Battery with integrated power management system and scalable battery cutoff component

Abstract

The present disclosure relates battery with an integrated power management system and scalable cutoff component, the battery system including a battery housing with first and second voltage output terminals, a plurality of rechargeable battery cells within the battery housing and having first and second voltage terminals; a power management system for generating an external control signal and an internal control signal based upon monitored operating parameters of the plurality of rechargeable battery cells, said external control signal for controlling an external power source and/or an external load, said power management system forming an integral part of the battery system and a cutoff switch circuit within the battery housing and for making and breaking a conductive path between the first voltage terminal of the plurality of battery cells and the first voltage output terminal of the battery housing in response the internal control signal from the battery management system.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for operating a battery system comprising:
 monitoring operating parameters of a plurality of rechargeable battery cells within a battery housing;   generating an external control signal and an internal control signal based upon the monitored operating parameters of a plurality of rechargeable battery cells, said external control signal for controlling an external power source and/or an external load; and   making or breaking a conductive path between the first voltage terminal of the plurality of battery cells and the first voltage output terminal of the battery housing in response to the internal control signal.   
     
     
         13 . The method for operating a battery system of  claim 12 , wherein the operating parameters comprise voltage across a shunt resistor within the battery housing. 
     
     
         14 . The method for operating a battery system of  claim 12 , wherein the operating parameters comprise temperature and voltage across a plurality of metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) within the battery housing. 
     
     
         15 . The method for operating a battery system of  claim 12 , wherein the making or breaking a conductive path comprises activating a cutoff switch comprising a plurality of metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs).