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.

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: Thermal sensor for a battery. In an exemplary embodiment of a battery docking connector of the present disclosure, the connector comprises exposed battery contacts, and a circuit sensor electrically coupled to the exposed battery contacts for sensing the temperature at the exposed battery contacts, wherein the circuit sensor is configured to switch off an electrical load coupled thereto once a threshold temperature has been reached, to prevent overheating of a battery providing power to the electrical load.

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: Disclosed herein are mobile battery powered kiosks generally shaped as a standing workstation having an interactive touch screen at a comfortable viewing height and a wheeled base portion for convenient rolling transportation. These mobile kiosks may have collapsible handles and may be nested together for more compact storage and more efficient battery charging, such as by daisy chaining These mobile kiosks may have removable or swappable rechargeable batteries, or may be recharged simply by plugging into a wall outlet. The mobile kiosks have an interactive touch screen, which may itself be a computer, or may be operably coupled to a computer, such as via Wi-Fi. These mobile kiosks may be used at a point-of sale and are wheeled and lightweight to be easily maneuvered and quickly deployed when needed, such as at crowded venues, or on a temporary as-needed basis, and can then be put away, when no longer needed.

Abstract: Battery systems containing recyclable battery portions. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a battery system, comprising a housing configured to retain two or more battery portions; two or more battery portions configured to fit within the housing; wherein the housing is configured to fit within a battery compartment of a cart; wherein the two or more battery portions, when effectively connected together using a central connector of the battery system, collectively produce sufficient power to power electronic equipment of the cart; and wherein each of the two or more battery portions weigh at or below a desired threshold weight.

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: Systems and methods for operating an add-on battery that may be electrically coupled to a second system that includes an electrical energy storage device are presented. In one example, the systems and methods provide for extending operation of the second system via selectively powering the second system via the add-on battery in response to operating conditions of the second system.

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 systems containing recyclable battery portions. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a battery system, comprising a housing configured to retain two or more battery portions; two or more battery portions configured to fit within the housing; wherein the housing is configured to fit within a battery compartment of a cart; wherein the two or more battery portions, when effectively connected together using a central connector of the battery system, collectively produce sufficient power to power electronic equipment of the cart; and wherein each of the two or more battery portions weigh at or below a desired threshold weight.

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 are mobile battery powered workstations, methods of operating these workstations to increase warehouse and retail efficiency (through improved order fulfillment, as a mobile shipping & receiving station, mobile inventory management, and/or as mobile powered quality analysis stations), and methods of calculating remaining battery runtime for these workstations. A mobile battery powered workstation may comprise a wheeled base having a modular battery power bay, an upper workstation having a monitor, a computer, a printer, and at least one adjustable height column coupling the wheeled base to the upper workstation. The workstation may also include a glass overlay display positioned on a top surface of the upper workstation area and configured to provide order fulfillment employees with haptic feedback on remaining battery runtime, calculated via an algorithm for increased accuracy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an add-on battery that may be electrically coupled to a second system that includes an electrical energy storage device are presented. In one example, the systems and methods provide for extending operation of the second system via selectively powering the second system via the add-on battery in response to operating conditions of the second system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mobile battery powered medical carts, methods of operating these carts to increase efficiency of health-care operations, and methods of accurately calculating remaining battery runtime for these carts. A mobile battery powered medical cart may comprise a wheeled base portion having a sliding battery power bay, an upper workstation area having a monitor, a computer, and a printer, and at least one adjustable height column coupling the wheeled base portion to the upper workstation area. The carts may include a glass overlay display positioned on a top surface of the upper workstation area and having anti-bacterial and chemical resistant properties. The glass overlay display may be configured to provide medical employees with haptic feedback on remaining battery runtime, calculated via a custom algorithm for increased accuracy.

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: Multi-cell battery management devices, systems, and method of operation are disclosed herein. A multi-cell battery pack includes a power output terminal and a plurality of battery cells each having a positive terminal and a negative terminal connected in series.

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.