Abstract: Mobile battery powered workstation carts for order fulfillment are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery powered workstation cart may comprise a wheeled cart having a frame, a rechargeable lithium battery, a computer, a barcode reader/scanner, a RFID reader/scanner, a printer, an artificial intelligence hub, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and/or GPS. The frame may also comprise two side bracket arms and/or shelves, which may be modular to receive various different sized baskets, bins, or totes therein to expedite retail order fulfillment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various mobile battery powered beverage distribution and marketing carts, kiosks, systems, and methods for operating, transporting, charging, maintaining, optimizing, and storing these mobile battery powered beverage distribution and marketing carts. The mobile battery powered beverage carts may generally comprise a wheeled base, upper workstation, at least one storage and/or refrigerated compartment, a battery, and a large viewing screen for displaying marketing and/or entertainment content thereon. The battery within the cart is configured to operate any electrical componentry on the cart, so that the cart can be independently operable away from any electrical wall outlets. These carts can be customized with any number of options or accessories to meet particular demands and be temporarily deployed to areas where demand, or crowd size, is highest.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are battery management systems and methods for activating battery override logic for a battery management system to provide a power path to a battery pack. A method of activating battery override logic for a battery management system may comprise detecting a predetermined key toggle sequence performed in a predetermined amount of time or detecting an override message received from a CAN bus. The method may further comprise determining if the last override turn-on sequence was requested more than a predetermined amount of time ago, confirming that the override is configured for the contactor, and turning on the contactor to provide a power path to the battery pack for a limited predetermined amount of time. An exemplary predetermined toggle sequence may comprise on-off-on-off-on performed within 10 seconds. An exemplary override message from the CAN bus may be initiated by a user having a key, code, or access card.

Abstract: Battery management system with integrated contactor economizer. A system for reducing power consumption included herein comprises a switching mechanism comprising a switch, and a microcontroller coupled to the switching mechanism, wherein the switching mechanism is coupled to a coupling mechanism and configured to energize the coupling mechanism, and wherein the processor is configured to provides a pulse width modulated on/off signal with duty cycle ranging between 50% to 100% and frequencies between 1 KHz to 20 KHz.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tracking and analysis devices, systems, and methods for optimizing workflow operations using the tracking and analysis devices and a plurality of movable and fixed tracking beacons. The movable tracking beacons may be configured for secure attachment to, or incorporation within, mobile workflow assets, while the fixed tracking beacons may be placed around the workflow environment in a grid-pattern. The tracking and analysis devices, as well as the movable and fixed tracking beacons, may each comprise any combination of a: battery, a low frequency Bluetooth module, an accelerometer, a Wi-Fi module, a USB hub, and/or an RFID reader/scanner. The tracking and analysis device may track and identify a workflow asset's location within a workflow environment within a range of about 2-3 feet by receiving and comparing relative signal strength of low frequency Bluetooth signals received from the movable tracking beacons and/or the plurality of fixed tracking beacons.

Abstract: Multi-cell battery management devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A multi-cell battery management device comprises a battery pack including a power output terminal and a plurality of battery cells each having a positive and a negative terminal and connected in series fashion. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes: i) a cell control processor to monitor cell voltage, cell current, cell temperature, and cell fuse status; ii) a programmable shunt controlled by the cell control processor that varies the internal resistance of each of the cells; and iii) a data communications circuit connected to the cell control processor and to the positive and negative terminals of each cell, the communications circuit enabling data communication over the battery cell positive and negative output terminals, and wherein the cell control processor responds to commands received via the data communications circuit to vary the operating state of the programmable shunt.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are batteries, battery packs, systems, and methods for calculating and/or determining, and then compensating for, the voltage loss due to interconnect resistance (IR) between cells of a battery pack. A program may calculate and/or determine the cell IR between each of the cells in a battery pack, which is referred to herein as the “calibration value,” and may be determined during the initial battery pack design phase. A program may then multiply the cell IR or “calibration value” by the measured pack current to compensate for the measured cell voltage. The cell IR or “calibration value” may be used during manufacture of the battery pack to compensate for the interconnect resistance (IR) between cells. This compensation for voltage loss due to IR between cells will increase accuracy of the BMS and improve overall battery pack performance, without increasing material costs or size of the battery pack.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are battery management systems and methods for activating battery override logic for a battery management system to provide a power path to a battery pack. A method of activating battery override logic for a battery management system may comprise detecting a predetermined key toggle sequence performed in a predetermined amount of time or detecting an override message received from a CAN bus. The method may further comprise determining if the last override turn-on sequence was requested more than a predetermined amount of time ago, confirming that the override is configured for the contactor, and turning on the contactor to provide a power path to the battery pack for a limited predetermined amount of time. An exemplary predetermined toggle sequence may comprise on-off-on-off-on performed within 10 seconds. An exemplary override message from the CAN bus may be initiated by a user having a key, code, or access card.

Abstract: Mobile swappable battery for a powered workstation. In an embodiment of a mobile swappable battery sized for detachable coupling with a base of a powered workstation of the present disclosure, the battery comprises a wheeled housing enclosing a portion of the battery, wherein the wheeled housing comprises at least two wheels attached to a bottom side of the housing, and a collapsible handle for pushing and guiding the wheeled housing into detachable alignment with a battery guide in the base of the powered workstation.

Abstract: Battery management systems and methods for using the same to obtain battery shock and/or rollover data. An exemplary battery management system of the present disclosure comprises an accelerometer configured to obtain acceleration data, a microcontroller operably connected to the accelerometer and configured to receive the acceleration data from the accelerometer, and a data storage medium in communication with the microcontroller, the data storage medium configured to store the acceleration data therein, wherein when the battery management system is in communication with a battery, the accelerometer can obtain the acceleration data relating to the battery, and the microcontroller can operate to disconnect the battery from a load connected thereto should the acceleration data meet or exceed a threshold limit.

Abstract: Multi-cell battery management devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A multi-cell battery management device comprises a battery pack including a power output terminal and a plurality of battery cells each having a positive and a negative terminal and connected in series fashion. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes: i) a cell control processor to monitor cell voltage, cell current, cell temperature, and cell fuse status; ii) a programmable shunt controlled by the cell control processor that varies the internal resistance of each of the cells; and iii) a data communications circuit connected to the cell control processor and to the positive and negative terminals of each cell, the communications circuit enabling data communication over the battery cell positive and negative output terminals, and wherein the cell control processor responds to commands received via the data communications circuit to vary the operating state of the programmable shunt.

Abstract: Power systems and methods of using the same to deliver power. A power system referenced herein can include a housing capable of attaching to a workstation, one or more cradles or mounting fixtures to receive at least one energy storage device, electronic circuitry to communicate status of the at least one energy storage device, state of charge of the at least one energy storage device, and/or overall health of the at least one energy storage device, and one or more electrical connectors to allow the at least one energy storage device to charge and/or discharge and communicate with the electronic circuitry, with said housing having an internal power supply and charge circuitry, said power supply capable of receiving input power from an external AC or DC power source; wherein the power system is configured to deliver power to the workstation.

Abstract: Mobile battery powered workstation carts for order fulfillment are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery powered workstation cart may comprise a wheeled cart having a frame, a rechargeable lithium battery, a computer, a barcode reader/scanner, a RFID reader/scanner, a printer, an artificial intelligence hub, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and/or GPS. The frame may also comprise two side bracket arms and/or shelves, which may be modular to receive various different sized baskets, bins, or totes therein to expedite retail order fulfillment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, devices, systems, and methods for operating same. A battery management system (BMS) may be configured to monitor and control heating and cooling elements within the battery. The at least one battery pack may have battery cells and harnessing disposed therein, as well as at least one temperature control element configured to absorb heat and/or exhaust heat from within the battery to outside the battery to decrease and/or increase temperature within the battery. Also disclosed herein are batteries having phase change materials (PCM), heating element(s), and/or thermal electric device(s) disposed therein and configured to maintain internal temperature of the battery at an optimal range for uninterrupted battery operations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are battery docks for receiving a battery, and methods for switching off an electrical load to a battery or to the battery dock to prevent overheating. A battery dock may comprise a battery connection contact to attach to a battery, and a circuit sensor electrically coupled to the battery connection contact for sensing the temperature of the battery dock and at the battery connection contact. The circuit sensor can be configured to switch off an electrical load or charging current once a threshold temperature has been reached to prevent overheating. In operation, the temperature of the battery dock, such as at the battery connection contact, may be sensed or monitored and electrical current may be prevented from passing to/from the battery by switching off the battery dock if the sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature.

Abstract: Battery management systems and methods for using the same to obtain battery shock and/or rollover data. An exemplary battery management system of the present disclosure comprises an accelerometer configured to obtain acceleration data, a microcontroller operably connected to the accelerometer and configured to receive the acceleration data from the accelerometer, and a data storage medium in communication with the microcontroller, the data storage medium configured to store the acceleration data therein, wherein when the battery management system is in communication with a battery, the accelerometer can obtain the acceleration data relating to the battery, and the microcontroller can operate to disconnect the battery from a load connected thereto should the acceleration data meet or exceed a threshold limit.

Abstract: Power systems and methods of using the same to deliver power. A power system referenced herein can include a housing capable of attaching to a workstation, one or more cradles or mounting fixtures to receive at least one energy storage device, electronic circuitry to communicate status of the at least one energy storage device, state of charge of the at least one energy storage device, and/or overall health of the at least one energy storage device, and one or more electrical connectors to allow the at least one energy storage device to charge and/or discharge and communicate with the electronic circuitry, with said housing having an internal power supply and charge circuitry, said power supply capable of receiving input power from an external AC or DC power source; wherein the power system is configured to deliver power to the workstation.

Abstract: Battery management systems with dual CAN messaging. In at least one embodiment of a battery management system (BMS) of the present disclosure, the BMS comprises at least two, dual, controller area network (CAN) transceivers, wherein a first CAN transceiver is for a vehicle bus and a second CAN transceiver is for a charger bus, and a computer program operable to communicate with the two, dual, CAN transceivers to toggle back and forth between vehicle intended, and charger intended, messaging states to improve battery operating efficiency.

Abstract: Mobile battery powered workstation carts for order fulfillment are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery powered workstation cart may comprise a wheeled cart having a frame, a rechargeable lithium battery, a computer, a barcode reader/scanner, a RFID reader/scanner, a printer, an artificial intelligence hub, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and/or GPS. The frame may also comprise two side bracket arms and/or shelves, which may be modular to receive various different sized baskets, bins, or totes therein to expedite retail order fulfillment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are battery management systems (BMS) for controlling the operating state of a battery pack device, as well as methods for changing the operating state of a battery pack device. The battery pack may have multiple cells therein, each cell capable of generating multiple different voltages to allow more energy (voltage×current) to be quickly and efficiently put into the battery, thus optimizing battery charging (i.e., reducing battery charging times). These battery packs may change from operating in series, to operating in parallel, when desired, while utilizing affordable relays and more affordable electrical components. These battery packs may be comprised of any number of cells and can controlled and/or operated by the BMS, for optimal battery charging, or for optimal discharging, as desired. The BMS may be any type of control logic and/or software, operable to control and/or operate the battery packs.