Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for permitting a wireless power receiver to be charged by a wireless power transmitter. The method includes generating a Power Receiving Unit (PRU) control signal including permission information indicating charging permission for the wireless power receiver; and transmitting the PRU control signal to the wireless power receiver.

Abstract: A solar powered device comprising a solar radiation collection portion, wherein the solar radiation collection portion includes: a solar panel to collect solar radiation, a concentrator surrounding the solar panel to concentrate the solar radiation, and a charge controller coupled to the solar panel, a base portion, a plurality of legs, and a connection portion operably connecting the solar radiation collection portion to the base portion, the connection portion including a connection member having a first end and a second end is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A connectivity check for a rechargeable energy storage system including a string of rechargeable energy storage cell modules in series. Each cell module has an individual rechargeable energy storage cell or plurality of rechargeable energy storage cells, a switch for use in a connection check, a monitoring and control circuit adapted for measuring a cell module voltage, a single common connection between a terminal of a rechargeable energy storage cell and the monitoring and control circuit within each module. To perform the connectivity check the switch is opened in one module, a cell voltage is measured in the module to give a first measured value, the switch is closed. The cell voltage is measured again to provide a second measured value, and a determination is made if there is a difference between the first and second measured values which would indicate a bad connection.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a battery pack that includes a plurality of asymmetrical banks, with different capacities and/or voltages, and multiple taps, coupled to the corresponding banks, to power electrical loads. The battery pack also comprise a balancing circuit and a battery management unit. The battery pack may regulate voltages among the banks and/or balance the states of charge among the asymmetrical banks, by moving charges among the banks, by controlling one or more converters. The battery pack monitors the status of its banks and communicate with a host system via the battery management unit. Based on the monitored information and/or communication, the battery management unit generates control signals to drive the one or more converters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceiling mounted charging station for charging the battery of an electric vehicle (210) parking on a parking space (200). The charging station comprises a charging arm (120) for connection with the electric vehicle (210). The first end of the charging arm (120) is mounted to a housing (140) of the charging station. A charging interface (180) for connection with a corresponding charging socket (220) of the electric vehicle (210) is located at a second end of the charging arm (120) opposite to the first end. The charging arm (120) is rotatable with respect to the housing (140) between a stored-position and a use-position. The distance of the second end of the charging arm (120) to the ground (250) of the parking space (200) is smaller in the use-position as in the store-position.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing hybrid power control in an electronic device includes a charger positioned in the electronic device, and the charger is arranged for selectively charging a battery of the electronic device. In addition, at least one portion of the charger is implemented within a charger chip. For example, the charger may include: a plurality of terminals that are positioned on the charger chip, where the plurality of terminals may include a third terminal and a fourth terminal; a plurality of switching units, positioned on the charger chip; and a control circuit, positioned on the charger chip and coupled to the plurality of switching units. The third terminal and the fourth terminal may be arranged for installing an inductor, where the inductor may be utilized by the charger when the control circuit configures the charger into any of at least two hardware configurations within a plurality of hardware configurations.

Abstract: According to embodiments, an electric bus includes an electricity storage function unit, a power receiving unit, a charger, a driving unit, doors, and a controller. The controller transmits a first signal including information capable of identifying an attribute of the electric bus and instructing an external device to start charging the electricity storage function unit, to the external device, upon detecting at least one of the doors is opened; and transmits a second signal instructing the external device to stop charging the electricity storage function unit, to the external device, upon detecting all the doors are closed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for wired charging and communication with a wearable device are described. In one embodiment, a symmetrical contact interface comprises a first contact pad and a second contact pad, and particular wired circuitry is coupled to the first and second contact pads to enable charging as well as receive and transmit communications via the contact pads as part of various device states.

Abstract: A battery controlling device includes: a voltage detecting unit configured to detect a closed-circuit voltage of a secondary battery; an open-circuit-voltage computing unit configured to compute an open-circuit voltage of the secondary battery; and an assembled-battery controlling unit configured to discriminate whether a computed value computed based on a voltage difference between the closed-circuit voltage and the open-circuit voltage of the secondary battery in a continuous predetermined period is exceeding a permissible value determined in advance or not. If the computed value is exceeding the permissible value determined in advance, the assembled-battery controlling unit outputs a signal that carries out charge/discharge restriction of the secondary battery.

Abstract: A power-receiving apparatus includes a power supply unit and a wireless communication unit. The power supply unit includes a first rechargeable battery that accumulates power, a power-receiving unit that receives power transferred from a power-transfer apparatus by using a radio system, and a power controller that, in a wireless charging mode, performs control of charging of the first rechargeable battery in accordance with the power received by the power-receiving unit and stops supply of the power to a main controller. The wireless charging mode is set for wirelessly charging the first rechargeable battery as an operation mode. The main controller performs control of predetermined operations of the power-receiving apparatus. The wireless communication unit operates when receiving supply of the power from the power supply unit and wirelessly communicates with the power-transfer apparatus.

Abstract: A transmitter for transmitting wireless power according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a transmission side communication unit, wherein the transmission side communication unit transmits a first control signal to a reception side communication unit, then receives a second control signal including information about an amount of power of the first control signal from the reception side communication unit, and controls the amount of power of the first control signal by comparing the amount of power of the first control signal with a predetermined range based on the second control signal.

Abstract: There are disclosed herein various implementations of a connect/disconnect module for use with a battery pack. The connect/disconnect module includes a charge/discharge current path including multiple transistors having a first safe operating area (SOA), and a pre-charge current path coupled across the charge/discharge current path. The pre-charge current path includes multiple transistors having a second SOA that is significantly greater than the first SOA.

Abstract: A vehicle is configured to receive electric power from a residence and allow an in-vehicle electric storage device to be charged with the received electric power. A controller estimates a start time of use of the vehicle, calculates a charging start time based on the estimated start time of use of the vehicle and a required time to complete charging of the electric storage device, and provides an instruction to perform charging of the electric storage device. The controller learns a relationship between a use status of a household appliance at the residence before the start of use of the vehicle and a use status of the vehicle, and estimates the start time of use of the vehicle based on the learned relationship and the use status of the household appliance.

Abstract: A method for determining voltages and/or power available in an electrical recharging network that includes at least one voltage generator and at least one recharging terminal i corresponding, at a first instant t1, to a predetermined reference impedance zii. At an instant t2, the method implements at least one iteration of the following acts: estimating a changing of the reference impedance zii into a modified impedance z?ii; updating a voltage of the recharging terminal i by determining a modified inverted loop impedance matrix Zloop_M?1 as a function of a reference inverted loop impedance matrix Zloop_R?1 and of a difference between the modified impedance z?ii and the reference impedance zii, delivering a voltage U?i; and verifying/updating a value of power available at the recharging terminal i as a function of a voltage U?i, a maximum power of the generator and/or a threshold voltage delivering, an available power Pdisp_i.

Abstract: A battery charging system and method that take different sources of information regarding the battery status and user needs, assesses the charging objectives and the battery state, derives the charging decisions, and then charges the battery accordingly. A controller interprets the information and, in connection with inputs from user, determines an optimal charging application for the battery. The battery charging system and methods operate in a either real-time or approximately real-time fashion. It can collect the data information, makes the charging decisions based on rules, principles, algorithms and computation, and implements the decisions. It can also be triggered by time or event related with the battery status.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a controller configured to, responsive to an alignment mode, disable a power rectifier configured to transfer charge between a secondary coil and battery, and enable a precision rectifier to output a voltage responsive to current induced in the secondary coil resulting from current through a corresponding primary coil, and responsive to the voltage exceeding a threshold, enable the power rectifier and disable the precision rectifier.

Abstract: A method for transmitting wireless power in a wireless charging system is provided and includes receiving at least one of information on an available maximum temperature and maximum voltage value information of a back end of a rectification unit from at least one wireless power receiving unit (PRU) from among a plurality of PRUs, receiving at least one of information on a current temperature and current voltage value information of the back end of the rectification unit from each of the plurality of PRUs, and determining a dominant PRU among the plurality of PRUs based on the at least one of information.

Abstract: A battery protecting apparatus includes: a charging/discharging control chip including a charging control FET and a discharging control FET connected to a secondary battery; a protecting chip configured to control, based on a voltage between both ends of the secondary battery, the FETs to prevent overcharging, over discharging, and an overcurrent; and a lead frame having a connection surface for a plurality of external terminals and another surface in conduction with the connection surface. Said another surface is electrically connected, via a conductive material, to terminals of the FETs formed on a front surface of the charging/discharging control chip. A back surface of the protecting chip faces a back surface of the charging/discharging control chip via an insulative member. Terminals of the protecting chip are electrically connected to said another surface through bonding wires. The charging/discharging control chip and the protecting chip are covered by a resin.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery, a battery management system (BMS), a charge switch, a discharge switch, and a tilt sensor. The BMS monitors voltage and current states of the battery and control charge and discharge operations of the battery. The charge and discharge switches operate based on control signals from the BMS. The BMS measures a variation in tilt angle of the battery pack or a load based on tilt information sensed by the tilt sensor, and turns off the discharge switch when the tilt angle variation is equal to or less than a first critical value for a preset time period. The load may be an electric vehicle or another type of load.

Abstract: A device includes a body and a rechargeable battery positioned within the body. A solar cell is coupled to the body and in communication with the battery. A connector is coupled to the body and configured to engage a corresponding connector of a fiber optic cable.