US 12,244,162 B2
Simplified switching for state of charge balancing of battery strings and modules
Jun-mo Kang, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Charles W. Wampler, II, Birmingham, MI (US); and Dave G. Rich, Sterling Heights, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Jan. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/575,797.
Prior Publication US 2023/0231391 A1, Jul. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. H02J 7/00 (2006.01); H01M 10/42 (2006.01); H01M 50/269 (2021.01)
CPC H02J 7/0019 (2013.01) [H01M 10/425 (2013.01); H01M 50/269 (2021.01); H02J 7/0048 (2020.01); H01M 2010/4271 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A battery system comprising:
a first positive terminal, a second positive terminal, and a negative terminal;
switches;
at least two battery modules, wherein each of the at least two battery modules includes three strings of battery cells that are configured to, at different times be:
connected in series and to the first positive terminal via first ones of the switches;
connected in parallel and to the second positive terminal via second ones of the switches; and
disconnected from both of the first and second positive terminals; and
a switch control module configured to:
determine state of charges (SOCs) of the strings of battery cells, respectively;
determine, using model predictive control based on the SOCs, periods of phases, respectively;
determine, using model predictive control based on the SOCs, periods for the strings, respectively, to be connected to the second positive terminal and the negative terminal during the phases, the determination of the periods for the strings including:
setting the period for one of the strings of one of the battery modules to end before the end of a phase; and
setting the periods for the other two strings of the one of the battery modules to end at the end of the phase; and
selectively actuate the switches based on the periods of the phases and the periods for the strings of battery cells,
wherein the switch control module is configured to, using model predictive control, set a first period of a first one of the phases to one of (a) greater than and (b) less than a second period of a second one of the phases.