Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle having a storage for electrical energy, which store is coupled to a coil into which electrical energy can be induced from outside the motor vehicle during a charging process. The vehicle includes a housing in which the coil is arranged, the housing being made of plastic toward the underside of the motor vehicle, and an optical waveguide is arranged in particular between two walls of the housing. When light from a light source is coupled into the optical waveguide and a detector detects the light, damage to the housing can be detected and the induction of electrical energy into the coil at a charging station can optionally be interrupted in order to avoid hazards to persons.

Abstract: Provided is a gripper assembly for battery charging/discharging, which is electrically connected to a battery electrode to apply current during battery charging/discharging operation, the gripper assembly including a first electrode lead gripper including a first electrode gripper body disposed to correspond to a first electrode lead of the battery, and a first contact member coupled to one side of the first electrode gripper body and pressed to contact a surface of the first electrode lead and a second electrode lead gripper including a second electrode gripper body disposed to correspond to a second electrode lead of the battery, and a second contact member coupled to a side of the second electrode gripper body and attached to contact a surface of the second electrode lead.

Abstract: A system for charging an electrical storage device includes a motor drive, a DC link electrically coupled to the motor drive, and a first leg coupled to the DC link that includes a first power switch coupled in series with a second power switch via a first node. A first inductor is coupled to the first node, and a first energy storage device (ESD) is electrically coupled to the first inductor. A second leg is coupled to the DC link that includes a third power switch coupled in series with a fourth power switch via a second node. A charging circuit includes a transformer coupled to the first and second nodes. A second ESD is coupled to receive charging energy from the transformer, and a controller is configured to cause a first voltage mismatch between the first and second nodes to generate the charging energy.

Abstract: A charging system for a battery device of a handheld tool includes a charging device provided to inductively charge the battery device in a charging operation, the charging device having at least one induction charging unit which has at least one charging coil having a main coil extension. A gap is provided between the battery device and the charging device in a charging operation. A ratio between (i) the at least one main coil extension and (ii) a minimum clearance between the at least one charging coil and a surface defining the gap is at most 30/1.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are presented to transfer energy between an energy storage device (ESD) at an electrified vehicle (EV) and an AC or DC external load such as an electric grid, appliance or power tool. A portable EVETA can engage an EV charge inlet couple an EV, and can provide an AC outlet, a grid interface and a DC connector for coupling external loads. An EVETA can be used at a remote construction site or campsite to power high current equipment, obviating the need to transport an electric generator. An EVETA can be configured for data and control communication with the EV to coordinate energy transfer. An EVETA can receive a predetermined ESD state of charge limit so that the transfer process can be terminated to preserve sufficient charge for EV return to a desired destination. A human machine interface enables user input reception and information display.

Abstract: A portable energy storage and power supply system includes a first housing member coupled to a second housing member, the first housing member and the second housing member defining an internal space, a battery disposed within the internal space and configured to store electrical power, a plurality of connectors defining an input for charging the battery and an output for utilizing electrical power from the battery, and a gasket. The gasket includes a base portion coupling the first housing member with the second housing member and a bumper shaped to absorb shock loading.

Abstract: A battery remaining amount detection unit includes: a voltage measurement section configured to measure a voltage of a battery; an open-circuit voltage calculation section configured to calculate an estimated open-circuit voltage; and a remaining amount detection section configured to detect a remaining amount of the battery from the estimated open-circuit voltage, in which the open-circuit voltage calculation section is configured to calculate a first voltage change amount as a voltage change amount from a no-load voltage when no load is applied to the battery and a closed-circuit voltage when a load is applied to the battery, and the open-circuit calculation section is configured to calculate the estimated open-circuit voltage based on the closed-circuit voltage of the battery and the first voltage change amount.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a battery charging system. The methods and systems allow a user to charge a plurality of different battery types and configurations via a single battery charger.

Abstract: A multi-state battery charger includes a single-stage AC-to-DC switching converter, where the single-stage converter receives an AC supply voltage and directly charges a rechargeable battery without there being any intervening second power stage. A novel battery charger controller integrated circuit in the converter's secondary side detects profile selection resistor values, monitors battery voltage, monitors charging current, monitors battery temperature, controls a protection transistor, and sends a control signal back to a PWM in the primary side. The controller includes a flexible preprogrammed digital state machine circuit that is configured to control the converter from charging state to charging state so that the battery is charged in accordance with a selected one of multiple preprogrammed different multi-state battery charging profiles, where at least one of the profiles has at least one CC (constant current) state and one CV (constant voltage) state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit for a system for contactless, inductive power transmission, in particular for use in supplying power to mobile devices, and to an associated charging circuit. The circuit comprises a primary-side circuit, which is disposed on a primary side and can be connected to a primary-side supply voltage, and a secondary-side circuit, which is disposed on a secondary side and can be connected to a load to be supplied with power. Furthermore a transformer stage having galvanic isolation is provided for the contactless transfer of power from the primary side over an air gap to the secondary side, wherein at least two magnetically coupled coils are provided for inductive power transmission and can be spatially separated from one another by distancing the secondary side from the primary side. The transformer stage has a resonant converter and the secondary-side circuit further comprises a restabilization stage.

Abstract: Wireless energy transfer methods and designs for implantable electronics and devices include, in at least one aspect, a device resonator configured to be included in an implantable medical device and supply power for a load of the implantable medical device by receiving wirelessly transferred power from a source resonator coupled with a power source; temperature sensors positioned to measure temperatures of the device resonator at different locations; a tunable component coupled to the device resonator; and control circuitry configured and arranged to adjust the tunable component to detune the device resonator in response to a measurement from at least one of the temperature sensors.

Abstract: A battery management system includes several subsystem blocks, an Energy Storage Master unit, and several battery pack systems. The Energy Storage Master may interface with the Vehicle Master Controller by way of CAN or other communication method to an External Charger. Each battery module within a battery pack may include a Local Module Unit which may communicate with a Pack Master. The Pack Master may communicate with and may be controlled by the Energy Storage Master. Thus, there is a processor to monitor groups of battery cells, a second processor to collect further information about the cell groups, and a third module that takes high-level information from each cell group processor to process and pass on to other vehicle controllers or charger controllers. An integrated BMS may enable cell monitoring, temperature monitoring, cell balancing, string current monitoring, and charger control integration.

Abstract: Systems (50, 200) and methods for determining a state of charge of a battery (52, 102, 150, 202) are provided. The system (50, 200) includes a power source (56, 206) configured to provide a charging current to a battery (52, 102, 150, 202). A controller (54, 104, 204) is included and configured to determine a state of charge of the battery (52, 102, 150, 202) based on impedance of a battery (52, 102, 150, 202) during a discharge time period based on an impedance and a state of charge relationship of a battery (52, 102, 150, 202) during a charge time period.

Abstract: A charging device 2 is a device for charging a battery 30 of a battery-type forklift 1 provided with the battery and at least one motor, the motor driven by the power supplied from the battery. The charging device 2 includes: a power conversion unit 73 that converts an alternating-current power to direct-current power, a control unit 70 that controls charging of the battery 30 based on an instruction from an in-vehicle control device 60 mounted on the battery-type forklift 1, a feed terminal that supplies the direct-current power to the battery 30, a communication terminal for communicating with the battery-type forklift 1, and a startup terminal for transmitting a signal for staring up the in-vehicle control device 60.

Abstract: In a device for controlling an assembled battery provided with a plurality of single batteries, the device includes a capacity adjustment section for adjusting a capacity such that voltages of the single batteries are equalized at a targeted voltage, an internal state detection section for detecting terminal voltages or SOC of the single batteries and for detecting, based on the detected terminal voltages/SOC, a voltage/SOC difference among the single batteries as voltage-difference/SOC-difference data, and a time-series data storage for storing the voltage-difference/SOC-difference data in time-series. Also provided is a prediction section for more appropriately predicting time when the assembled battery becomes an abnormal state, based on a time-dependent change in the voltage-difference/SOC-difference data detected in a voltage/SOC region different from the targeted voltage by a predetermined voltage, among the stored time-series voltage-difference/SOC-difference data.

Abstract: Charging devices and methods for charging electrically powered vehicles are disclosed. One example charging device includes a processor configured to at least partially control a state voltage and a detection circuit coupled to the processor. The detection circuit includes an energy storage device and a discharge circuit coupled to the energy storage device. The energy storage device is configured to be charged by the state voltage. The discharge circuit is configured to discharge said energy storage device in response to a discharge command from said processor. The processor is configured to determine a charging state associated with the electrically powered vehicle based on a voltage across said energy storage device.

Abstract: A power control device has a voltage-regulator from power source to load, the load configurable to receive power at least at a first or second rate. The device has monitor circuitry to measure power; signal circuitry for signaling a power-reception rate to the load; and circuitry for resetting the load when the power source is overloaded. The device resets the load periodically to the second rate when the load is at the first rate. In embodiments, the power source is a thermoelectric generator or solar panel. In embodiments, the load couples through a USB connector. A companion method of charging smart loads includes applying power to the load; communicating power available to the load; configuring a battery charger in the load to absorb an amount of power less than that available; monitoring power, determining when changed configuration may optimize charging time of a smart load battery; and resetting the smart load to optimize current.

Abstract: A portable power generation device includes a protective case and a power source. The protective case has a lower case portion and an upper case portion, the upper case portion including a plurality of upper case portion segments, wherein the upper case portion is rotatable with respect to the lower case portion between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The power source is sized to fit within the protective case in the closed configuration, rotatable with respect to the lower case portion, and supported by the protective case in the open configuration.

Abstract: A system includes first and second relays which physically adjoin one another and are controlled such that one of the relays is off whenever the other relay is on. In operation, heat generated in the first relay thermally conducts to the second relay where the relays physically adjoin one another whereby the second relay functions as a heat sink for the first relay while the second relay is off and the first relay is on. Correspondingly, in operation, heat generated in the second relay thermally conducts to the first relay where the relays physically adjoin one another whereby the first relay functions as a heat sink for the second relay while the first relay is off and the second relay is on.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided comprising a battery, a charge plate electrically connected to the battery, and a thermal sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a sensed temperature. The thermal sensor can be positioned to determine temperature in the area proximate to the charge plate. The vehicle further includes at least one controller configured to (a) cause an association signal to be repeatedly transmitted during a battery charge procedure such that charging of the battery via the charge plate is maintained, and (b) in response to the sensed temperature exceeding a primary threshold, cause the repeated transmission of the association signal to be interrupted such that charging of the battery ceases.