Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for controlling the battery charging of an electric vehicle. In the battery charging control method, first of all, if the voltage of the battery modules satisfies first failure criteria in a charging mode, it is determined whether the voltage of battery modules satisfies second failure criteria less strict than the first failure criteria. If yes, the state of a battery is considered as a battery failure and the battery is not charged. If no, the battery is charged for a certain period of time on the charging condition of a failure mode stricter than the charging condition of a normal mode. Thereafter, it is determined whether the voltage of the battery modules measured after the performance of the failure mode charging satisfies the first failure criteria. If yes, the state of the battery is considered as a failure and the battery is not charged. If no, the battery is charged on the charging condition of the normal mode.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical system tester includes a starter motor or charging system voltage measurement circuit configured to measure a voltage of an electrical system of a vehicle. A microprocessor is configured to diagnose the electrical system as a function of the measured voltage and responsively output the diagnosed condition on a display. The microprocessor is further configured to encrypt the diagnosed condition and responsively output encrypted information related to the condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery charging/discharging method for effectively using the battery energy of a power supply apparatus with a plurality of chargeable batteries. The power supply apparatus in which batteries are connected in parallel to the node of an external power source and a load comprises a charge/discharge monitor unit for judging whether the external power source is in a state where a load is driven and sufficient voltage to charge the batteries is outputted or in a state where sufficient voltage is not outputted and a discharge current should be supplied from the batteries to the load, switches inserted in series with each of the batteries, and an on/off control unit for controlling the on/off operation of the switches according to the output of the charge/discharge monitor unit and the charging/discharging state of each battery.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for managing electrical power flow among a plurality of loads or devices, which can be classified into critical loads (as to which maintaining power flow for a maximal period is a priority) and non-critical loads (as to which power flow may be cutoff when available power becomes limited). The invention is of particular use for rationing backup battery power among a plurality of data communications or telecommunications devices or services, whereby one or more less-crucial, and perhaps power-intensive, devices may be provided with a guaranteed duration of backup battery power (to perform an orderly shutdown, for instance), while a more-crucial, and perhaps less power-intensive, device is supplied with a longer duration of backup battery power, such that as the unavailability of primary power continues, crucial functions are maintained.

Abstract: A power output circuit having a pulse-width modulation generator and an upstream closed-loop control circuit which switches the pulse-width modulation generator and the power output stage to a permanently open mode, a PWM mode having pulse-width-modulated pulses, and a permanently closed mode as a function of a preset external setpoint, an actual value of the power output stage, and a reference voltage derived from the supply voltage. High power loss and high EMC in the full-load threshold region are avoided by prematurely switching from the PWM mode to the permanently closed mode as a function of a preset setpoint and the supply voltage, and returning to the PMW mode with a hysteresis of these values.

Abstract: A battery charging control method is disclosed, which can reduce the charging time a low-temperature battery without providing an additional heating system. The method includes executing a first pulsed charging and discharging operation when the battery temperature T is lower than a first predetermined temperature (e.g., 0° C.), wherein the amount of charging is equal to the amount of discharging; and switching from the first pulsed charging and discharging operation to a second pulsed charging and discharging operation when the battery temperature exceeds the first predetermined temperature, wherein in the second pulsed charging and discharging operation, the amount of discharging is less than the amount of charging. Therefore, it is possible to accomplish not only heating but also charging. When the battery temperature T exceeds a second predetermined temperature (e.g., 10° C.), a normal charging operation is performed.

Abstract: A system and method for recharging secondary batteries. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a supervisory circuit, a voltage converter, a portable power source, and one or more of a holder and a socket. The holder is adapted to receive a specific type of secondary battery of a portable device. The socket is adapted to mate with a plug of a device-specific charging cord connected to the portable device. Each of the holder and the plug can be associated with a programming resistor that provides a voltage requirement of the secondary battery. When the secondary battery is either placed in the holder or is connected to the socket, the supervisory circuit communicates with the voltage converter to supply the appropriate voltage required to recharge the secondary battery. The voltage converter receives power from the portable power source. The voltage converter can convert the voltage of the portable power source up (i.e., increasing the voltage) or down (i.e.

Abstract: This method to determine capacity of a battery computes capacity in current value and then converts it into capacity in power value, or computes capacity in power value and then converts it into current value. This method to determine capacity of a battery detects either discharge current or charge current or both, and computes capacity of battery in current value, which is then converted into capacity in power value by way of multiplication by the correcting constant which varies in accordance with capacity in current value. This method to determine capacity of a battery detects battery voltage or detects either discharge current or charge current or both of the battery, then computes battery capacity in power value, and converts capacity in power value so computed into capacity in current value by way of multiplication by the correcting constant which varies in accordance with capacity in power value.

Abstract: A remaining charge detection device for a power storage unit including a current detection unit which detects the current value of a charging current and a discharging current of a power storage unit; a voltage detection unit which detects the voltage value of a terminal voltage of the power storage unit; and a current accumulation remaining charge calculation means which accumulates the current value detected by the current detection unit to obtain an accumulated charging current and discharging current and calculates a remaining charge of the power storage unit. The remaining charge detection device further includes a no-load state detection unit which detects a no-load state of the power storage unit, and a remaining charge for calibration calculation unit which calculates a remaining charge for calibration for the remaining charge of the power storage unit.

Abstract: A reliable battery module that is safe is of critical importance to battery operated medical devices. This invention limits the amount of active materials in each cell of a battery module. Limiting the amount of active materials in each cell increases the safety and reliability of the battery module by minimizing the effect of a damaged or defective cell on the battery module output and on the potential hazard that such a cell can cause.

Abstract: A battery state monitoring circuit in a battery device has a structure such that both of a detection delay when the battery device enters the respective protective states of over-charge, over-discharge and over-current, and a release delay when the battery device is released from the respective protective states are ensured.

Abstract: An improved emergency auxiliary power supply comprised of a rechargeable secondary battery or a super capacitor to function as an emergency charging source; a conduction train, an optional charging control circuit and another optional first storage unit comprised of a diode on the output side to prevent inverse voltage and connected to a second storage in the load coupled to the output are provided to comprise a DC power supply system allowing flexible combination with at least two stages for serial stage power supply.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring battery voltage is provided that can detect battery voltage with high accuracy, and also can be miniaturized with cost and noise reduced. The apparatus comprises: a capacitor which is charged to the voltage of each module, switches which connect and disconnect this capacitor and the module, a voltage follower which outputs the voltage across the capacitor, and switches which connect and disconnect the voltage follower and the capacitor. For the aforementioned switches, photo MOSFETs are used. Furthermore, to prevent discharge from the capacitor, a voltage follower is installed. Therefore, by using not a complicated circuit but inexpensive and simple elements, a low cost and miniaturized apparatus for measuring battery voltage is realized.

Abstract: A battery discriminating method discriminates between smart battery packs and dry battery cell packs with a simple structure. A dry battery cell pack is composed of a case for storing a plurality of dry batteries connected in series, plus and minus electrodes which are provided in the case and connected to the poles of the series-connected dry batteries, and a resistance element of which one end is connected to a predetermined connecting point of the series-connected dry batteries and the other end is connected to a terminal provided in the case. A predetermined voltage is supplied to a terminal for discriminating the battery of a battery pack via a resistor, and the voltage value of this terminal is detected to discriminate the type of the battery pack according to the detected voltage value.

Abstract: A battery pack, using a battery having one or more cells as a power source and for connecting power to an external host device, and including charging/discharging apparatus connected in series with the battery and for performing charging and discharging, current detecting apparatus for detecting charging and discharging current, voltage detecting apparatus for detecting voltage, temperature detecting means for detecting temperature, and a controller, whereby the controller is operated in such manner that it turns the state from at least one of charging state, discharging state, charging stop state, and discharging stop state to another state by controlling the charging/discharging apparatus based on the charging/discharging current, the voltage and the temperature as detected, and the state information is transmitted to the external host device when there is a request or at regular interval or when there is state transition, and state transition such as a charging/discharging state or a stop state of the batt

Abstract: This invention includes an apparatus and method of initiating reconditioning of a rechargeable battery cell without an auxiliary mechanical switch. When a battery is inserted into the charger, the charger identifies the battery. The charger determines whether to charge or recondition the battery based upon factors like chemistry and prior usage. The charger then begins either a charge or reconditioning cycle and indicates such to the user. The user may override the charger's decision by removing the battery from the pocket, at which time the charger starts a window timer. If the battery is reinserted prior to the expiration of the window timer, the charger stops the charge or reconditioning cycle and begins the corresponding opposite, i.e. it stops charging and begins reconditioning, or it stops reconditioning and begins charging.

Abstract: A temperature stabilized, constant current source capable of charging a fully discharged battery of the present invention includes a feedback control stage that provides a substantially constant battery charging current at a particular temperature. A temperature stabilized current source stage coupled to a bias resistor includes a negative temperature coefficient current source that provides a countervailing control current to a positive temperature coefficient current source that is coupled from a sensing resistor. The temperature dependencies of the positive and negative temperature coefficient current sources tend to cancel each other out so as to provide a temperature stabilized current to the sensing resistor. The bias resistor provides a bias current to the temperature stabilized current source stage in such a way that the temperature stabilized current source stage provides a charging current to a fully discharged battery.

Abstract: A system to provide power to a peripheral device is equipped with a primary cell, secondary rechargeable cell, or super capacitor, and a redundant battery which is charged through a power control circuit, the redundant battery in turn charging the primary cell, secondary rechargeable cell, or super capacitor through another power control circuit connected between the redundant battery and the primary cell, secondary rechargeable cell, or supper capacitor. The redundant battery may be located in the peripheral unit, so as to charge the primary cell, secondary rechargeable cell, or super capacitor when the peripheral unit is disconnected from a base unit, and/or in the base unit, so as to charge cells in the peripheral unit when the base unit is disconnected from a main power supply. The peripheral unit may be a wireless mouse, trackball, keyboard, telephone handset, or the like, and the base unit may include a receiver as well as a power supply interface.

Abstract: A battery protection circuit includes a moisture detection circuit, a temperature sensing circuit, and a high-temperature battery discharge circuit. The moisture detection circuit includes a pair of conductive traces closely spaced on a substrate such that a resistive path is formed between the traces when moisture forms on the substrate. The traces are connected between the positive battery terminal and a pull-down current source. When moisture forms on the substrate, pull-up current flows between the traces, and a resulting voltage change on one of the traces is detected by circuit element such as a logic inverter. The temperature sensing circuit includes a voltage reference circuit that generates a proportional-to-temperature voltage and temperature-independent voltage reference signals corresponding to various predetermined temperatures.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for accurately determining the service life of a secondary battery are provided. If a the battery 14 is re-charged after each discharge, various values of an index related to pre-measured degradation of a fully charged secondary battery 14 are stored in a flash read-only-memory FROM 34 so that they may be compared with discharged amounts of the battery 14. The duration of discharge is obtained by a timing circuit 24, and the discharged amount is computed by the control circuit 26. A value of the index is obtained by referring to FROM 34 using the computed value of discharged power. The service life remaining after the current use is computed by the control circuit 26, according to the maximum service life of the battery 14 and various values of the index obtained after each use of the battery including the current use, and the end of service life of the battery 14 is determined according to whether the computed service life is longer or shorter than a pre-determined threshold value.