) is operably coupled to the electrical load (130), and The battery management system (100) according to claim 14, comprising an electrical load-side anode interface (232) configured such that the module interface device (122-1) is operably coupled to the electrical load (130).

16. The system further comprises an electrical load measuring circuit (240) operably coupled to both sides of the electrical load (130) via relays, The battery management system (100) according to claim 14, wherein the load-specific operating state (858) is measured by the controller device (120) via the electrical load measurement circuit (240).

17. The measurement circuit (240) of each module interface device (122-1) includes a resistor (420-3), The battery management system (100) according to claim 14, wherein the module-specific measurement value (856) includes a voltage measured across the ends of the resistor (420-3) or a current measured through the ends of the resistor.

18. The test process (302) performed by the controller device (120) on the battery system (110) is as follows: While each of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) is in the disconnected state, the method further includes measuring the load-specific operating state (858) between both ends of the electrical load (130) in order to obtain further load-specific measurements (860), The battery management system (100) according to claim 14, wherein the set of test results (842) is further based on the further load-specific measurements (860).

19. The test process (302) performed by the controller device (120) on the battery system (110) is as follows: While the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) are in the disconnected state, the method further includes independently measuring the module-specific operating state (834) of each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) via the measurement circuit (240) of the module interface device (122-1) which is operably coupled to the cathode terminal (210) and anode terminal (212) of the battery module (112-1) in order to obtain further module-specific measurements (856), The battery management system (100) according to claim 14, wherein the set of test results (842) is further based on the further module-specific measurements (856) for each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N).

20. A manufactured product (800) for testing a battery system (110) including multiple battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N), The system includes a data storage machine (812) in which an instruction (816) is stored, and the instruction (816) is processed by a logical machine (810). A battery management system (100) including multiple module interface devices (122-1, 122-2, 122-N) can be used to perform a test process (302) on the battery system (110). In each of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N), each module interface device (122-1) of the plurality of module interface devices (122-1, 122-2, 122-N) is operably coupled to the anode terminal (212) and cathode terminal (210) of the battery module (112-1). The aforementioned test process (302) is, The switching circuit (250) of the module interface device (122-1), which is operably coupled to the cathode terminal (210) and anode terminal (212) of the battery module (112-1), allows each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) to be independently disconnected from the electrical load (130) via the switching circuit (250) of the module interface device (122-1), With respect to each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N), while the remaining battery modules (112-2, 112-N) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) are in the disconnected state, the battery module (112-1) is independently connected from the disconnected state to the connected state with respect to the electrical load (130) via the switching circuit (250) of the module interface device (122-1) which is operably coupled to the cathode terminal (210) and anode terminal (212) of the battery module (112-1). For each of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N), while the remaining battery modules (112-2, 112-N) are disconnected, in order to obtain module-specific measurement values ​​(856), the module-specific operating state (834) of the connected battery module (112-1) is measured independently via the measurement circuit (240) of the module interface device (122-1) which is operably coupled to the cathode terminal (210) and the anode terminal (212) of the battery module (112-1). With respect to each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) of the battery system (110), while the battery module (112-1) is in the connected state and the remaining battery modules (112-2, 112-N) are in the disconnected state, the load-specific operating state (858) between both ends of the electrical load (130) is measured in order to obtain load-specific measurement values ​​(860), and A manufactured product (800) that includes outputting a set of test results (842) based on the measurements (856, 860) for each battery module (112-1) of the plurality of battery modules (112-1, 112-2, 112-N) that has been acquired, while the battery module (112-1) is in the connected state and the remaining battery modules (112-2, 112-N) are in the disconnected state,.

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