Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method for power generation which may be used in conjunction with a generator in which a permanent magnet rotor and a Randell rotor provided in a casing are rotated simultaneously and generate power in an armature coil. The method includes a first step of controlling a magnetic flux .phi.2 of a control field coil for the Randell rotor with a field controller during low speed rotation in an additive direction to add the magnetic flux .phi.2 to a magnetic flux .phi.1 produced by the permanent magnet rotor, and a second step of controlling the magnetic flux during high speed rotation in a subtractive direction to subtract the magnetic flux .phi.2 from the magnetic flux .phi.1, so that a stable output level is produced.

Abstract: A battery management chip which controls charging and discharging currents of a rechargeable battery. In a portable module, the battery manager chip controls the charging and discharging of the rechargeable battery which powers the whole module, and is therefore connected directly to the battery and to the source of charging current. The chip is also connected to draw very small amounts of current from a third, stable battery, preferably a lithium battery, which is not necessarily rechargeable.

Abstract: A piggyback conditioner unit usable in conjunction with a Ni-Cad battery power pack and a standard charger for the pack, the pack being normally adapted to be seated on and connected to the charger for recharging. The power pack is subject to a "memory effect" that decreases its ability to regain its rated energy capacity unless before being recharged, it is first discharged from its existing state of discharge to a deep discharge state. When put to use, the battery conditioner unit is physically and electrically interposed between the charger and the power pack to create an assembly in which the unit is seated on and electrically connected to the charger, and the pack is seated on and electrically connected to the unit. The unit includes means to further discharge the power pack seated thereon until a deep discharge state is reached, which condition is reflected in a reduced pack voltage that is sensed to automatically activate the charger which then proceeds to recharge the pack.

Abstract: This power supply system for a D.C. electrical load, such as an illuminated sign, is normally energized by batteries. A central processing unit monitors the battery voltage and when it falls below a predetermined magnitude, the central processing unit then activates a starter motor which cranks an engine coupled to it. The central processing unit also actuates a valve and fuel pump to pass fuel to the engine. The engine drives an alternator which produces A.C. voltage which is then rectified by aa rectifier to recharge the batteries. When the batteries are fully charged the central processing unit stops the engine. The central processing unit employs a microprocessor chip to control operations of the system.

Abstract: A reset signal generating circuit comprises a switching circuit arranged to supply an on/off control signal to a switching element which controls an on/off action of a power source; and a reset circuit arranged to detect the level of the on/off control signal and to forcedly produce a reset signal before the power source is turned off.

Abstract: There is disclosed a circuit for protecting against overdischarge and overvoltage of a battery in a portable, mobile, and radio communication system including a low-power detection unit, a low-battery signal detection unit, a battery termination detection unit, a power supply controller, and a reference voltage converter.

Abstract: The system includes a current generator including an alternator and an associated rectifier whose output is connected by a cable to a terminal of a battery. A switch is connected to that terminal of the battery and an indicator lamp connected in series with the switch is switched on when no current is supplied by the generator. A voltage regulator is connected to the field winding of the generator and has first and second inputs connected to the output of the generator and to the lamp respectively. The voltage regulator includes a control circuit for monitoring the potential difference between the first and second inputs of the voltage regulator and for switching on the lamp if that potential difference is greater than a pre-established reference value when the generator is operating. This enables any interruption of the connection between the generator and the battery to be indicated to the user.

Abstract: A battery management chip which controls charging and discharging currents of a rechargeable battery. A further novel teaching set forth in the present application is an integrated circuit which includes a crystal-controlled oscillator for precise time measurement. Crystal-controlled oscillators are normally fairly power-hungry circuits, and such circuits would not normally be used in the low-power part unless needed. However, according to this innovative teaching, the precise time integration provided by the crystal oscillator is significantly advantageous, since it permits accurate time integration to derive the present state of the battery after multiple charge and discharge cycles. In addition, in the presently preferred embodiment, a low-power crystal-controlled oscillator is used.

Abstract: A charging apparatus for a multiunit system includes a portable unit (101) and a base unit (103). The portable unit (101) includes first and second conductive contacts (119, 120) disposed on the portable unit (101) essentially opposite each other, and rechargable energy storage means (311) electrically coupled to the first and second conductive contacts (119, 120). The base unit (103) includes an indentation (124) formed in the base unit (103) and having a receiving surface shaped to receive at least a portion of the portable unit (101), first and second conductive protrusions (127, 129) extending outwardly beyond the receiving surface essentially opposite each other, and energy source means (131) electrically coupled to the first and second conductive protrusions (127, 129). The first and second conductive protrusions (127, 129) contact the first and a second conductive contacts (119, 120), respectively when at least a portion of the portable unit (101) is placed in the indentation (124).

Abstract: An electric automobile having a battery as a driving power source is provided with a recharge identification section for producing the first signal when a terminal voltage of the battery reaches the lowest voltage where the automobile can travel, a traveling time judgment section for producing the second signal every time after the automobile has traveled for a predetermined time and a charger responsive to the first and the second signals for recharging the battery for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A remote wireless load control system wherein the power supplied to a load can be varied from a remote location using a remote control device not electrically wired to the load. The load control system includes a transmitter and a receiver, each having a control actuator for adjusting the power supplied to the load. Control can be conferred upon either the transmitter or the receiver immediately upon manipulation of the control switch, with the adjustment in power level occurring substantially instantaneously upon manipulation of the control actuator. Transmission of load level information between transmitter and receiver is by digitally pulse-coded infrared signal.

Abstract: In a compensating arrangement for a disturbed load voltage (V.sub.2, FIG. 3) of a remotely located load (20), the load voltage is fed back and combined with the voltage (E.sub.osc) of an oscillator (10A) to form an error signal (E.sub.X). The error signal is stored for a period less than one cycle of E.sub.osc by a selected period (T) and combined with the oscillator voltage (E.sub.osc) to be amplified and produce a modified output voltage (V.sub.O). The latter, when fed to the load through a distribution system (15) results in the waveform of the load voltage (V.sub.L) being substantially identical to that of the oscillator voltage (E.sub.osc).

Abstract: An overcharging of a back-up battery through a protection diode of a first power regulating FET is prevented by adding a second power regulating FET that is equivalent to the first FET and the second FET has its source and drain connections reversed. By connecting and operating the second FET in a reverse direction from the first FET, the forward current direction of the protection diode of the second FET is opposite to the forward current direction of the protection diode of the first FET. Thus, the power regulator will always have one of the protection diodes reverse biased, thereby preventing reverse overcharging through the diodes. A power regulator using two such power FETs in series to prevent reverse overcharge current has a lower ON impedance than only one power FET that is in series with a blocking diode, and thereby provides more usable voltage and current for back-up situations.

Abstract: A control device for a motor vehicle alternating current generator for controlling a field current of the generator with use of voltage control circuitry and field current limiting circuitry, wherein a field current limiting value is varied successively based on the detected output voltage of the generator and the field current is increased smoothly upon an increased demand.

Abstract: A power cut-off circuit comprises a voltage monitoring circuit and an over-ride circuit (25), the voltage monitoring circuit comparing a portion of the battery voltage with a fixed reference voltage by way of a comparator (26) which, upon change of state, de-enegizes a relay coil of a relay (14) and thereby disconnects the power to most of the vehicle, but not to the starter motor circuit (11), and the override circuit (25) monitors override inputs in response to override conditions, and re-energizes the relay coil in response to an override input, in turn restoring the previously disconnected power.

Abstract: A power pack unit is provided for utilization with battery-operated devices employing rechargeable batteries. The power pack unit specifically is designed for utilization with hand-held, portable cellular telephones having a removable, rechargeable battery pack. The power pack unit is physically configured to connect to the cellular telephone and provide electrical interconnections in place of the battery pack, which then is placed on the power pack unit on the opposite side, such that the power pack unit is "sandwiched" between the cellular telephone and the rechargeable battery. A supplemental power source may be connected to the power pack unit. When power is supplied from a supplemental source, the power pack unit supplies operating power to the cellular telephone and, simultaneously, supplies charging current to the battery. A cross-over switching circuit within the power unit isolates or disconnects the battery from the cellular telephone whenever external power is supplied to the power pack unit.

Abstract: A battery protector/automatic ON switching device comprises a first terminal for connecting to the generator output of the vehicle and a second terminal for connecting to the input pole of the vehicle battery, and a diode serially connecting the first and second terminals to permit a charging current to flow to the battery and block current flow in the reverse direction. A third terminal for connection to a load circuit of the vehicle connects to the first terminal through an automatic switch which will switch on the ON condition only when at least a threshold voltage sufficient to excite the genertor to its full output is experienced at the first terminal. The first terminal connects directly to a dummy pole that may be gripped by a booster cable for providing a booster charge to another battery. The diode prevents current flow from the battery of the source vehicle and the inadvertent damage thereof.

Abstract: A system for recharging a battery includes a current generator, a switch operable by a key and connected to the battery, an indicator lamp connected in series with the switch, and a voltage regulator with first and second inputs connected to the output of the generator and to the lamp, respectively. The regulator includes a circuit for regulating the current supplied to the field winding of the alternator in dependence on the voltage supplied by the generator, a supply circuit for supplying the voltage regulator circuit, and control circuit for enabling the supply circuit to operate when a current is flowing in the lamp and when the generator is in operation. The control circuit includes a comparator connected to the second input of the regulator, and hence to the lamp, and adapted to supply an enabling signal to the supply circuit when the voltage at the second terminal exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Excess electrolyte fluid from a nickel cadmium battery cell is removed by a method in which the battery cells are overcharged to generate oxygen pressure which acts to force the excess fluid out of the cells. After the required amount of fluid is removed from the battery, the generated oxygen may be replaced to ensure proper operation of the finished battery.

Abstract: A charge detecting apparatus for detecting completion of charging of a secondary battery using electrolyte. Bubbling sounds produced inside the secondary battery being charged are detected outside a container of the battery and converted into a quantity of electricity. A charge completion signal is output when the quantity of electricity reaches a predetermined reference level.