Abstract: An enclosure is arranged to receive batteries utilized subsequent to or prior to a radio controlled auto racing event, wherein the batteries are cooled to provide for accurate indication of charging and discharging of the battery. The apparatus includes a fan to direct cooling air through the enclosure and in an embodiment to provide for a cooling medium selectively projected within the enclosure to enhance and accelerate cooling of the batteries. A modification of the invention includes charging and discharging circuitry to permit selective charging and discharging of the batteries when mounted within the enclosure.

Abstract: An excitation control apparatus for a synchronous machine comprises a plural number of group control units that perform control of output pulses of a plural number of phase components, respectively, with each of the group control units including an automatic voltage regulator portion that outputs a control signal to regulate the terminal voltage of a synchronous machine, a phase control portion that outputs a phase signal to control the phase of a trigger pulse of a thyristor rectifier that supplies a field current to a field winding of the synchronous machine, an intermediate phase selector portion that selects a phase signal of an intermediate phase from phase signals that are supplied from the phase control portions of the group control units, and a pulse output portion that outputs the trigger pulse on the basis of the intermediate phase signal selected by the intermediate phase selector portion, a logical calculation circuit that supplies to the thyristor rectifier the logical sum of the trigger pulses f

Abstract: An energy storage system for use in a receptacle having terminals connected to conductors for establishing an electric circuit. The energy storage system includes one or more batteries disposed in an abutting relationship and connected together by a metal clip. A tab extends from the clip for engaging an external power source and another tab extends from the clip to a terminal of one of the batteries to supply a charging current to the batteries.

Abstract: An a.c. power supply apparatus, such as an uninterruptible power supply apparatus or a fuel cell power generation apparatus, has first, second and third converting devices connected in star configuration with a common bus, whereby the number of power converting devices is reduced and a compact, light weight and efficient power supply apparatus is realized.

Abstract: A battery charger has battery terminals connected to a conventional wall outlet through a switching power supply to provide a direct conductive non-isolated path from the supply for direct transformer-less supply of charging current to a battery. Pulse width modulated signals are applied to a MOSFET of the power supply from an output port of a microprocessor which is operates a ramp generator and responds to a comparator circuit coupled to a battery voltage sense circuit and the ramp generator. The microprocessor is programmed to accurately control generation of the pulse width modulated signals, to shut off current when a true voltage peak is reached at a full charge condition, to avoid response to false peaks, to cut off current for short time intervals during voltage measurements, to perform an exponential averaging function and to shut down at excessive battery temperatures or time rates of change of battery temperature.

Abstract: Prior power generation systems generated output voltages having relatively large, undesirable overvoltage transients due sudden load reduction. In order to overcome this disadvantage, a power generation system for generating a DC bus voltage on a DC bus is provided with a switch coupled across the DC bus to suppress overvoltage transients. The power generation system includes a synchronous generator that generates AC power and a rectifier that rectifies the AC power to produce DC power and supply the DC power to the DC bus. A voltage regulator controls magnitude of the DC bus voltage by varying the amount of current provided to a field winding associated with the synchronous generator. A switch is coupled across the DC bus and is repeatedly switched when the DC bus voltage reaches a predetermined magnitude. When the switch is in operation, the voltage regulator controls the DC bus voltage based upon an emulated voltage generated by a voltage emulator.

Abstract: A booster battery assembly is provided, where the booster battery is intended for use to provide additional energy to vehicle batteries, while connected in parallel with such vehicle batteries, so that a sufficient source of cranking current is available. Moreover, it is important for the terminal voltage of the vehicle battery as boosted by the booster battery assembly to be about 6.0 to 8.4 volts for an average automobile in order for ignition to be initiated and maintained during cranking. The booster battery assembly is portable, or it may be permanently installed in the vehicle, but isolated from the vehicle battery. In any event, the booster battery assembly of this invention comprises a battery of the same terminal voltage as the vehicle battery but of much smaller capacity. The booster battery may be charged from the vehicle battery during a time when the vehicle alternator is operating, or it may be recharged from an AC source.

Abstract: Charging voltage and current control circuits for battery chargers provide for a constant output voltage above a predetermined value of charging current and a step-wise increased output voltage below the predetermined value of charging current. The charger makes use of a pulse-width modulated control circuit utilizing a variable duty cycle to control charging current and couples a trim command signal responsive to a primary side signal representative of charging current to the pulse-width modulator for values below the predetermined value of charging current. A current limit control circuit provides a foldback current limit function by driving the pulse-width modulator to a reduced output current during overload conditions.

Abstract: A rechargeable power kit designed to replace a set of alkaline batteries and the battery compartment cover of an electronic device comprises a set of NiCad rechargeable batteries and a cover assembly including an additional battery station to compensate for lower rated voltage of NiCad power cells, a recharging connector and associated current limiting circuit, and a flexible conductor with terminals specially adapted for insertion between the battery poles and the corresponding terminals of the compartment.

Abstract: A battery/battery charger housing having multiple exterior surfaces. The housing includes an interior area sized to hold a battery pack, that interior area provided with connectors for electrically connecting the housing and the battery pack. The housing also includes a second interior area sized to hold the battery charger, that area provided with connections for electrically connecting the housing and the battery charger, and connectors for electrically connecting to an electrical power source and for electrically connecting to the battery charger with the battery pack. Additionally, electrical junctions on at least two of the exterior surfaces of the housing allow for the housing to be electrically connected to another battery/battery charger housing.

Abstract: A power generator circuit is adapted to be driven by the output of a vehicle alternator. The circuit includes an input for receiving a rectified DC output from the alternator, and a pair of step-up transformers which are connected to the AC output from the alternator. The rectifiers are connected to the outputs of the step-up transformers, and are connected in series with the rectified DC output from the alternator to provide a relatively high voltage DC output. This output can be used to operate power tools, for example. The circuit includes a welding output, and allows normal charging of the vehicle battery when not being used as a power source.

Abstract: A battery charger for alternately receiving batteries having substantially different charging rate requirements in which the charger has contacts engaged by a battery pack to be recharged, for the purpose of carrying out such recharging. A difference in at least one of the charger contacts is engageable by one of the high and low charge rate battery packs, but not the other. Whether or not that one charger contact is engaged by a battery pack causes the battery charger to supply charging current at different levels to automatically charge such high and low charge rate battery packs at corresponding high and low charge rates.

Abstract: An arrangement for limiting the terminal voltage in an alternator has a fixed stator winding acting on rectifiers and an excitation winding which rotates with the alternator rotor. The arrangement also has a controller and a first slip ring contact which load the excitation winding with excitation current as a function of the magnitude of a delivered voltage, and at least one free-wheeling valve which is conductive during a controller-side interruption of the excitation current and is connected in parallel with the excitation winding. The arrangement includes an auxiliary winding on the rotor. The auxiliary winding continues the excitation winding in the same direction of winding, with the auxiliary winding and the excitation winding being connected at a first connection point. A second slip ring contact operatively connects the first connection point to a machine terminal supplying excitation current.

Abstract: A discharge apparatus for the continuous discharge of appliance batteries is provided to include a central housing formed with adjustable contact members to effect electrical communication with a battery and associated discharge components such as an illumination indicator light for the visual indication of culmination of a discharge procedure. The organization includes strap structure for mounting the housing to the associated battery.

Abstract: An apparatus including a circuit which causes the float voltage of one or more battery chargers to change so as to compensate for changes in the ambient temperature of the batteries connected to the chargers. The circuit does not regulate the charge voltage to the battery but rather provides a battery temperature dependent variable voltage drop in the sense load of the charger(s). The circuit includes a thermistor which is used to sense the temperature of the battery. The temperature dependent resistance of the thermistor is used in a resistive divider for a reference voltage. Selection of the values for the divider components allows the battery temperature dependent variable reference voltage to be a linear approximation of the temperature compensation curve of the battery.

Abstract: Field-effect transistor coupled to conduct current from a rechargeable battery to a load so long as the voltage potential across the rechargeable battery is sufficient to turn on the field-effect transistor to prevent the rechargeable battery discharging below a predetermined value, thereby protecting the rechargeable battery from permanent damage from overdischarge.

Abstract: A battery charging system which prevents false switching from a fast charge mode to a trickle charge mode due to low frequency voltage aberration signals. The battery charging system includes a battery voltage analyzer and a plurality of battery charging and conditioning units for charging different types and kinds of nickel cadmium batteries. Firmware in the microprocessor rejects low frequency aberrations permitting a desired voltage signal to be produced which is indicative of the actual battery potential for charge switching purposes.

Abstract: A battery charging system has an effective pure DC power source charging at least one secondary charge acceptor utilizing an aqueous electrolyte. The applied effective voltage is equal to or slightly greater than the full charge level of said acceptor cell. An impedance/resistance is coupled between the power source and the secondary charge acceptor cell. The impedance/resistance is a value which reduces any AC component out of the secondary cell to no more than 5% of the total voltage out in order to reduce the counterelectromotive force responsive to the applied voltage. The impedance/resistance has a value which is selected to set the capacitive reactance of the acceptor cell and the inductance reactance of the power source at levels which reduce the counterelectromotive force of the acceptor cell throughout the full charge cycle in order to produce a cooling effect.

Abstract: A battery powered energy-using device is disclosed which operably distinguishes between batteries having standard and non-standard terminal configurations. The battery compartment in the device is provided with a terminal having first and second insulated contacts, one contact configured to make contact with a battery of standard terminal configuration and the second contact adapted to make contact with a second terminal. In one embodiment the device is associated with charging circuitry which is adapted to recharge a rechargeable battery having the special non-standard terminal configuration, while permitting discharge but not recharge of a primary battery having a standard terminal configuration.

Abstract: An improved DC to AC electrical inverter has a new and improved method and apparatus with forced air ventilation cooling that significantly increases sustainable AC power output. The methods include the steps of forcing an air flow out of the inverter enclosure and over an external heat sink, and forcing an air flow through a special power transformer between the windings and the core. The apparatus has at least one fan, an air outlet and structure for guiding and directing a forced air flow to and over an external heat sink for the power switches. A structure to continuously force cooling air through the power transformer is also provided.