A battery signalling system is provided which can be used to monitor and/or control a battery (1) having a number of series connected battery cells (C.sub.i) . When used to monitor the battery cells, the battery signalling system can comprise a central battery monitoring system (3) for monitoring the industrial battery (1) as a whole, a number of cell monitoring devices (CM.sub.i) for monitoring one or more battery cells (C.sub.i) and a communication link (9) for connecting the cell monitoring devices (CM.sub.i) in series in a daisy chain configuration to the central battery monitoring system (3). In operation, the central battery monitoring system (3) can poll each of the cell monitoring devices (.sub.Cmi) in turn and analyze the data received from a polled cell monitoring device (CM.sub.i) to detect malfunctions and/or underperforming cells.
An electronic monitoring unit for an electrical energy storage system that comprises multiple series connected components, includes a corresponding number of measurement devices. Each measurement device is connected to one such component and measures at least one storage status indicator thereof. In one embodiment, the measurement devices are connected in series, and each successive measuring device evaluates the measurement value for its associated storage device relative to measurement data received from the previous measuring device, based on one of more prespecified evaluation criteria. Alternatively, the measurement devices are connected in parallel to a joint signal connection and transfer their measurement values in parallel through the joint signal connection, in a form suitable for the determination of minimum and maximum values.
A system that is usable with a stack of fuel cells that have cell terminals includes a circuit and scanning units. The circuit provides a selection signal that indicates selection of at least one of the fuel cells for a voltage measurement. The scanning units are coupled to the stack to establish different groups of the fuel cells. Each group is associated with a different one of the scanning units, and each scanning unit has a ground that is referenced to a different one of the cell terminals. Each scanning unit is adapted to, in response to the selection signal, measure and indicate a voltage of each selected fuel cell within the group of fuel cells associated with the scanning unit.
A battery signalling system is provided which can be used to monitor and/or control a battery (1) having a number of series connected battery cells (C.sub.i). When used to monitor the battery cells, the battery signalling system can comprise a central battery monitoring system (3) for monitoring the industrial battery (1) as a whole, a number of cell monitoring devices (CM.sub.i) for monitoring one or more battery cells (C.sub.i) and a communication link (9) for connecting the cell monitoring devices (CM.sub.i) in series in a daisy chain configuration to the central battery monitoring system (3). In operation, the central battery monitoring system (3) can poll each of the cell monitoring devices (C.sub.mi) in turn and analyze the data received from a polled cell monitoring device (CM.sub.i) to detect malfunctions and/or underperforming cells.
A battery-monitoring system in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes one or more cell sensors modules linked to a battery sensor module via a data interface. In turn, the one or more battery sensor modules may be linked to an alarm interface. Each cell sensor module includes one or more sensors that monitor physical parameters, such as cell voltage and temperature, related to the corresponding cell. Each battery sensor module monitors physical parameters, such as battery voltage, discharge current, and temperature related to the battery. The battery sensor module also gather cell monitoring information from the plurality of cell sensor modules. Various battery monitor-related analytical, control, and reporting functions may be performed by the various modules.
