Abstract: Deterioration of a power storage device is reduced. Switches that control the connections of a plurality of power storage devices separately are provided. The switches are controlled with a plurality of control signals, so as to switch between charge and discharge of each of the power storage devices or between serial connection and parallel connection of the plurality of power storage devices. Further, a semiconductor circuit having a function of carrying out arithmetic is provided for the power storage devices, so that a control system of the power storage devices or a power storage system is constructed.

Abstract: A universal power generating system including at least one electromagnetic generator assembly operatively associated with an air turned turbine whereby said air-turned turbine is placed within an enclosure and receives captured exhaust.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing wireless charging are provided. The method may include identifying, by a charging controller, charging apparatus location information associated with a wireless charging apparatus configured to direct charging beams, and identifying, by the charging controller, an optimal charging zone of the wireless charging apparatus based at least in part on the charging apparatus location information. The method may include receiving, by the charging controller, a first location information associated with a mobile device, and determining, by the charging controller, a first proximity of the mobile device to the optimal charging zone of the wireless charging apparatus based at least in part on the first location information. The method may include transmitting, by the charging controller, first optimal charging indicator information to the mobile device, the first optimal charging indicator information based at least in part on the first proximity.

Abstract: A charging device containing a support beam and a substantially planar housing may be configured to maintain an angle of under 90 degrees with respect to a flat surface that the charging device is placed on. The charging device may contain an inductive charging component that charges a mobile device in connection with the charging device. One or more magnets also contained in the charging device may enable the connection to a mobile device and may also facilitate the charging device rolling towards a mobile device.

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: An electrical charging system including a storing vessel for storing a diagnostic tool and a wireless charging system integrated with the storing vessel for wirelessly charging the diagnostic tool when the diagnostic tool is placed within the storing vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating a lead acid battery which undergoes discharging phases and charging phases in a cyclical fashion. The method involves monitoring the current discharged from the battery during a discharging phase and recording information relating to that current flow, such as the charge lost from the battery. During the subsequent charging phase, a desired amount of charge to be supplied to the battery is calculated based upon the recorded information, and then supplied to the battery.

Abstract: A tool discharges one battery pack and a charger simultaneously charges another battery pack to provide for continuous and circular operation of the tool. Tool system includes a tool and a lithium based battery pack having a nominal voltage of at least 56 volts for supplying power to the tool. A heat absorbing device is associated with the battery pack and includes a phase-change material.

Abstract: A shovel includes: an engine generating a drive power; a generator performing a generating operation using the drive power transmitted from the engine; an electric accumulator having a plurality of electric storage cells in which an electric power generated by the generator is accumulated, the electric accumulator supplying an electric power to an electric load of the shovel; and an equalizing circuit provided to each of the electric storage cells and including a discharge resistor and a switching circuit in order to equalize capacitances of the electric storage cells. A determination is made as to whether to activate the equalizing circuit based on a variation in outputs of the electric storage cells.

Abstract: A method for controlling a portable power system, comprising: using a processor, selecting an engine efficiency range for an engine of a generator set of the portable power system, the engine efficiency range corresponding to a power output range of the generator set and to a power demand range of a load coupled to the portable power system; while a power demand of the load is less than a power output of the generator set, storing excess energy from the generator set in a battery bank of the portable power system; while the power demand of the load is greater than the power output of the generator set, providing additional power to the load from the battery bank; when a first predetermined depth of discharge threshold is reached by the battery bank, increasing the power output of the generator set to allow the battery bank to recharge; and, when a predetermined state of charge threshold is reached by the battery bank, ceasing the power output of the generator set and providing power to the load from the batte

Abstract: A powered system has a charging system and a controller arrangement. The charging system is capable of recharging the multi-cell power supply for the system and the controller arrangement enables selection between alternative modes of operation of the system. The charging system is arranged to operate in different regimes in which a target charging voltage across one or more cells or batteries is set to a different level dependent upon the selected mode of operation. There is provided a mode for optimizing the battery management for maximum range or, alternatively, a mode for extending charge and discharge cycle life of the multi-cell power supply. There is also a storage mode where the target voltage is set to a minimum value.

Abstract: A reversible system for housing a battery-operated device includes a first case member and a second case member. The first case member includes a first alignment member and the second case member includes a second alignment member complimenting the first alignment member such that the orientation of the first case member to the second case member can be altered in at least two orientations. In certain embodiments, the reversible system additionally includes a photovoltaic module for powering the battery-operated device.

Abstract: A battery includes a plurality of battery modules which are arranged in battery strings and are selectively activated or deactivated by driving. The battery module voltage of a respective battery module contributes to an output voltage of the corresponding battery string of the battery in the activated state. The battery further includes a switching converter topology which is coupled to the battery strings and is configured to selectively generate currents flowing into one or more of the battery strings.

Abstract: A case for an implantable medical device includes a metal case portion, having an inside and an outside, configured to attach to at least one other case portion to define a biocompatible case for the implantable medical device. The metal case portion has a plurality of grooves disposed on at least one of the inside and the outside, the grooves being oriented substantially perpendicular to an expected direction of eddy currents produced by an inductive recharging coil in proximity thereto.

Abstract: A holster for use with a handheld device and a peripheral device is disclosed herein. The holster provides a mating structure for holding a peripheral device so that a mobile device charges the peripheral device. The holster removes the inconvenience of having to charge a peripheral off a battery charger at work or home by permitting the peripheral to charge off the handheld device. The holster can be used with any handheld device and peripheral device, such as a cellular phone and a wireless headset.

Abstract: A battery system includes a secondary battery and a controller. A battery voltage of the secondary battery is more susceptible to a positive electrode potential than to a negative electrode potential. The controller acquires a relationship between a resistance change rate and a current value in the secondary battery in a less charged state and determines the deterioration state of the secondary battery based on the acquired relationship. The controller determines the deterioration state of the secondary battery by using a first correlation and a second correlation. In the first correlation, the resistance change rate is reduced as the current value is increased when only deterioration due to wear of the secondary battery (wear deterioration) occurs. In the second correlation, the resistance change rate is increased as the current value is increased when only deterioration due to a salt concentration distribution within the secondary battery (high rate deterioration) occurs.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a high permittivity dielectric material for use in capacitors. Several high permittivity materials in an organic nonconductive media with enhanced properties and methods for making the same are disclosed. A general method for the formation of thin films of some particular dielectric material is disclosed, wherein the use of organic polymers, shellac, silicone oil, and/or zein formulations are utilized to produce low conductivity dielectric coatings. Additionally, a method whereby the formation of certain transition metal salts as salt or oxide matrices is demonstrated at low temperatures utilizing mild reducing agents. Further, a circuit structure and associated method of operation for the recovery and regeneration of the leakage current from the long-term storage capacitors is provided in order to enhance the manufacturing yield and utility performance of such devices.

Abstract: An integration circuit charges a capacitor by a charge current corresponding to a current flowing in a detection resistor provided in an electric power supply path extending to a DCM. A comparison circuit outputs a comparison signal, which changes to one of a high level and a low level in accordance with an integration value corresponding to a charge voltage of the capacitor. A discharge switch discharges the capacitor and stops discharge of the capacitor, when the comparison signal is at the high level and the low level, respectively. A control circuit determines an estimation value of electric power supplied from a battery to a DCM based on a count of edges, at which the signal level of the detection signal changes.

Abstract: An electricity storage system includes: an electricity storage unit (10, 11) that is subjected to charging and discharging; a voltage sensor (20, 20a) that detects a voltage value of the electricity storage unit; and a controller (30) that terminates the charging of the electricity storage unit when the detected voltage value reaches a charging termination voltage value. The controller calculates a voltage drop, which is associated with interruption of constant current charging, on the basis of the detected voltage value while the constant current charging is performed in the electricity storage unit, and sets the charging termination voltage value in accordance with the amount of voltage drop.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a supply unit that supplies power to an external apparatus wirelessly by using a quality factor that indicates the resonance characteristic of the power supply apparatus and a control unit that controls the quality factor.