Electronic battery module (EBM) with bidirectional DC-DC converter

Abstract

A telecommunication switching station includes telecommunication equipment, a DC power supply having an output connected to the telecommunication equipment, and a plurality of rechargeable DC power supplies connected in parallel with the output of the DC power supply. Each DC power supply includes a pair of power supply terminals, a rechargeable battery, and a bidirectional DC-DC converter module connected between the rechargeable battery and the pair of power supply terminals. The DC power supply provides power to the telecommunication equipment and recharges the plurality of rechargeable DC power supplies. The plurality of rechargeable DC power supplies serve as a back-up for the DC power supply.

1 . A telecommunication switching station, comprising: 
 telecommunication equipment;    a DC power supply having an output connected to said telecommunication equipment; and    a plurality of rechargeable DC power supplies connected in parallel with said output of said DC power supply, each including:    a pair of power supply terminals;    a rechargeable battery; and    a bidirectional DC-DC converter module connected between said rechargeable battery and said pair of power supply terminals, wherein said DC power supply provides power to said telecommunication equipment and recharges said plurality of rechargeable DC power supplies and said plurality of rechargeable DC power supplies serve as a back-up for said DC power supply.    
     
     
         2 . The telecommunication switching station of  claim 1  wherein each of said rechargeable DC power supplies further includes: 
 a control module that communicates an enable signal to a respective one of said bidirectional DC-DC converter modules, wherein said respective bidirectional DC-DC converter module selectively creates an open circuit condition between said pair of power supply terminals in accordance with said enable signal.    
     
     
         3 . The telecommunication switching station of  claim 2  wherein each of said rechargeable DC power supplies further includes: 
 a data communication port in communication with a respective one of said control modules.    
     
     
         4 . The telecommunication switching station of  claim 2  wherein each of said rechargeable DC power supplies further includes: 
 a battery temperature sensor positioned in proximity of a respective one of said rechargeable batteries and providing a battery temperature signal to a respective one of said control modules.    
     
     
         5 . The telecommunication switching station of  claim 4  wherein each said battery temperature sensor is positioned inside of said respective one of said rechargeable batteries.  
     
     
         6 . The telecommunication switching station of  claim 2  wherein each of said rechargeable DC power supplies further includes: 
 a current sensor providing a signal to a respective one of said control modules and being connected between a respective one of said rechargeable batteries and a respective one of said bidirectional DC-DC converter modules.    
     
     
         7 . The telecommunication switching station of  claim 6  wherein said signal is indicative of a magnitude and direction of current flow through said respective one of said rechargeable batteries.  
     
     
         8 . The telecommunication switching station of  claim 1  wherein each of said rechargeable DC power supplies further includes: 
 a switch having a control input and being connected between a respective one of said rechargeable batteries and a respective one of said bidirectional DC-DC converter modules and wherein said switch opens and closes in response to said control input.    
     
     
         9 . The telecommunication switching station of  claim 1  wherein each of said control modules further communicates a desired output voltage signal to said respective one of said bidirectional DC-DC converter modules and wherein said respective one of said bidirectional DC-DC converter modules regulates a load voltage across a respective one of said pair of power supply terminals in accordance with said desired output voltage signal.  
     
     
         10 . A rechargeable DC power supply, comprising: 
 a housing including an interior, an exterior, and an integral heat sink including a heat absorbing surface formed in said interior and a heat dissipating surface formed in said exterior;    a rechargeable battery having battery terminals positioned in said interior;    power supply terminals positioned at said exterior of said housing; and    a first printed circuit board (PCB) assembly including a bidirectional DC-DC converter module connected between said battery terminals and said power supply terminals, said first PCB assembly being in coplanar contact with said heat absorbing surface.    
     
     
         11 . The rechargeable DC power supply of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 a battery tray connected to said housing and containing said rechargeable battery.    
     
     
         12 . The rechargeable DC power supply of  claim 10 , wherein said rechargeable battery comprises a plurality of rechargeable cells having cell terminals, further comprising: 
 a second PCB assembly positioned on said cell terminals and having PCB traces connecting said cell terminals to form said battery terminals.    
     
     
         13 . The rechargeable DC power supply of  claim 10  wherein said housing nests on said rechargeable battery.  
     
     
         14 . The rechargeable DC power supply of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 a battery temperature sensor positioned in proximity of said rechargeable battery and connected said second PCB assembly.    
     
     
         15 . The rechargeable DC power supply of  claim 14  wherein said battery temperature sensor is located inside of said battery.  
     
     
         16 . The rechargeable DC power supply of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 a control module positioned in said interior of said housing and having a data communication port; and    a connector in communication with said data communication port and accessible from said exterior of said housing.    
     
     
         17 . A rechargeable DC power supply system for providing power to a DC load, comprising: 
 a plurality of rechargeable DC power supplies, each including:    a rechargeable battery;    a pair of power supply terminals;    a bidirectional DC-DC converter module connected between said rechargeable battery and said power supply terminals; and    a controller module receiving at least one signal indicative of a condition of said rechargeable battery and communicating an enable signal to said corresponding bidirectional DC-DC converter module in accordance with said condition; and    parallel connections between said power supply terminals of said plurality of rechargeable DC power supplies and said load, wherein one of said enable signals causes a respective one of said corresponding rechargeable DC power supplies to electrically connect and disconnect from said load.    
     
     
         18 . The rechargeable DC power supply system of  claim 17  wherein each of said rechargeable DC power supplies further includes a data communication port that communicates data indicative of said condition.