Battery management system

Abstract

A battery management system for use in charging a rechargeable battery is disclosed. The battery management system comprises a controller and a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to provide a temperature signal based on a temperature of the rechargeable battery, and wherein the controller is configured to control a charging current for charging the rechargeable battery based on the temperature signal. In response to the temperature signal indicating that the temperature exceeds a first threshold temperature signal value the charging current is tapered down as a function of increasing temperature.

1 .- 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A battery management system for an electric or hybrid vehicle, wherein the battery management system comprises:
 a controller configured to communicate with a vehicle drive; and   a charging detector for detecting whether a battery is being charged;   wherein the controller is configured to send a signal to inhibit operation of the vehicle drive in response to the charging detector detecting that the battery is being charged.   
     
     
         46 . The battery management system of  claim 45  wherein the controller is configured to communicate over a network, and wherein in response to an instruction received over the network, the controller is configured to send a signal to the vehicle drive overriding the signal to inhibit operation of the vehicle drive. 
     
     
         47 . The battery management system of  claim 45  wherein the controller is configured to inhibit operation of the vehicle drive by sending a repeating charging advert to the vehicle drive over the network. 
     
     
         48 . The battery management system of  claim 47  comprising a charge indicator configured to provide an indication of the level of charge of the battery, wherein:
 in response to the charge indicator indicating that the level of charge is below a charge threshold, the controller is configured to send a charging advert over the network; and 
 in response to the charge indicator indicating that the level of charge is above a charge threshold, the controller no longer sends a charging advert over the network. 
 
     
     
         49 . The battery management system of  claim 48 , wherein the charge indicator comprises a voltage sensor, and wherein the charge threshold is for example 3.6V. 
     
     
         50 . The battery management system of  claim 46 , wherein the controller is configured to send a repeating current request message to a charging point over the network, and in response to the controller receiving a response to the current request message, send the signal to inhibit operation of the vehicle drive. 
     
     
         51 . The battery management system of  claim 50  wherein the controller is configured to repeatedly poll the network for a response to the broadcasted current request in a time interval following the broadcasted current request. 
     
     
         52 . The battery management system of  claim 45  wherein the charging detector comprises a current sensor. 
     
     
         53 . The battery management system of  claim 45  wherein the battery management system comprises a voltage sensor for measuring a voltage of the battery, and wherein the controller is configured to disconnect the charging current to the battery in response to the measured battery voltage exceeding a voltage threshold value, wherein the threshold is larger than a nominal operating voltage range of the battery. 
     
     
         54 .- 75 . (canceled)