Cell balancing device targets battery stack applications

The device is targeted at applications such as electric vehicles, plug in hybrid EVs and large energy storage systems. Linear says it goes beyond purely dissipative passive balancing solutions, enhancing battery performance by transferring charge to or from adjacent cells in order to bring mismatched cells into SoC balance within the stack. By redistributing charge throughout the stack, the LTC3300-1 compensates for lost capacity due to the weakest cells, enabling faster charging and extending the run time and usable lifetime of the battery stack. The device utilises a non isolated bi-directional synchronous flyback topology to balance up to six series connected cells. Charge can be transferred between a selected cell and 12 or more adjacent cells. All balancers can operate independently and simultaneously with charge/discharge currents up to 10A. According to Linear, bi-directional operation and simultaneous balancing minimises the time required to equalise stack SoC, and the parts' high transfer efficiency (up to 92%) enables high current balancing with minimal power dissipation.