Multiple power-format rechargeable battery and method of use

Abstract

The present invention involves a rechargeable power source comprises a plurality of low voltage DC rechargeable chemical cell stacks. Each cell stack comprises at least one rechargeable chemical cell. Each cell stack has a corresponding power transaction unit in series comprising an internal bimodal near-field wireless link configured for converting low voltage DC power of the cell stack to a power format required for an external power load, and for converting power from an external power source to low voltage DC power for recharging the cell stack. Various sensors are disposed on every cell stack in wired communication with the corresponding power transaction unit. A power system controller in communication with every power transaction unit adjusts the bimodal link of each power transaction unit based on power format requirements of the external power load or external power source and on sensor data received from the power transaction unit about the corresponding cell stack.

Description

MULTIPLE POWER-FORMAT RECHARGEABLE BATTERY AND METHOD OF USECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is nonprovisional application claiming priority under 35 USC §119(e) of provisional patent application serial no. 63 / 660,547, filed June 16, 2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.FI ELD OF TH E I NVENTION

[0002] The invention pertains to electrical power systems and methods of transferring electric power with specific exemplary application to electric vehicles and residential power systems.DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] The advent of the rechargeable Li-ion electric cell at the end of the 20thcentury has led to a revolution in electrical and electronic equipment. Beyond the ubiquitous cell phone and other electronics, its effects have been felt in the home power tool field, electric vehicles and even in the home electrical supply field. Alternative newer cell chemistries are vying for position in these markets, often associated with extravagant claims as to efficacy and cost. The high energy density Li-ion cell, however, still dominates the field.

[0004] In the field of electric vehicles and the residential electrical supply fields, there are considerable challenges in designing and managing massive numbers of cells as part of high kilowatt-hour so-called "battery packs" and "power walls". Such assemblages of batteries require a considerable amount of management and they also need to be cooled. This is most typically done using liquid coolant passed in special channels through the batteries of cells. Failures in the matter of cooling, packaging and the management of failing cells have led to spectacular scenes of electric vehicle fires, laptop computer fires, mobile phone fires, and even the much-publicized problems around the Boeing 787 Li-ion batteries circa 2013.

[0005] Social media also abounds with horror stories of electric vehicles suffering even the tiniest of damage to their battery packs, yet requiring a battery replacement costing up to 90% of the market value of the vehicle. When all the aspects of electric vehicle manufacture and ownership are considered, it very quickly becomes clear that the subject of rechargeable batteries and their management constitutes a considerable challenge for vehicle manufacturers, vehicle owners and insurance companies alike. It is one of the two biggest hurdles for user acceptance of electric vehicles, the other being range per charge.

[0006] One very popular electric motor vehicle, to be used as reference example in this present application, comes equipped with a battery pack that is constituted as follows. Forty-six Li-ion cells are configured electrically in parallel to form a "cell group" or "battery brick", collectively producing a nominal 3.65 Volts. The aim with such a large number of cells in parallel in a single "battery brick" is to secure a large current from the "battery brick". The cells in this example are in the form of cylindrical cans and, when positioned as closely together as possible, naturally assume a hexagonal close-packed configuration.

[0007] In at least one model of this vehicle, a number of bricks are then connected in series and the bricks are abutted to one another to continue the hexagonal close-packed arrangement to create what is variously referred to as a sheet, panel, or module. In the present application, the term "battery module" is employed to describe such a series arranged and packaged assemblage of "bricks". The exemplary vehicle model employs two battery modules comprised of 23 battery bricks and two battery modules comprised of 25 battery bricks. The four battery modules are connected in series and packaged into the resulting "battery pack" along with coolant systems and electronic battery management modules.

[0008] The entire battery pack comprises no fewer than 4416 individual cells of nominally 3.65 Volts each in 96 battery bricks that are connected in series, each brick composed of 46 individual cells connected in parallel. This kind of configuration is correspondingly known as "96s46p". A simple calculation shows that the 96 battery bricks of 3.7 V each produce a nominal 355.2 Volts DC potential, which, if backed by enough current, is suitable for driving the powerful electric motors employed in these vehicles after suitable conversion to AC. In operation, the batteries may be charged up to 4.1 V and may be discharged to as low as 3.2 V, representing an overall voltage that ranges from 393.6 V to 307.2 V. However, each of the 4416 individual cells represents a point of failure that may compromise the entire system by diminishing the functioning of the battery brick containing that individual cell.

[0009] In an attempt to address the above failure concerns, each battery module is supplied with an electronic "battery module management sub-system" implemented on a printed circuit board with connecting lines running to each battery brick. The four battery module management sub-systems of the four corresponding battery modules are in communication with an overall battery management system (BMS) which may be mounted on the battery pack. The battery module management system monitors the voltages of the battery bricks, along with the currents to and from those battery bricks. As a result, 46 cells in a battery brick aremonitored as a group and the information is communicated upward to the overall battery management system. The temperature of coolant fluid entering and exiting a module is also measured, usually with thermistors, and these two temperatures are also communicated to the battery module management sub-systems from where it is communicated to the overall battery management system mounted on the battery pack. Data communications to and from the overall battery management system typically employs the industry-standard Controller Area Network (CAN) serial bus which transmits 8- or 16-bit data serially over a two-wire system. The corresponding data rates are up to 1 Mbit / s and 5 Mbit / s respectively.

[0010] To the extent that the battery management system may control the charging of the cells in the battery pack, it is capable of bleeding some power from a particular battery block if that battery block is charging more rapidly than other battery blocks. This is done in an attempt to even out charging rates among the 96 battery blocks, given that the battery blocks are arranged in series and the charging current therefore has to pass through all the battery blocks. In other systems, the battery management system is configured to take power from a rapidly charging battery brick and provide it to a less rapidly charging battery brick, again with the intent of evening the charging process among battery bricks. If this management is not adequately performed, or damage occurs to an individual cell, that individual cell may overheat and initiate a runaway fire that may consume the entire vehicle, such battery fires being notoriously difficult to extinguish.

[0011] Even though individual battery blocks containing one failed cell among forty-six may be replaced, many if not most vehicle seller workshops are either not able or not willing to address any problem inside a battery pack of an electric vehicle. Furthermore, some newer battery packs are manufactured with expansion foam injected among the cells to create a single solid body. As a result, there is no level of replacement feasible without breaking that single solid body. Thus arise the complaints about battery pack replacements constituting 90% of the value of the vehicle, as referred to above.

[0012] All in all, it is quite evident that there is a great need for improved management of power transfer from chemical batteries to devices consuming the power and for management of the individual battery bricks and cells.

[0013] It is also significant that, despite the fact that electric vehicles have these extremely high-power batteries, some of the vehicles have entirely independent rechargeable batteries, often rated at just 12V, 16V, 18V or 24V to power various low voltage facilities and applicationsin the vehicles. In some cases, these lower voltage batteries are rather ironically used to power the battery management systems of the high-voltage battery packs. It would be most useful if the power from the high-voltage battery packs could be employed to power all low voltage systems as well.

[0014] Beyond the above challenges, there is also a challenge as regards different battery chemistries. At present, major systems such as electric vehicles and "power walls" generally employ a single battery chemistry per battery pack, because the various individual cells are ideally expected to charge and discharge at the same rate for purposes of control. In reality, there may be quite a significant variation in cell behavior and management on a per-cell basis is not deemed industrially feasible at this time.

[0015] Patent Cooperation Treaty Application PCT / IB2023 / 000167, published on September 21, 2023, as WO2023 / 175399A2, shows the initial work of the Applicant, and to the extent that national law allows such disclosure to be presumed in accordance with the present disclosure should be interpreted with reference to that publication.

[0016] The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] In one embodiment, a rechargeable power source is presented for exchanging power with one or more external power load or one or more power source, the rechargeable power source comprising a power system controller and an N x M parallel array of addressable rechargeable cell modules each comprising a series cell stack of K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells in series with a power transaction unit in wired data communication with the power system controller, wherein N, M and K are integers and at least one of N and M is greater than K. In some embodiments, at least one of N and M may be at least an order of magnitude greater than K. In some embodiments, at least one of N and M may be at least 20 times as great as K. In some embodiments, at least one of N and M may be at least 50 times as great as K. In some embodiments, at least one of N and M may be at least 80 times as great as K. The K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells in different ones of the rechargeable cell modules may optionally have different cell chemistries.

[0018] Each power transaction unit may comprise: a power transaction unit controller arranged to receive instructions from and provide data to the power system controller, and an internal bimodal near-field wireless link configurable by the power transaction unit controller for converting low voltage DC power of the cell stack to an output power signal having a power format of one of the one or more external power load and for converting power from one of the one or more external power source to low voltage DC power for recharging the cell stack.

[0019] When providing power to the one of the one or more external power load, each power transaction unit may be configured for generating under control of the power system controller an output power signal from the low voltage DC power of the low voltage DC chemical cell stack by extracting from the cell stack two high frequency power signals having between them a phase difference, mixing the two high frequency power signals to obtain a transferred power signal and rectifying and unfolding the transferred power signal to obtain the output power signal.

[0020] The power transaction unit, under control of the power system controller, may be configurable to adjust the phase difference and thereby adjust a voltage of the output power signal. The power transaction unit may be configurable to adjust the phase difference based on a voltage required by the one of the one or more external power load. Each power transaction unit may be configurable for modulating the phase difference by a modulation frequency to render the output power signal as an AC power signal at the modulation frequency.

[0021] The power system controller may be configured to instruct every power transaction unit controller to adjust the phase difference between the two high frequency power signals of the corresponding power transaction unit to maintain a predetermined output power signal voltage and to disconnect a cell stack from the one of the one or more external load if it does not have enough remaining energy to sustain the output power signal voltage.

[0022] When receiving a recharging power signal from one of the one or more external power source, each power transaction unit may be configured under control of the power system controller for extracting from the recharging power signal a single high frequency recharging power signal, splitting the single high frequency recharging power signal into two high frequency recharging power signals having between them a phase difference, and rectifying the two high frequency recharging power signals to obtain a low voltage DC recharging signal for recharging the low voltage DC chemical cell stack.

[0023] Each power transaction unit may comprise: at least one wired power exchange channel disposed for connecting to external devices; and a power exchange channel switch for switching the output power of the power transaction unit to one of the at least one wired power exchange channels under control of the power system controller via the power transaction unit controller. Each of the at least one wired power exchange channels may be assigned to a different power format selectable in the power transaction unit by the power system controller via the power transaction unit controller.

[0024] Each power transaction unit may comprise: first and second high frequency switched- mode power rectifier / amplifiers in wired communication with the corresponding cell stack and switchable between an amplifier condition and a rectifier condition; a power conversion circuit comprising a signal unfolding circuit and a third high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifier switchable between a rectifier condition and an amplifier condition; and first and second mutually coupled and physically separated resonators, the first resonator in wired communication with the first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers and the second resonator in wired communication with the power conversion circuit.

[0025] When transferring power to one of the one or more external load, each power transaction unit may be configured for extracting from the corresponding low voltage DC chemical cell stack via the first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers two high frequency power signals having between them a phase difference, mixing the two high frequency power signals in the first resonator to obtain a transferred power signal from the second resonator, rectifying the transferred power signal in the third high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifier, and unfolding the transferred and rectified power signal to obtain the output power signal.

[0026] When configured for receiving power from one of the one or more external power source for recharging the corresponding cell stack, the first and second high frequency switched- mode power rectifier / amplifiers are switchable to a rectifying state, the third high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifier is switchable to an amplifying state, and the signal unfolding circuit is switchable to a signal transparent state to allow power to be transferred from the external power source to the corresponding low voltage DC chemical cell stack.

[0027] Each power transaction unit may comprise a high frequency switching signal generator under control of the power system controller and disposed for providing high frequencyswitching signals to the first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers.

[0028] The rechargeable power source may comprise a voltage sensor, a current sensor and a temperature sensor disposed on every one of the plurality of cell stacks, each of the sensors in wired communication with the corresponding power transaction unit, wherein the power system controller is configured for adjusting via the power transaction unit controller the internal bimodal near-field wireless link of each power transaction unit based on voltage, current, and temperature data received from the power transaction unit about the corresponding cell stack.

[0029] Each of the plurality of power transaction units may be configured for connecting or disconnecting a corresponding cell stack to or from the one of the one or more external power load or one of the one or more power source under instruction from the power system controller based on voltage, current, and temperature data about the cell stack. Each of the plurality of power transaction units may be configured for disconnecting a corresponding cell stack from the one of the one or more external power load or one of the one or more power source and connecting it to another of the one or more external power load or one or more power source under instruction from the power system controller based on voltage, current, and temperature data about the cell stack.

[0030] Since the power transaction units may be switched independently from one another, a first portion of the plurality of power transaction units may be configured for charging their corresponding cell stacks from a power source external to the rechargeable power source while a remainder of the plurality of power transaction units may be configured for providing power from their corresponding cell stacks to power loads external to the rechargeable power source. The power source external to the rechargeable power source may be a photovoltaic system.

[0031] In one embodiment, an addressable rechargeable cell module comprises a series cell stack of one or more low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells in series with a power transaction unit, wherein the power transaction unit comprises: a power transaction unit controller arranged to receive instructions from and provide data to the power system controller; and an internal bimodal near-field wireless link configurable by the power transaction unit controller for converting low voltage DC power of the cell stack to an output power signal having a desired power format and for converting power from an external power source to low voltage DC power for recharging the cell stack.

[0032] Each power transaction unit may comprise: first and second high frequency switched- mode power rectifier / amplifiers in wired communication with the corresponding cell stack and switchable between an amplifier condition and a rectifier condition; a power conversion circuit comprising a signal unfolding circuit and a third high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifier switchable between a rectifier condition and an amplifier condition; and first and second mutually coupled and physically separated resonators, the first resonator in wired communication with the first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers and the second resonator in wired communication with the power conversion circuit. The power transaction unit may comprise a power transaction unit controller configured for data communications with a power system controller.

[0033] The rechargeable cell module may comprise a voltage sensor, a current sensor and a temperature sensor disposed on the cell stack, the sensors in wired communication with the power transaction unit for supplying to the power system controller via the power transaction unit controller voltage, current, and temperature data about the cell stack. The power transaction unit may comprise a high frequency switching signal generator under control of the power system controller and disposed for providing high frequency switching signals to the first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers.

[0034] In one embodiment, an electrical power distribution and exchange system comprises: an electrical power bus having a predetermined electrical power format, a rechargeable power source comprising a power system controller and an N x M parallel array of addressable rechargeable cell modules each comprising a series cell stack of K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells in series with a power transaction unit in wired data communication with the power system controller, wherein N, M and K are integers and at least one of N and M is greater than K, wherein each power transaction unit is in independent wired communication with the electrical power bus; in electrical communication with the electrical power bus via a further power transaction unit at least one power load requiring a different power format from the predetermined electrical power format; in electrical communication with the electrical power bus via a further power transaction unit a second power source producing power of a different power format from the predetermined electrical power format, wherein the power transaction units corresponding to the at least one power load and the second power source are in data communication with the power system controller.

[0035] Each power transaction unit of the rechargeable power source may comprise a power transaction unit controller arranged to receive instructions from and provide data to the power system controller, and an internal bimodal near-field wireless link configurable by the power transaction unit controller for converting low voltage DC power of the cell stack to an output power signal having the predetermined power format of the electrical power bus and for converting power received via the electrical power bus from the predetermined power format to the low voltage DC power format for recharging the rechargeable power source; the power transaction unit corresponding to each of the at least one power load may comprise a power transaction unit controller, the power transaction unit controller arranged to receive instructions from the power system controller and an internal bimodal near-field wireless link configurable by the power transaction unit controller for converting power of the predetermined format extracted from the electrical power bus to an output power signal having a power format required by the load; and the power transaction unit corresponding to the second power source may comprise a power transaction unit controller, the power transaction unit controller arranged to receive instructions from the power system controller and an internal bimodal near-field wireless link configurable by the power transaction unit controller for converting power of the format produced by the second power source to the predetermined format of the electrical power bus. The predetermined power format may be high voltage DC. The at least one power load and the second power source may be a single device sharing a single power transaction unit and the single device may be an electric motor / generator.

[0036] In one embodiment, an electrical power distribution and exchange system comprises: a plurality of electrical power buses having different predetermined electrical power formats; and a rechargeable power source comprising a power system controller and an N x M parallel array of addressable rechargeable cell modules each comprising a series cell stack of K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells in series with a power transaction unit in wired data communication with the power system controller, wherein N, M and K are integers and at least one of N and M is greater than K, wherein each power transaction unit is in independent wired communication with one of the electrical power buses. Any one of the power transaction units may be switched by the power system controller to electrically disconnect that power transaction unit from a first of the plurality of power buses. The disconnected power transaction unit may be switched by the power system controller to electrically connect that power transaction unit to a second of the plurality of power buses; and the reconnected powertransaction unit is configured to change its output power format under the control of the power system controller to a predetermined power format of the second of the plurality of power buses.

[0037] In one embodiment, a method is provided for supplying from a low voltage DC chemical cell stack comprising at least one series-connected rechargeable low voltage DC chemical cell an output power signal via at least one power exchange channel having a required power format including a required voltage and a required frequency. The method comprises: providing in series with the at least one rechargeable chemical cell a corresponding power transaction unit comprising an internal bidirectional bimodal wireless near-field power link and a power exchange channel switch; extracting from the cell stack two high frequency power signals having between them a phase difference; mixing in the bimodal wireless near-field power link the two high frequency power signals to obtain a transferred power signal; rectifying the transferred power signal; unfolding the transferred and rectified power signal to obtain the output power signal; and manipulating the phase difference to render the output power signal to the at least one power exchange channel in the required power format.

[0038] Manipulating the phase difference may comprise adjusting the phase difference to a fixed value based on the required power format to render the output power signal as a DC voltage. Manipulating the phase difference may comprise modulating the phase difference at a frequency based on the required power format to render the output power signal as an AC power signal. The method may comprise operating the power exchange channel switch to provide the output power signal to a selected one of the at least one power exchange channel.

[0039] In one embodiment, a method is provided for transferring power from a power source to a plurality of low voltage DC chemical cell stacks each comprising at least one series- connected rechargeable low voltage DC chemical cell disposed in series with a corresponding power transaction unit, the power transaction unit comprising an internal bidirectional bimodal wireless near-field power link and a power exchange channel switch. The method comprises: switching the internal bimodal wireless power link in each power transaction unit to a recharging state; obtaining from each power transaction unit information about a voltage, current and temperature of a corresponding cell stack; and operating the power exchange channel switch in each power transaction unit to connect or disconnect the corresponding cell stack to / from the power source based on the information about a voltage, current and temperature of the corresponding cell stack.

[0040] In one embodiment, a method is provided for recharging a rechargeable power source, wherein the rechargeable power source comprises a power system controller and an N x M parallel array of addressable rechargeable cell modules each comprising a series cell stack of K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells in series with a power transaction unit in wired data communication with the power system controller, wherein N, M and K are integers and at least one of N and M is greater than K. The method comprises: receiving in at least one of the power transaction units a recharging power signal from a second power source external to the rechargeable power source; extracting from the recharging power signal a single high frequency recharging power signal; splitting the single high frequency recharging power signal into two high frequency recharging power signals having between them a phase difference; and rectifying the two high frequency recharging power signals to obtain a low voltage DC recharging signal for recharging a low voltage DC chemical cell stack corresponding to the power transaction unit.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0042] Figure 1A shows a schematic embodiment of a power system based on a large scale rechargeable high-power battery linked to a single high voltage DC bus and on power transaction units employing bimodal wireless power transfer.

[0043] Figure IB shows a schematic embodiment of a power system based on a large scale rechargeable high-power battery linked to different power buses using a plurality of power transaction units employing bimodal wireless power transfer.

[0044] Figure 2 shows the arrangement of individual chemical cells and power transaction units in a large scale rechargeable high-power battery managed by a power system controller.

[0045] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a generalized bimodal high frequency near-field wireless power transfer link.

[0046] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a Power Transaction Unit of the present invention as used with a LVDC chemical cell stack as part of a Large Scale Rechargeable High Power (LSRHP) Battery.

[0047] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the Power Transaction Unit of Figure 4 as used in the system of Figure 1A.

[0048] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the Power Transaction Unit of Figure 4 employed as a PTU for the High Voltage AC Induction Motor-Generator of the system of Figure 1A.

[0049] Figure 6 is a plan view schematic drawing of large scale rechargeable high power battery

[0050] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a method for supplying from a low voltage DC chemical cell stack an output power signal having a required power format including a required voltage and a required frequency.

[0051] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a method for transferring power from a power source to a plurality of low voltage DC chemical cell stacks each comprising at least one series-connected rechargeable low voltage DC chemical cell disposed in series with a corresponding power transaction unit based on an internal bidirectional bimodal wireless near-field power link.

[0052] Figure 9 is a flow chart of a method for recharging a rechargeable power source comprising a plurality of low voltage DC chemical cell stacks each comprising at least one series- connected rechargeable low voltage DC chemical cell disposed in series with a corresponding power transaction unit based on an internal bidirectional bimodal wireless near-field power link.

[0053] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.DETAI LED DESCRI PTION OF TH E I NVENTION

[0054] The embodiments disclosed below is / are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiment is chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize its teachings. Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

[0055] This present disclosure addresses two implementations of a generalized power system architecture based on rechargeable battery packs in which each individual chemical cell is provided with its own dedicated power transaction unit (PTU). The PTUs are substantially agnostic as to the battery operating voltage characteristics, thereby allowing differing chemistries to be used in different individual cells or groupings of cells. The PTU adapts to the cell voltage and automatically converts the power from the cell to a predetermined requisite output voltage, or selection of output voltage (see later Figure IB and Figure 4), at a current adjusted to maintain the output voltage format. One predetermined voltage format may be, for example without limitation, a voltage suitable for an electric vehicle motor. So, for example, the PTU may take a cell voltage that may be anywhere between (say) 3.1 V DC and 4.2 V DC and always convert it to 400 V AC, even if the current produced from the 3.1 state of the cell is much lower than the current produced from the 4.2 V state of the cell. The PTU is based on bidirectional bimodal wireless power transfer as described in detail in Patent Cooperation Treaty Application PCT / IB2023 / 000167 published on September 21, 2023, as WO2023 / 175399A2 and will also be addressed below. At least two embodiments of the system are described below with reference to Figures 1A and IB.

[0056] Figure 1A shows a first embodiment of electrical system 3800 employing an architecture based on central High Voltage DC (HVDC) power bus 3810A to which is coupled a plurality of devices. Every one of the devices is coupled to HVDC power bus 3810A by a PTU to be described below. The coupled devices may be classified as High Voltage (hundreds of Volts) or Low Voltage (a few to tens of volts) and as either AC or DC. The devices may include power sources such as, for example without limitation, generators and batteries, and power consuming devices (loads) including lighting circuits, radios, stepper motors, position location devices, air conditioners, and even home power grids to be powered from a High Voltage battery within system 3800. When a motor-generator or a rechargeable battery or a power grid is connected to HVDC power bus 3810A, it may be a source under some circumstances and a load under other circumstances.

[0057] For the purposes of describing general system 3800 of the first embodiment, the following exemplary power sources and loads are connected to HVDC power bus 3810A of system 3800 in Figure 1A: Low Voltage Rechargeable Battery 3820B of typically 12-48 VDC requiring bidirectional power flow; High Voltage AC induction Motor-Generator 3820C of hundreds of Volts AC also requiring bidirectional power flow; Low Voltage DC Loads 3820D (representing any collection of radios, telephones, general USB ports, lighting, or other lowvoltage DC loads) all requiring unidirectional power flow; and High Voltage AC Loads 3820E, which may be, for example without limitation, a permanent magnet motor or air conditioner or both, all requiring unidirectional power flow. Utility Power Grid 3820F may also be connected to function as either a source or a load of High Voltage AC power, thus requiring bidirectional power flow. Generic Low Voltage AC load 3820G may also be connected to HVDC power bus 3810A requiring unidirectional power flow. One example of a low voltage AC load is a stepper motor for various user automated mechanical devices, such as windows. Each of these devices may be connected to HVDC power bus 3810A of system 3800 by corresponding PTU 3900B, 3900C, 3900D, 3900E, 3900F and 3900G. Further power devices are contemplated for inclusion in system 3800 of Figure 1A, including but not limited to a photovoltaic power supply. This may, for example, be provided as part of a vehicle integrated photovoltaic (VI PV) subsystem. It may serve as simply another power source on bus 3810A.

[0058] In the case of each device 3820B to 3820G and its corresponding PTU 3900B to 3900G, the role of the corresponding PTU is to convert the bus HVDC power format to the power format required by corresponding device 3820B to 3820G or, in the case of a device that may also be a power source (devices 3820B, 3820C, 3820F), to convert the power format of the power source to the HVDC power format of HVDC power bus 3810A. It is therefore a requirement that the PTUs be able to adapt HVDC of power bus 3810A to other power formats in order to perform these various functions. How exactly any PTU 3900B to 3900G does this, is explained further below.

[0059] A further device, being Large Scale Rechargeable High Power (LSRHP) Battery 3820A, may also specifically be coupled to HVDC power bus 3810A, as shown in Figure 1A. In the case of LSRHP Battery 3820A, however, the coupling arrangement is different. LSRHP Battery 3820A comprises a large plurality of low voltage DC (LVDC) rechargeable chemical cells 3822, for example without limitation, Lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells. In some embodiments, LVDC rechargeable chemical cells 3822 may be arranged as an array of individual cells, each connected to corresponding PTU 3900A. In some embodiments, LVDC rechargeable chemical cells 3822 may be arranged as a small number of LVDC chemical cells 3822 stacked electrically in series, for example without limitation, two or three cells. Each series LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 so formed has one single corresponding PTU 3900A. The result is an array of PTUs 3900A, each drawing power from LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 comprising at least one LVDC chemical cell3822. The collective assemblage of LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 therefore constitutes the LSRHP Battery 3820A.

[0060] PTUs 3900A may have at least one output terminal for connecting to a power bus. In general, PTUs 3900A may have a plurality of output terminals for connecting to a variety of power buses carrying different power formats, as explained below in more detail with reference to Figure IB and the PTU output signal may be switched to any of these outputs. In the case of system 3800 of Figure IB, a HVDC output is selected.

[0061] Figure 2 shows general LSRHP Battery 3820A comprising LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 each comprised of two LVDC rechargeable chemical cells 3822 stacked electrically in series, along with corresponding PTU 3900A serving each LVDC chemical cell stack 3824. PTUs 3900A are depicted purely schematically in Figure 2 and may have alternative shapes and formats. The broken line arrows in Figure 2 have been added to indicate that the array of LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 may continue in two dimensions. In other implementations, LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 may be differently arranged. Element 3828 is addressed later as part of Figure 6

[0062] In all implementations LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 are arranged to communicate their produced power via PTUs 3900A and also to be recharged via PTUs 3900A. LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 are shown as sharing a single collective bottom electrode connection plate 3825. Since HVDC batteries generate considerable heat, coolant systems may also be incorporated in LSRHP Battery 3820A. Such coolant systems are well-known in industry and will not be further dwelt on here. Their function may be extended to also cool PTUs 3900A.

[0063] The electrical current, voltage and temperature of each LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 is measured by sensors, shown for the sake of clarity as conceptual schematic collective sensor pack 3826 in Figure 2. In practical implementation, the various sensors would be differently arranged, with some employing current shunts and the voltage being measured over the complete cell stack 3824. Sensors 3826 are connected to dedicated power transaction unit controller (PTU controller) 3928 of corresponding PTU 3900A, described below in more detail with reference to Figure 4. The data so obtained may be sent in digital form by PTU 3900A to overall power system controller (PSC) 3840 to be described later (with reference to Figure 4) and configured to manage LSRHP Battery 3820A, as well as other devices to which LSRHP Battery 3820A may be connected in system 3800 or 3800'. To avoid clutter and obfuscation, only one PTU 3900A is shown connected to PSC 3840 while, in practical implementation, all cell stacks 3824 may be served by dedicated sensor packs 3826 and by PSC 3840 of the system. PSC3840 may instruct any PTU 3900A via its corresponding PTU controller 3928 to disengage its corresponding LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 from HVDC power bus 3810A if that LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 is deemed faulty or has a non-nominal discharge rate, charge rate, voltage, impedance or temperature based on the data about the current, voltage and temperature obtained via PTU 3900A.

[0064] Data exchanged between PSC 3840 and any one of PTUs 3900A, 3900B, 3900C, 3900D, 3900E, 3900F and 3900G may be transported via any data exchange method with suitable performance and reliability. One non-limiting example of a data exchange system is the differential two-wire CAN bus system originally defined by ISO standard ISO 11898-1 and later ISO 11898-2. The "next -generation" CAN-FD standard, ISO 11898-1:2015, is particularly useful in that it allows for greater data rate. In this arrangement, every PTU 3900A, associated with a particular LVDC cell stack 3824 has a unique Identifier (ID) in the CAN bus system. Other suitable data communication systems that may be employed include, but are not limited to l2C. The data exchange bus system is discussed later with reference to Figure 4. In Figure 1A, the data bus and all its wiring are not shown in order to avoid cluttering the drawing.

[0065] System 3800 of Figure 1A has been described above based on the use of a single HVDC power exchange channel for each PTU 3900A corresponding to each LVDC chemical cell stack 3824. It is also to be understood that every PTU (3900A to 3900G), irrespective of the device it is attached to, may be of identical design and manufacture, its required adaptive properties being controlled by PSC 3848 using the data communications system via PTU controller 3928 (see Figure 4). Given that the electrical current levels per PTU 3900A on LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 are limited, the PTU circuitry, as described later, may be implemented in High Voltage Microelectronics or Hybrid Technology and be electromagnetically shielded in suitably conductive packaging.

[0066] Figure IB shows a second embodiment of electrical system 3800' employing a topology based on a plurality of central power buses. By way of non-limiting example, system 3800' employs High Voltage AC (HVAC) power bus 3810B, Low Voltage AC (LVAC) power bus 3810C, and Low Voltage DC (LVDC) power bus 3810D. The set of exemplary devices of the first embodiment is also employed in the second embodiment, and the same labels are employed for them. In the second embodiment, every one of the devices is coupled to particular power bus 3810B, 3810C, or 3810D that meets its power requirements or power output format. As with system 3800 of Figure 1A, further power devices are contemplated for inclusion in system 3800'of Figure IB, including but not limited to a photovoltaic power supply. This may, for example, be provided as part of a vehicle integrated photovoltaic (VIPV) subsystem. It may serve, for example, as low voltage power source on bus 3810D. Since each power bus 3810B, 3810C, and 3810D has a predetermined power format, devices that either produce these power formats or require these power formats do not have to have PTUs connecting them to the various power buses, though they may optionally have PTUs. These devices may function as in prior art systems. The situation is, however, different for LSRHP Battery 3820A.

[0067] In this second embodiment, each PTU 3900A on any LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 of LSRHP Battery 3820A in Figure 2 has multiple power outputs, each one supplying power to or extracting power from a different one of HVAC power bus 3810B, LVAC power bus 3810C, and LVDC power bus 3810D at any one time. Each PTU 3900A is capable of being instructed by PSC 3840, via PTU controller 3928 of that PTU 3900A (see Figure 4), to select a particular one of the three exemplary power exchange channels. Given that each PTU 3900A has a unique ID, any one of many LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 may be used to provide the format of power corresponding to the selected power exchange channel and thereby to the particular selected power bus 3810B, 3810C, or 3810D.

[0068] While HVAC, LVAC and LVDC power buses have been selected for the example system describing this embodiment, any other power buses may be employed, including an HVDC power bus as employed in the first embodiment described above. It is also clear that the multiple output PTU 3900A of this present embodiment would also serve the purposes of the first embodiment. As is described below, the PTU devices of the present invention may provide a wide range of power output formats covering both high voltage and low voltage ranges, as well as DC and AC of various frequencies. This allows the PTUs to be manufactured in large volumes to attain economy of scale. Devices capable of generating power may optionally have a PTU to manage their contributions of power to their particular corresponding power bus 3810B, 3810C, or 3810D.

[0069] The various PTUs are based on miniaturized bimodal wireless power transmitter / receiver circuits as described in Patent Cooperation Treaty Application PCT / IB2023 / 000167, and before addressing the implementation of any PTU in Figures 1A, IB, 2 or 3, the basic issues surrounding bimodal wireless power transmission are first considered with reference to Figure 3.

[0070] Figure 3 shows generalized bimodal high frequency near-field wireless power transfer link system 10, having primary / transmit / send side 12 and secondary / receive side 14. Figure 3, including the details of its component subassemblies, is described in detail in publication WO2023 / 175399A2. With reference to Figure 3, the term "Continuous Auto-adjusting Bimodal Transmitter-Receiver Module" (CABT / R module) is used herein to refer to transmitter-receiver module 20 that, when in transmit mode, continuously adjusts the ratio of Capacitive Power Transfer to Inductive Power Transfer. The power transfer in this situation is from first (transmitter) resonator 30 connected to transmitter-receiver module 20 to second separate (receiver) resonator 50. The adjusting is on the basis of changes in a load experienced by CABT / R module 20 via first and second resonators 30 and 50 and / or based on signals from sensors. Second CABT / R module 40 may be configured in a receive mode to receive the above signal from second (receiver) resonator 50 and process it to receiver side 14 output signal to a load. Transmit side CABT / R module 20 may obtain its power from a suitable source. It is important to understand that the power transfer from resonator 30 to resonator 40 is via both magnetic field 31A and electric field 31B between the two resonators.

[0071] In some implementations, CABT / R 20 and CABT / R 40 may be identical and may both be connected to their respective resonators 30 and 50 in exactly the same way, the only difference being that CABT / R 20 is also in wired communication with the power source, while CABT / R 40 is in wired communication with the load. To the extent that bimodal high frequency near-field wireless power transfer link 10 is therefore electronically mirror-symmetrical as regards send side 12 and receive side 14, bimodal high frequency near-field wireless power transfer link 10 may transfer power in either direction. In some specific implementations, CABT / R 20 and CABT / R 40 may not be identical and may comprise different circuitry as described later below with respect to Figure 4, but they may still transfer power in either direction.

[0072] When CABT / R 20 is switched to send mode, CABT / R 40 is switched to receive mode to allow transfer of power from the source to the load. When CABT / R 20 is switched to receive mode, CABT / R 40 is switched to send mode to allow transfer of power from the load to the source. The mode-switching is based on the use of differential self-synchronous radio frequency power amplifier / rectifiers in CABT / R 20 and CABT / R 40. In the interest of brevity, bimodal high frequency near-field wireless power transfer link system 10 may at times be referred to as a "bimodal wireless link" in the present disclosure.

[0073] The adjective term "bimodal" is used herein to describe a system configured for simultaneous capacitive signal transfer and inductive signal transfer at a resonance frequency from a transmitter resonator to a receiver resonator, the capacitive signal transfer being on the basis of resonant capacitive coupling between a capacitance in the transmitter resonator and a capacitance in the receiver resonator and the inductive signal transfer being on the basis of resonant inductive coupling between an inductance in the transmitter resonator and an inductance in the receiver resonator. In such "bimodal" power transfer the nature of the power transfer may vary on a continuous scale from purely Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) to purely Capacitive Power Transfer (CPT) so that there is at any instant in time during the power transfer a ratio of CPT to IPT.

[0074] Bimodal signal transfer in its definition as employed in the present disclosure is not to be confused with the well-known purely resonant inductive signal transfer in which the transmitter employs a capacitance to establish resonance in an inductor in the transmitter and the receiver similarly employs a capacitance to establish resonance in an inductor in the receiver, but in which the two aforementioned capacitances are not in direct electric field communication with each other. Notwithstanding the involvement of capacitance in establishing the resonance, this latter form of prior art signal transfer is purely by inductive coupling. "Bimodal" signal transfer is also not to be confused with purely inductive signal transfer that is conducted simultaneously with non-resonant capacitive signal transfer via a separate channel employing capacitances that are not resonating with the inductors in the transmitter and receiver. To be clear, bimodal signal transfer in its definition as employed in the present disclosure shall mean that inductive elements in a transmitter resonator communicate via magnetic field with inductive elements in a receiver resonator and capacitive elements in the same transmitter resonator communicate via electric field with capacitive elements in the same receiver resonator.

[0075] Figure 4 describes the Power Transaction Units (PTUs) of Figure 1A, Figure IB and Figure 2 in more detail. PTU 3900A is a particular implementation of bimodal wireless link 10 of Figure 3, comprising CABT / R 3920, resonator 3930, resonator 3950, and CABT / R 3940, conceptually substituting for elements 20, 30, 50 and 40 of the generalized system of Figure 3 respectively. Figure 4 focuses in particular on PTU 3900A being in wired communication with an individual LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 and with its sensors 3826, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 also shows PTU 3900A as comprising a power exchange channel switch (PEC switch) 3910 placingPTU 3900A in communication with one of three exemplary power buses, being HVAC power bus 3810B, LVAC power bus 3810C and LVDC power bus 3810D. In some embodiments, only one power bus may be connected, as for example in the system of Figure 1A in which PTU 3900A is in wired communication with only HVDC power bus 3810A. PEC switch 3910 may be switched to an "open" state, in which PTU 3900A is disconnected from any power buses, as may be required when PSC 3840 deems there to be a problem with a particular cell stack 3824 based on information from sensors 3826. PTU 3900A is also in wired communication with LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 and in data communication with PSC 3840 via PTU controller 3928. PSC 3840 may be in wired data communication with the PTU controller 3928 of every PTU 3900A in battery 3820A and may thereby coordinate the functioning of all chemical cell stacks 3824 in battery 3820A. PSC 3840 may also be in communication with the rest of system 3800 or 3800' via the selected data communication system.

[0076] In the system of Figure 4, signal generation and amplifier / rectifier section 3960 of CABT / R 3920 comprises HF Switching signal generator 3924 and HF Switched Mode Power Amplifier / Rectifiers 3925A and 3925B. The phrase "switchable power signal modulator / rectifier" is used in this disclosure to describe amplifier / rectifier section 3960. The functioning of switchable power signal modulator / rectifier 3960 has been described in detail in publication WO2023 / 175399A2. The remainder of the circuitry of CABT / R 3920, shown schematically as a single box 3970 in Figure 4, may be the same as described in publication W02023 / 175399A2. In the present application, this remainder portion 3970 of CABT / R 3920 is referred to as a "Power Signal Tuning Network", sometimes abbreviated simply to Tuning Network 3970.

[0077] In Figure 4, receiver side CABT / R 3940 is also shown in partially exploded view. Power Conversion Circuit 3980 of receiver side CABT / R 3940 comprises HF Switched Mode Power Rectifier / Amplifier 3987 and unfolding circuit 3989. The remainder of the circuitry of CABT / R 3940, shown schematically as a single box 3990 in Figure 4, may be the same as described in publication W02023 / 175399A2. In the present application, this remainder portion 3990 of CABT / R 3940 is also referred to as a "Power Signal Tuning Network", sometimes abbreviated simply to Tuning Network 3990.

[0078] For transmitting power from LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 to an output of power exchange channel switch 3910, CABT / R 3920 is switched to a transmitting mode and CABT / R 3940 is switched to a receiving mode. Switchable power signal modulator / rectifier 3960 is placed in a modulating mode. In this mode, PTU3900A extracts DC power from LVDC chemicalcell stack 3824 by means of first and second HF Switched Mode Power Rectifier / Amplifiers 3925A and 3925B in their amplifier modes, switched by respectively first and second switching signals iAand (JJBprovided by HF switching signal generator 3924 under control of system controller 3572. Modulator / rectifier 3960 receives the DC power originating from LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 and outputs to Power Signal Tuning Network 3970 two separate power signals at different phases based on switching signals QJA and IJJB provided by HF Switching signal generator 3924 under control of PSC 3840 via PTU controller 3928. In resonator 3930, the first and second power signals of differing phase supplied from HF Switched Mode Power Rectifier / Amplifiers 3925A and 3925B are mixed. The mixing produces from Power Signal Tuning Network 3990 an internal transferred power signal that may be manipulated by HF switching signal generator 3924 via switching signals QJA and IJJB.

[0079] The internal transferred power signal is rectified and unfolded by power conversion circuit 3980 and the resulting PTU power output signal is directed to a single one of power bus 3810B, 3810C, or 3810D by power exchange channel switch 3910 under control of PSC 3840 via PTU controller 3928 of PTU 3900A. It is to be noted that, when switchable power signal modulator / rectifier 3960 is in its modulating mode, then power conversion circuit 3980 is automatically placed in a rectifying and unfolding mode.

[0080] For charging LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 from a power source connected to power bus 3810B, 3810C or 3810D, CABT / R 3940 is switched to a transmitting mode and CABT / R 3920 is switched to a receiving mode. PTU 3900A thereby is switched to a reverse power transfer mode. Switchable power signal modulator / rectifier 3960 is placed in a rectifying mode. In this mode, it receives a power signal from Power Signal Tuning Network 3970 and outputs to LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 a DC charging signal under control of PSC 3840 via PTU controller 3928 of PTU 3900A. Power received via Power Signal Conversion Circuit 3980 is transferred to HF Switched Mode Power Amplifier / Rectifiers 3925A and 3925B which are switched to a rectifying mode.

[0081] When switchable power signal modulator / rectifier 3960 is in its rectifying mode, power conversion circuit 3980 is switched to an amplifier mode in which HF Switched Mode Power Rectifier / Amplifier 3987 is switched to an amplifier mode and power signals from power bus 3810B, 3810C, or 3810D to which Unfolding Circuit 3989 is connected at the time are passed to HF Switched Mode Power Rectifier / Amplifier 3987 without any signal-affecting action by Unfolding Circuit 3989. This may be achieved, for example by connecting the input of UnfoldingCircuit 3989 to its own output. In the present disclosure, the term "signal-transparent state" is used to describe this state of Unfolding Circuit 3989. Bidirectional connections between power elements of the system of Figure 4 indicate potential bidirectional transfer of power.

[0082] Given that PSC 3840 has to manage the entire LSRHP Battery 3820A comprising thousands of LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 and their PTUs 3900A, PSC 3840 of necessity has to be located in wired communication with both CABT / R 3940 and CABT / R 3920 of various PTUs 3900A. Nevertheless, all mode switching of the various devices discussed above is under the control of PSC 3840 by means of communication mechanisms described in detail in publication WO2023 / 175399A2. In publication WO2023 / 175399A2, it is explained how systems of the type described in Figure 3, of which PTU 3900A of Figure 4 is but one example, may be employed for full-duplex (bidirectional) communication of information using the very same channel between resonators 3930 and 3950 as is used for the power transfer. This channel may therefore be used by PSC 3840 (via PTU controller 3928) to send and receive data to and from CABT / R 3920 and CABT / R 3940 of every PTU 3900A. Data received by PSC 3840 via PTU controller 3928 may include data based on information provided to PTU controller 3928 from sensors 3826. Power exchange channel switch 3910 is in wired communication with CABT / R 3940 and may send data to and receive instructions from PSC 3840 by wired data communication via PTU controller 3928.

[0083] In Figure 4, an additional optional data communications path is provided via isolator 3944 and phase lock loop 3942. Isolator 3944 is provided to data-wise bridge the electrical gap between resonators 3950 and 3930. Phase lock loop 3942 is provided to allow the phase and frequency of any existing AC signal of a connected AC power bus, for example HVAC power bus 3810B to be sampled and provided to HF Switching Signal generator 3924. This is done to ensure that appropriate switching signals from switchable power signal modulator / rectifier 3960 are produced that in turn ensure that the power signals produced by power signal modulator / rectifier 3960 are in phase with the AC signals existing on the particular power bus, being in this example, power bus 3810B. Phase lock loop 3942 is merely one non-limiting example of a device along this optional data communications path and any other data for controlling PTO 3900A may be transmitted along this path as a full alternative to the power transmission channel.

[0084] PSC 3840 is capable of configuring PTU 3900A via PTU controller 3928 to produce any of LVDC, HVDC, LVAC and HVAC power formats by instructing HF Switching signal generator 3924to provide switching signals QJAand (JJBof specific phases and / or phase modulation to HF Switched Mode Power Rectifier / Amplifiers 3925A and 3925B. Having selected by this means the output power signal format to be produced via Power Signal Conversion Circuit 3980, PSC 3840 may direct the resulting output power to the corresponding one of power bus 3810B, 3810C, and 3810D by instructing power exchange channel switch 3910 via PTU controller 3928. The mechanisms for producing the various power formats are now considered.

[0085] As described in detail in publication W02023 / 175399A2, when Switched Mode Power Rectifier / Amplifiers 3925A and 3925B are switched using two switching signals I]JA and (JJBhaving between them a phase difference Ac]), a DC output power signal is produced by Power Signal Conversion Circuit 3980. The size or amplitude of the DC signal so obtained is determined by the size of the phase difference Ac^ between switching signals QJA and IJJB- The inventors have found that, due to the bimodal resonant basis of power transfer and the use of high efficiency Switched Mode Class Amplifiers in PTU 3900A of Figure 4, it is possible to obtain DC voltages up to the 1200V range at very high efficiencies of power transfer. This is made feasible by the low power requirements per individual PTU 3900A.

[0086] To render such high voltage signals at practical AC frequencies, the phase difference Acja between switching signals QJA and IJJB merely has to be modulated to produce the requisite AC power signal. Thus, by setting different phase differences, different set DC voltages may be produced at high efficiencies of power transfer, and by modulating the particular phase difference so set, an AC signal may be produced. Thus, by employing a selectable phase difference between switching signals 4 and IJJB, any output power format may be produced from power exchange channel switch 3910 of PTU 3900A, including, but not limited to, the three example power formats chosen for power buses 3810B, 3810C, or 3810D employed in the exemplary system of Figure 4.

[0087] Given the ability of the plurality of PTUs 3900A within LSHRP Battery 3820A to adapt their output voltages under control of PSC 3840 via PTU controllers 3928 by adaptation of switching signals and (JJB, a further embodiment of LSHRP Battery 3820A maintains a selectable output voltage and voltage format for LSHRP Battery 3820A as an independent device not connected to the systems of Figures 1A and IB, connected to any other system representing a load, or not connected to any system at all. That is, it constitutes a battery pack that is selflevelling and operates as a source of constant voltage at high power levels, due to being massively parallel.

[0088] LSHRP Battery 3820A may be provided with a controller interface so that a separate controller (not shown) may monitor and manage LSHRP Battery 3820A. In some embodiments, the controller, which may have all the functions of PSC 3840, may be mounted in or on LSHRP Battery 3820A so that the combination may constitute a separate stand-alone product. The controller may have a memory and be pre-programmed with a software program which, when executed, instructs the controller to monitor the output voltage of LSHRP Battery 3820A and to constantly adjust switching signals iAand iBvia PTU controllers 3928 of all PTUs 3900A to thereby maintain the output voltage at a value preset by a user of LSHRP Battery 3820A. The software program, when executed, may display the voltage, current, charge state, charge rate or discharge rate, impedance and temperature of every LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 based on information received by the controller from sensors 3826 via PTU controller 3928 of PTU 3900A. The controller may instruct any PTU 3900A to disengage its corresponding LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 from the output terminals of LSHRP Battery 3820A if that LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 is deemed faulty or has a non-nominal discharge rate, charge rate, charge state, voltage, current, impedance or temperature.

[0089] PTU 3900A may adapt the phase difference Ac^ between switching signals iAand (JJBto produce from corresponding LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 the different voltages demanded by the various power buses discussed above with reference to Figures 1A and IB. The system of Figure 4 is therefore inherently capable of working with different cell chemistries of LVDC rechargeable chemical cells 3822 providing different cell voltages. For the same reason, the use of PTUs allows LVDC rechargeable chemical cells 3822 of differing cell chemistries to be employed in one battery array.

[0090] PSC 3840 may instruct, via corresponding PTU controllers 3928, individual PTUs 3900A corresponding to LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 not only regarding what power signal format to output, but also regarding which power bus to supply it to. Therefore, the groupings of LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 may be selectably employed to supply power to a particular power bus, for example power bus 301B, 3010C or 3010D. Furthermore, there is no a priori reason at all why groupings of PTUs 3900A and corresponding LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 should be spatially grouped. LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 supplying power to (say) bus 3010B may be distributed in various locations across LSRHP battery 3280A in Figure IB.

[0091] Since data on the voltage, current, charge rate or discharge rate, and temperature of every LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 is available to PSC 3840 from sensors 3826 viacorresponding PTU controller 3928, PSC 3840 may make a determination that certain LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 are for example low on charge, and then assign them to, for example, LVDC power bus 3810D which may well have lower power requirements than, for example, HVAC power bus 3810B. Based on the data about particular LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824, PSC 3840 may make the determination that those particular LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 should not be charged further, or should be charged at a higher rate or voltage. Based on the discharge rate, charge rate, charge state, voltage, current, impedance or temperature data about certain individual LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824, PSC 3840 may make the determination that those particular LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 are potentially a fire hazard and should be disconnected from all power buses. The general point is that the system based on the PTUs of Figure 4 in principle allows management of the LSRHP battery 3280A down to the level of individual LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824.

[0092] The system level benefits of managing LSRHP battery 3280A down to the level of individual cell stacks 3824 by means of dedicated power transaction units 3900A are evident from the above description. The risks of overheating are managed and the risk of battery fires mitigated, while power from LSRHP battery 3280A may be more efficiently distributed and applied and LSRHP battery 3280A in general optimized while in operation. With the embodiment of PTU 3900A in Figure 4 as a default PTU design, PTU devices 3900A may be mass produced for use with both multi-power bus systems as in Figure IB and single power bus systems as in Figure 1A. The approach keeps the DC currents through individual LVDC chemical cell stacks 3824 low and thereby allows the PTU devices to be implemented in cost-effective Microelectronics, either as single chip devices or as hybrid devices. Since the PTU devices may be implemented within metal packages, the overall environmental electromagnetic signature of LSRHP battery 3280A may be minimized.

[0093] Figure 5A schematically shows PTU 3900A of LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 in LSRHP battery 3280A employed in system 3800 of Figure 1A to convert power from LVDC chemical cell stack 3824 to the HVDC power format required by HVDC power bus 3810A. It is noted that PTU 3900A is exactly the same as in Figure 4, except that power exchange channel switch 3910 is switched to provide power to only HVDC power bus 3810A. Two other channels are terminated with crosses to indicate that they are switched out. For this application, PSC 3840 merely has to ensure via PTU controller 3928 that, when LSRHP battery 3280A is in the power supplying state, the phase difference Ac^ between switching signals iAand (JJBis set to an appropriate value togenerate from power conversion circuit 3980 the high voltage DC signal required by HVDC power bus 3810A.

[0094] Figure 5B schematically shows PTU 3900C employed as in system 3800 of Figure 1A disposed and configured to extract power from HVDC power bus 3810A and to provide HVAC power to HVAC induction motor / generator 3820C. As revealed by comparison of Figure 5A with Figure 5B, the circuitry of PTU 3900C is identical to that of PTU 3900A. The only differences between the two PTU devices are in terms of software actions and in terms of wired electrical connections external to the two PTUs 3900A and 3900C.

[0095] In the case of PTU 3900C, when employed as in Figure 1A and shown in more detail in Figure 5B, power exchange channel switch 3910 of PTU 3900C connects power conversion circuit 3980 of PTU 3900C directly to HVAC induction motor / generator 3820C (see Figure 1A). Two other channels are terminated with crosses to indicate that they are switched out. Switchable power signal modulator / rectifier 3960 of PTU 3900C is connected to HVDC bus 3810A. By contrast, power exchange channel switch 3910 of PTU 3900A (see Figures 1A and 5A) connects power conversion circuit 3980 of PTU 3900A to HVDC power bus 3810A. Switchable power signal modulator / rectifier 3960 of PTU 3900A is connected to LVDC chemical cell stack 3824.

[0096] In the case of PTU 3900C, when employed as in Figure 1A and shown in more detail in Figure 5B, the phase difference Ac^ between switching signals iAand (JJBis modulated to produce the required HVAC signal to drive HVAC induction motor / generator 3820C. By contrast, in the case of PTU 3900A, when employed as in Figure 1A and shown in more detail in Figure 5A, the phase difference Ac^ between switching signals iAand (JJBis set to an un-modulated value to produce the required HVDC signal to feed HVDC bus 3810A.

[0097] When HVAC induction motor / generator 3820C is in generator mode, both PTU 3900C and PTU 3900A are switched by PSC 3840 via PTU controller 3928 so that their switchable power signal modulator / rectifiers 3987 are in their rectifying mode, their signal unfolding circuits 3989 are in signal-transparent condition, and their switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers 3925A and 3925B are in rectifying mode, as already described. As is understood by practitioners in the field of power transfer, both PTU 3900C and PTU 3900A are therefore transferring power in a "reverse" direction under these conditions to recharge LVDC chemical cell stack 3824.

[0098] As may be concluded from the description above of Figures 5A and 5B, PTU 3900A in Figure 4 therefore allows the same device to be employed as any of PTU 3900A to 3900G, supporting volume manufacture and economy of scale as already described.

[0099] Figure 6 is a plan view schematic drawing of large scale rechargeable high power (LSRHP) Battery 3820A showing a number of power modules based on the elements of Figures 1A, IB, 2 and 4. From Figure 2 and the description associated with Figure 4 it is evident that the combination of low voltage chemical cell stack 3824 and power transaction unit 3900A, along with sensors 3826 on cell stack 3824, constitute the repeating unit element 3828 of LSRHP Battery 3820A. These repeating unit elements 3828 are referred to as "addressable rechargeable cell modules" (ARC Modules) in this disclosure. To a large number of these ARC modules arranged in an array are added PSC 3840 and a cooling system (not shown) to complete LSRHP battery 3820A.

[0100] This arrangement is drastically different from the approach followed in prior art industrial battery packs for electric vehicle systems and "power walls", in which a very large number of repeatable groups of parallel-connected "bricks" of cells are connected in series to obtain high voltages, the number of parallel-connected cells in a repeatable group being increased in order to obtain enough current. The approach in Figure 6 is the diametric opposite, in that a small number of low voltage DC rechargeable chemical cells 3822 are connected in series along with PTU 3900A to form ARC module 3828 as a repeatable unit, and the repeatable units 3828 (ARC modules 3828) are selectably employed in parallel to establish enough current, the requisite high voltages being secured by the bimodal power transfer inside PTUs 3900A within ARC modules 3828.

[0101] One embodiment of LSRHP battery 3820A comprises power system controller (PSC) 3840 and an N x M parallel array of addressable rechargeable cell modules 3828 each in wired communication with PSC 3840 and comprising K low voltage rechargeable chemical cells 3822 in series, where N, M and K are integers, and wherein at least one of N and M is at least an order of magnitude greater than K. In one embodiment, at least one of N and M is at least 20 times as great as K. In one embodiment, at least one of N and M is at least 50 times as great as K. In one embodiment, at least one of N and M is at least 80 times as great as K.

[0102] In one particular non-limiting example embodiment of LSRHP battery 3820A, M=50, N=44, and K=2. If individual rechargeable chemical cells 3822 are of the Li-ion chemistry and have a capacity of 4.8 Amp hours each at a nominal voltage of 3.7 Volts, then this arrangementof ARC modules 3828 provides a gross battery capacity of 78.1 kWh of energy and the voltage it is provided at is widely adjustable as already explained and may even be rendered as AC. The voltage may also be kept fixed until the battery no longer retains enough energy to sustain the current required by the load to which the LSRHP battery is connected.

[0103] By way of comparison, well-known Li-ion battery configuration of 96s46p (46 cells being connected in a parallel group, then connected in series with 45 additional groups) as used in several Tesla® models of electric vehicles ("Tesla" is a registered trademark of Tesla, Inc. of Palo Alto, California), is assembled from 4416 individual cells of nominally 3.7 V and has a gross capacity of 78.4 kWh of energy at a nominal voltage of 357.8 V.

[0104] Figures 1 to 6 describe rechargeable power source (large scale rechargeable high power battery) 3820A (see Figures 1A and 2) for exchanging power with one or more power load 3820B to 3820G external to rechargeable power source 3820A or one or more power source (for example, devices 3820B, 3820C and 3820F of Figure 1A) external to rechargeable power source 3820A. Rechargeable power source 3820A comprises PSC 3840 (see Figures 2 and 4) and an N x M parallel array of addressable rechargeable cell modules 3828 (see Figure 6) each comprising series cell stack 3824 of K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells 3822 in series with power transaction unit 3900A (see Figure 2) in wired data communication with PSC 3840. N, M and K are integers and at least one of N and M is greater than K. In some embodiments, at least one of N and M may be at least an order of magnitude greater than K. In some embodiments, at least one of N and M may be at least 20 times as great as K. In some embodiments, at least one of N and M may be at least 50 times as great as K. In some embodiments, at least one of N and M may be at least 80 times as great as K. The K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells 3822 in different ones of the rechargeable cell modules 3828 may optionally have different cell chemistries.

[0105] Each power transaction unit 3900A may comprise: PTU controller 3928 arranged to receive instructions from and provide data to PSC 3840, and internal bimodal near-field wireless link (elements 3920, 3930, 3940 and 3950 as per Figures 4, 5A and 5B) configurable by PTU controller 3928 for converting low voltage DC power of cell stack 3824 to an output power signal having a power format of one of the one or more external power load 3820B to 3820G and for converting power from one of the one or more external power source (3820B, 3820C and 3820F of Figure 1A) to low voltage DC power for recharging cell stack 3824.

[0106] When providing power to the one of the one or more external power load 3820B to 3820G, each power transaction unit 3900A may be configured for generating under control of the an output power signal from the low voltage DC power of low voltage DC chemical cell stack 3824 by extracting from cell stack 3824 two high frequency power signals having between them a phase difference, mixing the two high frequency power signals to obtain a transferred power signal and rectifying and unfolding the transferred power signal to obtain the output power signal.

[0107] Power transaction unit 3900A, under control of PSC 3840, may be configurable to adjust the phase difference and thereby adjust a voltage of the output power signal. Power transaction unit 3900A may be configurable to adjust the phase difference based on a voltage required by the one of the one or more external power load 3820B to 3820G. Each power transaction unit 3900A may be configurable for modulating the phase difference by a modulation frequency to render the output power signal as an AC power signal at the modulation frequency.

[0108] PSC 3840 may be configured to instruct every PTU controller 3928 to adjust the phase difference between the two high frequency power signals of corresponding power transaction unit 3900A to maintain a predetermined output power signal voltage and to disconnect cell stack 3824 from the one of the one or more external load 3820B to 3820G if it does not have enough remaining energy to sustain the output power signal voltage.

[0109] When receiving a recharging power signal from one of the one or more external power source (3820B, 3820C and 3820F of Figure 1A), each power transaction unit 3900A may be configured under control of PSC 3840 for extracting from the recharging power signal a single high frequency recharging power signal, splitting the single high frequency recharging power signal into two high frequency recharging power signals having between them a phase difference, and rectifying the two high frequency recharging power signals to obtain a low voltage DC recharging signal for recharging low voltage DC chemical cell stack 3824.

[0110] Each power transaction unit 3900A may comprise: at least one wired power exchange channel (see power buses 3810B, 3810C and 3810D in Figure 4 or power bus 3810A in Figures 5A and 5B) disposed for connecting to external devices; and power exchange channel switch 3910 for switching the output power of power transaction unit 3900A to one of the at least one wired power exchange channels under control of PSC 3840 via PTU controller 3928. Each of the at least one wired power exchange channels may be assigned to a different power format selectable in power transaction unit 3900A by PSC 3840 via PTU controller 3928.

[0111] Each power transaction unit 3900A may comprise: first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers 3925A and 3925B in wired communication with corresponding cell stack 3824 and switchable between an amplifier condition and a rectifier condition; power conversion circuit 3980 comprising one signal unfolding circuit 3989 and a third high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifier 3987 switchable between a rectifier condition and an amplifier condition; and first and second mutually coupled and physically separated resonators 3930 and 3950, first resonator 3930 in wired communication with first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers 3925A and 3925B and second resonator 3950 in wired communication with power conversion circuit 3980.

[0112] When transferring power to one of the one or more external load 3820B to 3820G, each power transaction unit 3900A may be configured for extracting from corresponding low voltage DC chemical cell stack 3824 via first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers 3925A and 3925B two high frequency power signals having between them a phase difference, mixing the two high frequency power signals in resonator 3930 to obtain a transferred power signal from second resonator 3950, rectifying the transferred power signal in third high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifier 3987, and unfolding the transferred and rectified power signal to obtain the output power signal.

[0113] When configured for receiving power from one of the one or more external power source (3820B, 3820C and 3820F of Figure 1A) for recharging corresponding cell stack 3824, first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers 3925A and 3925B are switchable to a rectifying state, third high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifier 3987 is switchable to an amplifying state, and signal unfolding circuit 3989 is switchable to a signal transparent state to allow power to be transferred from external power source (3820B, 3820C and 3820F of Figure 1A) to corresponding low voltage DC chemical cell stack 3824.

[0114] Each power transaction unit 3900A may comprise high frequency switching signal generator 3924 under control of PSC 3840 and disposed for providing high frequency switching signals to first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers 3925A and 3925B.

[0115] Rechargeable power source 3820A may comprise a voltage sensor, a current sensor and a temperature sensor disposed on every one of the plurality of cell stacks 3824 (sensor pack 3826 in Figure 2), each of the sensors in wired communication with corresponding power transaction unit 3900A, wherein PSC 3840 is configured for adjusting via PTU controller 3928 theinternal bimodal near-field wireless link of each power transaction unit 3900A based on voltage, current, and temperature data received from power transaction unit 3900A about corresponding cell stack 3824.

[0116] Each of the plurality of power transaction units 3900A may be configured for connecting or disconnecting a corresponding cell stack 3824 to or from the one of the one or more external power load 3820B to 3820G or one of the one or more power source (3820B, 3820C and 3820F of Figure 1A) under instruction from PSC 3840 based on voltage, current, and temperature data about cell stack 3824. Each of the plurality of power transaction units 3900A may be configured for disconnecting corresponding cell stack 3824 from the one of the one or more external power load or one of the one or more power source and connecting it to another of the one or more external power load or one or more power source under instruction from PSC 3840 based on voltage, current, and temperature data about cell stack 3824.

[0117] Since PTUs 3900A may be switched independently from one another, a first portion of the plurality of PTUs 3900A may be configured for charging their corresponding cell stacks 3824 from a power source external to rechargeable power source 3820A while a remainder of the plurality of PTUs 3900A may be configured for providing power from their corresponding cell stacks 3824 to power loads external to rechargeable power source 3820A. The power source external to rechargeable power source 3820A may be a photovoltaic system.

[0118] In one embodiment, described by Figures 2, 4, and 6, an addressable rechargeable cell module 3828 comprises series cell stack 3824 of one or more low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells 3822 in series with a power transaction unit 3900A, wherein power transaction unit 3900A comprises: PTU controller 3928 arranged to receive instructions from and provide data to PSC 3840; and internal bimodal near-field wireless link (elements 3920, 3930, 3940 and 3950 as per Figures 4, 5A and 5B) configurable by PTU controller 3928 for converting low voltage DC power of cell stack 3824 to an output power signal having a desired power format and for converting power from an external power source to low voltage DC power for recharging cell stack 3824.

[0119] Each power transaction unit 3900A may comprise: first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers 3925A and 3925B in wired communication with corresponding cell stack 3824 and switchable between an amplifier condition and a rectifier condition; power conversion circuit 3980 comprising signal unfolding circuit 3989 and third high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifier 3987 switchable between a rectifiercondition and an amplifier condition; and first and second mutually coupled and physically separated resonators 3930 and 3950, first resonator 3930 in wired communication with first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers 3925A and 3925B with second resonator 3950 in wired communication with power conversion circuit 3980. Power transaction unit 3900A may comprise PTU controller 3928 configured for data communications with PSC 3840.

[0120] Rechargeable cell module 3838 may comprise a voltage sensor, a current sensor and a temperature sensor disposed on cell stack 3824 (sensor pack 3826 in Figure 2), the sensors in wired communication with power transaction unit 3900A for supplying to PSC 3840, via PTU controller 3928, voltage, current, and temperature data about cell stack 3824. Power transaction unit 3900A may comprise high frequency switching signal generator 3924 under control of PSC 3840 and disposed for providing high frequency switching signals to first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers 3925A and 3925B.

[0121] In one embodiment, described by Figure 1A, 2, 4 and 6, electrical power distribution and exchange system 3800 comprises: an electrical power bus (for example without limitation, 3810A in Figure 1A) having a predetermined electrical power format (for example, the high voltage DC format of bus 3810A), rechargeable power source (large scale rechargeable high power battery) 3820A comprising PSC 3840 and an N x M parallel array of addressable rechargeable cell modules 3828 each comprising series cell stack 3824 of K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells 3822 in series with power transaction unit 3900A in wired data communication with PSC 3840, wherein N, M and K are integers and at least one of N and M is greater than K, wherein each power transaction unit 3900A is in independent wired communication with the electrical power bus; in electrical communication with the electrical power bus via power transaction unit (for example, 3900C of Figure 1A) at least one power load (for example, high voltage AC induction motor / generator 3820C in its motor mode) requiring a different power format from the predetermined electrical power format; in electrical communication with the electric power bus via a power transaction unit second power source (for example without limitation, one of devices 3820B, 3820C or 3820F of Figure 1A) producing power of a different power format from the predetermined electrical power format, wherein the power transaction units corresponding to the at least one power load and the second power source are in data communication with PSC 3840.

[0122] Each power transaction unit 3900A of rechargeable power source 3820A may comprise PTU controller 3928 arranged to receive instructions from and provide data to PSC 3840, and an internal bimodal near-field wireless link configurable by PTU controller 3928 for converting low voltage DC power of cell stack 3824 to an output power signal having the predetermined power format of electrical power bus 3810A and for converting power received via electrical power bus 3810A from the predetermined power format to the low voltage DC power format for recharging rechargeable power source 3820A; power transaction unit corresponding to each of the at least one power load (3820B to 3820G of Figure 1A) may comprise PTU controller 3928 being arranged to receive instructions from PSC 3840 and an internal bimodal near-field wireless link configurable by PTU controller 3928 for converting power of the predetermined format extracted from electrical power bus 3810A to an output power signal having a power format required by the load; and power transaction unit corresponding to second power source may comprise PTU controller 3928 being arranged to receive instructions from PSC 3840 and an internal bimodal near-field wireless link configurable by PTU controller 3928 for converting power of the format produced by the second power source to the predetermined format of electrical power bus 3810A. The predetermined power format may be high voltage DC. The at least one power load and the second power source may be a single device sharing a single power transaction unit and the single device may be, for example without limitation, electric motor / generator 3820C.

[0123] In one embodiment, described by Figure IB, 2, 4 and 6, electrical power distribution and exchange system 3800' comprises: a plurality of electrical power buses (for example without limitation, power buses 3810B to 3810D of Figure IB) having different predetermined electrical power formats; and rechargeable power source 3820A comprising PSC 3840 and an N x M parallel array of addressable rechargeable cell modules 3828 each comprising series cell stack 3824 of K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells 3822 in series with power transaction unit 3900A in wired data communication with PSC 3840, wherein N, M and K are integers and at least one of N and M is greater than K, wherein each power transaction unit 3900A is in independent wired communication with one of electrical power buses 3810B to 3810D. Any one of power transaction units 3900A may be switched by PSC 3840 to electrically disconnect that power transaction unit 3900A from a first of the plurality of power buses. The disconnected power transaction unit 3900A may be switched by PSC 3840 to electrically connect that power transaction unit 3900A to a second of the plurality of power buses; and the reconnected powertransaction unit 3900A is configured to change its output power format under the control of PSC 3840 to a predetermined power format of the second of the plurality of power buses.

[0124] Method

[4000] , described with reference to Figure 7, is provided for supplying from low voltage DC chemical cell stack 3824 comprising at least one series-connected rechargeable low voltage DC chemical cell 3822 an output power signal via at least one power exchange channel (see power buses 3810B, 3810C and 3810D in Figure 4 or power bus 3810A in Figures 5A and 5B) having a required power format including a required voltage and a required frequency. Method

[4000] comprises: providing

[4010] , in series with the at least one rechargeable chemical cell 3822, corresponding power transaction unit 3900A comprising internal bidirectional bimodal wireless near-field power link (elements 3920, 3930, 3940 and 3950) and power exchange channel switch 3910; extracting

[4020] from cell stack 3824 two high frequency power signals having between them a phase difference Ac^; mixing

[4030] in the bimodal wireless near-field power link the two high frequency power signals to obtain a transferred power signal; rectifying

[4040] the transferred power signal; unfolding

[4050] the transferred and rectified power signal to obtain the output power signal; and manipulating

[4060] the phase difference to render the output power signal to the at least one power exchange channel in the required power format.

[0125] Manipulating

[4060] the phase difference may comprise adjusting the phase difference to a fixed value based on the required power format to render the output power signal as a DC voltage. Manipulating the phase difference

[4060] may comprise modulating the phase difference at a frequency based on the required power format to render the output power signal as an AC power signal. Method

[4000] may comprise operating power exchange channel switch 3910 to provide the output power signal to a selected one of the at least one power exchange channel.

[0126] In one embodiment, method

[4100] , described with reference to Figure 8, is provided for transferring power from a power source to a plurality of low voltage DC chemical cell stacks 3824 each comprising at least one series-connected rechargeable low voltage DC chemical cell 3822 disposed in series with corresponding power transaction unit 3900A, power transaction unit 3900A comprising an internal bidirectional bimodal wireless near-field power link and power exchange channel switch 3910. Method

[4100] comprises: switching

[4110] the internal bimodal wireless power link in each power transaction unit 3900A to a recharging state; obtaining

[4120] from each power transaction unit 3900A information about a voltage, current and temperature of corresponding cell stack 3824; and operating

[4130] power exchangechannel switch 3910 in each power transaction unit 3900A to connect or disconnect corresponding cell stack 3824 to / from the power source based on the information about a voltage, current and temperature of corresponding cell stack 3824.

[0127] In one embodiment, method

[4200] , described with reference to Figure 9, is provided for recharging rechargeable power source 3820A, wherein rechargeable power source 3820A comprises PSC 3840 and an N x M parallel array of addressable rechargeable cell modules 3828 each comprising series cell stack 3824 of K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells 3822 in series with power transaction unit 3900A in wired data communication with PSC 3840, wherein N, M and K are integers and at least one of N and M is greater than K. Method

[4200] comprises: receiving

[4210] in at least one of power transaction units 3900A a recharging power signal from a second power source external to rechargeable power source 3820A; extracting

[4220] from the recharging power signal a single high frequency recharging power signal; splitting

[4230] the single high frequency recharging power signal into two high frequency recharging power signals having between them a phase difference; and rectifying

[4240] the two high frequency recharging power signals to obtain a low voltage DC recharging signal for recharging low voltage DC chemical cell stack 3824 corresponding to power transaction unit 3900A.

[0128] While voltages of the order of 400 V, 800 V and 920 V may be found in general use in the electric vehicle industry, there is a major challenge regarding the weight and cost of the heavy power harness. These heavy gauges of cable in electric vehicles are required to ensure low enough resistance in these cables in order to keep resistive heating low. Unfortunately, the use of so much copper makes these cables very expensive and heavy. This additional weight also makes more demands of the prior art battery packs of vehicle.

[0129] If the format of the HVDC power from an electric vehicle or power wall battery may be changed, for example to significantly higher than 920 V, the l2R resistive heating could be much reduced along with the weight of the power harness. However, it has proven difficult in the prior art to arrange individual rechargeable cells in such a way as to make such high DC voltages attainable in practice without incurring unacceptable energy losses in the battery pack and thereby additional heating. The energy-efficient power transfer mechanism described in the present disclosure for obtaining high voltages from a massively parallel arrangement of low voltage chemical cells is therefore of great significance to the energy-constrained and heat- plagued electric vehicle field. As explained above, along with these higher attainable voltagelevels comes much improved control over the power supplied by the Large Scale Rechargeable High Power (LSRHP) Battery of the present disclosure.

[0130] The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" is intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "an embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. As used in this disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised" are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

[0131] Also, it is noted that the embodiments are disclosed as a process that is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may disclose various steps of the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. The steps shown are not intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step depicted is essential to the method, but instead are exemplary steps only. In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawing are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It should be appreciated that the present invention should not be construed as limited by such embodiments.

[0132] From the foregoing description it is apparent that the present invention has a number of advantages, some of which have been described herein, and others of which are inherent in the embodiments of the invention described or claimed herein. Also, it is understood that modifications may be made to the device, apparatus and method described herein without departing from the teachings of subject matter described herein. As such, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains the invention is not to be limited to the described embodiments except as required by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims1. A rechargeable power source for exchanging power with one or more external power load or one or more power source, the rechargeable power source comprising a power system controller and an N x M parallel array of addressable rechargeable cell modules each comprising a series cell stack of K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells in series with a power transaction unit in wired data communication with the power system controller, wherein N, M and K are integers and at least one of N and M is greater than K.

2. The rechargeable power source of claim 1, wherein each power transaction unit comprises: a power transaction unit controller arranged to receive instructions from and provide data to the power system controller, and an internal bimodal near-field wireless link configurable by the power transaction unit controller for converting low voltage DC power of the cell stack to an output power signal having a power format of one of the one or more external power load and for converting power from one of the one or more external power source to low voltage DC power for recharging the cell stack.

3. The rechargeable power source of claim 2, wherein, when providing power to the one of the one or more external power load, each power transaction unit is configured for generating under control of the power system controller an output power signal from the low voltage DC power of the low voltage DC chemical cell stack by extracting from the cell stack two high frequency power signals having between them a phase difference, mixing the two high frequency power signals to obtain a transferred power signal and rectifying and unfolding the transferred power signal to obtain the output power signal.

4. The rechargeable power source of claim 3, wherein the power transaction unit under control of the power system controller is configurable to adjust the phase difference and thereby adjust a voltage of the output power signal.

5. The rechargeable power source of claim 4, wherein the power transaction unit is configurable to adjust the phase difference based on a voltage required by the one of the one or more external power load.

6. The rechargeable power source of claim 5, wherein each power transaction unit is configurable for modulating the phase difference by a modulation frequency to render the output power signal as an AC power signal at the modulation frequency.

7. The rechargeable power source of claim 5, wherein the power system controller is configured to instruct every power transaction unit controller to adjust the phase difference between the two high frequency power signals of the corresponding power transaction unit to maintain a predetermined output power signal voltage and to disconnect a cell stack from the one of the one or more external load if it does not have enough remaining energy to sustain the output power signal voltage.

8. The rechargeable power source of claim 2, wherein, when receiving a recharging power signal from one of the one or more external power source, each power transaction unit is configured under control of the power system controller for extracting from the recharging power signal a single high frequency recharging power signal, splitting the single high frequency recharging power signal into two high frequency recharging power signals having between them a phase difference, and rectifying the two high frequency recharging power signals to obtain a low voltage DC recharging signal for recharging the low voltage DC chemical cell stack.

9. The rechargeable power source of claim 2, wherein each power transaction unit comprises: at least one wired power exchange channel disposed for connecting to external devices; and a power exchange channel switch for switching the output power of the power transaction unit to one of the at least one wired power exchange channels under control of the power system controller via the power transaction unit controller.

10. The rechargeable power source of claim 9, wherein each of the at least one wired power exchange channels is assigned to a different power format selectable in the power transaction unit by the power system controller via the power transaction unit controller.

11. The rechargeable power source of claim 2, wherein each power transaction unit comprises:first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers in wired communication with the corresponding cell stack and switchable between an amplifier condition and a rectifier condition; a power conversion circuit comprising a signal unfolding circuit and a third high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifier switchable between a rectifier condition and an amplifier condition; and first and second mutually coupled and physically separated resonators, the first resonator in wired communication with the first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers and the second resonator in wired communication with the power conversion circuit.

12. The rechargeable power source of claim 11, wherein, when transferring power to one of the one or more external load, each power transaction unit is configured for extracting from the corresponding low voltage DC chemical cell stack via the first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers two high frequency power signals having between them a phase difference, mixing the two high frequency power signals in the first resonator to obtain a transferred power signal from the second resonator, rectifying the transferred power signal in the third high frequency switched- mode power rectifier / amplifier, and unfolding the transferred and rectified power signal to obtain the output power signal.

13. The rechargeable power source of claim 11, wherein, when configured for receiving power from one of the one or more external power source for recharging the corresponding cell stack, the first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers are switchable to a rectifying state, the third high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifier is switchable to an amplifying state, and the signal unfolding circuit is switchable to a signal transparent state to allow power to be transferred from the external power source to the corresponding low voltage DC chemical cell stack.

14. The rechargeable power source of claim 11, wherein each power transaction unit comprises a high frequency switching signal generator under control of the power system controller and disposed for providing high frequency switching signals to the first and second high frequency switched- mode power rectifier / amplifiers.

15. The rechargeable power source of claim 2, comprising a voltage sensor, a current sensor and a temperature sensor disposed on every one of the plurality of cell stacks, each of the sensors inwired communication with the corresponding power transaction unit, wherein the power system controller is configured for adjusting via the power transaction unit controller the internal bimodal nearfield wireless link of each power transaction unit based on voltage, current, and temperature data received from the power transaction unit about the corresponding cell stack.

16. The rechargeable power source of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of power transaction units is configured for connecting or disconnecting a corresponding cell stack to or from the one of the one or more external power load or one of the one or more power source under instruction from the power system controller based on voltage, current, and temperature data about the cell stack.

17. The rechargeable power source of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of power transaction units is configured for disconnecting a corresponding cell stack from the one of the one or more external power load or one of the one or more power source and connecting it to another of the one or more external power load or one or more power source under instruction from the power system controller based on voltage, current, and temperature data about the cell stack.

18. The rechargeable power source of claim 2, wherein a first portion of the plurality of power transaction units is configured for charging their corresponding cell stacks from a power source external to the rechargeable power source while a remainder of the plurality of power transaction units is configured for providing power from their corresponding cell stacks to power loads external to the rechargeable power source.

19. The rechargeable power source of claim 2, wherein the power source external to the rechargeable power source is a photovoltaic system.

20. The rechargeable power source of claim 2, wherein the K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells in different ones of the rechargeable cell modules optionally have different cell chemistries.

21. The rechargeable power source of claim 1, wherein at least one of N and M is at least an order of magnitude greater than K.

22. The rechargeable power source of claim 21, wherein at least one of N and M is at least 20 times as great as K.

23. The rechargeable power source of claim 22, wherein at least one of N and M is at least 50 times as great as K.

24. The rechargeable power source of claim 23, wherein at least one of N and M is at least 80 times as great as K.

25. An addressable rechargeable cell module comprising a series cell stack of one or more low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells in series with a power transaction unit, wherein the power transaction unit comprises: a power transaction unit controller arranged to receive instructions from and provide data to the power system controller, and an internal bimodal near-field wireless link configurable by the power transaction unit controller for converting low voltage DC power of the cell stack to an output power signal having a desired power format and for converting power from an external power source to low voltage DC power for recharging the cell stack.

26. The rechargeable cell module of claim 25, wherein each power transaction unit comprises: first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers in wired communication with the corresponding cell stack and switchable between an amplifier condition and a rectifier condition; a power conversion circuit comprising a signal unfolding circuit and a third high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifier switchable between a rectifier condition and an amplifier condition; and first and second mutually coupled and physically separated resonators, the first resonator in wired communication with the first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers and the second resonator in wired communication with the power conversion circuit.

27. The rechargeable cell module of claim 26, wherein the power transaction unit comprises a power transaction unit controller configured for data communications with a power system controller.

28. The rechargeable cell module of claim 27, comprising a voltage sensor, a current sensor and a temperature sensor disposed on the cell stack, the sensors in wired communication with the power transaction unit for supplying to the power system controller via the power transaction unit controller voltage, current, and temperature data about the cell stack.

29. The rechargeable cell module of claim 26, wherein the power transaction unit comprises a high frequency switching signal generator under control of the power system controller and disposedfor providing high frequency switching signals to the first and second high frequency switched-mode power rectifier / amplifiers.

30. An electrical power distribution and exchange system comprising: an electrical power bus having a predetermined electrical power format, a rechargeable power source comprising a power system controller and an N x M parallel array of addressable rechargeable cell modules each comprising a series cell stack of K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells in series with a power transaction unit in wired data communication with the power system controller, wherein N, M and K are integers and at least one of N and M is greater than K, wherein each power transaction unit is in independent wired communication with the electrical power bus; in electrical communication with the electrical power bus via a further power transaction unit at least one power load requiring a different power format from the predetermined electrical power format; and in electrical communication with the electrical power bus via a further power transaction unit a second power source producing power of a different power format from the predetermined electrical power format, wherein the power transaction units corresponding to the at least one power load and the second power source are in data communication with the power system controller.

31. The electrical power distribution and exchange system of claim 30, wherein: each power transaction unit of the rechargeable power source comprises a power transaction unit controller arranged to receive instructions from and provide data to the power system controller, and an internal bimodal near-field wireless link configurable by the power transaction unit controller for converting low voltage DC power of the cell stack to an output power signal having the predetermined power format of the electrical power bus and for converting power received via the electrical power bus from the predetermined power format to the low voltage DC power format for recharging the rechargeable power source; the power transaction unit corresponding to each of the at least one power load comprises a power transaction unit controller, the power transaction unit controller arranged to receive instructions from the power system controller and an internal bimodal near-field wireless link configurable by the power transaction unit controller for converting power of the predetermined formatextracted from the electrical power bus to an output power signal having a power format required by the load; and the power transaction unit corresponding to the second power source comprises a power transaction unit controller, the power transaction unit controller arranged to receive instructions from the power system controller and an internal bimodal near-field wireless link configurable by the power transaction unit controller for converting power of the format produced by the second power source to the predetermined format of the electrical power bus.

32. The electrical power distribution and exchange system of claim 30, wherein the predetermined power format is high voltage DC.

33. The electrical power distribution and exchange system of claim 30, wherein the at least one power load and the second power source are a single device sharing a single power transaction unit.

34. The electrical power distribution and exchange system of claim 33, wherein the single device is an electric motor / generator.

35. An electrical power distribution and exchange system comprising:A plurality of electrical power buses having different predetermined electrical power formats; and a rechargeable power source comprising a power system controller and an N x M parallel array of addressable rechargeable cell modules each comprising a series cell stack of K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells in series with a power transaction unit in wired data communication with the power system controller, wherein N, M and K are integers and at least one of N and M is greater than K, wherein each power transaction unit is in independent wired communication with one of the electrical power buses.

36. The electrical power distribution and exchange system of claim 35, wherein any one of the power transaction units may be switched by the power system controller to electrically disconnect the power transaction unit from a first of the plurality of power buses.

37. The electrical power distribution and exchange system of claim 36, wherein the any one of the power transaction units may be switched by the power system controller to electrically connect the power transaction unit to a second of the plurality of power buses; and wherein:the any one of the power transaction units is configured to change under the control of the power system controller an output power format of the any one of the power transaction units to a predetermined power format of the second of the plurality of power buses.

38. A method for supplying from a low voltage DC chemical cell stack comprising at least one series-connected rechargeable low voltage DC chemical cell an output power signal via at least one power exchange channel having a required power format including a required voltage and a required frequency, the method comprising: providing in series with the at least one rechargeable chemical cell a corresponding power transaction unit comprising an internal bidirectional bimodal wireless near-field power link and a power exchange channel switch, extracting from the cell stack two high frequency power signals having between them a phase difference, mixing in the bimodal wireless near-field power link the two high frequency power signals to obtain a transferred power signal; rectifying the transferred power signal; unfolding the transferred and rectified power signal to obtain the output power signal; and manipulating the phase difference to render the output power signal to the at least one power exchange channel in the required power format.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein manipulating the phase difference comprises adjusting the phase difference to a fixed value based on the required power format to render the output power signal as a DC voltage.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein manipulating the phase difference comprises modulating the phase difference at a frequency based on the required power format to render the output power signal as an AC power signal.

41. The method of claim 38 further comprising operating the power exchange channel switch to provide the output power signal to a selected one of the at least one power exchange channel.

42. A method for transferring power from a power source to a plurality of low voltage DC chemical cell stacks each comprising at least one series-connected rechargeable low voltage DCchemical cell disposed in series with a corresponding power transaction unit, the power transaction unit comprising an internal bidirectional bimodal wireless near-field power link and a power exchange channel switch, the method comprising: switching the internal bimodal wireless power link in each power transaction unit to a recharging state; obtaining from each power transaction unit information about a voltage, current and temperature of a corresponding cell stack; and operating the power exchange channel switch in each power transaction unit to connect or disconnect the corresponding cell stack to / from the power source based on the information about a voltage, current and temperature of the corresponding cell stack.

43. A method of recharging a rechargeable power source, wherein the rechargeable power source comprises a power system controller and an N x M parallel array of addressable rechargeable cell modules each comprising a series cell stack of K low voltage rechargeable DC chemical cells in series with a power transaction unit in wired data communication with the power system controller, wherein N, M and K are integers and at least one of N and M is greater than K, the method comprising: receiving in at least one of the power transaction units a recharging power signal from a second power source external to the rechargeable power source; extracting from the recharging power signal a single high frequency recharging power signal; splitting the single high frequency recharging power signal into two high frequency recharging power signals having between them a phase difference; and rectifying the two high frequency recharging power signals to obtain a low voltage DC recharging signal for recharging a low voltage DC chemical cell stack corresponding to the power transaction unit.

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