Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention describe a battery including a plurality of master-less controllers. Each controller is operatively connected to a corresponding cell in a string of cells, and each controller is configured to bypass a fraction of current around the corresponding cell when the corresponding cell has a greater charge than one or more other cells in the string of cells.

Abstract: A characteristic, such as State Of Health (SOH) or State Of Charge (SOC), is estimated for an Energy Storage System (ESS) by supplying a pre-determined signal to the ESS, measuring a response signal output by the ESS, and obtaining an impedance spectrum of the ESS. In one example, the ESS is one of several electrochemical battery packs of an electric vehicle. The pre-determined signal is a current signal generated by a switching power converter that transfers charge from the battery pack to other battery packs or transfers charge from the other battery packs onto the battery pack. The pre-determined signal is generated without disrupting any load supplied by the battery packs. The battery pack outputs a voltage signal in response to receiving the pre-determined current signal. A processor obtains an impedance spectrum using the current and voltage signals, and thereby obtains an SOH and SOC estimate of the battery.

Abstract: A storage battery device according to the present disclosure includes a storage unit accumulating charge, an attachment unit attachable to an electronic device, and a controller charging the storage unit by a first current value when the storage battery device is attached to the electronic device via the attachment unit, and charging the storage unit by a second current value lower than the first current value when the storage battery device is not attached to the electronic device via the attachment unit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a serial resistance element section including plural resistance elements connected in series, each resistance element provided so as to correspond to one of a plural battery cells connected in series; a comparison section that compares a voltage of a connection point of the plural battery cells connected in series to a voltage of a connection point between the resistance elements that correspond to the battery cells; and a measurement section that measures a voltage of one of the plural battery cells.

Abstract: An apparatus for wireless power charging includes a first charging coil with a first conductor arranged in a winding pattern with a first winding around a center point and each successive winding of the first charging coil is further away from the center point than the first winding and any previous windings. A second charging coil includes a second conductor wound with respect to the first charging coil where each coil of the second charging coil is arranged between each winding of the first charging coil. The first charging coil and second charging coil are connected in parallel. A ferrite structure is positioned adjacent to the first charging coil and the second charging coil.

Abstract: An energy storage system including battery packs having a first terminal electrically connected to a first node and a second terminal electrically connected to a second node and configured to receive power from an external device or configured to provide power to the external device through the first and second nodes and a battery management system controlling the battery packs. Each battery pack includes batteries and a transistor unit electrically coupled between the batteries and the first node. The battery management system includes a measuring unit for measuring a state of charge (SOC) of the batteries of each battery pack, and a controller configured to calculate a high value, a low value, an average value, and a difference value between the high and low values from the measured SOCs, and configured to control the transistor units of the battery packs, based on the calculated high, low, average, and difference values.

Abstract: Wireless energy transfer apparatus include, in at least one aspect, a device resonator configured to supply power for a load by receiving wirelessly transferred power from a source resonator; a temperature sensor positioned to measure a temperature of a component of the apparatus; a tunable component coupled to the device resonator to adjust a resonant frequency of the device resonator, an effective impedance the device resonator, or both; and control circuitry configured to, in response to detecting a temperature condition using the temperature sensor, (i) tune the tunable component to adjust the resonant frequency of the device resonator, the effective impedance of the device resonator, or both, and (ii) signal the source resonator regarding the temperature condition to cause an adjustment of a resonant frequency of the source resonator, a power output of the source resonator, or both.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for charging a power source of a device. The method is performed by one or more processors. The one or more processors detect that a charging interface of the device and a charging interface of a charging dock are misaligned when the device is placed into contact or operational proximity with the charging dock. The device is automatically caused to move relative to the charging dock to achieve alignment.

Abstract: USB charger apparatus and chargeable electronic devices are presented in which the device and charger use USB cable data lines to establish a bidirectional communications connection, and the charger provides charger capability information to a master controller of the electronic device via the communications connection. The device controller preferentially selects a fastest charging match between the charger capability information and device charging capability information, and sends configuration information through the communications connection to set the power supply level of the charger. The charger communicates power supply status information to the electronic device, and the device can reconfigure the charger power supply level accordingly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical vehicle (100), including an electric engine (102) and on-board energy storage means (104, 106) that are electrically connected to the engine in order to supply same with electrical energy, in which the energy storage means include a first energy storage module (104) including at least one supercapacitor, and a second energy storage module (106) including at least one battery, the first and the second energy storage modules (104,106) being arranged on parallel electrical branches, the vehicle including interconnection means (108), arranged between the energy storage means (104, 106) and the engine (102), capable of electrically connecting the two electrical arms to the engine (102) and configured such that a single one of the two electrical arms is connected to the engine (102) at a time. The invention also relates to a facility comprising the vehicle (100) and at least one station (200) for recharging the vehicle.

Abstract: In embodiments, apparatuses, methods and systems associated with battery charging are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a reference current selector may receive a battery voltage sense input and output a reference current level signal, a power point check detector may receive a power supply sense input and output a power point check signal, and a controller coupled to the reference current selector and the power point check detector may receive a battery current sense input and switch a control output based at least in part on the reference current level signal, the battery current sense input, and the power point check signal. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: A circuit for displaying the state of a battery that is almost discharged features a battery, an inductive load, and a controllable switch connected in series. The circuit also includes a display element connected in series with the inductive load and the battery. The controllable switch is opened when a voltage of the battery is lower than a first threshold level and is only closed again when the voltage of the battery is greater than a second threshold level. The circuit may also include a control circuit having a comparator which compares the voltage of the battery with the first threshold level and the second threshold level and triggers the controllable switch accordingly.

Abstract: A method for charging a rechargeable battery (3) of an electric device in different charging steps applying different charging currents is described, said charging steps comprising at least: a first charging step applying a first constant charging current (I1) to the battery (3) while the battery voltage is smaller than a first voltage threshold (V1) and/or while the battery temperature is smaller than a first temperature threshold, said first charging (I1) current being smaller than a second charging current (I2); a second charging step applying said second constant charging current (I2) to the battery (3) while the battery voltage is higher than said first battery voltage threshold (V1) and lower than a second battery voltage threshold (V2) and/or while the battery temperature is higher than said first temperature threshold and smaller than a second temperature threshold; a third charging step applying a constant charging current (I3) to the battery (3), wherein said third constant charging current (I3)

Abstract: A wireless charging method and apparatus are provided. A non-contact wireless local communication unit performs non-contact wireless local communication for wireless charging authentication through a non-contact wireless local communication antenna. A wireless power receiver receives supply power from a wireless power transmitter by using a resonator resonating on a resonance frequency equal to that of the wireless power transmitter after the wireless charging authentication. A charging controller performs wireless charging by using the supply power received by the wireless power receiver. One or more switches switch between a connection between the non-contact wireless local communication antenna and the non-contact wireless local communication unit, and a connection between the wireless power receiver and the charging controller.

Abstract: There is provided a non-contact type charger including: a plurality of power transmitting coils transmitting power in a non-contact manner; a plurality of switching units connected to the plurality of power transmitting coils, respectively, to switch power transmitted by corresponding power transmitting coils; and a switching control unit controlling power switching of the switching units, depending on coupling coefficients between each of the plurality of power transmitting coils and a plurality of power receiving coils which receive the power transmitted by the plurality of power transmitting coils to charge a plurality of battery cells connected thereto with power.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing open circuit voltage checks of energy storage modules in an energy storage system. Embodiments of the present invention provide a controller of an energy storage system configured to schedule open circuit voltage checks for the energy storage modules, determine if conditions of an energy storage module, and of the overall energy storage system, are favorable for performing an open circuit voltage check, and defer an open circuit voltage check if at least one condition is not favorable. The controller is further configured to abandon an open circuit voltage check in progress if one or more conditions of the overall energy storage system changes in a manner that is unfavorable for continuing with the open circuit voltage check.

Abstract: A wireless charging device capable of charging an electronic device is provided. The wireless charging device includes a supporting component, a stage and at least one electrical transmitter. The stage is used to carry the electronic device and is swingingly disposed on the platform through the supporting component. The electrical transmitter is movably disposed in the stage. When the electronic device is placed on an end of the stage which is relatively away from the supporting component, the stage swings in relative to the platform by using the supporting component as a fulcrum, and the stage is inclined to the platform. As a result, the electrical transmitter moves toward the electronic device due to gravitational pull, and thereby aligns with an electrical receiver in the electronic device so as to wirelessly charge the electronic device.

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion device includes: a thermoelectric conversion element in which a p-type thermoelectric material and an n-type thermoelectric material that are provided between an upper electrode and a lower electrode of the thermoelectric conversion element are alternately connected in series via the upper electrode and the lower electrode; an insulating layer that is provided between the upper electrode and the lower electrode and covers the p-type thermoelectric material and the n-type thermoelectric material; and an electric storage element that is provided between the upper electrode and the lower electrode and is covered by the insulating layer.

Abstract: An in-vehicle charging apparatus (100) has: a charge control ECU (10), which operates with power supplied from a low-voltage battery (16), and which controls charging; an S2 switch, which is on/off controlled by means of the charge control ECU (10), and which reduces a voltage of the pulse signals when the switch is in the on-state; and a switch (SW1), which is controlled to be in an on-state by means of units other than the charge control ECU (10), and which reduces the voltage of the pulse signals when the switch is in the on-state. In the cases where the switch (SW1) is turned on, power from a charging cable (200) is supplied to the low-voltage battery (16) or the charge control ECU (10).

Abstract: An electric charging system for charging electric vehicles is particularly adapted for use in a parking garage. Parking spaces in the garage are fixed with a charging station so that the vehicles may be charged while they park at the garage. The power cable which connects to charge the vehicle battery is suspended at a height generally above the vehicle and is automatically retractable. Information concerning the power charge is automatically transmitted to the payment station at the exit gate. A point of sale (POS) module is mounted for communication with the power cable. The point of sale (POS) module and the connector are easily accessible and the connector is positionable for ease of connection with the vehicle terminal. A retractor for extending and retracting an overhead power cable employs a drive wheel and a clutch which are electronically controlled.