An apparatus and method for mitigating the abrupt release of energy due to a short circuit or other fault external to battery modules in a battery pack is disclosed. The battery pack comprises a plurality of series-connected battery modules. Each battery module includes a plurality of weakened fusible links (56a), which connect an associated plurality of parallel-connected cells (5) to a first or second busbar (46a, 46b), and a plurality of non-weakened fusible links (56), which connect an associated plurality of parallel-connected cells (5) to a third or fourth busbar (46a, 46b). In the event of a fault the shortened arcing time across the weakened fusible links prevents catastrophic damage to the battery. A photodetector detects the presence of an arc across the weakened fusible links, and an electronic load control unit closes a bypass switch to bypass the battery module if an arc is detected.
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ARC DETECTION, FAULT ISOLATION, AND BATTERY SYSTEM RECONFIGURATION
VORRICHTUNG UND VERFAHREN ZUR LICHTBOGENDETEKTION, FEHLERISOLIERUNG UND BATTERIESYSTEMREKONFIGURATION
APPAREIL ET PROCÉDÉS DE DÉTECTION D'ARC, D'ISOLATION DE DÉFAUT ET DE RECONFIGURATION DE SYSTÈME DE BATTERIE
2023-03-29
Patent
Electronic Resource
English