Abstract: State based full and empty control for rechargeable batteries that will assure a uniform battery empty condition, even in the presence of a load on the battery. A fuel gauge provides a prediction of the open circuit voltage of the battery, and when the predicted open circuit voltage of the battery reaches the predetermined open circuit voltage of an empty battery, the load is terminated, after which the battery will relax back to the predetermined open circuit voltage of an empty battery. A similar technique is disclosed for battery charging, allowing faster battery charging without overcharging. Preferably an RC battery model is used as the fuel gauge to provide the prediction, but as an alternative, a coulomb counter may be used to provide the prediction, with error correction between successive charge discharge cycles.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a rechargeable battery for a vehicle are disclosed. The system may comprise an electrical generation apparatus that is a source of electric charge, a mobile unit to transport a vehicle, and a tie down having an input end and an output end. The tie down may be configured to releasably secure the vehicle to the mobile unit and to provide electrical charge generated by the electrical generation apparatus to the battery.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adapt the charging of a battery using data which is representative of an overpotential or relaxation time (full or partial) of the battery. In another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to calculate data which is representative of an overpotential or relaxation time (full or partial) of the battery. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to calculate data which is representative of a state of charge of the battery using an overpotential or relaxation time (full or partial) of the battery.

Abstract: A battery pack, and a method of controlling the battery pack are disclosed. The battery pack detects consumption current when a load is not turned on, and shuts off power when a load is turned off or in stand-by mode, thereby preventing consumption current of the load from flowing.

Abstract: An operating machine includes: a charging time estimation unit that estimates a first estimated charging time required to restore a capacity of a first battery from a first estimated residual capacity to a target capacity value of the first battery and a second estimated charging time required to restore a capacity of a second battery from a second estimated residual capacity to a target capacity value of the second battery; a capacity management implementation unit that implements capacity management on the first battery and the second battery such that the first battery is charged for the first estimated charging time and the second battery is charged for the second estimated charging time; and a discharge amount limitation unit for limiting a discharge amount of the second battery during an idling stop so that a residual capacity of the second battery after discharge is maintained at or above a set value.

Abstract: Power management techniques are disclosed. For instance, an apparatus may include a bidirectional voltage converter circuit, and a control module that selectively operates the bidirectional voltage converter circuit in a charging mode and a delivery mode. The charging mode converts a voltage provided by an interface (e.g., a USB interface) into a charging voltage employed by an energy storage module (e.g., a rechargeable battery). Conversely, the delivery mode converts a voltage provided by the energy storage module into a voltage employed by the interface. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Charging and discharging an energy storage device (ESD) generates heat and may prevent its temperature from dropping to unsafe levels. By monitoring and managing the charge and discharge of an ESD with respect to the periods of time in which demand charges are determined, the heating will have minimal adverse effect on demand charges. ESDs may also exchange energy in a controlled manner for heating purposes and reduce reliance on utility grid-based energy sources. ESD heating may also be made more efficient by offsetting the heating with load shedding during charging periods. Precharging the ESD while heating or preheating the ESD by charging and discharging can prevent new maximum demand levels from appearing and thereby limit increases in demand charges.

Abstract: A charging apparatus that enables power line communication to be performed even via a charging apparatus. This charging apparatus is provided in a vehicle having an electrical storage apparatus that stores power supplied to a power supply inlet, a wheel driving section that rotates a wheel by means of power stored in the electrical storage apparatus, and an in-vehicle device that is connected to the storage apparatus via a power line; and has an AC/DC conversion section that converts power supplied from the power supply inlet from alternating-current to direct-current and outputs this to the electrical storage apparatus, and a capacitor that causes a power line communication signal input from the power supply inlet to bypass the AC/DC conversion section.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charging station is described. The charging station includes an input connector configured for coupling with an alternating current (AC) power source and an output connector configured for coupling with an electric vehicle. The charging station also includes a variable-output transformer comprising a primary side and a secondary side. The primary side is coupled to the input connector and the secondary side is coupled to the output connector and configured to be in selective electromagnetic communication with an energy storage device associated with the electric vehicle. The charging station also includes a controller coupled to the transformer and configured to determine a level of voltage to provide to the electric vehicle.

Abstract: The charging of an electric vehicle connected to a charging station is initiated. When a state of charge of the vehicle reaches a minimum state of charge, the charging is halted. The minimum state of charge is less than the full charge capacity of the vehicle. A time for reinitiating the charging is determined. The charging of the vehicle is reinitiated at the determined time.

Abstract: The battery state-of-charge calculation device (100) is provided with a SOCV calculation unit (5) which outputs a first state of charge calculated based on voltage data, a SOCI calculation unit (6) which outputs a second state of charge calculated based on current data, an estimated impedance voltage calculation unit (12) which calculates an impedance voltage value based on an effective state of charge and the current data, a static determination unit (7) which determines that the impedance voltage value remains static for a predetermined time or longer in a range identified by a predetermined threshold value and outputs the determination result; and a SOC decision unit (20) which, based on the determination result, outputs the first state of charge as the effective state of charge where the impedance voltage value is static and outputs the second state of charge as the effective state of charge where the impedance voltage value is not static.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a secondary battery pack including a battery cell having a pair of coupling grooves, each of the coupling grooves having a predetermined depth, an insulative mounting member mounted to the top of the battery cell, a protection circuit module (PCM) having a pair of connection coupling members protruding downward, and an insulative cap coupled to the top of the battery cell, wherein the connection coupling members are inserted into coupling grooves formed at electrode terminals of the battery cell through openings of the insulative mounting member in a state in which the insulative mounting member is mounted to the top of the battery cell, thereby achieving the coupling of the PCM to the battery cell and the insulative mounting member and the electrical connection between the battery cell and the PCM.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to applying a current pulse to the terminals of the battery during a charge, measuring a voltage at the terminals of the battery, determining a relationship of an open circuit voltage to an amount of charge in the battery using data which is representative of a state of health of the battery, calculating an open circuit voltage of the battery using the voltage measured at the terminals of the battery, a current applied to or removed from the battery and an impedance of the battery, and determining a state of charge of the battery using (i) the calculated open circuit voltage and (ii) the relationship of the open circuit voltage to the amount of charge.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a power dissipation apparatus including a conductive trace formed on a substrate and to methods of using the power dissipation apparatus. The power dissipation apparatus may be used to dissipate heat generated from electrical current passed through the conductive trace of the power dissipation apparatus. The current may be provided from, for example, a battery conditioner.

Abstract: An inductive battery system includes a primary coil system (102) and an inductive battery (122). The primary coil system (102) provides inductive power (106). The inductive battery (122) includes a secondary coil system (108), charge circuitry (110), output circuitry (112), and an internal battery (114). The secondary coil system (108) receives the inductive power (106) and provides electrical power. The charge circuitry (110) receives the electrical power and supplies suitable power to the internal battery (114) for charging and/or device operation. The output circuitry (112) receives electrical energy from the internal battery (114) and provides the electrical energy external to the system (100) as external power (124). The internal battery (114) stores the received electrical power from the charge circuitry (110) and supplies the electrical power to the output circuitry (112).

Abstract: The present invention provides a small fuel cell system including a secondary battery, in which deterioration in the secondary battery is suppressed regardless of a temperature condition. A control unit adjusts the supply amount of a liquid fluid of a fuel pump so that charging current I2 to a secondary battery becomes smaller than a predetermined maximum charging current value Imax. Consequently, for example, even in the case of using a small secondary battery, the charging current I2 is limited to be smaller than a predetermined upper limit value (maximum charging current value Imax). In addition, a temperature detecting unit detects temperature T1 of the secondary battery and the control unit controls the maximum charging current value Imax in accordance with the detected temperature T1 of the secondary battery. In such a manner, the operation of limiting the charging current I2 in accordance with the temperature T1 of the secondary battery at that time is performed.

Abstract: A solar powered hybrid power system including a solar charge collector; a charge storage system comprising at least a first charge storage device adapted to receive and store charge from said solar charge collector; wherein said charge storage system further comprises a power electronic circuit selectively connectable to at least a second charge storage device, said power electronic circuit adapted to transfer said stored charge to said at least a second charge storage device at a selectable voltage level.

Abstract: The invention discloses a wireless charging system for transmitting data. The wireless charging system includes a charging device for wirelessly transmitting a source signal and adjusting a current corresponding to the source signal according to a transmitted datum, and a receiving device which includes a first coil for receiving the source signal according to the electromagnetic effect and generating a corresponding AC current signal, and an output module for obtaining the transmitted datum according to the AC current signal.

Abstract: A computer system to charge a rechargeable battery of an external device regardless of power on/off of the computer system when the external device having the rechargeable battery is connected, and a control method thereof. The computer system includes a connector having a terminal to which an external device is connected, a power supply to supply power to the connector, and a recognition signal generator to generate a predetermined recognition signal to initiate charging a rechargeable battery of the external device with power supplied from the power supply through the connector when the external device having the rechargeable battery is connected to the connector through the terminal. Thus, it is possible to charge the battery of the external device even when the computer system is powered off.

Abstract: A system for the wireless transfer of power includes a first device connected to a power supply source and provided with a first resonant circuit at a first frequency, a second device comprising at least one battery, provided with a second resonant circuit at said first frequency, arranged at a distance smaller than the wavelength associated with said first frequency and not provided with wires for the electrical connection with said first device. The first device is adapted to transfer a first signal representing the power to be sent to the second device for charging said at least one battery and comprises means adapted to modulate the frequency of said first signal for transferring data from the first device to the second device simultaneously with the power transfer. The second device comprises means adapted to demodulate the received signal, corresponding to the first signal sent from the first device, to obtain the transmitted data.