Abstract: A battery system a plurality of battery strings, a charge equalization circuit, a relay matrix, and a balance controller. The plurality of battery strings comprises at least three batteries connected in series, where the battery strings are connected in parallel. The charge equalization circuit is capable of transferring charge between a pair of series connected batteries. The relay matrix is operatively connected between the charge equalization circuit and the plurality of battery strings. The balance controller operates the relay matrix based on at least one of a voltage and a current of any one of the batteries such that the charge equalization circuit is connected across any one of the pairs of series connected batteries in any one of the plurality of battery strings such that the charge equalization circuit transfers charge between the batteries in the pair of series connected batteries to which the charge equalization circuit is connected.

Abstract: A battery system a plurality of battery strings, a charge equalization circuit, a relay matrix, and a balance controller. The plurality of battery strings comprises at least three batteries connected in series, where the battery strings are connected in parallel. The charge equalization circuit is capable of transferring charge between a pair of series connected batteries. The relay matrix is operatively connected between the charge equalization circuit and the plurality of battery strings. The balance controller operates the relay matrix based on at least one of a voltage and a current of any one of the batteries such that the charge equalization circuit is connected across any one of the pairs of series connected batteries in any one of the plurality of battery strings such that the charge equalization circuit transfers charge between the batteries in the pair of series connected batteries to which the charge equalization circuit is connected.

Abstract: A battery system comprising a plurality of battery strings, a charge equalization circuit, a relay matrix, and a balance controller. The plurality of battery strings comprises at least three batteries connected in series, where the battery strings are connected in parallel. The charge equalization circuit is capable of equalizing the charge on any pair of series connected batteries in any one of the plurality of battery strings. The relay matrix is operatively connected between the charge equalization circuit and the plurality of battery strings. The balance controller operates the relay matrix based on at least one of a voltage and a current of any one of the batteries such that the charge equalization circuit is connected across any one of the pairs of series connected batteries in any one of the plurality of battery strings.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for a UPS module has a battery diagnostics module, an inverter diagnostic module, a utility diagnostic module, and a transformer diagnostic module. The battery diagnostic module is configured to generate battery diagnostic information based on at least one operating characteristic of at least one element of the battery module. The inverter diagnostic module is configured to generate inverter diagnostic information based on at least one operating characteristic of at least one element of the inverter module. The utility diagnostic module is configured to generate utility diagnostic information based on at least one operating characteristic of at least one element of the utility power signal supplied by the utility power supply. The transformer diagnostic module is configured to generate transformer diagnostic information based on at least one operating characteristic of at least one element of the transformer module.

Abstract: A battery system comprising a plurality of battery strings, a charge equalization circuit, a relay matrix, and a balance controller. The plurality of battery strings comprises at least three batteries connected in series, where the battery strings are connected in parallel. The charge equalization circuit is capable of equalizing the charge on any pair of series connected batteries in any one of the plurality of battery strings. The relay matrix is operatively connected between the charge equalization circuit and the plurality of battery strings. The balance controller operates the relay matrix based on at least one of a voltage and a current of any one of the batteries such that the charge equalization circuit is connected across any one of the pairs of series connected batteries in any one of the plurality of battery strings.

Abstract: A battery system having at least one battery string of more than two batteries connected in series, a charge equalization circuit, and a relay matrix. The plurality of battery strings each comprise more than two batteries connected in series and are connected in parallel. The charge equalization circuit is capable of equalizing the charge on any pair of series connected batteries in any one of the plurality of battery strings. The relay matrix is operatively connected between the charge equalization circuit and the plurality of battery strings. Based on at least one of a voltage and a current of any one of the batteries, the relay matrix is operated such that the charge equalization circuit is connected across any one of the pairs of series connected batteries in any one of the plurality of battery strings.

Abstract: A hearing instrument includes a first speaker having a first frequency range. The hearing instrument also includes a second speaker that is disposed in the ear of a listener. The second speaker has a second frequency range that is wider than the first frequency range. A microphone unit is coupled to the first speaker and the second speaker. The first speaker creates replacement sounds within the first frequency range that replicate sounds that are lost to the listener as a result of an occlusion effect at the second speaker. The replacement sounds are presented to the listener.

Abstract: A battery system having at least one battery string of more than two batteries connected in series, a charge equalization circuit, and a relay matrix. The plurality of battery strings each comprise more than two batteries connected in series and are connected in parallel. The charge equalization circuit is capable of equalizing the charge on any pair of series connected batteries in any one of the plurality of battery strings. The relay matrix is operatively connected between the charge equalization circuit and the plurality of battery strings.

Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a mechanical shell, a first electronic component, a first connector, and a receiver. The mechanical shell is generally cylindrical in shape and forms a cavity, the shell having an inner surface, the inter surface in communication with the cavity. The first electronic component is disposed in the cavity. The first connector includes electrical contacts and is disposed on the inner surface of the shell. A first electrical connection electrically couples the microphone to the first connector. The receiver is disposed in the cavity, and the receiver has a second connector. An electrical connection is formed between the first electronic component and the receiver via the first connector and the second connector. A rotation of the shell causes the electrical contacts to rotate within or with respect to the second connector such that the rotation does not cause the electrical connection between the first connector and the second connector to be broken.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for a UPS module has a battery diagnostics module, an inverter diagnostic module, a utility diagnostic module, and a transformer diagnostic module. The battery diagnostic module is configured to generate battery diagnostic information based on at least one operating characteristic of at least one element of the battery module. The inverter diagnostic module is configured to generate inverter diagnostic information based on at least one operating characteristic of at least one element of the inverter module. The utility diagnostic module is configured to generate utility diagnostic information based on at least one operating characteristic of at least one element of the utility power signal supplied by the utility power supply. The transformer diagnostic module is configured to generate transformer diagnostic information based on at least one operating characteristic of at least one element of the transformer module.

Abstract: A battery system having at least one battery string of more than two batteries connected in series, a charge equalization circuit, a relay matrix, and a balance controller. The charge equalization circuit is capable of equalizing the charge on any pair of series connected batteries in the at least one battery string. The relay matrix is operatively connected between the charge equalization circuit and the at least one battery string. The balance controller controls the relay matrix such that at least one to battery characteristic of at least one battery is sensed. Based on at least one sensed battery characteristic, the balance controller controls the relay matrix such that the charge equalization circuit is connected across at least one pair of series connected batteries in the at least one battery string.

Abstract: A UPS module configured to be arranged between at least one AC line and a communications system comprising at least one load comprises a power system, a diagnostic system, and a communications module. The power system comprising a battery module, an inverter module, and a transformer module and is operatively connected between the AC line and the at least one load. The diagnostic system generates battery diagnostic information, inverter diagnostic, utility diagnostic information, and transformer diagnostic information. The communications module transfers diagnostic information between the diagnostic system and the communications system.

Abstract: An acoustic apparatus includes a mechanical shell, a first electronic component, a first connector, and a receiver. The mechanical shell is generally cylindrical in shape and forms a cavity, the shell having an inner surface, the inter surface in communication with the cavity. The first electronic component is disposed in the cavity. The first connector includes electrical contacts and is disposed on the inner surface of the shell. A first electrical connection electrically couples the microphone to the first connector. The receiver is disposed in the cavity, and the receiver has a second connector. An electrical connection is formed between the first electronic component and the receiver via the first connector and the second connector. A rotation of the shell causes the electrical contacts to rotate within or with respect to the second connector such that the rotation does not cause the electrical connection between the first connector and the second connector to be broken.

Abstract: A hearing instrument includes a first speaker having a first frequency range. The hearing instrument also includes a second speaker that is disposed in the ear of a listener. The second speaker has a second frequency range that is wider than the first frequency range. A microphone unit is coupled to the first speaker and the second speaker. The first speaker creates replacement sounds within the first frequency range that replicate sounds that are lost to the listener as a result of an occlusion effect at the second speaker. The replacement sounds are presented to the listener.

Abstract: A battery system having at least one battery string of more than two batteries connected in series, a charge equalization circuit, a relay matrix, and a balance controller. The charge equalization circuit is capable of equalizing the charge on any pair of series connected batteries in the at least one battery string. The relay matrix is operatively connected between the charge equalization circuit and the at least one battery string. The balance controller controls the relay matrix such that at least one to battery characteristic of at least one battery is sensed. Based on at least one sensed battery characteristic, the balance controller controls the relay matrix such that the charge equalization circuit is connected across at least one pair of series connected batteries in the at least one battery string.

Abstract: A power system supplies electrical power to at least one load of a communications system. A rectifier module generates a first DC signal based on the utility power signal. A charge control system generates a second DC signal based on the solar power signal. A DC bus is operatively connected to the first DC signal, the second DC signal, and the battery power signal. A distribution module supplies power to the primary load based on the second DC signal when the solar power signal falls within a first operating range and at least one of the first DC signal and the second DC signal when the solar power signal falls outside of the first operating range and a combination of the first DC signal and the second DC signal falls within a second operating range.

Abstract: A UPS module configured to be arranged between at least one AC line and a communications system comprising at least one load comprises a power system, a diagnostic system, and a communications module. The power system comprising a battery module, an inverter module, and a transformer module and is operatively connected between the AC line and the at least one load. The diagnostic system generates battery diagnostic information, inverter diagnostic, utility diagnostic information, and transformer diagnostic information. The communications module transfers diagnostic information between the diagnostic system and the communications system.