Abstract: Connecting to a home page via the Internet, selecting the mode of use of the battery desired by the user, downloading the charging characteristics which match the selected mode of use, and reading the charging characteristics into a EEPROM of charging device 30. Because of this, the optimal charging characteristics can be matched with the desires of the user and read into the EEPROM of the charging device.

Abstract: A battery charger and a charging method capable of charging a battery for a short period of time while suppressing battery temperature from rising. The current temperature of the battery is detected (in step S12) and a temperature rise is calculated from the detected temperature (in step S14). An allowable current map is then retrieved from the detected temperature and the obtained temperature rise, an allowable current with which the battery can be charged while suppressing battery temperature from rising is obtained (in step S16) and the battery is charged with the allowable current (in step S20). Since the allowable current which the battery can be charged with, while suppressing battery temperature from rising is retrieved using the map which the allowable current is mapped, based on battery temperature and battery temperature rise, and charging current is controlled, it is possible to charge the battery for a short period of time while suppressing battery temperature from rising.

Abstract: The present invention enables to mount a primary cell to increase the battery capacity and to charge a secondary cell while the primary cell is mounted. A select switch selects a first selectable terminal or a second selectable terminal having a higher voltage applied. A control circuit selects a secondary cell or a primary cell which can output a higher voltage and outputs voltage from that cell.

Abstract: A method of indicating when a rechargeable battery of a handheld computer has been fully charged is disclosed. The method includes determining an elapsed charging time and activating a charge completion indicator when the elapsed charging time exceeds a predetermined time and requiring no dependence on actual battery voltage or current.

Abstract: A power management system for an implantable device is disclosed. One application is an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator. Charging circuits for implantable cardioverter/defibrillators require relatively large currents from the power supply. The present power management system provides extended device operation and reduced charge cycle time. The present system monitors both current and voltage drawn from the power supply to prevent a loss of system voltage. Elective replacement indication is performed using charging information provided by the present power management system.

Abstract: In a charging system used in a computer system employing a rechargeable battery, the number of charging/discharging cycles of the battery is detected based on a charging amount of the battery by a charger. A charging condition for the charger is set to increase the capacity of the battery until the number of charging/discharging cycles reaches a predetermined value, and the charging condition for the charger is set to increase the life of the battery after the number of charging/discharging cycles has reached the predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a core member and a core assembly that realize a compact and lightweight charging port and a compact and lightweight induction-type charging apparatus. A first side end of a bottom plate portion includes inclined side ends receding from the first side end toward a point between a first side end and a second side end and halfway between a third side end and a fourth side end. A middle leg portion extends from a top surface of the bottom plate portion offset toward side ends opposite the first side ends, relative to a center of the bottom plate portion. Two outer leg portions extend from the top surface of the bottom plate portion along side ends other than the first and second side ends, and have top surfaces which are higher than a top surface of the middle leg portion.

Abstract: A method is described for determining the charge condition of a battery (1), wherein the electromotive force (VEMF) is derived from measurements of the terminal voltage in a loaded condition, and the charge condition (Q) is determined with the aid of a pre-calculated relationship between (VEMF) and the charge condition (Q) on the basis of the (VEMF) thus calculated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a battery in a battery charging circuit is provided. An inductor is placed in series with a charging circuit and the battery connection leads. A switching device and a capacitive device are connected in parallel to one another and in series with a gated device to form an indicator circuit. The indicator circuit is connected in parallel with the battery connection terminals. A series of pulses is applied to the gated device, allowing current to flow into the capacitive device during each pulse and energize the switching device when a battery is present. When no battery is present, the inductor prevents sufficient current from the charging circuit from energizing the capacitive device and the switching device.

Abstract: To provide a battery charger capable of fully charging both an active battery and an inactive battery, which have different charging characteristics near the peak level, a voltage across the battery is periodically sampled during charging the battery. A voltage change is obtained by subtracting a voltage that has been sampled previously from the newly sampled voltage. Determination of the fully charged condition of the battery is made when a voltage change falls below a critical value (S1, S2) after identifying that the battery being charged is an active or inactive battery using another critical values (K1, K2 or K1′, K2′). The critical values S1 and S2 and another critical values K1 and K2 (or K1′ and K2′) are selectively referred to depending to the battery voltage change.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to measuring an ac dynamic parameter (e.g., impedance, admittance, resistance, reactance, conductance, susceptance) of an electrochemical cell/battery or other electrical element under conditions of possible interference from potential sources such as ac magnetic fields and/or ac currents at the powerline frequency and its harmonics. More generally, it relates to evaluating a signal component at a known frequency f1 under conditions of possible hum, noise, or other spurious interference at one or more other known frequencies. A microprocessor or microcontroller commands A/D circuitry to sample a band-limited signal at M evenly spaced times per period 1/f1 distributed over an integer number N of such periods and calculates time-averaged Fourier coefficients from these samples. The frequency response of the calculated Fourier coefficients displays perfect nulls at evenly spaced frequencies either side of frequency f1.

Abstract: A personal electronic device, such as a wireless phone or personal digital assistant is separable from its primary battery when it is to be used. A smaller secondary battery within the device provides power during individual uses of the device. The secondary battery is recharged by the primary battery when the device is reconnected to the primary battery. Consequently, the device is lighter and less bulky when in use due to the absence of the primary battery unit. A belt clip is disposed on the primary battery unit so as to retain the primary battery unit on the user's belt or elsewhere when the device is separated. The separable portion of the device is releasably latched to the primary battery unit so as to be secured in place when not in use.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a high-voltage capacitor through the application of a current, the magnitude of which has a variable frequency, variable duty cycle waveform. Generally, energy is transferred from a power source to the high voltage capacitor via a magnetic element such as an inductor or transformer. For example, a pulsed voltage supply provides voltage pulses having a variable frequency and an adjustable duty cycle to a primary winding of a fly-back transformer. During a charging sequence in which current charge cycles are applied to the capacitor, the duty cycle of the variable frequency current waveform is controlled dynamically based on the rate at which energy can be transferred to the capacitor. Specifically, during a charge sequence, current pulses through the primary winding are controlled such that the transformer operates in a continuous mode during an initial portion of the charge sequence, and in a discontinuous mode during a subsequent portion of the charge sequence.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for measuring voltage signals in an energy storage device is disclosed. The circuit includes a plurality of battery segments forming the energy storage device. An amplifier circuit is connected across one of the battery segments for converting a differential voltage to a reference current. A sense resistor is associated with the amplifier circuit to convert the reference current to a voltage signal which is proportional to the voltage across the battery segment. A voltage measurement node associated with the sensing resistor may be used for measuring the voltage signal. In one embodiment of the invention, a multiplexing and sampling circuit provides digitized voltage samples to a processor. The voltage level of each cell within the battery pack can then be monitored by the processor.

Abstract: Current flows from the secondary battery via the current mirror circuit to the regenerative capacitor. The current mirror circuit multiplies by a numerical constant the current flowing from the secondary battery and supplies the amplified current through the regenerative capacitor. When a voltage value of the regenerative capacitor reaches a predetermined maximum value, the current flows from the regenerative capacitor to the external load. The current flow from the regenerative capacitor continues until the voltage decreases to a predetermined minimum value. Immediately before the voltage of the regenerative capacitor reaches the predetermined minimum value, a terminal voltage of the secondary battery in an open state is measured. This structure enables a charging-and-discharging microcurrent from the secondary battery to be easily monitored, while simultaneously detecting a remaining capacity of the secondary battery.

Abstract: A method of identifying battery chemistry of a battery in an electronic device monitors voltage behavior of the battery in response to a stimulus. The method can be performed in the electronic device while the device is in normal operation without affecting battery life or the user's enjoyment. Further, the method can be performed many times within the device also without compromising battery life or user enjoyment. A system implements the method in the electronic device. The present invention provides for more accurate battery fuel gauging, such that a battery's end of life is more readily determinable, and allows for various battery chemistries to be drained to their optimal cutoff voltage, and allows for the safe in-device charging of rechargeable batteries that are the same size and shape as non-rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: The battery holding device is structurally simplified. It is not necessary to use many parts to form the casing, and the parts used have simple shapes. Accordingly, it is very easy to finish the parts. Also, the parts can be easily assembled. The battery holding device embodying the present invention includes a pair of plate type supports having a first plate type support and a second plate type support, and a projection disposed on at least one of the first and second plate type supports. The first support and the second support are opposed to each other. The projection extends toward the opposed support. The first support and the second support are connected to each other via the projection. A pair of the plate type supports and the projection form a casing. The space is formed by an inner surface of the casing, the casing has a space formed inside the casing, and the casing catches and holds a plurality of batteries arranged in rows in the space.

Abstract: A battery starter pack comprises a housing having a base 2, a top 3, a rear 4, a front panel 5 and a pair of sides 6, 7. The sides 6, 7 extend forwardly and rearedly proud of the rear 4 and front 5 to define an area which protects various switches 25, 26, 27, 28 if the pack is toppled over. The starter pack incorporates a switching system to avoid accidental switching of the unit into a 24 volt setting while it is connected to equipment which is not designed to take a 24 volt charging supply.

Abstract: A battery charging and discharging system is provided. The system has a tray including a battery insertion unit having a plurality of battery insertion portions, into which battery pouches can be inserted, and holes, through which the electrodes of the battery pouches can pass, on its bottom; and a frame surrounding the edge of the battery insertion unit. The system may also have an electrode contact clip including plate springs facing each other so that they can hold an electrode protruding through a hole on the bottom of the battery insertion unit, and a base for supporting the plate springs.

Abstract: An inductive charging apparatus for use in charging batteries of an electric vehicle. The apparatus has a power source, cooling fluid pumping and cooling apparatus, and a charge port disposed in the electric vehicle. An inductive charging coupler that is insertable into the charge port comprises a housing, a ferrite puck, and an insulated, liquid-cooled, current-carrying conductive tubular transformer coil disposed around the puck. A liquid-cooled, liquid-carrying tubular transmission cable is coupled to the power source, to the cooling fluid pumping and cooling apparatus, and to the transformer coil. The transmission cable couples current from the power source to the transformer coil, and couples cooling fluid between the cooling fluid pumping and cooling apparatus and the transformer coil. The transformer coil may be a multilevel helix, spiral fluid-cooled transformer coil such as an eight turn (although n turns are possible), two level helix, four turn spiral winding.