Charging stations for mobile platforms

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery charging station that includes an electrical system including a charging interface, a communication system including a wireless interface, and a control system. [Solution] In the battery charging system 100, the charging station 110 is configured to receive a charging request to start the battery charging operation of the mobile platform's battery system, establish a wireless communication link with the mobile platform via a wireless interface, and receive battery system health status data from the mobile platform via the wireless communication link through the wireless interface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] The disclosed invention relates generally to a charging station for charging the battery of a mobile platform.

Background Art

[0002]

[0002] A charging station can be used to charge the battery mounted on a mobile platform. For example, electric vehicles and some hybrid electric vehicles are equipped with a battery that can be charged by the electrical energy supplied from a charging station. In some examples, charging of the battery of the mobile platform is achieved by connecting a charging cable between the mobile platform and the charging station. After the charging cable is connected, electrical energy can be supplied from the charging station to the mobile platform.

Summary of the Invention

[0003]

[0003] According to the first embodiment, the battery charging station comprises an electrical system including a charging interface, a communication system including a wireless interface, and a control system operably coupled to the electrical system and the communication system. The control system of the charging station is configured to receive a charge request to initiate a battery charging operation of the mobile platform's battery system and to establish a wireless communication link with the mobile platform via the wireless interface. The control system is further configured to receive health status data of the battery system from the mobile platform via the wireless communication link via the wireless interface. Depending on whether the health status data satisfies a first condition, the control system is configured to enable charging of the mobile platform's battery system via the charging interface. Depending on whether the health status data satisfies a second condition indicating a battery system failure, the control system is configured to prevent charging of the mobile platform's battery system via the charging interface. Depending on whether the health status data satisfies a second condition indicating a battery system failure, the control system may perform one or more further corrective actions.

[0004]

[0004] According to a second embodiment, a method performed by a computing system integrated with a control system of a battery charging station includes receiving a charge request to the battery charging station to initiate a battery charging operation of the battery system of a mobile platform, and establishing a wireless communication link between the battery charging station and the mobile platform via the wireless interface of the battery charging station. The method further includes receiving health status data of the battery system from the mobile platform via the wireless communication link via the wireless interface of the battery charging station. The method further includes enabling the charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface of the battery charging station in response that the health status data satisfies a first condition, and preventing the charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface of the battery charging station in response that the health status data satisfies a second condition indicating a battery system failure.

[0005]

[0005] According to a third embodiment, a computing system for controlling the operation of a battery charging station comprises a logic machine and a data storage machine storing a plurality of instructions. The plurality of instructions are executable by the logic machine to receive a charge request to initiate a battery charging operation of the mobile platform's battery system, establish a wireless communication link with the mobile platform via the wireless interface of the battery charging station, receive health status data of the battery system from the mobile platform via the wireless communication link via the wireless interface of the battery charging station, enable charging of the mobile platform's battery system via the charging interface of the battery charging station when the health status data satisfies a first condition, and disable charging of the mobile platform's battery system via the charging interface of the battery charging station when the health status data satisfies a second condition indicating a battery system failure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1]

[0006] This is a schematic diagram showing a battery charging system including a battery charging station. [Figure 2]

[0007] Figures 2, 3, and 4 are flowcharts illustrating an exemplary method. [Figure 3] Figures 2, 3, and 4 are flowcharts illustrating an exemplary method. [Figure 4] Figures 2, 3, and 4 are flowcharts illustrating an exemplary method. [Figure 5]

[0008] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary battery management system for testing a battery system containing multiple battery modules. [Figure 6]

[0009] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing several further embodiments of the exemplary module interface device. [Figure 7]

[0010] Figures 7 and 8 are flowcharts illustrating an exemplary method for testing a battery system including multiple battery modules. [Figure 8] Figures 7 and 8 are flowcharts illustrating an exemplary method for testing a battery system including multiple battery modules. [Figure 9]

[0011] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary computing system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007]

[0012] As briefly described above, a battery charging station, a method performed by a computing system integrated with a control system for the battery charging station, and a computing system for controlling the operation of the battery charging station are disclosed. The disclosed battery charging station, method, and computing system may receive health status data from a mobile platform via a wireless communication link, the health status data may indicate the health status of the mobile platform's battery system. The health status data may be evaluated at or by the charging station to determine whether charging the mobile platform's battery system should be made possible or impossible before and during the charging operation. If the health status data indicates a failure of the mobile platform's battery system, the charging station may perform one or more corrective actions, including, as a few examples, making it impossible to charge, disconnecting from the mobile platform, warning emergency services, warning maintenance services, and initiating firefighting operations.

[0008]

[0013] The battery charging station, method, and computing system disclosed herein offer the potential ability to address various challenges or problems relating to rechargeable batteries mounted on mobile platforms. In one embodiment, the mobile platform may take the form of an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, such as an automobile, truck, bus, aircraft, scooter, or motorcycle. Charging electric and hybrid electric vehicles can cause overheating or combustion or damage if a fault exists or occurs in the battery system during the charging operation. As a global issue, the increasing number of rechargeable vehicles means that if a high-voltage battery system shorts out and enters a thermal runaway state, it can endanger people and property. For example, the resulting arc discharge or fire condition can present a fatal hazard and cause property damage. Currently, there is no known solution for connecting a mobile platform to a charging station in a way that allows the charging station to respond to faults within the mobile platform. The battery charging station, method, and computing system disclosed herein enable the charging station to perform various corrective actions in response to faults detected within the battery system of the mobile platform.

[0009]

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery charging system 100 including a battery charging station 110. The battery charging system 100 further includes one or more mobile platforms containing onboard batteries that can be charged by the charging station 110. An exemplary mobile platform 112 is shown in Figure 1. The mobile platform 112 may take the form of a vehicle, for example. However, the mobile platform 112 may take the form of any other machine or device.

[0010]

[0015] The battery charging system 100 further includes one or more communication networks 114, an electrical supply infrastructure 116, an emergency service infrastructure 118, a maintenance service infrastructure 120, network resources 122, a fire extinguishing system 124, and a user device 126, as schematically shown in Figure 1.

[0011]

[0016] The charging station 110 includes an electrical system 130, a communication system 132, and a control system 134. In this embodiment, the electrical system 130 and the communication system 132 are operably coupled with the control system 134. The control system 134 can control the operation of the electrical system 130 and the communication system 132 as described herein.

[0012]

[0017] The electrical system 130 includes a charging interface 140. The charging interface 140 allows electrical energy 144, schematically shown in Figure 1, to be supplied by a charging station 110 to a mobile platform such as a mobile platform 112. In one embodiment, the electrical energy 144 may be supplied by the charging station 110 to the mobile platform 112 via a multi-conductor charging cable 146. In some embodiments, the charging cable 146 may form part of the charging interface 140. In several other embodiments, the charging cable 146 may be connected to the charging interface 140 via an outlet or other suitable connector.

[0013]

[0018] The electrical system 130 may receive electrical energy 148 from the electrical supply infrastructure 116, as schematically shown in Figure 1. In one embodiment, the electrical energy 148 may be supplied to the charging station 110 by the electrical supply infrastructure 116 via a multi-conductor supply cable 149. In some embodiments, the supply cable 149 may form part of the electrical system 130. In several other embodiments, the supply cable 149 may be connected to the charging interface 140 via an outlet or other suitable connector.

[0014]

[0019] The electrical system 130 may further include an electrical processing component 142. In at least some embodiments, electrical energy 148 supplied by the electrical supply infrastructure 116 can be processed by the electrical processing component 142 to obtain electrical energy 144 in a form suitable for supply to the mobile platform 112. Processing of electrical energy 148 by the electrical processing component 142 to obtain electrical energy 144 may include, in several examples, one or more of the following: voltage processing (e.g., increasing, decreasing, buffering, filtering), current processing (e.g., increasing, decreasing, buffering, filtering), AC / DC conversion, DC / DC conversion.

[0015]

[0020] The communication system 132 includes a wireless interface 150 that supports wireless communication with remote devices via a wireless communication link through one or more wireless communication protocols. Furthermore, or alternatively, the communication system 132 includes a wired interface 152 that supports wired communication with remote devices via a physical wired communication link (e.g., copper, optical fiber, etc.) through one or more wired communication protocols. The charging station 110 may utilize the wireless interface 150 and / or the wired interface 152 to communicate with the mobile platform 112, the emergency service infrastructure 118, the maintenance service infrastructure 120, network resources 122, the fire suppression system 124, and the user device 126 via the communication network 114.

[0016]

[0021] The control system 134 is operable to control multiple aspects of the charging station 110, including the electrical system 130 and the communication system 132. In some embodiments, the control system 134 may include one or more computing devices that form a computing system. The control system 134 may include a user interface 154 schematically shown in Figure 1. In some embodiments, user input may be received by the control system 134 via the user interface 154. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the user interface 154 may take the form of a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI may be integrated with the charging station 110 or displayed via a display device located around the charging station 110. In one embodiment, the control system 134 may provide the user interface 154 via a communication network 114, via a wireless interface 150 or a wired interface 152, to a remote display device such as a user device 126 or a mobile platform 112.

[0017]

[0022] The mobile platform 112 includes a battery system 160 containing one or more batteries. The mobile platform 112 further includes a charging interface 162. The charging interface 162 allows electrical energy 144 supplied by the charging station 110 to be received by the mobile platform and used to charge the batteries of the battery system 160. The mobile platform 112 may further include a battery management system 164 that controls the operation of the battery system 160 and the charging interface 162. The mobile platform 112 may further include a communication system 168 that supports wireless communication with other devices via a communication network 114. The mobile platform 112 may further include a platform management system 166. The platform management system 166 controls the operation of the mobile platform and its various components (including several components not controlled by the battery management system 164). The battery management system 164 and the platform management system 166 may collectively form a control system 167 for the mobile platform 112.

[0018]

[0023] The emergency service infrastructure 118 may include devices used by emergency services, such as fire, ambulance, and police, to receive and respond to emergency service messages, including requests for emergency services. In one embodiment, the charging station 110 may transmit emergency service messages to the emergency service infrastructure 118 via wireless and / or wired communication links of the communication network 114 through the communication system 132. In some embodiments, the emergency service infrastructure 118 may be located off-site, remotely from the charging station 110.

[0019]

[0024] The maintenance service infrastructure 120 may include devices utilized by the maintenance service to receive a maintenance service message including a request for the maintenance service and respond thereto. As an example, the charging station 110 may transmit a maintenance service message to the maintenance service infrastructure 120 via a wireless and / or wired communication link of the communication network 114 through the communication system 132. The maintenance service infrastructure 120 may be located at an off-site location away from the charging station 110 in some embodiments.

[0020]

[0025] The network resource 122 may include one or more server systems. An example of one or more server systems is shown as the server system 170 in FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the server system 170 has one or more computer-executable programs 172 and other data 174 stored in the server system 170. In some embodiments, the network resource 122 including the exemplary server system 170 may facilitate communication between the charging station 110 and the mobile platform and user devices including the mobile platform 11 and the user device 126 of FIG. 1. As an example, the control system 134 of the charging station 110 may request and receive one or more of the programs 172 stored in the server system 170. In this embodiment, the control system 134 may execute the program received from the server system 170 as part of communication with and interpretation of data from the mobile platform 112 and / or the user device 126. Further or alternatively, in some embodiments, the communication between the charging station 110 and the mobile platform 112 and / or the user device 126 may traverse the server system 170. The network resource 122 including the server system 170 may be located at an off-site location away from the charging station 110.

[0021] "

[0026] The fire suppression system 124 may include one or more devices operable to provide a fire suppression response 176 to a target area. The fire suppression response 176 may include a discharged fire suppressant such as water, other suitable liquids or gases. The target area of the fire suppression response may include an area in the vicinity of the charging station 110 occupied by the mobile platform 112 during the charging operation of the battery system 160. The control system 134 may communicate with the fire suppression system 124 via the wireless interface 150 or the wired interface 152 via the communication network 114 to request that the fire suppression response 176 be provided by the fire suppression system.

[0022]

[0027] The user device 126 may take the form of a mobile computing device (e.g., a smartphone or a handheld computer) operable by a user associated with the mobile platform 112. In some embodiments, the user device 126 may be operated by the user to communicate with some or all of the network resources 122 including the control system 134 of the charging station 110, the mobile platform 112, and the server system 170. As an example, the user may operate the user device 126 to initiate and control multiple aspects of the charging operation provided to the mobile platform 112 by the charging station 110. Further, in some embodiments, the user device 126 may act as a user interface for the control system 134.

[0023]

[0028] The communication network 114 may include one or more personal area networks, one or more local area networks, and one or more wide area networks (e.g., cellular networks and / or the Internet), as well as associated network devices that facilitate network communication. The communication network 114 may include one or more wireless communication networks that support communication via one or more wireless communication links using one or more wireless communication protocols. The communication network 114 may include one or more wired communication networks that support communication via one or more wired communication links using one or more wired communication protocols.

[0024]

[0029] In several embodiments, the charging station 110 may utilize the wireless interface 150 to wirelessly communicate with the mobile platform 112 (and similarly, the user device 126) via a wireless link 180, via a wireless personal area network utilizing the Bluetooth® wireless communication protocol, via a wireless local area network utilizing the Wi-Fi® wireless communication protocol, or via a wireless wide area network utilizing a cellular wireless communication protocol (e.g., 4G / LTE). In another embodiment, the charging station 110 may utilize the communication system 132 to communicate with the fire suppression system 124 via a wireless or wired communication link of the communication network 114. In further several embodiments, the charging station 110 may utilize the communication system 132 to communicate with the emergency service infrastructure 118, the maintenance service infrastructure 120, and network resources 122 (including the server system 170) via the communication network 114, via a wireless and / or wired wide area network.

[0025]

[0030] Figures 2, 3, and 4 are flowcharts illustrating an exemplary method 200. Method 200 can be performed, for example, within the context of the battery charging system 100 of Figure 1. Referring to Figure 2, the process flow 210 of method 200 is performed by the control system 134 of the charging station 110, as previously described with reference to Figure 1. As will be described in more detail herein, the control system 134 of the charging station 110 may include a computing system 220 configured to perform the process flow 210 of method 200. In this embodiment, the computing system 220 has one or more programs 230 and data 232 stored in the computing system 220. One or more programs 230 are executable by the computing system 220 of the charging station 110 to perform the process flow 210.

[0026]

[0031] Furthermore, the process flow 212 of method 200 is executed by the mobile platform, including a control system 167 of the mobile platform 112, which includes a battery management system 164 and a platform management system 166, as previously described with reference to Figure 1. The control system 167 of the mobile platform 112 includes a computing system 222 having one or more programs 234 and data 236 stored in the computing system 222. One or more programs 234 are executable by the computing system 222 to execute the process flow 212.

[0027]

[0032] In step 240 of process flow 210, the charging station 110 operates in an idle state. The idle state may correspond to a mode of operation of the charging station 110 that is performed when the charging station is not interacting with a mobile platform such as the mobile platform 112. In one embodiment, the idle state may take the form of a power-saving mode of operation. While operating in the idle state in step 240, the charging station 110 may put the wireless interface 150 into listening mode. In listening mode, the charging station monitors charging requests to the mobile platform.

[0028]

[0033] In step 242 of process flow 210, the charging station 110 receives a charge request 244 to initiate a battery charging operation (331 in Figure 3) for the battery system 160 of the mobile platform 112. The charge request 244 may be received, in several embodiments, via the user interface 154 of the charging station 110 (for example, as user input) or via the communication system 132 of the charging station 110 via the communication network 114 (for example, as a message initiated by the mobile platform 112 or user device 126). For example, the charge request 244 may be received as wireless communication via the wireless interface 150 or as wired communication via the wired interface 152. In some embodiments, the charge request may include, or be accompanied by, a mobile platform identifier that identifies the mobile platform 112.

[0029]

[0034] In step 246 of process flow 210, in response to the receipt of the charge request 244 in step 242, the charging station 110 transitions from an idle state to an active state. The active state may correspond to a mode of operation of the charging station 110, which is performed while the charging station is interacting with a mobile platform such as the mobile platform 112. As part of the active state, the charging station 110 may establish a wireless communication link 180 with the mobile platform 112 in step 248 of process flow 210, as shown in Figure 1.

[0030]

[0035] As part of establishing the wireless communication link 180 in Figure 1 at 248, the charging station 110 and the mobile platform 112 may negotiate the wireless communication link at 250 of process flow 210 and at 252 of process flow 212, respectively. For example, negotiating the wireless communication link 180 may include the charging station 110 and the mobile platform 112 selecting and implementing each other's sets of technical features according to a wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi®. Negotiating the wireless communication link 180 may include the charging station 110 exchanging wireless communication with the mobile platform 112 via the wireless interface 150 over the personal area network or local area network of the communication network 114. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the charging station 110 may select a wireless communication protocol to use for subsequent wireless communication with the mobile platform 112 from a set of wireless communication protocols supported by both the charging station and the mobile platform. Alternatively, or furthermore, the mobile platform 112 may select a wireless communication protocol to use for subsequent wireless communication with the charging station 110 from a set of wireless communication protocols supported by both the charging station and the mobile platform.

[0031]

[0036] At 254, the charging station 110 determines whether the wireless communication link 180 shown in Figure 1 with the mobile platform 112 has been successfully established. If the wireless communication link has not been successfully established ("NO" in Figure 2), the charging station 110 may attempt to establish the wireless communication link with the mobile platform 112 a threshold number of times at 256. In this case, the threshold number, represented by the term "X" in Figure 2, can be any appropriate number greater than or equal to 1. If the wireless communication link has not been successfully established when the threshold number has been reached, the charging station 110 may alert the maintenance service at 258 by sending a message to the maintenance service infrastructure 120 via the communication network 114, via the wireless interface 150 or the wired interface 152 of the communication system 132.

[0032]

[0037] After the charging station 110 has successfully established a wireless communication link 180 with the mobile platform 112 ("YES" in Figure 2), the charging station and the mobile platform may negotiate a health status report via the wireless communication link at 260 of process flow 210 and 262 of process flow 212, respectively. As part of negotiating the health status report at 260, the charging station 110 may determine at 264 one or more of the platform type 266 of the mobile platform 112 and the reporting protocol 268 used by the mobile platform to report the health status. In one embodiment, the charging station 110 may send a request for platform type 266 and / or reporting protocol 268 to the mobile platform 112 via the wireless communication link. The mobile platform may respond to the request by sending one or more messages indicating the platform type and / or reporting protocol to the charging station via the wireless communication link. In several embodiments where the mobile platform 112 provides platform type 266, the charging station 110 may refer to locally stored data 232 or data 236 stored in a remote network resource 122 via the communication network 114 to identify the reporting protocol 268 based on platform type 266.

[0033]

[0038] In step 270, the charging station 110 identifies the target program of platform type 266 and / or reporting protocol 268 of the mobile platform 112. If the target program identified in step 270 exists among the multiple programs 230 stored locally in the charging station 110, the charging station may execute the target program in step 272. If the target program identified in step 270 does not exist among the multiple programs 230, the charging station may request and receive the target program (e.g., program 271 in Figure 2) from the network resource 122 via the wireless interface 150 or the wired interface 152, or via one or more of the communication networks 114. The program received from the network resource 122 is added to the multiple programs 230 in the computing system 220 and may be executed by the computing system 220 in step 272.

[0034]

[0039] In step 272, the target program executed by the computing system 220 may be used by the charging station 110 to request, receive, and interpret health status data reported by the mobile platform 112 in accordance with the reporting protocol 268. For example, in step 274 of process flow 210, the charging station 110 may request and receive initial health status data 276 from the mobile platform 112 via the wireless communication link 180. The initial health status data 276 may be formatted in accordance with the reporting protocol 268. In this embodiment, the initial health status data 276 may be provided by the mobile platform 112 as part of the initial health reporting process in step 278 of process flow 212. As part of the initial health status report in step 278, in step 280, the mobile platform 112 may acquire the initial health status data 276 based at least in part on measurements of the battery system 160 from onboard sensors and report the initial health status data to the charging station 110 via the wireless communication link 180.

[0035]

[0040] Initial health status data 276 may indicate the operating status of the battery system 160 of the mobile platform 112. In one embodiment, the operating status of the battery system 160 may include one or more of the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature (module-specific operating status) of the battery system or the battery modules of the battery system. Several examples of operating statuses that may be measured and reported by the mobile platform 112 are described in further detail with reference to Figures 5 to 8. In another embodiment, initial health status data 276 may indicate a failure in the battery system 160 detected by the mobile platform 112, such as by initial health status data including a failure identifier.

[0036]

[0041] Referring to Figure 3, in step 310 of process flow 210, the charging station 110 may evaluate the initial health status data 276 received from the mobile platform 112 via the wireless communication link 180. As part of evaluating the initial health status data 276 in step 310, the charging station 110 may determine in step 312 whether the initial health status data 276 satisfies a first condition indicating satisfactory operation of the battery system 160 of the mobile platform 112.

[0037]

[0042] In one embodiment, the computing system 220 of the charging station 110 may compare the initial health status data 276 with one or more thresholds to determine whether the first condition is met in 312. In this embodiment, the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature values ​​(module-specific operating states) of the battery system 160 or the battery modules of the battery system identified by the initial health status data 276 may be compared with one or more thresholds defined by a program 271 executed by the computing system 220 or by several other programs within program 230. Furthermore or alternatively, the absence of faults or fault identifiers in the initial health status data 276 may be evaluated by the charging station 110 as satisfying the first condition in 312. The first condition evaluated in 312 may include a combination of two or more thresholds applied to two or more of the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature of the battery system 160 or the battery modules of the battery system. The presence or absence of faults indicated by the initial health status data 276 may be considered in combination with the evaluation of the thresholds.

[0038]

[0043] Furthermore, or alternatively, as part of evaluating the initial health status data 276 in 310, the charging station 110 may determine in 314 whether the initial health status data satisfies a second condition indicating unsatisfactory operation (e.g., failure) of the battery system 160 of the mobile platform 112.

[0039]

[0044] In one embodiment, the computing system 220 of the charging station 110 may compare the initial health status data 276 with one or more thresholds to determine whether the second condition is met in 314. In this embodiment, the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature values ​​(module-specific operating states) of the battery system 160 or the battery modules of the battery system identified by the initial health status data 276 may be compared with one or more thresholds defined by a program 271 executed by the computing system 220 or by several other programs within program 230. Furthermore or alternatively, the presence of a fault or fault identifier in the initial health status data 276 may be evaluated by the charging station 110 as satisfying the second condition in 314. The second condition evaluated in 314 may include a combination of two or more thresholds applied to two or more of the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature of the battery system 160 or the battery modules of the battery system. The presence or absence of a fault indicated by the initial health status data 276 may be considered in combination with the evaluation of the thresholds.

[0040]

[0045] In some embodiments, operations 310, 312, and 314 may be performed by a computing system 220 that executes a program (e.g., program 271), as described with reference to operation 272. For example, a program executed by the computing system 220 may define the first and second conditions to be evaluated in 310.

[0041]

[0046] In step 316 of process flow 210, in response to a charge request 244, the charging station 110 may determine whether to begin charging the mobile platform 112 based on initial health status data 276. As part of operation 316, in response to a charge request 244, the charging station 110 may enable charging of the mobile platform 112's battery system 160 in step 318, depending on whether the first condition is met in step 312. For example, in step 319, the charging station 110 may establish a charging connection with the mobile platform 112 after enabling charging in step 318, or as part of enabling charging. In one embodiment, the charging station 110 may establish a charging connection with the mobile platform 112 by controlling the charging interface 140 to the electrical conductors of the charging cable 146 in the electrical system 130. In some embodiments, by evaluating the initial health status of the mobile platform 112 before establishing a charging connection, unsatisfactory operation of the mobile platform, including unsatisfactory operation of the battery system 160, can be limited and not exacerbated by electrical coupling with the electrical system 130.

[0042]

[0047] Furthermore, as part of operation 316, the charging station 110 may, in the event of a failure of the battery system 160, and in response to the second condition being met in 314, be prevented from charging the battery system 160 of the mobile platform 112 in 320. By preventing charging in 320, the charging station 110 rejects the charging request 244. Since charging has not yet started in 320, the inability to charge in 320 may include the charging station 110 refraining from supplying electrical energy to the mobile platform 112. In some embodiments, unsatisfactory operation of the mobile platform and its battery system can be limited by preventing the charging station 110 from charging the battery system 160 before supplying electrical energy to the mobile platform 112, without exacerbating problems that would normally arise from supplying electrical energy.

[0043]

[0048] In at least some embodiments, depending on whether the second condition is met, the charging station 110 may perform one or more further improvement actions in 322. In one embodiment, an improvement action performed in 322 may include the charging station 110 alerting emergency services in 324 by sending a message to the emergency service infrastructure 118 via the communication network 114 through the wireless interface 150 or the wired interface 152. Further or alternatively, an improvement action performed in 322 may include the charging station 110 alerting maintenance services in 326 by sending a message to the maintenance service infrastructure 120 via the communication network 114 through the wireless interface 150 or the wired interface 152. Further or alternatively, an improvement action performed in 322 may include the charging station 110 initiating firefighting operations in 328 by sending a control message to the firefighting system 124 via the communication network 114 through the wireless interface 150 or the wired interface 152.

[0044]

[0049] If charging becomes possible at 318, the charging station 110 may perform charging of the battery system 160 of the mobile platform 112 at 330 as part of charging operation 331. For example, the charging station 110 may supply electrical energy 144 in Figure 1 to the mobile platform 112 to charge the battery system 160 at 332 as part of the charging performed at 330 for charging operation 331. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the electrical energy 144 may be supplied by the charging station 110 via charging interface 162, via charging cable 146 to the mobile platform 112, or via charging interface 140.

[0045]

[0050] Furthermore, as part of the charging performed in 330, the charging station 110 may monitor the charging status of the battery system 160 of the mobile platform 112 in 324. In 336 of process flow 212, the mobile platform 112 acquires charging status data 338 indicating the charging status of the battery system 160 and transmits it via the wireless communication link 180. The charging status may be reported to the charging station 110. In a first embodiment, the mobile platform 112 may periodically transmit charging status data 338 to the charging station 110 via a wireless communication link as part of reporting the charging status in 336. In a second embodiment, as part of monitoring performed in 334, the charging station 110 may periodically request charging status data 338 from the mobile platform 112 via a wireless communication link, and the mobile platform may transmit charging status data to the charging station via the wireless communication link in response to each request. In a third embodiment, as part of monitoring performed in 334, when the battery system 160 reaches a state such as fully charged or threshold charged, which can be received by the charging station 110, the mobile platform 112 may report charging status data 338 to the charging station 110 via a wireless communication link.

[0046]

[0051] At step 340, the charging station 110 may determine whether the battery system 160 is fully charged based on the charging status data 338 reported by the mobile platform 112. If charging is not complete ("NO" in Figure 3), monitoring of the charging status continues at step 334, and electrical energy may continue to be supplied to the mobile platform 112 by the charging station 110 at step 332 to charge the battery system 160. If charging is complete ("YES" in Figure 3), the charging station 110 may be prevented from charging the mobile platform 112 at step 342 of the process flow 210. At step 346 of the process flow 210, the charging station 110 may initiate the disconnection of the electrical coupling with the mobile platform 112. For example, the charging interface 140 of the charging station 110 may be controlled to disconnect the electrical conductors of the charging cable 146 from the electrical system 130. At step 348 of process flow 210, the charging station 110 may transition to an idle state by returning to operation 240 in Figure 2.

[0047]

[0052] Furthermore, as part of the charging of the mobile platform 112 performed in 330, the charging station 110 may monitor the operational health status of the mobile platform in 344 during the charging process. Figure 4 includes several embodiments of method 200 relating to the charging station 110 monitoring the operational health status of the mobile platform 112 while charging as part of operation 344.

[0048]

[0053] As previously stated, the program 271 executed by the computing system 220 of the charging station 110 in 272 may be used by the charging station to request, receive, and interpret health status data reported by the mobile platform 112. For example, in 410 of process flow 210, the charging station 110 may request and receive operational health status data 412 from the mobile platform 112 via the wireless communication link 180 during charging performed in 330. The operational health status data 412 may be formatted according to the reporting protocol 268.

[0049]

[0054] The operational health status data 412 may indicate the operational status of the battery system 160 of the mobile platform 112. In one embodiment, the operational status of the battery system 160 may include one or more of the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature of the battery system or the battery module of the battery system. Several examples of operational statuses that may be measured and reported by the mobile platform 112 are described in further detail with reference to Figures 5 to 8. In another embodiment, the operational health status data 412 may indicate a failure in the battery system 160 detected by the mobile platform 112, such as by operational health status data including a failure identifier.

[0050]

[0055] In this embodiment, operational health status data 412 is provided by the mobile platform 112 as part of the operational health status reporting process in 414 of the process flow 212. As part of the operational health status reporting in 414, in 416, the mobile platform 112 may acquire the operational health status data 412 based at least in part on measurements of the battery system 160 from onboard sensors and report the operational health status data to the charging station 110 via the wireless communication link 180.

[0051]

[0056] In a first embodiment, the mobile platform 112 may periodically transmit operational health status data 412 to the charging station 110 via a wireless communication link as part of an operational health status report 414. The charging station 110 may receive and interpret the operational health status data 412 transmitted by the mobile platform 112 via the wireless communication link. In a second embodiment, as part of monitoring performed in 344, the charging station 110 may periodically request operational health status data 412 from the mobile platform 112 via the wireless communication link during charging, and the mobile platform may transmit operational health status data to the charging station via the wireless communication link in response to each request. The charging station 110 may receive and interpret the operational health status data 412 transmitted by the mobile platform 112 upon request as part of monitoring performed in 344. In a third embodiment, the mobile platform 112 may report operational health status data 412 in response to detection that a condition has been met during charging. The operational health status data 412 can be received by the charging station 110 via a wireless communication link in 410.

[0052]

[0057] In step 418 of process flow 210, the charging station 110 may evaluate operational health status data 412 received from the mobile platform 112. As part of evaluating the operational health status data 412 in step 418, the charging station 110 may determine in step 420 whether the operational health status data satisfies a first condition indicating satisfactory operation of the battery system 160 of the mobile platform 112 during charging. The first condition evaluated by the charging station 110 in step 420 during charging may be the same as or different from the first condition evaluated by the charging station in step 312 before charging the mobile platform 112. In one embodiment, the computing system 220 of the charging station 110 may compare the operational health status data 412 with one or more thresholds in step 420 to determine whether the first condition is met. In this embodiment, the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature values ​​(module-specific operating states) of the battery system 160 or the battery modules of the battery system, as identified by the operational health status data 412, may be compared with one or more thresholds defined by program 271 executed by the computing system 220 or by several other programs within program 230. Furthermore or alternatively, the absence of faults or fault identifiers in the operational health status data 412 may be evaluated by the charging station 110 as satisfying a first condition in 420. The first condition evaluated in 420 may include a combination of two or more thresholds applied to two or more of the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature of the battery system 160 or the battery modules of the battery system. The presence or absence of faults indicated by the operational health status data 412 may be considered in combination with the evaluation of the thresholds.

[0053]

[0058] Furthermore, or alternatively, as part of evaluating operational health status data 412 in 418, the charging station 110 may determine in 422 whether the operational health status data satisfies a second condition indicating unsatisfactory operation (e.g., failure) of the battery system 160 of the mobile platform 112 during charging. The second condition evaluated by the charging station 110 in 422 during charging may be the same as or different from the second condition evaluated by the charging station in 314 before charging the mobile platform 112.

[0054]

[0059] In one embodiment, the computing system 220 of the charging station 110 may compare the operational health status data 412 with one or more thresholds to determine whether the second condition is met in 422. In this embodiment, the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature values ​​(module-specific operating state) of the battery system 160 or the battery modules of the battery system, as identified by the operational health status data 412, may be compared with one or more thresholds defined by program 271 or by several other programs executed by the computing system 220 within program 230. Furthermore or alternatively, the presence of a fault or fault identifier in the operational health status data 412 may be evaluated by the charging station 110 as satisfying the second condition in 422. The second condition evaluated in 422 may include a combination of two or more thresholds applied to two or more of the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature of the battery system 160 or the battery modules of the battery system. The presence or absence of a fault indicated by the operational health status data 412 may be considered in combination with the evaluation of the thresholds.

[0055]

[0060] In some embodiments, operations 418, 420, and 422 may be performed by a computing system 220 of the charging station 110 running program 271, as described with reference to operation 272. For example, program 271 may define a first condition and a second condition to be evaluated in 418.

[0056]

[0061] In step 424 of process flow 210, the charging station 110 determines whether to continue charging the mobile platform 112 based on operational health status data 412. As part of operation 424, the charging station 110 may, in 426, enable the charging of the mobile platform 112's battery system 160 to continue, depending on whether the first condition is met in 420. Furthermore, as part of operation 424, the charging station 110 may, in 428, disable the charging of the mobile platform 112's battery system 160, depending on whether the second condition is met in 422.

[0057]

[0062] In some embodiments, depending on whether the second condition is met in 422, the charging station 110 may perform one or more further improvement actions in 430. In one embodiment, an improvement action performed in 430 may include the charging station 110 initiating the disconnection of the electrical coupling with the mobile platform 112 in 432. For example, the charging interface 140 of the charging station 110 may be controlled to disconnect the electrical conductors of the charging cable 146 from the electrical system 130. After the disconnection in 432, the charging station 110 may transition to an idle state as previously described in 348 of Figure 3. Further or alternatively, an improvement action performed in 430 may include the charging station 110 alerting emergency services in 434 by sending a message to the emergency service infrastructure 118 via the communication network 114 via the wireless interface 150 or the wired interface 152. Furthermore or alternatively, the remedial action performed in 430 may include the charging station 110 alerting maintenance services in 436 by sending a message to the maintenance service infrastructure 120 via the communication network 114 through the wireless interface 150 or the wired interface 152. Furthermore or alternatively, the remedial action performed in 430 may include the charging station 110 initiating firefighting operations in 438 by sending a control message to the firefighting system 124 via the communication network 114 through the wireless interface 150 or the wired interface 152.

[0058]

[0063] The charging station 110 may perform operations 410, 418, and 424 continuously or periodically as part of a loop 440 schematically shown in Figure 4. For example, as part of operation 330 in Figure 3, the charging station 110 may monitor its operating status at 344 while charging, in parallel with monitoring the charging status at 334.

[0059]

[0064] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary battery management system 500 for testing a battery system including multiple battery modules. The battery management system 500 is one embodiment of the battery management system 164 of the mobile platform 112 in Figure 1. In Figure 5, the exemplary battery system 510 includes at least a first battery module 512-1 and a second battery module 512-2. The battery system 510 may further include one or more additional battery modules, indicated in Figure 5 as battery module 512-N, where "N" can be any suitable number of battery modules. The battery system 510 is one embodiment of the battery system 160 of the mobile platform 112 in Figure 1. It should be understood that the battery system 160 and battery management system 164 of the mobile platform 112 may have different configurations from the multiple embodiments described with reference to Figure 5.

[0060]

[0065] Each battery module of the battery system 510 includes a set of battery cells 514, each containing one or more battery cells. One embodiment of one or more battery cells is shown as battery cell 516. In at least some embodiments, each battery module may contain any appropriate number of battery cells, including, in one embodiment, tens, hundreds, or more battery cells.

[0061]

[0066] Multiple battery modules of the battery system 510 may be arranged in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel configurations relative to the electrical load 530. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, battery modules 512-1 and 512-2 through 512-N are arranged in series to form battery group 518-1. The battery system 510 may include multiple battery groups arranged in parallel relative to the electrical load 530. In this case, each battery group includes one or more battery modules. For example, Figure 5 shows battery groups 518-2 through 518-M, where "M" can be any appropriate number of battery groups. In another embodiment, battery modules 512-2 through 512-N may be included in different battery groups arranged in parallel with battery group 518-1, including at least battery module 512-2. For example, battery module 512-2 may form part of battery group 518-2, and battery module 512-N may form part of battery group 518-M. Therefore, the multiple battery modules of the battery system 510 may include any suitable arrangement of the battery modules relative to the electrical load 530.

[0062]

[0067] The battery management system 500 includes a controller device 520 and a number of module interface devices 522-1 to 522-N, each operably coupled to the controller device via electrical connections 524-1 to 524-N. The computing system 520 may, in one embodiment, form part of the computing system 222 shown in Figure 2.

[0063]

[0068] In each of the multiple battery modules of the battery system 510, each of the module interface devices 522-1 to 512-N of the battery management system 500 is operably coupled to, or configured to be operably coupled to, the anode and cathode terminals of that battery module, as will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 6. Thus, the battery management system 500 may include module interface devices for each battery module of the battery system 510. In one embodiment of Figure 5, the battery management system 500 includes a first module interface device 522-1 operably coupled to the anode and cathode terminals of battery module 512-1, and a second module interface device 522-2 operably coupled to the anode and cathode terminals of battery module 512-2. In each further battery module of the battery system 510 represented by battery module 512-N, the battery management system 510 includes further module interface devices represented by module interface device 522-N.

[0064]

[0069] As will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 6, each module interface device 522-1 to 522-N of the battery management system 500 includes a measurement circuit and a switching circuit. The measurement circuit of each module interface device is used by the controller device 520 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 the module-specific operating state. This can be measured as a module-specific measurement. Some examples of module-specific operating states that can be measured by the measurement circuit of the module interface device are the voltage across the anode and cathode of the battery module or the current flowing between them.

[0065]

[0070] The switching circuits of each module interface device are used by the controller device 520 to connect and disconnect the battery modules to and from the electrical load 530. For example, the controller device 520 can disconnect the first battery module 512-1 independently from the electrical load 530 via the switching circuit of module interface device 522-1, and can connect the first battery module 512-1 independently to the electrical load 530. The controller device 520 can also independently measure one or more operating states of the first battery module 512-1 via the measurement circuit of module interface device 522-1. In another embodiment, the controller device 520 can disconnect the second battery module 512-2 independently from the electrical load 530 via the switching circuit of the module interface device 522-2, and can connect the second battery module 512-2 independently to the electrical load 530. The controller device 520 can independently measure one or more operating states of the second battery module 512-2 via the measurement circuit of the module interface device 522-2.

[0066]

[0071] In at least some embodiments, the electrical load 530 takes the form of a test electrical load that forms part of the battery management system 500. In these embodiments, the electrical load 530 can be used as a test load to perform a test process on the battery system 510 before the battery system interacts with another system or device powered by the battery system. In several other embodiments, the electrical load 530 may form part of another system or device powered by the battery system 510 during the operating phase or state of that system or device. The test processes 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 510 as an electrical energy source.

[0067]

[0072] The battery management system 500 may further include a load measurement circuit 532 and a relay device 534. A controller device 520 can use them to measure the operating conditions across the electrical load 530 in the power supply circuit 536. Such operating conditions are referred to herein as load-specific operating conditions. These can be measured as load-specific measurements. In one embodiment, one or more load-specific operating conditions may include the voltage across the high and low ends of the electrical load and / or the current flowing through the electrical load.

[0068]

[0073] The power supply circuit 536, schematically shown in Figure 5, includes various electrical paths for operably coupling an electrical load 530 with a plurality of module interface devices 522-1 to 522-N for the supply or transfer of power. The plurality of module interface devices 522-1 to 522-N are then operably coupled with a plurality of battery modules 512-1 to 512-N according to any suitable series and / or parallel configuration. The power supply circuit 536 may be electrically coupled with the charging interface 162 in Figure 1 to distribute electrical energy 144 to the battery modules of the battery system 510 via each module interface device. A relay device 534 is used by a controller device 520 in combination with a load measuring circuit 532 to measure the operating state between the two ends of the electrical load 530, for example, by controlling the relay device 534 to connect or disconnect the load measuring circuit 532 between the power supply circuit 536 and the high and low sides of the electrical load 530. In Figure 5, electrical connections 542 and 544 operably connect the controller device 520 to the load measurement circuit 532 and the relay device 534, respectively.

[0069]

[0074] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating further multiple embodiments of the module interface device of Figure 5, described with reference to module interface device 522-1 operably coupled to battery module 512-1. Further multiple embodiments of the module interface device of Figure 5 will be described using module interface device 522-1 and battery module 512-1 of Figure 6, but each module interface device of the battery management system 500, including module interface devices 522-2 to 522-N, may have the same configuration and components as module interface device 522-1 of Figure 6. Similarly, each battery module operably coupled to the battery management system 500 of Figure 5, including battery modules 512-2 to 512-N, may have the same or similar configuration and components as battery module 512-1 of Figure 6. 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 512-1 and 512-2 to 512-N.

[0070]

[0075] In Figure 6, battery module 512-1 includes a cathode terminal 610 and an anode terminal 612. Each battery module in the battery system 510 of Figure 5, including battery modules 512-1 through 512-N, similarly includes a cathode terminal and an anode terminal.

[0071]

[0076] Module interface device 522-1 includes a module-side cathode interface 620. The module-side cathode interface 620 configures the module interface device to be operably coupled to or operably connected to the cathode terminal 610 of the battery module 512-1. Module interface device 522-1 also includes a module-side anode interface 622. The module-side anode interface 622 configures the module interface device to be operably coupled to or operably connected to the anode terminal 612 of the battery module 512-1. Each of the module interface devices 522-2 through 522-N in Figure 5 similarly includes an instance of the module-side cathode interface 620 and an instance of the module-side anode interface 622. The instances of the module-side cathode interface 620 and the module-side anode interface 622 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.

[0072]

[0077] The module interface device 522-1 further includes an electrical load-side cathode interface 630. The electrical load-side cathode interface 630 allows the module interface device to be operably coupled to or configured to be operably coupled with an electrical load, such as the electrical load 530 in Figure 5. During the charging operation of the battery system 510, the electrical load-side cathode interface 630 may be operably coupled to the charging interface 162 in Figure 1. Through the charging interface 162, electrical energy can be received for the battery module. The module interface device 522-1 further includes an electrical load-side anode interface 632. The electrical load-side anode interface 632 allows the module interface device to be operably coupled to or configured to be operably coupled with an electrical load, such as the electrical load 530 in Figure 5. During the charging operation of the battery system 510, the electrical load-side anode interface 632 may be operably coupled to the charging interface 162 in Figure 1. Through the charging interface 162, electrical energy can be received for the battery module. Each of the module interface devices 522-2 to 522-N in Figure 5 similarly includes an instance of the load-side cathode interface 630 and an instance of the load-side anode interface 632. The instances of the load-side cathode interface 630 and the load-side anode interface 632 configure the module interface device to be operably coupled to or operably connected to an electrical load.

[0073]

[0078] Module interface device 522-1 further includes a measurement circuit 640 and a switching circuit 650. An example of these will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 4. Each of the module interface devices 522-2 to 522-N in Figure 5 similarly includes instances of the measurement circuit 640 and the switching circuit 650, as will be described in more detail herein.

[0074]

[0079] The measurement circuit 640 of each module interface device is operable to independently measure one or more module-specific operating states of the 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 520 in Figure 5. In one embodiment, the measurement circuit 640 of module interface device 522-1 is operable to independently measure one or more module-specific operating states of battery module 512-1 by the controller device 520 in Figure 5. An example of a module-specific operating state includes the voltage between or across the cathode terminal 610 and the anode terminal 612. 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 610 and the anode terminal 612. In this case, the module-specific measurement may take the form of a current value. The controller device 520 can control the measurement circuit 640 via one or more of the electrical connections 524-1 in Figure 5 and receive module-specific measurements from the measurement circuit. Several examples of these are schematically shown in Figure 6 as electrical connections 642 and 644. The controller device 520 can similarly control the measurement circuits 640 of other module interface devices 522-2 to 522-N via one or more of the electrical connections 524-2 to 524N in Figure 6, and can receive module-specific measurements from instances of the measurement circuits 640 of other module interface devices 522-2 to 522-N.

[0075]

[0080] In some embodiments, each module interface device may include a temperature sensor 624, as schematically shown in Figure 6 with reference to module interface device 522-1. The temperature sensor 624 may be used by a measuring circuit 640 to measure the temperature of the battery module (as a module-specific measurement) or the battery system. The temperature measurement obtained by the temperature sensor 624 may be received by a controller device 520 via one or more of the electrical connections 524-1 in Figure 5, as described with reference to electrical connection 646 in Figure 6. The controller device 520 may similarly receive module-specific temperature measurements from other instances of the measuring circuit 640 of module interface devices 522-2 to 522-N via one or more of the electrical connections 524-2 to 524N in Figure 6. The temperature measured by the temperature sensor 624 can be used to determine whether or not a fault exists in the battery module or the battery system. For example, a temperature exceeding a temperature threshold can be identified as a fault.

[0076]

[0081] The switching circuit 650 of each module interface device is operable by the controller device 520 in Figure 5 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 650 of module interface device 522-1 is operable by the controller device 520 to independently connect battery module 512-1 from a disconnected state to a connected state with respect to the electrical load 530 in Figure 5. In this embodiment, the switching circuit 650 can independently connect the battery module to the electrical load by establishing an electrical connection between the cathode terminal 610 of the battery module and the load-side cathode interface 630 of the module interface device, and by establishing an electrical connection between the anode terminal 612 of the battery module and the load-side anode interface 632 of the module interface device. In another embodiment, the switching circuit 650 of the module interface device 522-1 can be operated by the controller device 520 to independently disconnect the battery module 512-1 from the connected state to the electrical load 530 in Figure 5. In this embodiment, the switching circuit 650 can disconnect the battery module independently of the electrical load by disconnecting the electrical connection between the cathode terminal 610 of the battery module and the load-side cathode interface 630 of the module interface device, and by disconnecting the electrical connection between the anode terminal 612 of the battery module and the load-side anode interface 632 of the module interface device. The controller device 520 can control the switching circuit 650 of the module interface device 522-1 via one or more of the electrical connections 524-1 in Figure 5. Several examples of these are schematically shown as electrical connections 652 and 654 in Figure 6.The controller device 520 can similarly control instances of the switching circuit 650 of other module interface devices 522-2 to 522-N via one or more of the electrical connections 524-2 to 524-N in Figure 6.

[0077]

[0082] Figures 7 and 8 are flowcharts illustrating an exemplary method 700 for testing a battery system comprising multiple battery modules. The battery system 510 in Figure 5 is an embodiment of a battery system that can be tested by performing method 700. In one embodiment, method 700 for testing a battery system can be performed via the battery management system 500 in Figure 5. The battery management system 500 includes a controller device 520 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 700 and the method for testing a battery system can be performed by the controller device 520 in Figure 5.

[0078]

[0083] Referring to Figure 7, in 710, the method includes receiving control inputs to start 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 started and executed by the controller device in response to the control inputs.

[0079]

[0084] In 712, the method includes performing a test process 702 on the battery system. As previously stated, the test process 702 may be performed in or by a controller device of the battery management system (e.g., 510 in Figure 5).

[0080]

[0085] In 714, 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 650 shown in Figure 6.

[0081]

[0086] In 716, the method includes independently measuring one or more module-specific operating states for 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 640 in Figure 6. Module-specific measurements obtained for a disconnected battery module may be called disconnected module-specific measurements. Multiple examples of module-specific operating states include the voltage measured across the cathode and anode terminals of the battery module and the measured current flowing between them. In at least some embodiments, for each connected battery module, the one or more module-specific measurements obtained in 716 may include multiple measurements obtained for (one or more) module-specific operating states over a period of time.

[0082]

[0087] In 718, 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 between them. In at least some embodiments, one or more load-specific measurements obtained in 718 while the battery modules are disconnected may include multiple measurements obtained for one or more load-specific operating conditions over a period of time.

[0083]

[0088] As part of operation 718, the method may further include in 720 controlling a relay device of the battery measurement system (e.g., 534 in Figure 5) 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., 532 in Figure 5) and / or a test load (e.g., 530 in Figure 5) as part of the test process.

[0084]

[0089] In operation 722, the method includes performing module-specific tests on multiple battery modules of a battery system. As part of the module-specific tests performed in 722, 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 722 may be referred to as the target battery modules. As described below, operations 724–734 may be performed on each target battery module of the multiple battery modules as part of the module-specific tests performed in 722.

[0085]

[0090] In 724, 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 724 while the remaining battery modules are disconnected may be called the target battery module.

[0086]

[0091] In 726, 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, 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 one or more module-specific measurements for 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 previously stated, some examples of module-specific operating states include the voltage measured across the cathode and anode terminals of a battery module and the measured current flowing between them. In at least some embodiments, the one or more module-specific measurements obtained in 726 for each connected battery module may include a plurality of measurements obtained for (one or more) module-specific operating states over a period of time.

[0087]

[0092] In operation 728, the method includes measuring one or more load-specific operating conditions across an electrical load for each battery module 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 the voltage measured across an electrical load and the current measured through the electrical load. As part of operation 728, the method may include controlling a relay device (e.g., 534 in Figure 5) in operation 730 to measure load-specific operating conditions. For example, the controller device may obtain load-specific measurements via a load measurement circuit (e.g., 532 in Figure 5) associated with the relay device, as previously stated with reference to operation 720. In at least some embodiments, the one or more load-specific measurements obtained in 728 for each connected battery module may include a plurality of measurements obtained for load-specific operating conditions over a period of time.

[0088]

[0093] In 732, 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 722 via a switching circuit of a module interface device operably coupled to the target battery module.

[0089]

[0094] As outlined in 734, module-specific testing can be performed on each of multiple battery modules by repeating operations 724-732 for each battery module, with a different battery module as the target battery module.

[0090]

[0095] In 736, the method includes processing measurements taken in operations 716, 718, 726, and 728 to identify a set of test results. The set of test results may form part of the data reported to the charging station 110 by the mobile platform 112, as described with reference to method 200 in Figures 2 to 4. For example, the set of test results may form part of the initial health status data 276 and the operational health status data 412.

[0091]

[0096] In 750, the method includes calculating one or more test results for each of a plurality of battery modules based on the disconnected module-specific measurements obtained in operation 716. In one embodiment, if the disconnected module-specific measurements include voltage and current measurements, the test results calculated in 750 may include the power of each disconnected battery module based on the voltage and current measurements. Furthermore or alternatively, the test results calculated in 750 may include the rate of change of voltage, current, or power measured over time.

[0092]

[0097] In 752, 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 726. In one embodiment, if the connected module-specific measurements include voltage and current measurements, the test results calculated in 752 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 752 may include the rate of change of voltage, current, or power measured over time.

[0093]

[0098] In 754, the method may include calculating one or more test results based on disconnected load-specific measurements obtained in operation 718, while multiple battery modules are disconnected. In one embodiment, if the disconnected load-specific measurements include voltage and current measurements, the test results calculated in 754 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 754 may include the rate of change of voltage, current, or power measured over time.

[0094]

[0099] In 756, 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 728. In one embodiment, if the connected load-specific measurements include voltage and current measurements, the test results calculated in 756 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 756 may include the rate of change of voltage, current, or power measured over time.

[0095]

[0100] In 758, the method may include comparing one or more disconnected module-specific measurements obtained in 716 and / or one or more test results calculated in 750 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 716 and / or test results calculated in 750. In one embodiment, the comparison performed in 758 may include applying one or more thresholds (of the module criterion) in 760 and / or one or more target values ​​(of the module criterion) in 762 to one or more disconnected module-specific measurements of each battery module measured in 716 and / or test results obtained in 750 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 758 may include an indication of whether one or more disconnected module-specific measurements obtained in 716 and / or the test results obtained in 750 for each battery module meet the module criteria, for example, whether one or more measurements are within an acceptable operating range or value.

[0096]

[0101] In 764, the method may include comparing one or more connected module-specific measurements obtained in 726 and / or one or more test results calculated in 752 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 764 may include applying one or more thresholds (of the module standard) in 766 and / or applying one or more target values ​​(of the module standard) in 768 to one or more connected module-specific measurements for each battery module measured in 726 and / or test results obtained in 752 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 764 may include an indication of whether one or more connected module-specific measurements obtained in 726 and / or test results obtained in 752 for each battery module meet the module standard, for example, whether one or more measurements are within an acceptable operating range or value.

[0097]

[0102] In 770, the method may include comparing one or more disconnected load-specific measurements obtained in 718 and / or one or more test results calculated in 754 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 718 and / or test results calculated in 754. In one embodiment, the comparison performed in 770 may include applying one or more thresholds (of the load criterion) in 772 and / or applying one or more target values ​​(of the load criterion) in 774 to one or more disconnected load-specific measurements measured in 718 and / or test results calculated in 754 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, thereby indicating whether or not a fault exists. The test results obtained in 770 may include an indication of whether one or more disconnected load-specific measurements obtained in 718 and / or the test results obtained in 754 meet the load criteria, for example, whether one or more measurements are within an acceptable operating range or value, and whether a fault exists.

[0098]

[0103] In 776, the method may include comparing one or more connected load-specific measurements obtained in 728 and / or one or more test results calculated in 756 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 728 and / or test results calculated in 756. In one embodiment, the comparison performed in 776 may include applying one or more thresholds (of the load criterion) in 778 and / or one or more target values ​​(of the load criterion) in 780 to one or more connected load-specific measurements measured in 728 and / or test results calculated in 756 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, thereby indicating whether or not a fault exists. The test results obtained in 776 may include an indication of whether one or more disconnected load-specific measurements obtained in 728 and / or the test results obtained in 756 meet the load criteria, for example, whether one or more measurements are within an acceptable operating range or value, and whether a fault is present.

[0099]

[0104] Referring again to Figure 7, in 738, the method includes outputting and / or storing a set of test results including and / or based on one or more of the measurements obtained by method 700, including some or all of the test results identified in operation 736. For example, the set of test results may include the measurements obtained in 716, 718, 726, and 728 of method 700. Furthermore or alternatively, in one embodiment, the set of test results output and / or stored in 738 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 the battery module is connected and the remaining battery modules are disconnected (connected module-specific measurements); (2) load-specific measurements obtained for each of the multiple battery modules acquired while the battery module is connected and the remaining battery modules are disconnected (connected load-specific measurements); (3) load-specific measurements obtained while each of the multiple battery modules is disconnected (disconnected load-specific measurements); and (4) module-specific measurements obtained for each of the multiple battery modules while each of the multiple battery modules is disconnected (disconnected module-specific measurements). In at least some embodiments, the set of test results output in 738 may be contained within the initial health status data 276 and the operational health status data 412, and are reported to a charging station or other remote device as described above with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0100]

[0105] Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment of Method 700, 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.

[0101]

[0106] In some embodiments, the methods, processes, and operations described herein may be linked to a computing system of one or more computing devices. In particular, such methods, processes, and operations may be implemented as computer application programs or services, as application programming interfaces (APIs), as libraries, and / or as other computer program products.

[0102]

[0107] Figure 9 schematically shows one embodiment of a computing system 900 capable of performing the methods, processes, and operations described above. The computing system 900 is shown in a simplified form in Figure 9. The computing system 220 of the charging station 110 and the computing system 222 of the mobile platform 112 are embodiments of the computing system 900 in Figure 9, respectively.

[0103]

[0108] The computing system 900 includes a logic machine 910 and a storage machine 912. The computing system 900 may further include an input / output subsystem 914. The input / output subsystem 914 allows the computing system to communicate with other devices.

[0104]

[0109] The logic machine 910 includes one or more physical devices configured to execute multiple instructions. For example, a logic machine may be configured to execute multiple instructions that are part of one or more applications, services, programs, routines, libraries, objects, components, data structures, or other logical constructs. Such multiple instructions may be implemented to perform tasks, implement data types, transform the state of one or more components, achieve technical effects, or otherwise reach a desired result.

[0105]

[0110] A logic machine may include one or more processors configured to execute software instructions, such as a plurality of instructions 920 stored in a storage machine 912. Furthermore, or alternatively, a logic machine may include one or more hardware or firmware logic machines configured to execute hardware or firmware instructions, such as a plurality of instructions 920 stored in a storage machine 912. The logic machine's processors may be single-core or multi-core, and the plurality of instructions executed by the processors may be configured for sequential, parallel, and / or distributed processing. Individual components of the logic machine may optionally be distributed across two or more separate devices that are remotely located and / or configured to perform collaborative processing. Multiple embodiments of the logic machine may be virtualized and executed by remotely accessible, networked computing devices configured in a cloud computing configuration.

[0106]

[0111] The storage machine 912 includes one or more physical devices configured to hold a plurality of instructions 920 and other data 922 that can be executed by a logic machine in order to carry out the methods and operations described herein. Once such methods, processes, and operations are carried out, the storage machine 912 can be transformed, for example, to hold various data. Programs 230, 234, and 271 in Figure 2 are multiple embodiments of the plurality of instructions 920 in Figure 9. Data 232 and 236 in Figure 2 are multiple embodiments of the data 922 in Figure 9.

[0107]

[0112] The storage machine 912 may include removable and / or internal devices. The storage machine 912 may include, among other things, optical memory, 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 912 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.

[0108]

[0113] It will be understood that the storage machine 912 includes one or more physical devices. However, multiple aspects of the multiple instructions 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.

[0109]

[0114] Multiple embodiments of the logic machine 910 and the storage machine 912 can be integrated into one or more hardware logic components. Such hardware logic components may include, for example, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmatic and application-specific integrated circuits (PASICs / ASICs), programmatic and application-specific standard products (PSSPs / ASSPs), systems-on-a-chip (SOCs), and complex-programmable logic devices (CPLDs).

[0110]

[0115] The terms “module,” “program,” and “engine” may be used to describe multiple embodiments of a computing system 900 implemented to perform a particular function. In some cases, a module, program, or engine may be instantiated via a logic machine 910 that executes multiple instructions held by a storage machine 912. 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.

[0111]

[0116] The input / output subsystem 914 may, in some embodiments, include a display subsystem, which, if included, can be used to present a visual representation of a plurality of instructions 920 and / or data 922 held by the storage machine 912. This visual representation may take the form of a graphical user interface (GUI). The methods and processes described herein modify data held in the storage machine and, therefore, transform the state of the storage machine, and the state of the display subsystem is also transformed so that the changes to the original data can be visually represented. The display subsystem may include one or more display devices that virtually utilize any kind of technology. Such display devices may be combined with the logic machine 910 and the storage machine 912 in a shared enclosure. Alternatively, such display devices may be peripheral display devices.

[0112]

[0117] Furthermore, this disclosure includes multiple configurations, which are based on the following multiple embodiments.

[0113]

[0118] Example 1. A battery charging station comprising an electrical system including a charging interface, a communication system including a wireless interface, and a control system operably coupled to the electrical system and the communication system, wherein the control system is configured to receive a charge request to initiate a battery charging operation of a battery system of a mobile platform, establish a wireless communication link with the mobile platform via the wireless interface, receive health status data of the battery system from the mobile platform via the wireless communication link via the wireless interface, enable charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface in response that the health status data satisfies a first condition, and disable charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface in response that the health status data satisfies a second condition indicating a failure of the battery system.

[0114]

[0119] Example 2. The battery charging station according to Embodiment 1, further configured to perform a further corrective operation in response to the health status data satisfying the second condition indicating a failure of the battery system.

[0115]

[0120] Example 3. The further improved operation described above includes sending a message to an emergency service infrastructure via a communication network, as described in Embodiment 2 of the battery charging station.

[0116]

[0121] Example 4. The further improved operation described above includes sending a message to a maintenance service infrastructure via a communication network, as described in Embodiment 2 of the battery charging station.

[0117]

[0122] Example 5. The aforementioned further improvement operation includes activating the fire extinguishing system, as described in Embodiment 2 of the battery charging station.

[0118]

[0123] Example 6. A battery charging station according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the health status data of the battery system includes initial health status data received before charging of the battery system of the mobile platform is initiated via the charging interface, and the control system is configured to enable charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface by initiating charging of the battery system in response to a charging request, depending on whether the initial health status data satisfies the first condition.

[0119]

[0124] Example 7. The battery charging station according to Embodiment 6, wherein the control system is configured to prevent charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface when the initial health state data satisfies the second condition.

[0120]

[0125] Example 8. A battery charging station according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the health status data of the battery system includes operational health status data received during charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface, and the control system is configured to enable charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface by continuing to charge the battery system via the charging interface in response to the operational health status data satisfying the first condition.

[0121]

[0126] Example 9. The battery charging station according to Embodiment 8, wherein the control system is configured to disable charging of the battery system via the charging interface when the operational health status data satisfies the second condition, thereby preventing the charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface.

[0122]

[0127] Example 10. The battery charging station according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the health status data indicates the operating state of the battery system, and the operating state of the battery system includes one or more of the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature of the battery system.

[0123]

[0128] Example 11. The battery charging station according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the health status data indicates the module-specific operating state of a target battery module in the battery system, which includes a plurality of battery modules, and the module-specific operating state of the battery system includes one or more of the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature of the target battery module.

[0124]

[0129] Example 12. The battery charging station according to Embodiment 11, wherein the first condition is a first module-specific condition associated with the target battery module, and the second condition is a second module-specific condition associated with the target battery module.

[0125]

[0130] Example 13. The control system is further configured to identify one or more of the platform types and / or protocols of the mobile platform associated with the reporting of health status data by the mobile platform, based on communication data received from the mobile platform via the wireless communication link via the wireless interface, and to search for and execute a target program from a plurality of available programs based on the platform type and / or protocol, wherein the first and second conditions are defined by the target program, as described in any one of Embodiments 1 to 12.

[0126]

[0131] Example 14. A method performed by a computing system integrated with a control system for a battery charging station, comprising: receiving a charge request to the battery charging station to initiate a battery charging operation for a battery system of a mobile platform; establishing a wireless communication link between the battery charging station and the mobile platform via the wireless interface of the battery charging station; receiving health status data for the battery system from the mobile platform via the wireless communication link via the wireless interface of the battery charging station; enabling the charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface of the battery charging station in response that the health status data satisfies a first condition; and preventing the charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface of the battery charging station in response that the health status data satisfies a second condition indicating a failure of the battery system.

[0127]

[0132] Example 15. The method according to Embodiment 14, further comprising performing one or more further corrective actions, including sending a message to an emergency service infrastructure via a communication network, sending a message to a maintenance service infrastructure via a communication network, and / or activating a fire suppression system, in response that the health status data satisfies the second condition indicating the failure of the battery system.

[0128]

[0133] Example 16. The method according to Embodiment 14 or 15, wherein the health status data of the battery system includes initial health status data received before charging of the battery system of the mobile platform is initiated via the charging interface, and the method further includes enabling charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface by initiating charging of the battery system in response to a charge request when the health status data satisfies the first condition, and preventing charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface by rejecting the charge request when the health status data satisfies the second condition.

[0129]

[0134] Example 17. The method according to any one of Examples 14 to 16, wherein the health status data of the battery system includes operational health status data received during charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface, the method further includes enabling charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface by continuing to charge the battery system via the charging interface in response that the health status data satisfies the first condition, and preventing charging of the battery system of the mobile platform via the charging interface by cutting off charging of the battery system via the charging interface in response that the health status data satisfies the second condition.

[0130]

[0135] Example 18. The method according to any one of Examples 14 to 17, wherein the health status data indicates the module-specific operating state of a target battery module in the battery system comprising a plurality of battery modules, the module-specific operating state of the battery system includes one or more of the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature of the target battery module, the first condition is a first module-specific condition associated with the target battery module, and the second condition is a second specific condition associated with the target battery module.

[0131]

[0136] Example 19. The method according to any one of Examples 14 to 18, further comprising: identifying one or more of the platform types and / or protocols of the mobile platform associated with the reporting of health status data by the mobile platform, based on communication data received from the mobile platform via the wireless communication link through the wireless interface; and searching for and executing a target program from a plurality of available programs based on the platform type and / or protocol, wherein the first and second conditions are defined by the target program.

[0132]

[0137] Example 20. A computing system for controlling the operation of a battery charging station, comprising a logic machine and a data storage machine storing a plurality of instructions, wherein the plurality of instructions are executable by the logic machine to perform the following actions: receiving a charge request to initiate a battery charging operation of a mobile platform's battery system; establishing a wireless communication link with the mobile platform via the wireless interface of the battery charging station; receiving health status data of the battery system from the mobile platform via the wireless communication link via the wireless interface of the battery charging station; enabling the charging of the mobile platform's battery system via the charging interface of the battery charging station in response to the health status data satisfying a first condition; and disabling the charging of the mobile platform's battery system via the charging interface of the battery charging station in response to the health status data satisfying a second condition indicating a battery system failure.

[0133]

[0138] 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 restrictively, as numerous variations are possible. The specific methods, processes, and operations described herein may represent one or more of any number of processing strategies. Therefore, the various operations illustrated and / or described may be performed concurrently, in any order, or omitted, in the order illustrated and / or described. Similarly, the order of the processing strategies described above may be changed.

[0134]

[0139] The subject matter of this disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various methods, processes, operations, systems, configurations, and other features, functions, actions, and properties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A battery charging station (110), Electrical system (130) including a charging interface (140), A communication system (132) including a wireless interface (150), and The electrical system (130) and the communication system (132) are operably coupled to a control system (134), and the control system (134) is Receiving a charge request (244) to initiate a battery charging operation (331) of the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112), To establish a wireless communication link (180) with the mobile platform (112) via the wireless interface (150), Receiving health status data (276, 412) of the battery system (160) from the mobile platform (112) via the wireless interface (150) and the wireless communication link (180), In response to the health status data (276, 412) satisfying the first condition (318, 426), it is possible to charge the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) via the charging interface (140), and A battery charging station (110) is configured to perform the following actions: when the health status data (276, 412) meets a second condition (320, 428) indicating a failure of the battery system (160), it is disabled from charging the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) via the charging interface (140).

2. The control system (134) is The battery charging station (110) according to claim 1, further configured to perform further corrective actions (324, 326, 328) in response to the health status data (276, 412) satisfying the second conditions (320, 428) indicating the failure of the battery system (160).

3. The battery charging station (110) according to claim 2, wherein the further improvement operation (324, 326, 328) includes sending a message (324) to an emergency service infrastructure (118) via a communication network (114).

4. The battery charging station (110) according to claim 2, wherein the further improvement operation (324, 326, 328) includes sending a message (326) to a maintenance service infrastructure (120) via a communication network (114).

5. The battery charging station (110) according to claim 2, wherein the further improvement operation (324, 326, 328) includes activating the fire extinguishing system (124).

6. The health status data (276, 412) of the battery system (160) includes initial health status data (276) received before charging of the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) was initiated via the charging interface (140). The battery charging station (110) according to claim 1, wherein the control system (134) is configured to enable charging of the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) via the charging interface (140) by initiating charging of the battery system (160) in response to a charge request (244) when the initial health status data (276) satisfies the first conditions (318, 426).

7. The battery charging station (110) according to claim 6, wherein the control system (134) is configured to prevent charging of the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) via the charging interface (140) in response to the initial health status data (276) satisfying the second conditions (320, 428).

8. The health status data (276, 412) of the battery system (160) includes operational health status data (412) received during charging of the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) via the charging interface (140). The battery charging station (110) according to claim 1, wherein the control system (134) is configured to enable charging of the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) via the charging interface (140) by continuing to charge the battery system (160) via the charging interface (140) in response to the operational health status data (412) satisfying the first conditions (318, 426).

9. The battery charging station (110) according to claim 8, wherein the control system (134) is configured to disable charging of the battery system (160) via the charging interface (140) in response to the operational health status data (412) satisfying the second conditions (320, 428), thereby preventing the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) from being charged via the charging interface (140).

10. The health status data (276, 412) indicates the operating status of the battery system (160). The battery charging station (110) according to claim 1, wherein the operating state of the battery system (160) includes one or more of the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature of the battery system (160).

11. The health status data (276, 412) indicates the module-specific operating status of the target battery module (512-1) of the battery system (160) which includes a plurality of battery modules (518-1). The battery charging station (110) according to claim 1, wherein the module-specific operating state of the battery system (160) includes one or more of the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature of the target battery module (512-1).

12. The first conditions (318, 426) are first module-specific conditions associated with the target battery module (512-1), The battery charging station (110) according to claim 11, wherein the second conditions (320, 428) are second module-specific conditions associated with the target battery module (512-1).

13. The control system (134) is Based on the communication data received from the mobile platform (112) via the wireless communication link (180) via the wireless interface (150), one or more of the platform types (266) and / or protocols (268) of the mobile platform (112) associated with the reporting of the health status data (276, 412) by the mobile platform (112) are identified. Based on the platform type (266) and / or the protocol (268), it is further configured to search for and execute a target program (271) from a plurality of available programs. The battery charging station (110) according to claim 1, wherein the first conditions (318, 426) and the second conditions (320, 428) are defined by the target program (271).

14. A method (200) performed by a computing system (900) integrated with a control system (134) of a battery charging station (110), Receiving a charge request (244) to the battery charging station (110) to initiate a battery charging operation (331) of the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112), To establish a wireless communication link (180) between the battery charging station (110) and the mobile platform (112) via the wireless interface (150) of the battery charging station (110), Receiving health status data (276, 412) of the battery system (160) from the mobile platform (112) via the wireless interface (150) of the battery charging station (110) and the wireless communication link (180), In response to the health status data (276, 412) satisfying the first condition (318, 426), it is possible to charge the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) via the charging interface (140) of the battery charging station (110), and A method (200) that includes making it impossible to charge the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) via the charging interface (140) of the battery charging station (110) in response that the health status data (276, 412) has met a second condition (320, 428) indicating a failure of the battery system (160).

15. In response that the health status data (276, 412) satisfies the second condition (320, 428) indicating the failure of the battery system (160), Sending a message (324) to an emergency service infrastructure (118) via a communication network (114), Sending a message (326) to the maintenance service infrastructure (120) via a communication network (114), and / or Activate the fire extinguishing system (124), The method of claim 14 (200), further comprising performing one or more further improvement operations (324, 326, 328), including the above.

16. The health status data (276, 412) of the battery system (160) includes initial health status data (276) received before charging of the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) was initiated via the charging interface (140). The above method (200) further, In response to the health status data (276, 412) satisfying the first condition (318, 426), charging of the battery system (160) in response to the charge request (244) is initiated, thereby enabling the charging of the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) via the charging interface (140), and The method of claim 14 (200), comprising making it impossible to charge the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) via the charging interface (140) by rejecting the charge request (244) in response that the health status data (276, 412) satisfy the second condition (320, 428).

17. The health status data (276, 412) of the battery system (160) includes operational health status data (412) received during charging of the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) via the charging interface (140). The above method (200) further, In response to the health status data (276, 412) satisfying the first condition (318, 426), charging of the battery system (160) via the charging interface (140) is continued, thereby enabling the charging of the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) via the charging interface (140), and The method (200) of claim 14, comprising disabling charging of the battery system (160) via the charging interface (140) in response to the health status data (276, 412) satisfying the second condition (320, 428), thereby making it impossible to charge the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) via the charging interface (140).

18. The health status data (276, 412) indicates the module-specific operating status of the target battery module (512-1) of the battery system (160) which includes a plurality of battery modules (518-1). The module-specific operating state of the battery system (160) includes one or more of the voltage, current, power, and / or temperature of the target battery module (512-1), The first conditions (318, 426) are first module-specific conditions associated with the target battery module (512-1), The method of claim 14 (200), wherein the second condition (320, 428) is a second specific condition associated with the target battery module (512-1).

19. Based on the communication data received from the mobile platform (112) via the wireless communication link (180) through the wireless interface (150), one or more of the platform types (266) and / or protocols (268) of the mobile platform (112) associated with the reporting of the health status data (276, 412) by the mobile platform (112) are to be identified, and The process further includes searching for a target program (271) from a plurality of available programs based on the platform type (266) and / or the protocol (268), and executing it. The method of claim 14 (200), wherein the first conditions (318, 426) and the second conditions (320, 428) are defined by the target program (271).

20. A computing system (900) for controlling the operation of a battery charging station (110), Logic machine (910), and The system includes a data storage machine (912) that stores multiple instructions (920), and the multiple instructions (920) are processed by the logic machine (910). Receiving a charge request (244) to initiate a battery charging operation (331) of the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112), To establish a wireless communication link (180) with the mobile platform (112) via the wireless interface (150) of the battery charging station (110), Receiving health status data (276, 412) of the battery system (160) from the mobile platform (112) via the wireless interface (150) of the battery charging station (110) and the wireless communication link (180), In response to the health status data (276, 412) satisfying the first condition (318, 426), it is possible to charge the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) via the charging interface (140) of the battery charging station (110), and A computing system (900) capable of performing the following actions: in response to the health status data (276, 412) meeting a second condition (320, 428) indicating a failure of the battery system (160), the battery system (160) of the mobile platform (112) cannot be charged via the charging interface (140) of the battery charging station (110).

Images