U.S. patent application number 17/026709 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-24 for system and method of utilizing a rechargeable battery with an information handling system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dell Products L.P.. Invention is credited to Deeder M. Aurongzeb, Karunakar Palicherla Reddy, Richard Christopher Thompson.
Application Number | 20220093980 17/026709 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220093980 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reddy; Karunakar Palicherla ;
et al. |
March 24, 2022 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD OF UTILIZING A RECHARGEABLE BATTERY WITH AN
INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEM
Abstract
In one or more embodiments, one or more systems, one or more
methods, and/or one or more processes may determine first multiple
impedance values of respective multiple resistors associated with a
barrier of an enclosure of a cell of a rechargeable battery that
includes multiple cells; determine second multiple impedance values
of the respective multiple resistors; determine multiple impedance
value changes of the respective multiple resistors based at least
on the first multiple impedance values and the second multiple
impedance values; determine that at least a portion of the multiple
impedance value changes exceed a threshold impedance value change;
determine that the cell is compromised based at least on
determining that the at least the portion of the multiple impedance
value changes exceed the threshold impedance value change; and in
response to determining that the cell is compromised, remove the
cell from a topology of the rechargeable battery.
Inventors: |
Reddy; Karunakar Palicherla;
(Austin, TX) ; Thompson; Richard Christopher;
(Cedar Park, TX) ; Aurongzeb; Deeder M.; (Austin,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dell Products L.P. |
Round Rock |
TX |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/026709 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2020 |
International
Class: |
H01M 10/44 20060101
H01M010/44; H02J 7/00 20060101 H02J007/00; H01M 10/48 20060101
H01M010/48 |
Claims
1. An information handling system, comprising: at least one
processor; and a memory medium, coupled to the at least one
processor, that stores instructions of an operating system
executable by the at least one processor; a rechargeable battery
configured to provide electrical power to one or more components of
the information handling system; and a battery management unit
coupled to the battery; wherein the rechargeable battery includes a
plurality of cells; wherein the battery management unit is
configured to: determine a first plurality of impedance values of a
respective first plurality of resistors associated with a first
barrier of an enclosure of a cell of the plurality of cells of the
rechargeable battery; determine a second plurality of impedance
values of the respective first plurality of resistors; determine a
first plurality of impedance value changes of the respective first
plurality of resistors based at least on the first plurality of
impedance values and the second plurality of impedance values;
determine that at least a portion of the first plurality of
impedance value changes exceed a threshold impedance value change;
determine that the cell is compromised based at least on
determining that the at least the portion of the first plurality of
impedance value changes exceed the threshold impedance value
change; and in response to determining that the cell is
compromised, remove the cell from a topology of the rechargeable
battery.
2. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein the battery
management unit is further configured to: determine a third
plurality of impedance values of a respective second plurality of
resistors associated with a second barrier of the enclosure of the
cell; determine a fourth plurality of impedance values of the
respective second plurality of resistors; determine a second
plurality of impedance value changes of the respective second
plurality of resistors based at least on the third plurality of
impedance values and the fourth plurality of impedance values; and
determine that at least a portion of the second plurality of
impedance value changes exceed the threshold impedance value
change; and wherein, to determine that the cell is compromised, the
battery management unit is further configured to determine that the
cell is compromised further based at least on determining that the
at least the portion of the second plurality of impedance value
changes exceed the threshold impedance value change.
3. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein each of at
least two resistors of the first plurality of resistors includes a
resistive fabric that changes impedance when elongated along an
axis.
4. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein, to remove
the cell from the topology of the rechargeable battery, the battery
management unit is further configured to reconfigure the topology
of the rechargeable battery to bypass utilizing the cell.
5. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein the battery
management unit is further configured to: in response to
determining that the cell is compromised, remove at least one other
cell of the plurality of cells from the topology of the
rechargeable battery.
6. The information handling system of claim 1, wherein the battery
management unit is further configured to: after removing the cell
from the topology of the rechargeable battery, charge balance other
cells of the plurality of cells.
7. The information handling system of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one analog to digital converter coupled to the battery
management unit; wherein the at least one analog to digital
converter is configured to: convert a first plurality of analog
signals respectively associated with the first plurality of
resistors into first digital data that includes the first plurality
of impedance values; provide the first data to the battery
management unit; convert a second plurality of analog signals
respectively associated with the first plurality of resistors into
second digital data that includes the second plurality of impedance
values; and provide the second data to the battery management unit;
wherein, to determine the first plurality of impedance values, the
battery management unit is further configured to receive the first
data from the at least one analog to digital converter; wherein, to
determine the second plurality of impedance values, the battery
management unit is further configured to receive the second data
from the at least one analog to digital converter; and wherein, to
determine the first plurality of impedance value changes, the
battery management unit is further configured to compare the first
digital data with the second digital data.
8. A method, comprising: determining a first plurality of impedance
values of a respective first plurality of resistors associated with
a first barrier of an enclosure of a cell of a rechargeable battery
that includes a plurality of cells; determining a second plurality
of impedance values of the respective first plurality of resistors;
determining a first plurality of impedance value changes of the
respective first plurality of resistors based at least on the first
plurality of impedance values and the second plurality of impedance
values; determining that at least a portion of the first plurality
of impedance value changes exceed a threshold impedance value
change; determining that the cell is compromised based at least on
the determining that the at least the portion of the first
plurality of impedance value changes exceed the threshold impedance
value change; and in response to the determining that the cell is
compromised, removing the cell from a topology of the rechargeable
battery.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining a third
plurality of impedance values of a respective second plurality of
resistors associated with a second barrier of the enclosure of the
cell; determining a fourth plurality of impedance values of the
respective second plurality of resistors; determining a second
plurality of impedance value changes of the respective second
plurality of resistors based at least on the third plurality of
impedance values and the fourth plurality of impedance values; and
determining that at least a portion of the second plurality of
impedance value changes exceed the threshold impedance value
change; wherein the determining that the cell is compromised is
further based at least on the determining that the at least the
portion of the second plurality of impedance value changes exceed
the threshold impedance value change.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein each of at least two resistors
of the first plurality of resistors includes a resistive fabric
that changes impedance when elongated along an axis.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the removing the cell from the
topology of the rechargeable battery includes reconfiguring the
topology of the rechargeable battery to bypass utilizing the
cell.
12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: in response to the
determining that the cell is compromised, removing at least one
other cell of the plurality of cells from the topology of the
rechargeable battery.
13. The method of claim 8, further comprising: after the removing
the cell from the topology of the rechargeable battery, charge
balancing other cells of the plurality of cells.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining the first
plurality of impedance values includes converting, by at least one
analog to digital converter, a first plurality of analog signals
respectively associated with the first plurality of resistors into
first digital data that includes the first plurality of impedance
values; wherein the determining the second plurality of impedance
values includes converting, by the at least one analog to digital
converter, a second plurality of analog signals respectively
associated with the first plurality of resistors into second
digital data that includes the second plurality of impedance
values; and wherein the determining the first plurality of
impedance value changes includes comparing the first digital data
with the second digital data.
15. A battery management unit, comprising: at least one processor;
and a memory medium, coupled to the at least one processor, that
stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, which
when executed by the at least one processor, cause the battery
management unit to: determine a first plurality of impedance values
of a respective first plurality of resistors associated with a
first barrier of an enclosure of a cell of a rechargeable battery
that includes a plurality of cells; determine a second plurality of
impedance values of the respective first plurality of resistors;
determine a first plurality of impedance value changes of the
respective first plurality of resistors based at least on the first
plurality of impedance values and the second plurality of impedance
values; determine that at least a portion of the first plurality of
impedance value changes exceed a threshold impedance value change;
determine that the cell is compromised based at least on
determining that the at least the portion of the first plurality of
impedance value changes exceed the threshold impedance value
change; and in response to determining that the cell is
compromised, remove the cell from a topology of the rechargeable
battery.
16. The battery management unit of claim 15, wherein the
instructions further cause the battery management unit to:
determine a third plurality of impedance values of a respective
second plurality of resistors associated with a second barrier of
the enclosure of the cell; determine a fourth plurality of
impedance values of the respective second plurality of resistors;
determine a second plurality of impedance value changes of the
respective second plurality of resistors based at least on the
third plurality of impedance values and the fourth plurality of
impedance values; and determine that at least a portion of the
second plurality of impedance value changes exceed the threshold
impedance value change; and wherein, to determine that the cell is
compromised, the instructions further cause the battery management
unit to determine that the cell is compromised further based at
least on determining that the at least the portion of the second
plurality of impedance value changes exceed the threshold impedance
value change.
17. The battery management unit of claim 15, wherein each of at
least two resistors of the first plurality of resistors includes a
resistive fabric that changes impedance when elongated along an
axis.
18. The battery management unit of claim 15, wherein, to remove the
cell from the topology of the rechargeable battery, the battery
management unit is further configured to reconfigure the topology
of the rechargeable battery to bypass utilizing the cell.
19. The battery management unit of claim 15, wherein the battery
management unit is further configured to: in response to
determining that the cell is compromised, remove at least one other
cell of the plurality of cells from the topology of the
rechargeable battery.
20. The battery management unit of claim 15, wherein the
instructions further cause the battery management unit to: after
removing the cell from the topology of the rechargeable battery,
charge balance other cells of the plurality of cells.
Description
BACKGROUND
Field of the Disclosure
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to information handling
systems and more particularly to utilizing a rechargeable batteries
with information handling systems.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] As the value and use of information continues to increase,
individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and
store information. One option available to users is information
handling systems. An information handling system generally
processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or
data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing
users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because
technology and information handling needs and requirements vary
between different users or applications, information handling
systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how
the information is handled, how much information is processed,
stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the
information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The
variations in information handling systems allow for information
handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or
specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline
reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In
addition, information handling systems may include a variety of
hardware and software components that may be configured to process,
store, and communicate information and may include one or more
computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one or more embodiments, one or more systems, one or more
methods, and/or one or more processes may determine first multiple
impedance values of respective first multiple resistors associated
with a first barrier of an enclosure of a cell of multiple cells of
a rechargeable battery; may determine second multiple impedance
values of the respective first multiple resistors; may determine
first multiple impedance value changes of the respective first
multiple resistors based at least on the first multiple impedance
values and the second multiple impedance values; may determine that
at least a portion of the first multiple impedance value changes
exceed a threshold impedance value change; may determine that the
cell is compromised based at least on determining that the at least
the portion of the first multiple impedance value changes exceed
the threshold impedance value change; and in response to
determining that the cell is compromised, may remove the cell from
a topology of the rechargeable battery.
[0004] In one or more embodiments, the one or more systems, the one
or more methods, and/or the one or more processes may further:
determine third multiple impedance values of respective second
multiple resistors associated with a second barrier of the
enclosure of the cell; determine fourth multiple impedance values
of the respective second multiple resistors; determine second
multiple impedance value changes of the respective second multiple
resistors based at least on the third multiple impedance values and
the fourth multiple impedance values; and determine that at least a
portion of the second multiple impedance value changes exceed the
threshold impedance value change. For example, determining that the
cell is compromised may be further based at least on the
determining that the at least the portion of the second multiple
impedance value changes exceed the threshold impedance value
change.
[0005] In one or more embodiments, each of at least two resistors
of the first multiple resistors may include a resistive fabric that
changes impedance when elongated along an axis. In one or more
embodiments, removing the cell from the topology of the
rechargeable battery may include reconfiguring the topology of the
rechargeable battery to bypass utilizing the cell. In one or more
embodiments, the one or more systems, the one or more methods,
and/or the one or more processes may further, in response to
determining that the cell is compromised, remove at least one other
cell of the multiple cells from the topology of the rechargeable
battery.
[0006] In one or more embodiments, the one or more systems, the one
or more methods, and/or the one or more processes may further,
after removing the cell from the topology of the rechargeable
battery, charge balance other cells of the multiple cells. In one
or more embodiments, determining the first multiple impedance
values may include converting, by at least one analog to digital
converter, first multiple analog signals respectively associated
with the first multiple resistors into first digital data that
include the first multiple impedance values. In one or more
embodiments, determining the second multiple impedance values may
include converting, by the at least one analog to digital
converter, second multiple analog signals respectively associated
with the first multiple resistors into second digital data that
include the second multiple impedance values. In one or more
embodiments, determining the first multiple impedance value changes
may include comparing the first digital data with the second
digital data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure
and its features/advantages, reference is now made to the following
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
which are not drawn to scale, and in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an information handling
system, according to one or more embodiments;
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an embedded controller,
according to one or more embodiments;
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a battery management unit,
according to one or more embodiments;
[0011] FIG. 4A illustrates an example of a rechargeable battery,
according to one or more embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 4B illustrates an example of an arrangement of cells of
a rechargeable battery, according to one or more embodiments;
[0013] FIG. 4C illustrates an example of a removal of a cell from a
topology of a rechargeable battery, according to one or more
embodiments;
[0014] FIG. 4D illustrates an example of a removal of multiple
cells from a topology of a rechargeable battery, according to one
or more embodiments;
[0015] FIG. 4E illustrates another example of a rechargeable
battery, according to one or more embodiments;
[0016] FIGS. 5A-5I illustrate examples of an enclosure, according
to one or more embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 6A illustrates an example of resistors associated with
a barrier of an enclosure of a cell of a battery, according to one
or more embodiments;
[0018] FIG. 6B illustrates an example of a schematic diagram for
determining an impedance of a resistor, according to one or more
embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 6C illustrates an example of a schematic diagram for
determining impedances of multiple resistors, according to one or
more embodiments;
[0020] FIG. 6D illustrates an example of multiple resistors
implemented via a resistive fabric, according to one or more
embodiments;
[0021] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an example of a method of
utilizing a rechargeable battery, according to one or more
embodiments;
[0022] FIG. 8A illustrates a second example of a method of
utilizing a rechargeable battery, according to one or more
embodiments; and
[0023] FIG. 8B illustrates another example of a method of utilizing
a rechargeable battery, according to one or more embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] In the following description, details are set forth by way
of example to facilitate discussion of the disclosed subject
matter. It should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the
field, however, that the disclosed embodiments are examples and not
exhaustive of all possible embodiments.
[0025] As used herein, a reference numeral refers to a class or
type of entity, and any letter following such reference numeral
refers to a specific instance of a particular entity of that class
or type. Thus, for example, a hypothetical entity referenced by `
12A` may refer to a particular instance of a particular class/type,
and the reference `12` may refer to a collection of instances
belonging to that particular class/type or any one instance of that
class/type in general.
[0026] In one or more embodiments, an information handling system
may include one or more rechargeable batteries. For example, the
one or more rechargeable batteries may provide electrical power to
one or more components of the information handling system. Swelling
of a rechargeable battery can be an issue. In one example, the
rechargeable battery may generate gas as it charges and/or as it
discharges, and the gas may not be able to be expelled via an
enclosure of the rechargeable battery. For instance, if the
rechargeable battery may not be able to expel the gas via the
enclosure of the rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery may
increase in volume when the rechargeable battery is charged and/or
discharged. In another example, an electrode and/or an anode of a
rechargeable cell of the rechargeable battery may increase in
volume as the rechargeable cell charges and/or as it discharges.
For instance, if the electrode and/or the anode of the rechargeable
cell increases in volume, the rechargeable cell may increase in
volume, which may cause the rechargeable battery to increase in
volume. If the rechargeable battery is placed in a volume of an
information handling system and if the rechargeable battery swells
(e.g., increases in volume), one or more portions of the
information handling system may be damaged or may be ruined.
[0027] In one or more embodiments, adjusting a charge rate of the
rechargeable battery and/or adjusting a discharge rate of the
rechargeable battery may limit swelling (e.g., expanding in volume)
of the rechargeable battery. For example, one or more strain gauges
may be placed in contact with the rechargeable battery. Based at
least on measurements from the one or more strain gauges, a
discharge rate of the rechargeable battery may be adjusted and/or a
charge rate of the rechargeable battery may be adjusted to reduce
and/or mitigate swelling of the rechargeable battery beyond a
threshold volume. In one instance, adjusting a discharge rate of
the rechargeable battery may include reducing the discharge rate of
the rechargeable battery. In another instance, adjusting a charge
rate of the rechargeable battery may include reducing the charge
rate of the rechargeable battery.
[0028] In one or more embodiments, the rechargeable battery may
include multiple rechargeable cells. For example, one or more
strain gauges may be placed in contact with the multiple
rechargeable cells of the rechargeable battery. Based at least on
measurements from the one or more strain gauges, a discharge rate
of a rechargeable cell of the multiple rechargeable cells may be
adjusted and/or a charge rate of a rechargeable cell of the
multiple rechargeable cells to reduce and/or mitigate swelling of
the rechargeable battery beyond a threshold volume. In one
instance, adjusting a discharge rate of the rechargeable cell of
the multiple rechargeable cells may include reducing the discharge
rate of the rechargeable cell of the multiple rechargeable cells.
In another instance, adjusting a charge rate of the rechargeable
cell of the multiple rechargeable cells may include reducing the
charge rate of the rechargeable cell of the multiple rechargeable
cells.
[0029] As one example, a battery management unit (BMU) associated
with the rechargeable battery may utilize one or more measurements
from the one or more strain gauges and adjust the discharge rate of
the rechargeable cell of the multiple rechargeable cells based at
least on the one or more measurements from the one or more strain
gauges. As another example, the BMU associated with the
rechargeable battery may utilize one or more measurements from the
one or more strain gauges and adjust the charge rate of the
rechargeable cell of the multiple rechargeable cells based at least
on the one or more measurements from the one or more strain
gauges.
[0030] In one or more embodiments, multiple strain gauges may be in
contact with a rechargeable cell of the rechargeable battery at
multiple physical locations associated with a surface of an
enclosure of the rechargeable cell. In one example, a physical
change of an anode of the rechargeable cell may be determined based
at least on measurements from the multiple strain gauges. For
instance, plating of the anode may be detected based at least on
the measurements from the multiple strain gauges. In another
example, a physical change of a cathode of the rechargeable cell
may be determined based at least on measurements from the multiple
strain gauges.
[0031] As discussed above, adjusting a charge rate of the
rechargeable battery and/or adjusting a discharge rate of the
rechargeable battery may limit swelling (e.g., expanding in volume)
of the rechargeable battery. For example, one or more resistors may
be placed in contact with the rechargeable battery. For instance,
an impedance of a resistor of the one or more resistors in contact
with the rechargeable battery may change if a surface of the
rechargeable battery changes. Based at least on impedance
measurements from the one or more resistors, a discharge rate of
the rechargeable battery may be adjusted and/or a charge rate of
the rechargeable battery may be adjusted to reduce and/or mitigate
swelling of the rechargeable battery beyond a threshold volume. In
one instance, adjusting a discharge rate of the rechargeable
battery may include reducing the discharge rate of the rechargeable
battery. In another instance, adjusting a charge rate of the
rechargeable battery may include reducing the charge rate of the
rechargeable battery.
[0032] In one or more embodiments, the rechargeable battery may
include multiple rechargeable cells. For example, one or more
resistors may be placed in contact with the multiple rechargeable
cells of the rechargeable battery. Based at least on measurements
(e.g., impedance measurements) from the one or more resistors, a
discharge rate of a rechargeable cell of the multiple rechargeable
cells may be adjusted and/or a charge rate of a rechargeable cell
of the multiple rechargeable cells to reduce and/or mitigate
swelling of the rechargeable battery beyond a threshold volume. In
one instance, adjusting a discharge rate of the rechargeable cell
of the multiple rechargeable cells may include reducing the
discharge rate of the rechargeable cell of the multiple
rechargeable cells. In another instance, adjusting a charge rate of
the rechargeable cell of the multiple rechargeable cells may
include reducing the charge rate of the rechargeable cell of the
multiple rechargeable cells.
[0033] As one example, the BMU associated with the rechargeable
battery may utilize one or more measurements (e.g., one or more
impedance measurements) from the one or more resistors and adjust
the discharge rate of the rechargeable cell of the multiple
rechargeable cells based at least on the one or more measurements
from the one or more resistors. As another example, the BMU
associated with the rechargeable battery may utilize one or more
measurements from the one or more resistors and adjust the charge
rate of the rechargeable cell of the multiple rechargeable cells
based at least on the one or more measurements from the one or more
resistors.
[0034] In one or more embodiments, multiple resistors may be in
contact with a rechargeable cell of the rechargeable battery at
multiple physical locations associated with a surface of an
enclosure of the rechargeable cell. In one example, a physical
change of an anode of the rechargeable cell may be determined based
at least on measurements (e.g., impedance measurements) from the
multiple resistors. For instance, plating of the anode may be
detected based at least on the measurements from the multiple
resistors. In another example, a physical change of a cathode of
the rechargeable cell may be determined based at least on
measurements from the multiple resistors.
[0035] In one or more embodiments, a resistor may include a
resistive fabric that changes impedance when elongated along an
axis. For example, a resistor may include a piezoresistive fabric.
For instance, when the resistive fabric is stretched (e.g.,
elongated), an impedance value associated with the resistive fabric
may change. As an example, the resistive fabric may be associated
with a first impedance value, and when the resistive fabric is
stretched (e.g., elongated), the resistive fabric may be associated
with a second impedance value, different from the first impedance
value.
[0036] Turning now to FIG. 1, an example of an information handling
system is illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. An
information handling system (IHS) 110 may include a hardware
resource or an aggregate of hardware resources operable to compute,
classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch,
store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, and/or
utilize various forms of information, intelligence, or data for
business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes,
according to one or more embodiments. For example, IHS 110 may be a
personal computer, a desktop computer system, a laptop computer
system, a server computer system, a mobile device, a tablet
computing device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a consumer
electronic device, an electronic music player, an electronic
camera, an electronic video player, a wireless access point, a
network storage device, or another suitable device and may vary in
size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. In one or more
embodiments, a portable IHS 110 may include or have a form factor
of that of or similar to one or more of a laptop, a notebook, a
telephone, a tablet, and a PDA, among others. For example, a
portable IHS 110 may be readily carried and/or transported by a
user (e.g., a person). In one or more embodiments, components of
IHS 110 may include one or more storage devices, one or more
communications ports for communicating with external devices as
well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard,
a mouse, and a video display, among others. In one or more
embodiments, IHS 110 may include one or more buses operable to
transmit communication between or among two or more hardware
components. In one example, a bus of IHS 110 may include one or
more of a memory bus, a peripheral bus, and a local bus, among
others. In another example, a bus of IHS 110 may include one or
more of a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Industry
Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, a
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, HyperTransport (HT)
bus, an inter-integrated circuit (I.sup.2C) bus, a serial
peripheral interface (SPI) bus, a low pin count (LPC) bus, an
enhanced serial peripheral interface (eSPI) bus, a universal serial
bus (USB), a system management bus (SMBus), and a Video Electronics
Standards Association (VESA) local bus, among others.
[0037] In one or more embodiments, IHS 110 may include firmware
that controls and/or communicates with one or more hard drives,
network circuitry, one or more memory devices, one or more I/O
devices, and/or one or more other peripheral devices. For example,
firmware may include software embedded in an IHS component utilized
to perform tasks. In one or more embodiments, firmware may be
stored in non-volatile memory, such as storage that does not lose
stored data upon loss of power. In one example, firmware associated
with an IHS component may be stored in non-volatile memory that is
accessible to one or more IHS components. In another example,
firmware associated with an IHS component may be stored in
non-volatile memory that may be dedicated to and includes part of
that component. For instance, an embedded controller may include
firmware that may be stored via non-volatile memory that may be
dedicated to and includes part of the embedded controller.
[0038] As shown, IHS 110 may include a processor 120, an embedded
controller (EC) 130, a BMU 140, a battery 145, a volatile memory
medium 150, non-volatile memory media 160 and 170, an I/O subsystem
175, and a network interface 180. As illustrated, EC 130, volatile
memory medium 150, non-volatile memory media 160 and 170, I/O
subsystem 175, and network interface 180 may be communicatively
coupled to processor 120. As shown, BMU 140 may be coupled to EC
130. For example, BMU 140 may be coupled to EC 130 via a bus
described herein. As illustrated, battery 145 may be coupled to BMU
140. For example, BMU 140 may control one or more portions of
battery 145. In one or more embodiments, battery 145 may provide
electrical power to one or more components of IHS 110. For example,
the one or more components of IHS 110 may include one or more of
processor 120, EC 130, BMU 140, volatile memory medium 150,
non-volatile memory media 160 and 170, I/O subsystem 175, and
network interface 180, among others. Although BMU 140 is
illustrated as external to battery 145, battery 145 may include BMU
140, according to one or more embodiments. For example, BMU 140 may
be external to battery 145, or battery 145 may include BMU 140.
[0039] In one or more embodiments, one or more of EC 130, volatile
memory medium 150, non-volatile memory media 160 and 170, I/O
subsystem 175, and network interface 180 may be communicatively
coupled to processor 120 via one or more buses, one or more
switches, and/or one or more root complexes, among others. In one
example, one or more of EC 130, volatile memory medium 150,
non-volatile memory media 160 and 170, I/O subsystem 175, and
network interface 180 may be communicatively coupled to processor
120 via one or more PCI-Express (PCIe) root complexes. In another
example, one or more of EC 130, I/O subsystem 175 and a network
interface 180 may be communicatively coupled to processor 120 via
one or more PCIe switches.
[0040] In one or more embodiments, the term "memory medium" may
mean a "storage device", a "memory", a "memory device", a "tangible
computer readable storage medium", and/or a "computer-readable
medium". For example, computer-readable media may include, without
limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device
(e.g., a hard disk drive, a floppy disk, etc.), a sequential access
storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), a compact disk (CD), a
CD-ROM, a digital versatile disc (DVD), a random access memory
(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a one-time programmable (OTP)
memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
(EEPROM), and/or a flash memory, a solid state drive (SSD), or any
combination of the foregoing, among others.
[0041] In one or more embodiments, one or more protocols may be
utilized in transferring data to and/or from a memory medium. For
example, the one or more protocols may include one or more of small
computer system interface (SCSI), Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) or
another transport that operates with the SCSI protocol, advanced
technology attachment (ATA), serial ATA (SATA), a USB interface, an
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394
interface, a Thunderbolt interface, an advanced technology
attachment packet interface (ATAPI), serial storage architecture
(SSA), integrated drive electronics (IDE), or any combination
thereof, among others.
[0042] Volatile memory medium 150 may include volatile storage such
as, for example, RAM, DRAM (dynamic RAM), EDO RAM (extended data
out RAM), SRAM (static RAM), etc. One or more of non-volatile
memory media 160 and 170 may include nonvolatile storage such as,
for example, a read only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM),
an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM, NVRAM
(non-volatile RAM), ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), a magnetic medium
(e.g., a hard drive, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, etc.), optical
storage (e.g., a CD, a DVD, a BLU-RAY disc, etc.), flash memory, a
SSD, etc. In one or more embodiments, a memory medium can include
one or more volatile storages and/or one or more nonvolatile
storages.
[0043] In one or more embodiments, network interface 180 may be
utilized in communicating with one or more networks and/or one or
more other information handling systems. In one example, network
interface 180 may enable IHS 110 to communicate via a network
utilizing a suitable transmission protocol and/or standard. In a
second example, network interface 180 may be coupled to a wired
network. In a third example, network interface 180 may be coupled
to an optical network. In another example, network interface 180
may be coupled to a wireless network. In one instance, the wireless
network may include a cellular telephone network. In a second
instance, the wireless network may include a satellite telephone
network. In another instance, the wireless network may include a
wireless Ethernet network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network, an IEEE 802.11
network, etc.).
[0044] In one or more embodiments, network interface 180 may be
communicatively coupled via a network to a network storage
resource. For example, the network may be implemented as, or may be
a part of, a storage area network (SAN), personal area network
(PAN), local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN),
a wide area network (WAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a
virtual private network (VPN), an intranet, an Internet or another
appropriate architecture or system that facilitates the
communication of signals, data and/or messages (generally referred
to as data). For instance, the network may transmit data utilizing
a desired storage and/or communication protocol, including one or
more of Fibre Channel, Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode
(ATM), Internet protocol (IP), other packet-based protocol,
Internet SCSI (iSCSI), or any combination thereof, among
others.
[0045] In one or more embodiments, processor 120 may execute
processor instructions in implementing at least a portion of one or
more systems, at least a portion of one or more flowcharts, at
least a portion of one or more methods, and/or at least a portion
of one or more processes described herein. In one example,
processor 120 may execute processor instructions from one or more
of memory media 150, 160, and 170 in implementing at least a
portion of one or more systems, at least a portion of one or more
flowcharts, at least a portion of one or more methods, and/or at
least a portion of one or more processes described herein. In
another example, processor 120 may execute processor instructions
via network interface 180 in implementing at least a portion of one
or more systems, at least a portion of one or more flowcharts, at
least a portion of one or more methods, and/or at least a portion
of one or more processes described herein.
[0046] In one or more embodiments, processor 120 may include one or
more of a system, a device, and an apparatus operable to interpret
and/or execute program instructions and/or process data, among
others, and may include one or more of a microprocessor, a
microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and another digital or analog
circuitry configured to interpret and/or execute program
instructions and/or process data, among others. In one example,
processor 120 may interpret and/or execute program instructions
and/or process data stored locally (e.g., via memory media 150,
160, and 170 and/or another component of IHS 110). In another
example, processor 120 may interpret and/or execute program
instructions and/or process data stored remotely (e.g., via a
network storage resource).
[0047] In one or more embodiments, I/O subsystem 175 may represent
a variety of communication interfaces, graphics interfaces, video
interfaces, user input interfaces, and/or peripheral interfaces,
among others. For example, I/O subsystem 175 may include one or
more of a touch panel and a display adapter, among others. For
instance, a touch panel may include circuitry that enables touch
functionality in conjunction with a display that is driven by a
display adapter.
[0048] As shown, non-volatile memory medium 160 may include an
operating system (OS) 162, and applications (APPs) 164-168. In one
or more embodiments, one or more of OS 162 and APPs 164-168 may
include processor instructions executable by processor 120. In one
example, processor 120 may execute processor instructions of one or
more of OS 162 and APPs 164-168 via non-volatile memory medium 160.
In another example, one or more portions of the processor
instructions of the one or more of OS 162 and APPs 164-168 may be
transferred to volatile memory medium 150, and processor 120 may
execute the one or more portions of the processor instructions of
the one or more of OS 162 and APPs 164-168 via volatile memory
medium 150.
[0049] As illustrated, non-volatile memory medium 170 may include
information handling system firmware (IHSFW) 172. In one or more
embodiments, IHSFW 172 may include processor instructions
executable by processor 120. For example, IHSFW 172 may include one
or more structures and/or one or more functionalities of and/or
compliant with one or more of a basic input/output system (BIOS),
an Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI), a Unified Extensible
Firmware Interface (UEFI), and an Advanced Configuration and Power
Interface (ACPI), among others. In one instance, processor 120 may
execute processor instructions of IHSFW 172 via non-volatile memory
medium 170. In another instance, one or more portions of the
processor instructions of IHSFW 172 may be transferred to volatile
memory medium 150, and processor 120 may execute the one or more
portions of the processor instructions of IHSFW 172 via volatile
memory medium 150.
[0050] In one or more embodiments, processor 120 and one or more
components of IHS 110 may be included in a system-on-chip (SoC).
For example, the SoC may include processor 120 and a platform
controller hub (not specifically illustrated).
[0051] In one or more embodiments, EC 130 may be or include a
remote access controller. For example, the remote access controller
may be or include a DELL.TM. Remote Access Controller (DRAC). In
one or more embodiments, a remote access controller may be
integrated into IHS 110. For example, the remote access controller
may be or include an integrated DELL.TM. Remote Access Controller
(iDRAC). In one or more embodiments, a remote access controller may
include one or more of a processor, a memory, and a network
interface, among others. In one or more embodiments, a remote
access controller may access one or more busses and/or one or more
portions of IHS 110. For example, the remote access controller may
include and/or may provide power management, virtual media access,
and/or remote console capabilities, among others, which may be
available via a web browser and/or a command line interface. For
instance, the remote access controller may provide and/or permit an
administrator (e.g., a user) one or more abilities to configure
and/or maintain an information handling system as if the
administrator was at a console of the information handling system
and/or had physical access to the information handling system.
[0052] In one or more embodiments, a remote access controller may
interface with baseboard management controller integrated circuits.
In one example, the remote access controller may be based at least
on an Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) standard.
For instance, the remote access controller may allow and/or permit
utilization of IPMI out-of-band interfaces such as IPMI Over LAN
(local area network). In another example, the remote access
controller may be based at least on a Redfish standard. In one
instance, one or more portions of the remote access controller may
be compliant with one or more portions of a Redfish standard. In
another instance, one or more portions of the remote access
controller may implement one or more portions of a Redfish
standard. In one or more embodiments, a remote access controller
may include and/or provide one or more internal private networks.
For example, the remote access controller may include and/or
provide one or more of an Ethernet interface, a front panel USB
interface, and a Wi-Fi interface, among others. In one or more
embodiments, a remote access controller may be, include, or form at
least a portion of a virtual KVM (keyboard, video, and mouse)
device. For example, a remote access controller may be, include, or
form at least a portion of a KVM over IP (IPKVM) device. For
instance, a remote access controller may capture video, keyboard,
and/or mouse signals; may convert the signals into packets; and may
provide the packets to a remote console application via a
network.
[0053] In one or more embodiments, EC 130 may be or include a
microcontroller. For example, the microcontroller may be or include
an 8051 microcontroller, an ARM Cortex-M (e.g., Cortex-M0,
Cortex-M1, Cortex-M3, Cortex-M4, Cortex-M7, etc.) microcontroller,
a MSP430 microcontroller, an AVR (e.g., 8-bit AVR, AVR-32, etc.)
microcontroller, a PIC microcontroller, a 68HC11 microcontroller, a
ColdFire microcontroller, and a Renesas microcontroller, among
others. In one or more embodiments, EC 130 may be or include an
application processor. In one example, EC 130 may be or include an
ARM Cortex-A processor. In another example, EC 130 may be or
include an Intel Atom processor. In one or more embodiments, EC 130
may be or include one or more of a field programmable gate array
(FPGA) and an ASIC, among others, configured, coded, and/or encoded
with instructions in accordance with at least a portion of one or
more of systems, at least a portion of one or more flowcharts, at
least a portion of one or more methods, and/or at least a portion
of one or more processes described herein.
[0054] In one or more embodiments, BMU 140 may be or include a
microcontroller. For example, the microcontroller may be or include
an 8051 microcontroller, an ARM Cortex-M (e.g., Cortex-M0,
Cortex-M1, Cortex-M3, Cortex-M4, Cortex-M7, etc.) microcontroller,
a MSP430 microcontroller, an AVR (e.g., 8-bit AVR, AVR-32, etc.)
microcontroller, a PIC microcontroller, a 68HC11 microcontroller, a
ColdFire microcontroller, and a Renesas microcontroller, among
others. In one or more embodiments, BMU 140 may be or include one
or more of a FPGA and an ASIC, among others, configured, coded,
and/or encoded with instructions in accordance with at least a
portion of one or more of systems, at least a portion of one or
more flowcharts, at least a portion of one or more methods, and/or
at least a portion of one or more processes described herein.
[0055] Turning now to FIG. 2, an example of an embedded controller
is illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. As shown, EC
130 may include a processor 220, a volatile memory medium 250, a
non-volatile memory medium 270, and an interface 280. As
illustrated, non-volatile memory medium 270 may include a EC
firmware (FW) 273, which may include an OS 262 and APPs 264-268,
and may include EC data 277. In one example, OS 262 may be or
include a real-time operating system (RTOS). For instance, the RTOS
may be or include FreeRTOS, OpenRTOS, SafeRTOS, QNX, ThreadX,
VxWorks, NuttX, TI-RTOS, eCos, MicroC/OS, or Zephyr, among others.
In a second example, OS 262 may be or include an Unix-like
operating system. For instance, the Unix-like operating system may
be or include LINUX.RTM., FREEB SD.RTM., NETB SD.RTM., OpenBSD,
Minix, Xinu, or Darwin, among others. In another example, OS 262
may be or include a portable operating system interface (POSIX)
compliant operating system.
[0056] In one or more embodiments, interface 280 may include
circuitry that enables communicatively coupling to one or more
devices. In one example, interface 280 may include circuitry that
enables communicatively coupling to one or more buses. For
instance, the one or more buses may include one or more buses
described herein, among others. In a second example, interface 280
may include circuitry that enables one or more interrupt signals to
be received. In one instance, interface 280 may include general
purpose input/output (GPIO) circuitry, and the GPIO circuitry may
enable one or more interrupt signals to be received and/or provided
via at least one interrupt line. In another instance, interface 280
may include GPIO circuitry that may enable EC 130 to provide and/or
receive signals associated with other circuitry. In a third
example, interface 280 may include circuitry that enables
communicatively coupling to one or more networks. In one instance,
interface 280 may include circuitry that enables communicatively
coupling to network interface 180. In another example, interface
280 may include a network interface.
[0057] In one or more embodiments, one or more of OS 262 and APPs
264-268 may include processor instructions executable by processor
220. In one example, processor 220 may execute processor
instructions of one or more of OS 262 and APPs 264-268 via
non-volatile memory medium 270. In another example, one or more
portions of the processor instructions of the one or more of OS 262
and APPs 264-268 may be transferred to volatile memory medium 250,
and processor 220 may execute the one or more portions of the
processor instructions of the one or more of OS 262 and APPs
264-268 via volatile memory medium 250. In one or more embodiments,
processor 220 may execute instructions in accordance with at least
a portion of one or more systems, at least a portion of one or more
flowcharts, one or more methods, and/or at least a portion of one
or more processes described herein. For example, non-volatile
memory medium 270 and/or volatile memory medium 250 may store
instructions that may be executable in accordance with at least a
portion of one or more systems, at least a portion of one or more
flowcharts, at least a portion of one or more methods, and/or at
least a portion of one or more processes described herein. In one
or more embodiments, processor 220 may execute instructions in
accordance with at least a portion of one or more of systems,
flowcharts, at least a portion of one or more methods, and/or at
least a portion of one or more processes described herein. For
example, non-volatile memory medium 270 and/or volatile memory
medium 250 may store instructions that may be executable in
accordance with at least a portion of one or more of systems, at
least a portion of one or more flowcharts, at least a portion of
one or more methods, and/or at least a portion of one or more
processes described herein. In one or more embodiments, processor
220 may utilize EC data 277. In one example, processor 220 may
utilize EC data 277 via non-volatile memory medium 270. In another
example, one or more portions of EC data 277 may be transferred to
volatile memory medium 250, and processor 220 may utilize EC data
277 via volatile memory medium 250.
[0058] Turning now to FIG. 3, an example of a battery management
unit is illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. As
shown, BMU 140 may include a processor 320, a volatile memory
medium 350, a non-volatile memory medium 370, and an interface 380.
As illustrated, non-volatile memory medium 370 may include a BMU FW
373, which may include an OS 362 and APPs 364-368, and may include
BMU data 377. In one example, OS 362 may be or include a real-time
operating system (RTOS). For instance, the RTOS may be or include
FreeRTOS, OpenRTOS, SafeRTOS, QNX, ThreadX, VxWorks, NuttX,
TI-RTOS, eCos, MicroC/OS, or
[0059] Zephyr, among others. In another example, OS 362 may be or
include a POSIX compliant operating system.
[0060] In one or more embodiments, interface 380 may include
circuitry that enables communicatively coupling to one or more
devices. In one example, interface 380 may include circuitry that
enables communicatively coupling to one or more buses. For
instance, the one or more buses may include one or more buses
described herein, among others. In a second example, interface 380
may include circuitry that enables one or more interrupt signals to
be received. In one instance, interface 380 may include GPIO
circuitry, and the GPIO circuitry may enable one or more interrupt
signals to be received and/or provided via at least one interrupt
line. In another instance, interface 380 may include GPIO circuitry
that may enable BMU 140 to provide and/or receive signals
associated with other circuitry. In another example, interface 380
may include circuitry that enables communicatively coupling to one
or more analog to digital converters. For instance, BMU 140 may
receive digital data from the one or more analog to digital
converters via interface 380.
[0061] In one or more embodiments, one or more of OS 362 and APPs
364-368 may include processor instructions executable by processor
320. In one example, processor 320 may execute processor
instructions of one or more of OS 362 and APPs 364-368 via
non-volatile memory medium 370. In another example, one or more
portions of the processor instructions of the one or more of OS 362
and APPs 364-368 may be transferred to volatile memory medium 350,
and processor 320 may execute the one or more portions of the
processor instructions of the one or more of OS 362 and APPs
364-368 via volatile memory medium 350. In one or more embodiments,
processor 320 may execute instructions in accordance with at least
a portion of one or more systems, at least a portion of one or more
flowcharts, one or more methods, and/or at least a portion of one
or more processes described herein. For example, non-volatile
memory medium 370 and/or volatile memory medium 350 may store
instructions that may be executable in accordance with at least a
portion of one or more systems, at least a portion of one or more
flowcharts, at least a portion of one or more methods, and/or at
least a portion of one or more processes described herein. In one
or more embodiments, processor 320 may execute instructions in
accordance with at least a portion of one or more of systems,
flowcharts, at least a portion of one or more methods, and/or at
least a portion of one or more processes described herein. For
example, non-volatile memory medium 370 and/or volatile memory
medium 350 may store instructions that may be executable in
accordance with at least a portion of one or more of systems, at
least a portion of one or more flowcharts, at least a portion of
one or more methods, and/or at least a portion of one or more
processes described herein. In one or more embodiments, processor
320 may utilize BMU data 377. In one example, processor 320 may
utilize BMU data 377 via non-volatile memory medium 370. In another
example, one or more portions of BMU data 377 may be transferred to
volatile memory medium 350, and processor 320 may utilize BMU data
377 via volatile memory medium 350.
[0062] Turning now to FIG. 4A, an example of a rechargeable battery
is illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. As shown,
battery 145 may include cells 410A-410N. In one or more
embodiments, battery 145 may include any number of cells 410. In
one or more embodiments, a cell 410 may be enclosed by an enclosure
415. As illustrated, cells 410A-410N may be respectively enclosed
by enclosures 415A-415N.
[0063] Turning now to FIG. 4B, an example of an arrangement of
cells of a rechargeable battery is illustrated, according to one or
more embodiments. As shown, cells 410A-410C may be coupled in
parallel. As illustrated, cells 410D-410F may be coupled in
parallel. As shown, cells 410G-410I may be coupled in parallel. As
illustrated, cells 410A-410C may be coupled in series to cells
410D-410F. As shown, cells 410D-410F may be coupled in series to
cells 410G-410I. For example, battery 145 may include a three
series, three parallel (3S3P) topology.
[0064] Turning now to FIG. 4C, an example of a removal of a cell
from a topology of a rechargeable battery is illustrated, according
to one or more embodiments. As shown, cell 410F may be removed from
a topology of battery 145. For example, cell 410F may be removed
from a topology of battery 145 due to an issue or a problem
associated with cell 110F. In one instance, the issue or the
problem associated with cell 110F may have been determined via
determining that enclosure 415F has swollen. In another instance,
the issue or the problem associated with cell 110F may have been
determined via determining that enclosure 415F has increased in
volume.
[0065] Turning now to FIG. 4D, an example of a removal of multiple
cells from a topology of a rechargeable battery is illustrated,
according to one or more embodiments. As shown, cells 410C, 410F,
and 410I may be removed from a topology of battery 145. For
example, cell 410F may be removed from a topology of battery 145
due to an issue or a problem associated with cell 110F. For
instance, battery 145 may not be able to operate properly if only
cell 410F is removed from the topology of battery 145. In one or
more embodiments, if cell 410F is removed from the topology of
battery 145, cells 410C and 410I may be removed from the topology
of battery 145, as well. For example, after removing cells 410C,
410F, and 410I from the topology of battery 145, the topology of
battery 145 may become a three series, two parallel (3S2P)
topology. Although 410C and 410I are shown to be removed, one of
cells 410A and 410B may be removed from the topology of battery 145
instead of cell 410C, or one of cells 410G and 410H may be removed
from the topology of battery 145 instead of cell 410I, according to
one or more embodiments. For example, cell 410A may be a better
candidate for removal than cell 410C. For instance, it may be
determined that cell 410C is in a better operational state than
cell 410A, and cell 10A may be removed from the topology of battery
145 instead of cell 410C.
[0066] Turning now to FIG. 4E, another example of a rechargeable
battery is illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. As
shown, battery 145 may include electrically actuated switches
420A-420X. In one or more embodiments, BMU 140 may control one or
more of electrically actuated switches 420A-420X. In one example,
one or more of electrically actuated switches 420A-420L may be
utilized in changing a topology of battery 145. In another example,
one or more of electrically actuated switches 420M-420X may be
utilized in charge balancing and/or charge rebalancing one or more
of cells 410A-410I. As illustrated, battery 145 may include
resistors 430A-430C. For example, one or more of resistors
430A-430C may be utilized in charge balancing and/or charge
rebalancing one or more of cells 410A-410I. As shown, battery 145
may include electrically actuated switches 422A-422C. In one or
more embodiments, BMU 140 may control electrically actuated
switches 422A-422C. For example, one or more of electrically
actuated switches 422A-422C may be utilized in charge balancing
and/or charge rebalancing one or more of cells 410A-410I.
[0067] In one or more embodiments, an electrically actuated switch
may include an electrically actuated relay. In one example, the
electrically actuated relay may include an electrically actuated
mechanical relay. In another example, the electrically actuated
relay may include a solid state relay. For instance, the
electrically actuated relay may include one or more transistors. In
one or more embodiments, an electrically actuated switch may
include one or more transistors. In one example, a transistor may
include a bipolar junction transistor (BJT). In another example, a
transistor may include a field effect transistor (FET).
[0068] Turning now to FIGS. 5A-5I, examples of an enclosure are
illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. As shown in FIG.
5A, an enclosure 415 may include a barrier 520A. Although enclosure
415 is illustrated as a cuboid, enclosure 415 may include any
enclosed three-dimensional shape configured to store a cell of a
battery, according to one or more embodiments. In one example,
enclosure 415 may include a bag or a pouch. In another example,
enclosure 415 may include a cylinder. As illustrated, a resistor
530A may be associated with barrier 520A. In one or more
embodiments, a barrier 520 may include multiple surfaces. In one
example, barrier 520 may include a surface 522, as shown in FIG.
5B. For instance, surface 522 may be an outer surface with respect
to enclosure 415. In another example, barrier 520 may include a
surface 524, as illustrated in FIG. 5C. For instance, surface 524
may be an inner surface with respect to enclosure 415.
[0069] In one or more embodiments, a resistor 530 associated with
barrier 520 may be at or on various locations of barrier 520. In
one example, resistor 530 may be on surface 522 of barrier 520. For
instance, resistor 530 may be fixed to surface 522 of barrier 520.
In a second example, resistor 530 may be on surface 524 of barrier
520. For instance, resistor 530 may be fixed to surface 524 of
barrier 520. In another example, resistor 530 may be within (e.g.,
inside) barrier 520. For instance, resistor 530 may be fixed within
(e.g., inside) barrier 520.
[0070] In one or more embodiments, an impedance of resistor 530 may
be based at least on a change in shape of barrier 520. In one
example, a first impedance of resistor 530 may be associated with
barrier 520 when surfaces 522 and/or 524 are planar, or nearly
planar. In a second example, a second impedance of resistor 530 may
be associated with barrier 520 when surfaces 522 and/or 524 are
curved. For instance, the second impedance of resistor 530 may be
different from the first impedance of resistor 530. In another
example, a third impedance of resistor 530 may be associated with
barrier 520 when surfaces 522 and/or 524 are elongated (e.g.,
stretched). For instance, surfaces 522 and/or 524 may be elongated
with respect to an X-axis and/or a Y-axis, and the third impedance
of resistor 530 may be different from the first impedance of
resistor 530 and/or may be different from the second impedance of
resistor 530.
[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 5D, resistor 530A may be associated
with surface 520A, and a resistor 530C may be associated with a
surface 520B. As shown in FIG. 5E, resistor 530A may be associated
with surface 520A, and a resistor 530B may be associated with
surface 520A. As illustrated in FIG. 5F, resistor 530A may be
associated with surface 520A, and a resistor 540A may be associated
with surface 520A. In one or more embodiments, a resistor 540 may
include one or more structures and/or functionalities as those
described with reference to resistor 530.
[0072] As shown, a longitudinal axis 532A of resistor 530A may be
oriented parallel or nearly parallel to the Y-axis. As illustrated,
a longitudinal axis 542A of resistor 540A may be oriented parallel
or nearly parallel to the X-axis. In one or more embodiments, a
longitudinal axis 532 of a resistor 530 may be oriented orthogonal
to a longitudinal axis 542 of a resistor 540. In one or more
embodiments, a longitudinal axis 532 of a resistor 530 may be
oriented nearly orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 542 of a resistor
540. For example, a longitudinal axis 532 of a resistor 530 may be
oriented within plus or minus five degrees orthogonal to a
longitudinal axis 542 of a resistor 540. In one or more
embodiments, an impedance of a resistor 530 may change more than an
impedance of a resistor 540 when barrier 520 changes with respect
to the Y-axis. In one or more embodiments, an impedance of a
resistor 540 may change more than an impedance of a resistor 530
when barrier 520 changes with respect to the X-axis.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 5G, resistors 530A and 530B may be
associated with barrier 520A, and resistors 530C and 530D may be
associated with barrier 520B. As illustrated in FIG. 5H, resistors
530A and 540A may be associated with barrier 520A, and resistors
530D and 540B may be associated with barrier 520B. As shown,
longitudinal axis 532A of resistor 530A and a longitudinal axis
532D of resistor 530D may be oriented parallel or nearly parallel
to the Y-axis. As illustrated, longitudinal axis 542A of resistor
540A and a longitudinal axis 542B of resistor 540B may be oriented
parallel or nearly parallel to the X-axis.
[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 5I, resistors 550A and 550B and
resistors 560A and 560B may be associated with a barrier 520C. As
shown, resistors 560C and 570A may be associated with a barrier
520D. As illustrated, resistors 550C and 550D and resistors 560D
and 560E may be associated with a barrier 520E. As shown, resistors
560F and 570B may be associated with a barrier 520F. As
illustrated, a longitudinal axis 552 of a resistor 550 may be
oriented parallel to the X-axis. As shown, a longitudinal axis 562
of a resistor 560 may be oriented parallel or nearly parallel to a
Z-axis. In one or more embodiments, a longitudinal axis 552 of a
resistor 550 may be oriented orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 562
of a resistor 560.
[0075] In one or more embodiments, a longitudinal axis 552 of a
resistor 550 may be oriented nearly orthogonal to a longitudinal
axis 562 of a resistor 560. For example, a longitudinal axis 552 of
a resistor 550 may be oriented within plus or minus five degrees
orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 562 of a resistor 560. As
illustrated, a longitudinal axis 572 of a resistor 570 may be
oriented parallel to the Y-axis.
[0076] In one or more embodiments, a longitudinal axis 572 of a
resistor 570 may be oriented orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 562
of a resistor 560. In one or more embodiments, a longitudinal axis
572 of a resistor 570 may be oriented nearly orthogonal to a
longitudinal axis 562 of a resistor 560. For example, a
longitudinal axis 572 of a resistor 570 may be oriented within plus
or minus five degrees orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 562 of a
resistor 560.
[0077] In one or more embodiments, a longitudinal axis 552 of a
resistor 550 may be oriented orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 572
of a resistor 570. In one or more embodiments, a longitudinal axis
552 of a resistor 550 may be oriented nearly orthogonal to a
longitudinal axis 572 of a resistor 570. For example, a
longitudinal axis 552 of a resistor 550 may be oriented within plus
or minus five degrees orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 572 of a
resistor 570.
[0078] Turning now to FIG. 6A, an example of resistors associated
with a barrier of an enclosure of a cell of a battery is
illustrated, according to one or more embodiments. As shown,
resistors 610AA-610NM may be associated with a barrier 520. For
example, any number of resistors 610 may be associated with barrier
520. In one or more embodiments, a resistor 610 may be a resistor
530, a resistor 540, a resistor 550, a resistor 560, or a resistor
570. Although resistors 610AA-610NM are illustrated as rows and
columns, resistors 610AA-610NM may be arranged in any physical
location and/or may be arranged with any arrangement, according to
one or more embodiments.
[0079] In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of a
topography of barrier 520 may be determined. For example, if
barrier 520 changes from a first shape to a second shape, one or
more of resistors 610AA-610NM may be utilized in determining that
barrier 520 changed from the first shape to the second shape. For
instance, an impedance of a resistor 610 may change when barrier
520 changes from the first shape to the second shape. In one or
more embodiments, at least a portion of a topography of barrier 520
may be determined based at least on one or more impedance changes
of respective one or more resistors 610AA-610NM. As an example, one
or more impedance changes of respective one or more resistors
610AA-610NM may indicate that at least a portion of barrier 520 has
become bowed (e.g., curved) outward from enclosure 415. For
instance, a buildup of gas within enclosure 415 may cause at least
a portion of barrier 520 to become bowed (e.g., curved) outward
from enclosure 415.
[0080] In one or more embodiments, one or more of resistors
610AA-610NM may include a resistive fabric that changes impedance
when elongated along an axis (e.g., any arbitrary axis) and/or when
elongated with respect to an axis (e.g., any arbitrary axis). For
example, a resistor 610 may include a piezoresistive fabric. For
instance, when the resistive fabric is stretched (e.g., elongated),
an impedance value associated with the resistive fabric may change.
As an example, the resistive fabric may be associated with a first
impedance value, and when the resistive fabric is stretched (e.g.,
elongated), the resistive fabric may be associated with a second
impedance value, different from the first impedance value.
[0081] In one or more embodiments, a resistor 610 may change a
value of impedance based at least on strain. For example, a
resistor 610 may change a value of impedance based at least on one
or more types of strain. For instance, the one or more types of
strain may include axial, bending, compressive, shear, and
torsional, among others. In one or more embodiments, the resistive
fabric may decrease in impedance with it is compressed and/or may
increase in impedance when expanded and/or stretched (e.g.,
elongated).
[0082] Turning now to FIG. 6B, an example of a schematic diagram
for determining an impedance of a resistor is illustrated,
according to one or more embodiments. As shown, a voltage source
420 may be coupled to a resistor 610. As illustrated, resistor 610
may be coupled to an amplifier 630. As shown, amplifier 630 may be
coupled to an analog to digital converter (ADC) 640. As
illustrated, ADC 640 may be coupled to BMU 140. In one or more
embodiments, ADC 640 may convert one or more analog signals to
digital data. For example, ADC 640 may provide the digital data to
BMU 140. In one or more embodiments, BMU 140 may determine a change
in impedance of resistor 610 based at least on the digital data
from ADC 640.
[0083] Turning now to FIG. 6C, an example of a schematic diagram
for determining impedances of multiple resistors is illustrated,
according to one or more embodiments. As shown, voltage sources
620A-620N may be respectively coupled to resistors 610A-610N.
Although multiple voltage sources 620A-620N are illustrated to be
respectively coupled to resistors 610A-610N, a single voltage
source 620 may be coupled to resistors 610A-610N.
[0084] As illustrated, resistors 610 may be coupled to a
multiplexer (MUX) 650. In one or more embodiments, MUX 650 may be
controlled to select a signal from a resistor of resistors
610A-610N. For example, BMU 140 may control MUX 650 to select a
signal from a resistor of resistors 610A-610N. As shown, MUX 650
may be coupled to an amplifier 630. As illustrated, amplifier 630
may be coupled to ADC 640. As shown, ADC 640 may be coupled to BMU
140.
[0085] In one or more embodiments, ADC 640 may convert one or more
analog signals to digital data. For example, ADC 640 may provide
the digital data to BMU 140. In one or more embodiments, BMU 140
may determine a change in impedance of a resistor 610 of resistors
610A-610N based at least on the digital data from ADC 640.
[0086] Turning now to FIG. 6D, an example of multiple resistors
implemented via a resistive fabric is illustrated, according to one
or more embodiments. As shown, a resistive fabric 660 may be
associated with barrier 520. In one example, resistive fabric 660
may be fixed to a surface of barrier 520. In another example,
resistive fabric 660 may be included within a surface of barrier
520. In one or more embodiments, resistive fabric 660 may include a
piezoresistive fabric. For instance, when resistive fabric 660 is
stretched (e.g., elongated), an impedance value associated with
resistive fabric 660 may change. As an example, resistive fabric
660 may be associated with a first impedance value, and when
resistive fabric 660 is stretched (e.g., elongated), resistive
fabric 660 may be associated with a second impedance value,
different from the first impedance value.
[0087] In one or more embodiments, a resistor 610 may be
implemented via resistive fabric 660. For example, one or more of
resistors 610AA-610NM may be one or more virtual resistors. For
instance, resistive fabric 660 may include a single piece of
fabric. As illustrated, electrical leads 612AA-612NA and
612AB-612AM may be coupled to resistive fabric 660. For example, an
impedance may be determined between two of leads 612AA-612NA and
612AB-612AM. In one instance, an impedance may be determined
between two of leads 612AA and 612AB as an impedance of a resistor
610AA. In another instance, a physical location of a resistor 610AA
may be based at least on physical locations of the two of leads
612AA and 612AB. In a second example, an impedance may be
determined between two of leads 612AA and 612AM as an impedance of
a resistor 610AM. In another instance, an impedance may be
determined between two of leads 612NA and 612AM as an impedance of
a resistor 610NM.
[0088] In one or more embodiments, a first lead of leads
612AA-612NA and 612AB-612AM may be coupled to a voltage source 620,
and a second lead of leads 612AA-612NA and 612AB-612AM may be
coupled to an amplifier 630, in which the second lead is different
from the first lead. For example, amplifier 630 may be coupled to
an ADC 640. For instance, ADC 640 may be coupled to BMU 140. In one
or more embodiments, BMU 140 may determine an impedance value
between the first lead and the second lead.
[0089] In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of a
topography of resistive fabric 660 may be determined. For example,
the at least the portion of the topography of resistive fabric 660
may be utilized as at least a portion of a topography of barrier
520. For instance, the at least the portion of the topography of
barrier 520 may be determined via determining the at least the
portion of the topography of resistive fabric 660. In one or more
embodiments, determining the at least the portion of the topography
of resistive fabric 660 may include determining one or more
impedance values of resistors 610AA-610NM, implemented via
resistive fabric 660, by determining one or more impedance values
between pairs of leads 612AA and 612AM. For example, if barrier 520
changes from a first shape to a second shape, one or more of
resistors 610AA-610NM may be utilized in determining that barrier
520 changed from the first shape to the second shape. For instance,
an impedance of a resistor 610 may change when barrier 520 changes
from the first shape to the second shape.
[0090] In one or more embodiments, at least a portion of a
topography of barrier 520 may be determined based at least on one
or more impedance changes of respective one or more resistors
610AA-610NM, implemented via resistive fabric 660. As an example,
one or more impedance changes of respective one or more resistors
610AA-610NM may indicate that at least a portion of barrier 520 has
become bowed (e.g., curved) outward from enclosure 415. For
instance, a buildup of gas within enclosure 415 may cause at least
a portion of barrier 520 to become bowed (e.g., curved) outward
from enclosure 415.
[0091] Turning now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, an example of a method of
utilizing a rechargeable battery is illustrated, according to one
or more embodiments. At 710, sensor data associated with a cell of
multiple cells may be received. For example, BMU 140 may receive
sensor data associated with a cell 410 of cells 410A-410N. For
instance, BMU 140 may receive the sensor data associated with cell
410 of cells 410A-410N from at least one ADC 640. As an example,
the sensor data associated with cell 410 may include at least one
impedance value of at least one resistor 610 associated with an
enclosure 415 of cell 410.
[0092] At 712, it may be determined if a change in impedance value
is at or above a threshold change in impedance value. For example,
BMU 140 may determine if a change in impedance value of a resistor
610 is at or above a threshold change in impedance value. In one or
more embodiments, determining if a change in impedance value of a
resistor 610 is at or above a threshold change in impedance value
may include comparing a current impedance value of resistor 610
with a previous impedance value of resistor 610. For example,
comparing the current impedance value of resistor 610 with the
previous impedance value of resistor 610 may include determining a
difference between the current impedance value of resistor 610 and
the previous impedance value of resistor 610. For instance,
determining if the change in impedance value of the resistor 610 is
at or above the threshold change in impedance may include
determining if the difference between the current impedance value
of resistor 610 and the previous impedance value of resistor 610 is
at or above the threshold change in impedance value.
[0093] If the change in impedance value is not at or above the
threshold change in impedance value, a gain of an amplifier may be
increased, at 714. For example, BMU 140 may increase a gain of an
amplifier 630. In one or more embodiments, increasing the gain of
the amplifier may include increasing the gain of the amplifier gain
within one or more limits. The method may proceed to 710, according
to one or more embodiments.
[0094] If the change in impedance value is at or above the
threshold change in impedance value, a swell rate of the cell may
be determined, at 716. For example, BMU 140 may determine a swell
rate of cell 410. In one or more embodiments, determining a swell
rate of the cell may include determining a volumetric change
associated with the cell. For instance, determining the volumetric
change associated with the cell may include determining a
volumetric change associated with the enclosure of the cell. In one
or more embodiments, determining a swell rate of the cell may be
based at least on the change in impedance value of the resistor
with respect to an amount of time transpiring. For example, the
amount of time transpiring may include an interval of time between
determining the previous impedance value of resistor the resistor
and determining the current impedance value of resistor the
resistor. In one or more embodiments, a distance of travel
associate with a barrier of the enclosure may be based at least on
the change in impedance value of the resistor.
[0095] At 718, a topology that includes the cell may be determined.
For example, BMU 140 may determine a topology that includes cell
410. For instance, determining a topology that includes cell 410
may include accessing stored data that includes information
associated with one or more topologies that include cells
410A-410N. As an example, an identifier may be associated with cell
410, and the topology that includes cell 410 may determine based at
least on searching the information associated with the one or more
topologies that include cells 410A-410N and based at least on the
identifier may be associated with cell 410.
[0096] At 720, a charge rate for the cell may be reduced. For
example, BMU 140 may reduce a charge rate for cell 410. For
instance, the charge rate for cell 410 may be reduced when cell 410
is being charged. At 722, a discharge rate for the cell may be
reduced. For example, BMU 140 may reduce a discharge rate for cell
410. For instance, discharge rate for cell 410 may be reduced when
cell 410 is being discharged.
[0097] At 724, information associated with the cell may be provided
to an embedded controller. For example, BMU 140 may provide
information associated with cell 410 to EC 130. For instance, BMU
140 may provide the information associated with cell 410 to EC 130
via a bus. As an example, the bus may include a SMBus. At 728, it
may be determined if the charge rate is at a charge rate threshold
of the battery. For example, EC 130 may determine if the charge
rate is at a charge rate threshold of battery 145.
[0098] If the charge rate is not at the charge rate threshold of
the battery, the method may proceed to 710, according to one or
more embodiments. If the charge rate is at the charge rate
threshold of the battery, it may be determined if the discharge
rate is at a discharge rate threshold of the battery, at 730. For
example, EC 130 may determine if the charge rate is at the charge
rate threshold of battery 145.
[0099] If the discharge rate is not at the discharge rate threshold
of the battery, the method may proceed to 710, according to one or
more embodiments. If the discharge rate is at the discharge rate
threshold of the battery, warning information may be provided to a
user of the information handling system, at 732. In one example,
providing the warning information to the user may include
displaying, via a display, warning information indicating one or
more issues with the battery. In a second example, providing the
warning information to the user may include illuminating one or
more light emitting diodes (LEDs), indicating one or more issues
with the battery. In another example, providing the warning
information to the user may include producing one or more sounds
indicating one or more issues with the battery. In one or more
embodiments, warning information may be provided to another
information handling system. For instance, warning information may
be provided to the other information handling system via a
network.
[0100] At 734, a series or a parallel topology associate with the
cell may be determined. For example, EC 130 may determine a series
or a parallel topology associate with cell 410. As an example, a
parallel topology associate with cell 410F, as illustrated in FIG.
4B, may be determined. For instance, cell 410F may be in parallel
with cells 410D and 410E. At 736, it may be determined if the cell
can be removed from the topology. For example, EC 130 may determine
if cell 410 can be removed from the topology.
[0101] If the cell cannot be removed from the topology, the method
may proceed to 710, according to one or more embodiments. If the
cell can be removed from the topology, the cell may be removed from
the topology, at 738. For example, EC 130 may remove cell 410 from
the topology. For instance, EC 130 may remove cell 410F from the
topology, as illustrated in FIG. 4C. As an example, cell 410 may be
coupled to one or more other cells 410 via one or more electrically
actuated switches. In one or more embodiments, EC 130 removing cell
410 from the topology may include EC 130 instructing BMU 140 to
remove cell 410 from the topology. For example, BMU 140 may remove
cell 410 from the topology.
[0102] In one or more embodiments, when a cell is removed from a
topology, other cells may be removed from other topologies as well.
For example, if cell 410F from its topology, cells 410C and 410I
may be re moved from their respective topologies, as well, as
illustrated in FIG. 4D. For instance, one or more electrically
actuated switches 420A-420L, illustrated in FIG. 4E, may be
utilized to remove cells 420C, 420F, and 420I from the topology.
Removing the cell from the topology may include controlling one or
more electrically actuated switches to remove the cell from the
topology, according to one or more embodiments. For example, one or
more electrically actuated switches 420A-420L, illustrated in FIG.
4E, may be controlled to remove cell 420 from the topology. For
instance, one or more of electrically actuated switches 420F and
420I may be controlled to remove cell 410 from the topology.
[0103] At 740, one or more cells of the battery may be rebalanced.
For example, BMU 140 may rebalance charges one or more cells of
battery 145. In one instance, charges of one or more of cells
410A-410E and 410G-410I may be rebalanced. In another instance,
charges of one or more of cells 410A, 410B, 410D, 410E, 410G, and
410H may be rebalanced. For or more embodiments, one or more
electrically actuated switches 420M-420X and 422A-422C, illustrated
in FIG. 4E, may be utilized to charge balance and/or charge
rebalance one or more of cells 410A-410I. In one example, one or
more of resistors 430A-430C, illustrated in FIG. 4E, may be
utilized to charge balance and/or charge rebalance one or more of
cells 410A-410I. In one or more embodiments, one or more
electrically actuated switches 420M-420X and 422A-422C, illustrated
in FIG. 4E, may be utilized to charge balance and/or charge
rebalance one or more of cells 410A, 410B, 410D, 410E, 410G, and
410H. For example, one or more of resistors 430A-430C, illustrated
in FIG. 4E, may be utilized to charge balance and/or charge
rebalance one or more of cells 410A, 410B, 410D, 410E, 410G, and
410H.
[0104] At 742, suggestion information indicating replacing the
battery may be provided to the user. In one example, providing the
suggestion information indicating replacing the battery may include
displaying, via a display, suggestion information indicating that
the battery should be replaced. In a second example, providing the
suggestion information indicating replacing the battery may include
illuminating one or more LEDs, indicating replacing the battery. In
another example, providing the suggestion information indicating
replacing the battery may include producing one or more sounds
indicating replacing the battery. In one or more embodiments,
suggestion information indicating replacing the battery may be
provided to another information handling system. For example,
providing the suggestion information to the other information
handling system may include providing the suggestion information to
the other information handling system via a network. In one or more
embodiments, the method may proceed to 710.
[0105] Turning now to FIG. 8A, a second example of a method of
utilizing a rechargeable battery is illustrated, according to one
or more embodiments. At 810, first multiple impedance values of
respective first multiple resistors associated with a first barrier
of an enclosure of a cell of a rechargeable battery that includes
multiple cells may be determined. For example, BMU 140 may
determine first multiple impedance values of respective first
multiple resistors associated with a first barrier of enclosure
520F of cell 410F. In one or more embodiments, a value may include
a numeric value.
[0106] At 812, second multiple impedance values of the respective
first multiple resistors may be determined. For example, BMU 140
may determine second multiple impedance values of the respective
first multiple resistors. At 814, first multiple impedance value
changes of the respective first multiple resistors may be
determined based at least on the first multiple impedance values
and the second multiple impedance values. For example, BMU 140 may
determine first multiple impedance value changes of the respective
first multiple resistors based at least on the first multiple
impedance values and the second multiple impedance values. In one
or more embodiments, a value change may include a numeric
value.
[0107] At 816, it may be determined that at least a portion of the
first multiple impedance value changes exceed a threshold impedance
value change. For example, BMU 140 may determine that at least a
portion of the first multiple impedance value changes exceed a
threshold impedance value change. At 818, it may be determined that
the cell is compromised based at least on determining that the at
least the portion of the first multiple impedance value changes
exceed the threshold impedance value change. For example, BMU 140
may determine that cell 410F is compromised based at least on
determining that the at least the portion of the first multiple
impedance value changes exceed the threshold impedance value
change.
[0108] At 820, the cell may be removed from a topology of the
rechargeable battery. For example, BMU 140 may remove cell 410F
from a topology of battery 145. In one or more embodiments,
removing the cell from a topology of the rechargeable battery may
be performed in response to determining that the cell is
compromised. In one or more embodiments, removing the cell from the
topology of the rechargeable battery may include configuring the
rechargeable battery such that the cell is no longer actively
charged and/or is no longer actively discharged. For example,
removing the cell from the topology of the rechargeable battery may
include configuring the rechargeable battery to electrically bypass
utilizing the cell.
[0109] Turning now to FIG. 8B, another example of a method of
utilizing a rechargeable battery is illustrated, according to one
or more embodiments. At 830, first multiple impedance values of
respective first multiple resistors associated with a first barrier
of an enclosure of a cell of a rechargeable battery that includes
multiple cells may be determined. For example, BMU 140 may
determine first multiple impedance values of respective first
multiple resistors associated with a first barrier of enclosure
520F of cell 410F.
[0110] At 832, second multiple impedance values of the respective
first multiple resistors may be determined. For example, BMU 140
may determine second multiple impedance values of the respective
first multiple resistors. At 834, first multiple impedance value
changes of the respective first multiple resistors may be
determined based at least on the first multiple impedance values
and the second multiple impedance values. For example, BMU 140 may
determine first multiple impedance value changes of the respective
first multiple resistors based at least on the first multiple
impedance values and the second multiple impedance values.
[0111] At 836, third multiple impedance values of respective second
multiple resistors associated with a second barrier of the
enclosure of the cell may be determined. For example, BMU 140 may
determine third multiple impedance values of respective second
multiple resistors associated with a second barrier of enclosure
520 of cell 410F. At 838, fourth multiple impedance values of the
respective second multiple resistors may be determined. For
example, BMU 140 may determine fourth multiple impedance values of
the respective second multiple resistors.
[0112] At 840, second multiple impedance value changes of the
respective second multiple resistors may be determined based at
least on the third multiple impedance values and the fourth
multiple impedance values. For example, BMU 140 may determine
second multiple impedance value changes of the respective second
multiple resistors based at least on the third multiple impedance
values and the fourth multiple impedance values. At 842, it may be
determined that at least a portion of the first multiple impedance
value changes exceed a threshold impedance value change. For
example, BMU 140 may determine that at least a portion of the first
multiple impedance value changes exceed a threshold impedance value
change.
[0113] At 844, it may be determined that at least a portion of the
second multiple impedance value changes exceed the threshold
impedance value change. For example, BMU 140 may determine that at
least a portion of the second multiple impedance value changes
exceed the threshold impedance value change.
[0114] At 846, it may be determined that the cell is compromised
based at least on determining that the at least the portion of the
first multiple impedance value changes exceed the threshold
impedance value change and based at least on determining that the
at least the portion of the second multiple impedance value changes
exceed the threshold impedance value change. For example, BMU 140
may determine that cell 410F is compromised based at least on
determining that the at least the portion of the first multiple
impedance value changes exceed the threshold impedance value change
and based at least on determining that the at least the portion of
the second multiple impedance value changes exceed the threshold
impedance value change.
[0115] At 848, the cell may be removed from a topology of the
rechargeable battery. For example, BMU 140 may remove cell 410F
from a topology of battery 145. In one or more embodiments,
removing the cell from a topology of the rechargeable battery may
be performed in response to determining that the cell is
compromised. In one or more embodiments, removing the cell from the
topology of the rechargeable battery may include configuring the
rechargeable battery such that the cell is no longer actively
charged and/or is no longer actively discharged. For example,
removing the cell from the topology of the rechargeable battery may
include configuring the rechargeable battery to electrically bypass
utilizing the cell.
[0116] In one or more embodiments, one or more of the method and/or
process elements and/or one or more portions of a method and/or a
process element may be performed in varying orders, may be
repeated, or may be omitted. Furthermore, additional,
supplementary, and/or duplicated method and/or process elements may
be implemented, instantiated, and/or performed as desired,
according to one or more embodiments. Moreover, one or more of
system elements may be omitted and/or additional system elements
may be added as desired, according to one or more embodiments.
[0117] In one or more embodiments, a memory medium may be and/or
may include an article of manufacture. For example, the article of
manufacture may include and/or may be a software product and/or a
program product. For instance, the memory medium may be coded
and/or encoded with processor-executable instructions in accordance
with at least a portion of one or more flowcharts, at least a
portion of one or more systems, at least a portion of one or more
methods, and/or at least a portion of one or more processes
described herein to produce the article of manufacture.
[0118] The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered
illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are
intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other
embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the
present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the
scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest
permissible interpretation of the following claims and their
equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the
foregoing detailed description.
* * * * *