Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
[39 of 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10; Rule 13)

AN UNIQUE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING REDUNDANT PROTECTIONS IN A BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

ULTRAVIOLETTE AUTOMOTIVE PRIVATE LIMITED
529-530, Intermediate Ring Road, Amarjyoti Layout, Domlur,
Bangalore – 560071, Karnataka, India
An Indian Company

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to battery and particularly to a method for implementing redundant protections in a battery management system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A battery pack consists of a number of battery cells; each with positive and negative terminal, as well as a number of interconnects. Each of these battery cells convert the chemical energy of the substances it stores into electrical energy. Lithium-ion batteries are one of the most widely used batteries, and they play a significant role in the battery industry. When the battery is charging, the positive lithium-cobalt oxide electrode releases part of its lithium ions, which flow through the electrolyte to the negative graphite electrode and remain there. During this process, the battery absorbs and stores energy. When not in use, it has a high open circuit voltage, a low self-discharge rate, no memory effect, and a slow loss of charge.

A general understanding of the construction of a Battery Management System (BMS) will enable a better understanding of the current invention. BMS is designed to monitor the parameters connected with the battery pack and its individual cells, then use the data collected to reduce safety problems and ensure battery performance. BMS manages battery optimization via cell balance, which increases the battery's long-term life. The BMS can also monitor the voltage, temperature parameters, coolant flow, state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH), of the battery pack. Most electric automobiles are powered by lithium-ion batteries with a high charge density. These battery packs, despite their small size, can be quite unstable. As a result, these batteries should never be overcharged or allowed to reach a deep discharge state. Thermal runaway arises when the current running through the battery during charging or overcharging causes the temperature of the cell to rise. Issues like these can shorten the battery's life or reduce its capacity and lead to hazardous conditions such as smoke, overheating, short circuit, fire etc. to the vehicle. Thus, BMS monitors its voltage and current to ensure this does not happen.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY INVENTION
The existing BMS systems provide protection through the primary circuit when a fault is detected. But, in case the primary circuit fails or does not get activated upon the fault being detected, it could lead to an extreme safety concern. The BMS systems currently are heavily dependent on the primary circuit only and there are no additional safety measures to make the BMS more robust. Hence, it is a primary objective of the current invention to solve the problem of limited level of protection provided and add an additional layer of safety to the BMS.

Moreover, it is yet another objective of the current invention to avoid replacing of the battery packs frequently, thus making the battery packs cost effective.

The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein and which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Various embodiments herein describe a system and method for implementing redundant protections in a battery management system (BMS). According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system for implementing redundant protections in a battery management system (BMS) is disclosed. A plurality of sensors detect value of one of a plurality of parameters associated with the functioning of a battery. A sensor signal conditioner amplifies the detected value to a conditioned value that is compatible with the BMS. A comparator compares the conditioned value with a first predetermined range of threshold value of the plurality of parameters. A controller activates a primary circuit upon comparing where the conditioned value is greater than or less than the first predetermined range of threshold value. The redundant protections are activated upon failure of activation of the primary circuit in a predetermined period of time or if the conditioned value is greater than or less than a second predetermined range of threshold value. Further, an actuator deactivates a plurality of switches upon activation of the redundant protections.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for implementing redundant protections in a battery management system (BMS) is disclosed. At first step, the method involves detecting value of one of a plurality of parameters associated with the functioning of a battery by a plurality of sensors. The method further involves amplifying the detected value to a conditioned value that is compatible with the BMS by a sensor signal conditioner. At second step, the method involves comparing the conditioned value with a first predetermined range of threshold value of the plurality of parameters by a comparator. At third step, the method involves activating a primary circuit upon comparing where the conditioned value is greater than or less than the first predetermined range of threshold value by a controller. At next steps, the method involves activating the redundant protections upon failure of activation of the primary circuit in a predetermined period of time or if the conditioned value is greater than or less than a second predetermined range of threshold value. At last step, deactivating a plurality of switches upon activation of the redundant protections by an actuator.

As per first embodiment of the current invention, the plurality of parameters associated with the functioning of the battery comprises of temperature, current and voltage.

As per second embodiment of the current invention, the plurality of sensors comprises of temperature sensors and current sensors.

As per third embodiment of the current invention, the plurality of switches comprises of MOSFETs, contactors, relays, solid state switches.

As per fourth embodiment of the current invention, the actuator comprises of MOSFET gate drivers, contactor drivers, relay drivers.

As per fifth embodiment of the current invention, the primary circuit is a digital circuit.

As per sixth embodiment of the current invention, the redundant protections is an analog circuit.

As per seventh embodiment of the current invention, the controller is a micro-controller, microprocessor, SOC (system on chip), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device).

The foregoing has outlined, in general, the various aspects of the invention and serves as an aid to better understanding the more complete detailed description which is to follow. In reference to such, there is to be a clear understanding that the present invention is not limited to the method or application of use described and illustrated herein. It is intended that any other advantages and objects of the present invention that become apparent or obvious from the detailed description or illustrations contained herein are within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled-in-the-art from the following description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating implementation of redundant protections in a battery management system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating implementation of redundant protections in a battery management system, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Further, those skilled-in-the-art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an unique system and method for implementing redundant protections in a battery management system. In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled-in-the-art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

The specification may refer to “an”, “one” or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations. This does not necessarily imply that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of the associated listed items.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

According to Figure 1, a system for implementing redundant protections (106) in a battery management system (BMS) (101) is disclosed. A plurality of sensors (102) detect value of one of a plurality of parameters associated with the functioning of a battery. A sensor signal conditioner (103) amplifies the detected value to a conditioned value that is compatible with the BMS (101). A comparator (104) compares the conditioned value with a first predetermined range of threshold value of the plurality of parameters. A controller (107) activates a primary circuit (105) upon comparing where the conditioned value is greater than or less than the first predetermined range of threshold value. The redundant protections (106) are activated upon failure of activation of the primary circuit (105) in a predetermined period of time or if the conditioned value is greater than or less than a second predetermined range of threshold value. Further, an actuator (109) deactivates a plurality of switches (108) upon activation of the redundant protections (106).

According to Figure 2, a method for implementing redundant protections (106) in a battery management system (BMS) (101) is disclosed. At first step (201), the method involves detecting value of one of a plurality of parameters associated with the functioning of a battery by a plurality of sensors (102). The method further involves amplifying the detected value to a conditioned value that is compatible with the BMS (101) by a sensor signal conditioner (103). At second step (202), the method involves comparing the conditioned value with a first predetermined range of threshold value of the plurality of parameters by a comparator (104). At third step (203), the method involves activating a primary circuit (105) upon comparing where the conditioned value is greater than or less than the first predetermined range of threshold value by a controller (107). At steps (204) and (205), the method involves activating the redundant protections (106) upon failure of activation of the primary circuit (105) in a predetermined period of time or if the conditioned value is greater than or less than a second predetermined range of threshold value. At last step (206), deactivating a plurality of switches (108) upon activation of the redundant protections by an actuator (109).

As per first embodiment of the current invention, the plurality of parameters associated with the functioning of the battery comprises of temperature, current and voltage.

As per second embodiment of the current invention, the plurality of sensors (102) comprises of temperature sensors and current sensors.

As per third embodiment of the current invention, the plurality of switches (108) comprises of MOSFETs, contactors, relays, solid state switches.

As per fourth embodiment of the current invention, the actuator (109) comprises of MOSFET gate drivers, contactor drivers, relay drivers.

As per fifth embodiment of the current invention, the primary circuit (105) is a digital circuit.

As per sixth embodiment of the current invention, the redundant protections (106) is an analog circuit.

As per seventh embodiment of the current invention, the controller (107) is a micro-controller, microprocessor, SOC (system on chip), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device).

FURTHER ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The current invention solves the problem of limited level of protection by providing an additional layer of safety to the BMS (101). In case the primary circuit (105) fails or does not get activated upon the fault being detected, the redundant protections (106) get activated as a backup system thus providing better safety.

The current invention helps to avoid replacing of the battery packs frequently, thus making the battery packs cost effective.

Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the invention with modifications. However, all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the claims. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the embodiments described herein and all the statements of the scope of the embodiments which as a matter of language might be said to fall there between.

REFERENCE TABLE

S.No. Name Numbering
1. a battery management system (BMS) 101

2. a plurality of sensors 102
3. a sensor signal conditioner 103
4. a comparator 104
5. a primary circuit 105
6. redundant protections 106
7. a controller 107
8. a plurality of switches 108
9. an actuator 109
, Claims:CLAIMS:
We claim

1. A method for implementing redundant protections (106) in a battery management system (BMS) (101), the method comprising of:
detecting value of one of a plurality of parameters associated with the functioning of a battery by a plurality of sensors (102);
amplifying the detected value to a conditioned value that is compatible with the BMS (101) by a sensor signal conditioner (103);
comparing the conditioned value with a first predetermined range of threshold value of the plurality of parameters by a comparator (104);
activating a primary circuit (105) upon comparing where the conditioned value is greater than or less than the first predetermined range of threshold value by a controller (107),
characterized in that,
activating the redundant protections (106) upon failure of activation of the primary circuit (105) in a predetermined period of time or if the conditioned value is greater than or less than a second predetermined range of threshold value;
deactivating a plurality of switches (108) upon activation of the redundant protections by an actuator (109).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameters associated with the functioning of the battery comprises of temperature, current and voltage.

3. A system for implementing redundant protections (106) in a battery management system (BMS) (101), the system comprising of:
a plurality of sensors (102) detect value of one of a plurality of parameters associated with the functioning of a battery;
a sensor signal conditioner (103) amplifies the detected value to a conditioned value that is compatible with the BMS (101);
a comparator (104) compares the conditioned value with a first predetermined range of threshold value of the plurality of parameters;
a controller (107) activates a primary circuit (105) upon comparing where the conditioned value is greater than or less than the first predetermined range of threshold value,
characterized in that,
the redundant protections (106) are activated upon failure of activation of the primary circuit (105) in a predetermined period of time or if the conditioned value is greater than or less than a second predetermined range of threshold value;
an actuator (109) deactivates a plurality of switches (108) upon activation of the redundant protections (106).

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors (102) comprises of temperature sensors and current sensors.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of switches (108) comprises of MOSFETs, contactors, relays, solid state switches.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator (109) comprises of MOSFET gate drivers, contactor drivers, relay drivers.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary circuit (105) is a digital circuit.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the redundant protections (106) is an analog circuit.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (107) is a micro-controller, microprocessor, SOC (system on chip), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device).