CA2313527C - Lithium-polymer type battery and control system - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery control system for a solid electrolytic cell and metallic, such as a lithium-polymer battery, including temperature detectors for detect cell temperature in the cell, heating elements to heat the cells, a controller of heating elements receiving signals from detectors temperature and controlling the power supply supplied to the elements heating way maintaining each cell at a predetermined temperature, and a controller supply that detects a demand for battery power and adjusts the temperature predetermined in response to a power level to be provided by the battery or to the pile. The power controller adjusts at least one temperature of floating, a charging temperature and a supply temperature. The controller includes more a voltage detector that detects a voltage at each cell when they are active, and determines if one of the cells is likely to be damaged by use continued. The the battery is disconnected from the power plug following confirmation that cells could be damaged.

Description

LITHIUM-POLYMER TYPE BATTERY AND CONTROL SYSTEM
Field of the invention The present invention relates to a system for monitoring and controlling a solid cell comprising a polymer electrolyte and operating at high temperature controlled, such as a lithium-polymer battery. More particularly, the invention relates to an uninterrupted power supply battery controller ( "Uninterrupted Power Supply "or UPS).

Prior art In recent years, rechargeable batteries have become more and more used. In the medium and long term, it is an economical way to accumulate of electrical energy and its different applications are present in many fields of activity.

One of the applications in which rechargeable batteries are used is in the field of uninterrupted power supply (UPS), used in the computers and teleconununication equipment that need to be continually powered, even in case of power failure. A UPS system includes Battery rechargeable batteries that are in charging mode when the attack power of wire rack is available but supplies electricity to the equipment electronic devices that are plugged as soon as a power failure is detected.
Such UPS systems require battery controllers to improve their performance and their life span. A battery controller controls the loading batteries and monitors their discharge status. In some UPS systems, the charging battery temperature is managed to control the charge or the derivation of the stack. In conventional backup UPS systems for large computers or telecommunication equipment, lead-acid batteries are generally used as a means of storing energy.
New battery technologies have been developed in which storage capacity of energy, the density of storage of the energy as well as the feed / load ratio are improved by report traditional lead-acid batteries. For example, metal / hydride batteries metal

-2-are recognized as a great way to store energy, and of the commercial forms of such batteries, such as Ni-MH batteries, have success.
A promising new type of battery with good characteristics energy storage are lithium-polymer batteries. These batteries contain a solid electrolyte and store or release energy as a result of change of phase in the storage environment without producing steam. The density of energy (Wh / 1) and the specific energy (Wh / kg) of lithium-polymer batteries are very high compared to other types of batteries.
However, lithium polymer batteries operate at high temperatures and have power distribution and charge acceptance properties that dependent.
In addition, the open circuit voltage of lithium-polymer batteries varies greatly in according to its discharge, for example, the voltage of the battery may decrease by 10% to 30% (eg from 3.2V to 2.0V) when the cell is discharging from a full charge to one minimal charge. We can not use lithium-polymer batteries in applications requiring high reliability, such as that UPS systems that operate under conditions that can be very variables, ranging from stable indoor conditions to outdoor conditions extremely unstable in different climatic regions.

Summary of the invention An object of the invention is to provide a solid state battery controller, such that a lithium-polymer battery, capable of handling the operating needs of the stack of so that it can be installed and used reliably.
A first object of the invention is to provide a battery controller which keeps it at a proper temperature according to its mode operation.
A second object of the invention is to provide a battery controller which monitors the individual voltage of each cell and cuts off the current flow entering or coming out of the pile when the voltage of the cell indicates that the power supply continues battery can damage a cell permanently.

-3-A third object of the invention is to provide a battery controller for the state solid, such as a lithium-polymer battery, which monitors the temperature and levels current, so as to detect an overload and stop the power supply to current.
A fourth object of the invention is to provide a battery controller comprising telecommunication means for communicating battery performance evaluation data at a service center or user.
In this sense, an object of the present invention is to provide a controller of batteries for a network powering system ("Network Powering System" or NPS) to control and capture the status and operating conditions of batteries lithium-polymer or any other battery with similar temperature and currents.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for controlling the performance of a battery by adjusting its temperature according to the state of the stack and the task accomplished by the latter. The internal temperature of the batteries is adjusted by the battery controller, depending on its mode of operation and determines the specific temperatures depending on the type of application. In a mode of preferred embodiment of the invention, two specific temperatures are used, in this case 40 C and 60 C and the battery controller sets the temperature internal for it to be at one or other of these two temperatures depending on the fashion operating batteries.
Another object of the invention is to provide a control method to distance battery controllers on a network from a data acquisition station data, control and monitoring, such as a personal computer. various tasks can be made from this remote station including, possibly, the same tasks that a local administrator could carry out on the spot in order to change or adjust the controller settings.

In a preferred implementation of the invention, the battery system controlled is a set of nine cells connected in series, having a voltage maximum of 3.1 V / cell, thus distributing a maximum voltage of 28 V.
However, other sets of cells having a different number of internal cells, with some various voltages, can also be controlled by the present controller of Battery.

-4-According to the invention, there is a battery control system comprising a metal and solid electrolyte having several cells contained in a housing, comprising several temperature detectors capable of detecting the temperature cells, several heating elements capable of heating the cells, a controller of the heating elements receiving signals from the detectors of temperature and controlling the current supplying the heating elements so as to maintain each cell at a predetermined temperature, and a controller feeding for detect a demand for battery power and set temperatures predetermined in response to the power level and / or the amount of energy to feed the battery provided by the battery, the power controller establishing at least one temperature float, a charging temperature and a supply temperature.
Preferably, the heating elements comprise strips arranged between prismatic flat cells. More specifically, the elements Heated include plastic strips having at least one heating element under the form of a resistive printed circuit. Plastic strips are preferably made of KaptonTM. The temperature detectors are preferably located to the ends of the stack of cells and near the middle of this stack, and the heating elements are arranged between each cell alternately, the controller of heating elements controlling the power supply to the elements heating independently for the ends and the middle of the stack.
According to the invention, there is also a battery control system.
solid electrolyte having a number of cells connected in series and a connection for power supply comprising a voltage detector for detecting the voltage of each cell during use, means to interpret the voltage detected and to determine if a cell is likely to be damaged by use continuous, and means for disconnecting the battery from the power connection following a determination that one of the cells may be damaged.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will now be described using the embodiments following preferences that can be found in the drawings.

-5-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery according to one embodiment preferential of the invention;
Figure 2 is a block diagram of the control system of a battery according to a preferential embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the control system of a battery according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4 illustrates a heating element for insertion between cells a battery according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Figure 5 illustrates a general representation of the NPS system;
Figure 6 shows a diagram of the state of the battery controller, in which the arrows going from one state to another represent the conditions that must to be satisfied to change the operating state of the controller;
Figure 7 illustrates the relational diagram of the NPS controller;
Figure 8 illustrates a block diagram of the NPS controller;
Figure 9 shows a diagram showing the flow of information in the NPS controller;
Figure 10 illustrates the software block diagram of the present controller;
Figure 11 illustrates how a station for acquisition, control and remote monitoring can control multiple battery controllers in a network; and Figure 12 illustrates an example configuration in which the controllers batteries are used to control and monitor multiple batteries, and in which these controllers are monitored remotely by a monitoring station.

Detailed description of the nondeferential embodiments In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the battery is used in a chain of rechargeable batteries composing an NPS system to give a uninterrupted power supply (UPS) for electronic equipment or telecommunication. The NPS battery is equipped with a circuit board of control to monitor and monitor the status and operating conditions of the battery. This electronic controller and its method of use for controlling batteries represent one of the main objects of the invention. It should be noted that the battery and system of

-6-control of the battery according to the present invention are not limited to applications NPS or UPS.
The cell 15 contains lithium polymer cells having a known structure, in particular in several patent applications, patents and publications of the present applicant. The casing 17 of the battery, as illustrated in FIG.
Installation on site, and consists of a unit comprising an outer shell of plastic solid. The shell of the case is hermetically sealed to protect the battery lithium polymer air exposure. Two terminals 18,18 'exceed the casing 17 and provide a direct current (DC) of 25V. Alternatively, for applications NPS, it is possible to configure the battery 15 to provide 50 V (DC). Two taken 19 and 19 'of network cable connections are present in the housing 17 so of enable the connection of a communication interface of the battery 15 to chain with a communication network and other batteries.
Inside cell 15, several lithium polymer cells 22 are connected in series to establish the desired voltage level, for example, 9 cell having a voltage variant (depending on the state of charge) between 2.0 and 3.2 volts, can be connected in a series 20 to provide a nominal voltage of 24 V. The stack 15 may also comprise a single series 20, depending on the size of the each individual cell 22 and the characteristics of the current to be supplied and capacity storage requirements for the battery 15. Figure 2 illustrates a single series 20 of cells 22 included in the housing 17, however, two series 20 separated mechanically can be electrically connected in series to provide a higher supply voltage, or alternatively, two (or more) series or Mechanically separated stacks may have individual cells connected in parallel pairs (or n-tupled) to provide a larger energy storage while maintaining the same supply voltage.
Each cell 22 is formed of a flat roller or stack of battery films lithium-polymer. The construction of such cells is well known, and can also take the form of individual strips, cylindrical rollers, rolls rectangular flat, folded stacks, etc. The series of cells 22 is isolated to inside the housing 17 to prevent heat loss.

-7-As illustrated in Figure 3, the cells 22 are electrically connected set in series and arranged in the form of a chain creating a long stack.
In a preferred implementation, the series of cells 20 is compressed mechanically, as known in the field of lithium-polymer batteries, so of provide a minimum pressure of approximately 15 psi (100 kPa). Elements Heated 26 are inserted at regular intervals between the cells 22, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, to heat cells 22 to the desired operating temperature.
Temperature control is important in a lithium-polymer battery.
Conventional backup batteries do not require heating or cooling for their normal operation. Lithium-polymer batteries used in modes Preferred embodiments must operate at a temperature of 40 ° C
(regardless of the ambient temperature). The temperature must be high up to 60 C in order to release (or during charge accumulation, accepted) a higher power. Moreover, during the discharge of the battery, the temperature of the latter must be increased if the power failure lasts 30 minutes or more.
As schematically illustrated in Figure 2, 24, such as thermistors or any other type of temperature, detect the temperature of the battery in different places. The method of conversion of the resistors of the temperature detectors to the current value of temperature from a temperature detector circuit 32 is fine known. A
control of heating elements 34 analyzes the temperature and adjusts the cycle operation heating elements 26 to maintain the cells 22 at the temperature desired.
The heating elements 26 in the preferred setting are electric and in the form of resistive elements printed on a plastic film, for example of KaptonTM, (see Figure 4) and electrically isolated from the cells.
of the heating elements 26 are located at the top of the latter, and the detectors temperature 24 are placed near one of these terminals to detect the temperature Max. The heating elements 26, according to one embodiment preferential, are lightweight, take up little space, have good transfer properties thermal and not do not generate substances that could contaminate the inert air of the battery, especially when used at high temperature. Heating elements operate at a nominal voltage of the battery such that the elements 26 can to be

-8-used initially cold to warm the cells.
Heated 26 can be placed between each cell alternately or more sparse.
The advantage of using heating elements between the cells 22 is that the heat generated is transferred directly to the cell body 22. The compression Cell mechanics allows excellent thermal contact. It is important of provide heating that avoids the generation of hot spots, and who is able to heat the battery to the desired temperature quickly and effectively.
The heat loss of the rectangular prism formed of branched cells 22 in series is higher at the ends than in the middle of the stack. For this reason, it may be desirable to provide more heating elements to ends of the series 20 only in the center. In a preferred implementation, a control separated from temperature at each end and in the central section of the stack of cells is expected. The maximum temperature variation allowed between series 20 according to a preferred embodiment is t2 C. In an implementation preferential, there are six temperature detectors (representing the three areas) arranged to monitor the temperature of the series 20 at each end and In the center.
The number of temperature sensors is doubled to improve reliability.
The desired temperature is determined by a power controller 30.
Each mode has a predetermined temperature value. In the mode "sleep", the temperature control system is inactive, and this mode can to be considered a standby mode. In the stand-by mode, the rectifier voltage has been detected and a decision is made to transfer to "cold" after a brief period. In the "cold" mode, the battery control system uses the power of the rectifier to provide the controller of the heating element in order to heat the cell cells to 60 C. When this temperature is reached, the system becomes in "charging" mode in which the power switch closes and the battery is charged from the rectifier until the voltage be equal. Yes the rectifier fails during charging, the system goes into hot mode power failure ", and the battery is maintained at 60 C. If the rectifier is not missing before to have completed the charge, the system engages in "floating" mode. In this fashion, the temperature can drop to 40 C, and the battery is ready for power as soon as that the rectifier is missing. In such a case, the system enters power mode failure "and

-9 maintains the battery temperature at 40 C. At this temperature, the LPB can transmit 50% of its energy capacity. In a normal discharge according to a mode of bet in preferred embodiment, the battery 15 can last at least 30 minutes at 40 C. After minutes, the battery goes into "hot power failure" mode, in which the discharge is continues and the battery temperature is raised to 60 C. At this temperature, the battery, in the preferential embodiment, can provide all its energy capacity.
Maintain stack at a lower temperature at which all energy capacity is not available in the "floating" state prolongs the life of the battery. In increasing the battery temperature, as required when the failure is prolonged, a capacity complete energy and a long life battery are obtained.
The power supply mode controller detects the voltage at terminals 18, 18 ', same as the current supplied using the reading of a current detector 39. The controller 30 generates a temperature signal to the element controller heating 34 to set the temperature to the appropriate level according to the current mode. In a simplified temperature control scheme according to a mode of implementation preferential temperature is maintained at 40 C during the first 30 minutes of normal use of the booster system, and thereafter the temperature of the pile is 60 C to allow continuous feeding even if the battery is partially discharged. The controller 30 could alternatively elevate the battery temperature gradually as the energy of this last is issued. The control of the exchange between the modes "cold" and "stand-by "can also be determined by an operator using the interface 40.

The control system according to a preferred embodiment comprises several elements of security and operational monitoring. First place, the voltage of each cell 22 is measured using a bus 28 and a circuit 36 of monitoring and measuring the voltage of the cell. In the case of battery lithium-polymer, an individual cell can lose its power capacity to a certain moment during the discharge, and therefore its voltage may decrease more quickly. The individual cell voltage can be measured and compared on a absolute scale (ie the voltage in volts) or the measured voltage can be compared to that other cells. As soon as a voltage below an acceptable value is detected for a single cell 22, eg either 2.0V or a percentage of the voltage of the other

-10-cells, the circuit 36 disconnects the series of cells 20 by opening a relay 37. In stopping the continuous use of the series of cells 20, the Donunages at the individual cell 22 having a low voltage. However, a full recharge of the series followed by a distribution in the cells 20 will allow the cell to low voltage 22 to be useful for other cycles. The current distribution in the stack allows to obtain a charge (ie a voltage), identical for each of the cells.
To to achieve this goal, each cell has a special active charge mode for powering the bus 28 to individually charge each cell 22 until they reach a common voltage, eg 3.2V.

Second, the battery-powered current is monitored by a detector 39. An overcurrent, typically resulting from an external short circuit, is detected and a controller 38 opens a relay 35. If there is only one series 20 in the stack 15, the switches 37 and 35 will be the same switch. The controller 38 detects the voltage at the terminals 18, 18 ', and when the voltage returns to a value greater than zero, the switch 35 is closed and the power supply can resume. In this way, cycling of the power switch 35 is prevented.

Thirdly, the controller 34 of the heating element detects a condition excessive temperature, for example a temperature above 80 C, and disconnect the battery series 20 from the terminals 18, 18 'until the temperature drop at a value of 40 C. In addition to the electronic control of the heating elements to prevent excessive temperatures, a fuse thermal can be installed to disconnect power to heating elements when the battery temperature reaches 93 C. Thermal fuse Finds himself preferably at a place likely to be the hottest in the case.
The fuse thermal may include a NTE-8090 (manufacturer NTE Electronics). A
extreme overheating is dangerous because lithium could be liquefied (at 180 C) and become volatile if exposed to air.

The remote monitoring interface 40 collects the information relating to voltage, current, temperature and power supply to compile performance and operation. The interface 40 can be directly connected via a modem to a telephone line on the site of the equipment of telecommunication for the purpose of transmitting reports on the state of the electronic system.
Reports can be transmitted at regular intervals or at any time when problem is detected. Remote access of the interface 40 can also be realized, not only when reports are transmitted, but also on a request to distance, i.e., the interface 40 can provide information or accept a command transmitted via the telecommunication network. The network on which the interface 40 is connected can be a data network such as the intemet or a network switching by private package.

For an NPS, the decision to stop the power supply of the battery, in terms temperature or voltage of questionable cells but not harmful to the stack, can be taken either from a central decision station to distance of one telecommunication service provider or from an algorithm (functioning in the interface 40 or in one of the controllers of the stack 15) which takes into account of the state data (obtained by communication via the interface 40) from other Battery connected in parallel with the battery 15. If the battery 15 is not critical to the maintaining telecommunication equipment service, preferably a shutdown, although optional, should be done.

Operational concepts Figure 5 illustrates an NPS battery system connected between telecommunication and a grid power rectifier. The battery and the system of control are composed of the battery itself with a switch power (SWpower), a heater of a control switch of heater (SWheater), and three detectors to monitor the voltage and current of the switch and the temperature of the battery. For example, the stack may consist of 9 cell connected in series, to provide a maximum voltage of 28 volts / battery (VCe, js 3.1 volts).

In order to obtain the required performance and the conditions of implementation, the battery heater is used to maintain the internal temperature at particular temperatures that are desirable for performance best of the battery, such as 40 C (so-called "floating" temperature) or 60 C (temperature of charge) depending on how the battery is used. It should be noted that the temperatures used in this application are treated solely by way of example and do not must not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. other temperatures or Temperature ranges can be used as well. For example, a system using more than two different temperatures can be implemented according to the principle of the present invention.
As illustrated in the state diagram of Figure 6, when the battery is in service, the temperature of the latter is brought to 60 C to recharge it.
When the battery is fully charged, it enters floating mode and the temperature of the battery is lowered to 40 C. In case of failure, the battery is maintained at 40 C
during the first thirty minutes and then falls into "hot power failure" mode in which the temperature is raised to 60 C.

The battery remains in service as long as it is plugged in, otherwise it returns to stand-by mode. In addition, during a breakdown, the battery remains in service as long as the internal voltage of each cell is greater than 2 volts, the temperature is less than 80 C or the current is lower than that of a short circuit.
As soon as a cell reaches a voltage of 2 volts, the power and the switch heater are open and the battery returns to "stand-by" mode until that the food comes back to repeat the cycle.
Initially, the NPS software starts in "stand-by" mode and proceeds only with the following operational modes when connected. As illustrated in Figure 6, the transition from one state to another is governed by specific events and / or of the operational conditions.
The modes "short-circuit" and "overtemperature" are associated with a breakdown.
In "stand-by" and "cold" modes, battery power is cut off (SWpower is open) and in all other modes the battery power is lit.
(SWpower is closed).
The detection of overheating is simply obtained by monitoring the internal temperature of the battery and the short circuit by monitoring the state of the switch food. The power switch includes a detection circuit who automatically opens the switch when the current exceeds 50 amperes.
After the closing the power switch as soon as the software detects that the switch power supply was opened by the detection circuit, it enters directly in mode "Short-circuit.

In the stand-by mode, the NPS circuit waits to be put into service (connected) and the battery and switches of the heater are kept open. In this mode, the software monitors the voltage at the switch (Vswitch) and when reading from Vswitch is:
- negative, which means that the rectifier is connected to the battery and that the voltage of the battery is lower than the voltage of the rectifier, the software falls into "Cold";
- zero, which means that the battery is disconnected or the voltage of the rectifier is equal to the voltage of the battery; the software momentarily closes the device to check the voltage resulting from the switch. Yes Vswitch remains at zero, the rectifier is plugged into the battery and the software goes into "Cold".
Otherwise, the battery is autonomous and the software remains in "stand-by"mode;
- positive, which means that the battery is connected but no food externally is applied to the battery, the software remains in "stand-by" mode if the temperature is equal to or greater than 40 C, the battery engages in "power failure ".
In the "cold" or warming mode, the power of the battery remains open and the heater is turned on. The process of warming is used to bring the battery temperature to 60 C before of recharge. When exiting the "cold" mode, a check must be made in order to determine if a short circuit exists before attempting to close the switch battery power.

In "charging" mode, the power switch is closed and the temperature of the battery is kept at 60 C. The battery is recharged until the voltage reach the voltage of the rectifier (ie Vswitch = 0). When the battery is completely charged, the temperature of this back is adjusted to 40 C and the battery falls into mode "Floating".
When charging the battery:

- in case of failure, since the temperature is already 60 C, the software commits in "hot power failure"mode;

- if the battery is disconnected, it returns to "stand-by" mode.
In floating mode, the power switch is closed and the temperature of the battery is kept at 40 C. The battery remains in this mode until it is disconnected or there is a power failure, short circuit or overheated.

Controller software modules continually monitor the voltage and the current at the switch, and as soon as the current becomes greater than 0, that the pile has been disconnected, or there is a power failure. By closing the device heater, if the current drops to 0, the battery is disconnected and the software enters "stand-otherwise, if the current remains above 0, the software enters "power failure ".

In "power failure" mode, the power switch remains closed and the battery temperature is maintained at 40 C. The battery enters this mode as soon as that there is not more power of the rectifier. The battery remains in this mode for a period of time less than 30 minutes or until the rectifier supply is restored or the temperature reaches 80 C, or the battery is disconnected, or the voltage any single cell goes down to 2 volts or less. When the delay 30 minutes is reached, the battery temperature is raised to 60 C and the stack falls in "hot power failure" mode. When the power returns, the battery returns directly in "charging" mode. If the battery is disconnected or the voltage of the cell down to 2 volts or less, heaters and switches are open and the battery enters stand-by mode.
In the "hot power failure" mode, the power switch is maintained closed and the battery temperature is kept at 60 C. The software remains in this mode as long as the power has not come back, or the battery disconnected, or until the cell voltage reaches 2 volts, or overheating or A short-circuit is detected. When the power returns, the battery enters directly in mode "Charging".

In the "short-circuit" mode, the power switch is automatically opened by an overcurrent detection circuit and the device heating is off. The battery stays in this mode as long as the short circuit is not corrected. When this is the case, the battery returns to the "cold" mode.

Referring to Figure 5, illustrating an external short circuit to the stack, the reading the voltage at the switch is equal to the voltage of the battery. So much so long as the Voltage reading remains greater than zero, the software remains in "shorts When the voltage becomes zero, the software returns to "cold" mode.

If the temperature of the battery reaches 80 C, the latter enters mode "over temperature "and the power switch is open, the heating is off and the software enters "over temperature" mode. The battery remains in this mode as long as the temperature is above 40 C. When it reaches 40 C or less, it falls into "stand-by" mode.

Figure 7 illustrates a relational diagram of the NPS. NPS software is in interface with the battery switch, the voltage detectors of the cells and the heating system. It constitutes an interface for the operator allowing of control and control the operation of the battery and transmit the information on the battery monitoring.

The NPS battery system uses a serial interface to communicate with external devices. Using the prescribed commands, it is possible to request information or modify the functional parameters of the software.
The battery power switch (SWpower) is activated, open or closed, by the software except when a short circuit is present, resulting in a circuit electronics to take over the control of the software. When closed, a detection circuit (computer hardware) monitors the current going to through the switch, and automatically open the latter as soon as the current exceeds amps. The detection circuit also checks the state of the switch (on / off), the voltage and current. This state is a digital value, while the current and the voltage are analog values varying between 0 and 5 volts. These two signals are transmitted to an A / D converter for reading by the software.
The heater is used to adjust the internal temperature of the Operational level stack corresponding to the operating mode. In mode "stand-by ", the heater switch is in the off / on position to determine the presence of the rectifier or a load. In short circuit modes and "over temperature ", the heater is switched off, in the" cold "modes, "Floating"
and "power failure", the temperature is fixed at 40 C. In "charging" modes and "hot power failure ", the temperature is fixed at 60 C.

The NPS battery system consists of 9 cells connected in series. The voltage produced by each cell is transmitted to an analog multiplexer and from there, to an A / D converter. Which means that the software can measure the voltage of exit from each cell individually by choosing the appropriate route on the multiplexer and reading the results of the conversion obtained from the A / D converter.
The software continually monitors each cell and when the voltage a cell (no matter which one) reaches 2 volts, the power switch of the pile and the battery enter "stand-by" mode.

The NPS system can be based on a 68HC11F1 microcontroller Motorola. The microcontroller can be used in expanded mode and can use the following resources of 68HC 11 F 1:

- 24 I / O units including an 8-bit data and 16-bit bus addresses (64K of address space);
- 512 bits of read only memory (EEPROM);
- 1024 bits of random access memory (RAM);

- Asynchronous serial communication interface (SCI) (full duplex, NRZ);
- Synchronous serial peripheral interface (SPI); and - 14 I / O units.

As shown in line 8, the following resources can be added at 68HC11F1 for the NPS battery system:
- 32 Kbits of random access memory (RAM);
- 16 multiplexers with 16 channels;
- 16-bit A / D converter;
- full duplex interface adaptive circuit and current loop;
- battery switching circuit;
- resistance temperature detection circuit (RTD).

Oneration System Services and Hardware Resources NPS software is not dependent on any operational system. He uses interrupt events to move from one task to another. Both sources of events are SCI communication and interruptions of the clock in time real.

NPS software uses a real-time clock as a programmer to tasks to monitor battery settings and supervision modes.

The 68HC 11 boot mode is used to download a program into the 68HC 11 1 Kbits internal RAM. When the download process is completed 68HC 11 will automatically start running this program.
For the NPS system, this mode is used to download a utility for load this application in a nonvolatile static RAM memory of 32 Kbits. AT
this indeed, the bootstrap software initializes the communication controller and establish the configuration of 68HC 11 I / O units depending on conditions appropriate.
After the initialization process has been completed, the utility of downloading establishes the ICS in receive mode and waits for the application to download the files.
The file download format must be in Motorola S 1 code.
After the application has been downloaded to memory, the boot mode is removed and the whole thing is reset to start the application.
The extended mode is used to implement the software of application NPS. This mode provides a 16-bit non-multiplexed address bus and a bus.
8-bit data. In addition, the software requires the use of:
- D-bit port 4,3,2 for SPI synchronous transmission;
- D-bit port 2-1 for SCI communication;
- Real time timer;
- "Program chip select" (PG 7); and - Input-output units (PG 5-0 and PA).
Description of the dependencies Figure 9 illustrates a flow chart of data in NPS software components.

The cell voltage reading function uses a multiplexer analog to choose a given cell and a 12-bit A / D converter to to obtain a voltage reading. On request, this function reads 10 volts a cell and sends the results to an SCI interface. Moreover, if reading voltage cell (no matter which one) is less than or equal to 2 volts, a alarm is triggered to signal a failure.

The interrupt circuit provides status information (on / off), voltage and the flow. This status is obtained by reading the PA-2 input port and voltage of the switch, and the voltage of the switch and the current are obtained by conversion 12 bits A / D on the channels 10 and 11 respectively of the multiplexer.
The heating control function is used to maintain the battery temperature to a desired level. He receives the temperature predetermined minus a dead zone value. As soon as the temperature is lower or equal to the predetermined temperature minus the value of the dead zone, the heater is on. On the other hand, if the temperature is greater than or equal to temperature predetermined value plus the value of the dead zone, the heater is off.
The control function of the heating device gives a reading of temperature from a 12-bit A / D conversion on channel 12 of the multiplexer.
The temperature signal is generated by a temperature detection circuit of resistance (RTD) which provides a voltage reading proportional to the level of the temperature. The function of environmental control monitors the parameters of the battery and determines the operational mode of the battery according to the reading of current and voltage of the power switch. It also monitors the overheating and short circuits, and controls the power and device switches of heating in this sense.

The operator interface function provides a series of commands for control and questions to change the operation parameters or to check monitoring information. The reset function of the switch is used so check the battery power switch. When enabled, this bed function information from the power switch detection circuit in order to to confirm the state of the switch with the command sent.

Battery Controller Software Modules Several software modules perform various tasks on the map of the battery controller. For example, some of these modules are described in the following paragraphs.

With the logic 1 on the MODA and MODB input tabs of the 68HC 11, the micro-controller automatically starts in expanded mode. Which means that the input-output devices B, F and C are configured as an address bus 16 bits and buses 8-bit data and all other input devices-exit are configured as input devices.

This function initializes the output tabs on devices A and G and determines their respective value according to:

PA 7-4 Multiplexer Channel Selector 0 PG 3-2 Switch OFF Control (1-0) supply The battery controller acquisition system is based on a converter External 12-bit A / D having a 16-channel analog multiplexer. The converter External A / D uses a synchronous interface, compatible with the protocol of Motorola SPI communication, to receive and transmit data.
The cells in the stack are connected to the first 10 of the 16 channels of the analog multiplexer MAX306 and the output of the latter is sent to a A / D converter (LTC1286) to convert the signal. Cells 1 to 9 are connected to channels 0 to 8. Channel selection is carried out via the port of PA-4 output at PA-7. When a channel is chosen, a delay of at least 5 ms must be present for that the corresponding signal stabilizes before the A / D conversion.

The voltage and current signals, for the relative voltage of the switch supply and the drained current, are also transmitted to the multiplexer analogue for conversion by the A / D converter (LTC1286). The voltage of the switch is obtained on channel 11 and the power supply current on track 11.
The voltage of the switch and the current function selects each channel for converting and records the results of the A / D converter in two variables.
The temperature is obtained by the RTD detector located inside the battery. The RTD value is converted to a voltage equivalent and transmitted to the way 12 analogue of the multiplexer. The temperature is obtained by converting the signal RTD with A / D converter (LTC1286). The temperature reading is returned as is (without conversion) to the calling routine.

The operator interface function processes messages received on the channel of communication and returns an analysis request.

The planner is connected to the 68HC11 real-time timer. The scheduler checks the stack parameters and configures the software in The mode appropriate state of play as shown in Figure 6. With a crystal 8 MHz, the real-time timer is set to generate a interruption (timer reference) every 32.77 ms, which means that the planner is implemented at a speed of approximately 30 Hz. Whenever the planner is implemented, it increases the number of references from the timer to the delay longed for.
When the delay is reached, the corresponding function (or task) is set implemented and the count is reset to restart the process.

Access and remote control of the battery controller The aforementioned battery controller can be contacted via a network such as the internet, so that it can be controlled remotely from a computer. The Figure 7 illustrates a general representation of several stack controllers that are accessed and controlled from an acquisition, control and monitoring station of data remote.

Different protocols such as TCP / IP or UDP can be used to remote access to battery controllers over a network. Communication established between the control station and the battery controllers allows the transfer of data from secure way by using encryption and password protection past. The unit UPS control can also provide data records for transfer FTP, when required by the user. Other communication sites can also be used to remotely access controller controllers battery. In using the internet or any other wide area network, acquisition systems of data, Control and monitoring can be located anywhere.
The global NPS system, as shown in Figure 12, includes a controller communication network establishing a remote communication link with a node, the current limiter of the NPS that provides the monitoring functions for a series of 2 batteries, and the NPS battery controller that provides monitoring and Control required on each stack.

The remote monitoring station of the NPS must obtain the log of station recorded by the NPS communication controller and provide the functions of monitoring to display the histogram and current status of the NPS system.
It should be noted that Figure 12 provides only one example of a NPS system configuration. The number of stack controllers as well as the number and type of current limiters of the NPS may vary from one application to the other, depending on the output voltage of the batteries.

An NPS portable station can be used with a NPS administrator battery controller to locally monitor the status of an NPS system and to provide the functionality required in the service of NPS system components. In particular, he must be used for:
- update the software;
- modify the operation parameters;
- download the NPS system station log contained in the controller of NPS communication.

Eventually, both stations (ie portable and remote) can be configured to perform the same tasks.

A local station is required to serve the communication server local area on the battery controller site, as shown in Figure 12.
controller of UPS communication is used as an interface between the battery controller and the remote control and monitoring acquisition station. His task is of transmit and receive data on the communication network (internet Or other) to and from the remote station. For example, without however restrict, the UPS communication controller can have the following characteristics:
- use of Windows 95 / NT;

- have a 78 kbits Lonworks FTT-10 communication interface;
- provide a Lontalk file transfer service; and - have a very large disk space to allow recording chronological data and programs.
Although the present invention is described with reference to modes of preferential realization, it is understood that the present description does not refers only to preferential embodiments and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention which includes different implementations such as defined in the claims below.

Claims (9)

1. A battery control system for a metal electrolytic cell and solid comprising cells disposed in a housing, the system comprising:

- temperature detectors capable of detecting the temperature of the cells;
heating elements capable of heating the cells;

a heating element controller receiving signals from the detectors of temperature, and which controls a current supplied to the heating elements of way to maintain each cell at a predetermined temperature; and a power controller capable of detecting a power demand of the from the stack and which adjusts the predetermined temperature in response to a power level and / or energy to be supplied to the cell or supplied from the cell, the power controller to adjust at least one float temperature, a temperature load and a supply temperature. 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the heating elements include heating strips arranged between the prismatic flat cells. 3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the heating elements include plastic strips having at least one heating element in the form of a circuit resistive print. 4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the strips of plastic are in Kapton.TM .. 5. A system according to claim 2, wherein the stack comprises a stack of prismatic flat cells, the temperature sensors being located at ends of stacking and close to the center of the stack, and the heating elements being arranged between each cell alternately, the heating controller controlling feeding of current to the heating elements independently for the ends and the center of stacking. A system according to claim 3, wherein the stack comprises a stack of prismatic flat cells, the temperature sensors being located at ends of stacking and close to the center of the stack, and the heating elements are arranged between each cell alternately, the heating controller controlling feeding of current to the heating elements independently for the ends and the center of stacking. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

- A voltage detection circuit detecting at least one voltage of the battery to the power connection;

- A battery performance evaluation circuit that interprets the signals of voltage detector and generates evaluation signals; and - a telecommunications circuit transmitting the evaluation signals to a network. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a current detector which detects a current supplied by the cells when are active;

means for interpreting the current to determine whether a condition of overcurrent current exists; and means for disconnecting the battery from the power supply following a overcurrent condition and to automatically reconnect the pile when the Overcurrent condition ceases. 9. A system according to claims 1 to 8, wherein the battery is a battery lithium-polymer.