Abstract: Mobile battery powered workstation carts for order fulfillment are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery powered workstation cart may comprise a wheeled cart having a frame, a rechargeable lithium battery, a computer, a barcode reader/scanner, a RFID reader/scanner, a printer, an artificial intelligence hub, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and/or GPS. The frame may also comprise two side bracket arms and/or shelves, which may be modular to receive various different sized baskets, bins, or totes therein to expedite retail order fulfillment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various mobile battery powered beverage distribution and marketing carts, kiosks, systems, and methods for operating, transporting, charging, maintaining, optimizing, and storing these mobile battery powered beverage distribution and marketing carts. The mobile battery powered beverage carts may generally comprise a wheeled base, upper workstation, at least one storage and/or refrigerated compartment, a battery, and a large viewing screen for displaying marketing and/or entertainment content thereon. The battery within the cart is configured to operate any electrical componentry on the cart, so that the cart can be independently operable away from any electrical wall outlets. These carts can be customized with any number of options or accessories to meet particular demands and be temporarily deployed to areas where demand, or crowd size, is highest.

Abstract: Battery management system with integrated contactor economizer. A system for reducing power consumption included herein comprises a switching mechanism comprising a switch, and a microcontroller coupled to the switching mechanism, wherein the switching mechanism is coupled to a coupling mechanism and configured to energize the coupling mechanism, and wherein the processor is configured to provides a pulse width modulated on/off signal with duty cycle ranging between 50% to 100% and frequencies between 1 KHz to 20 KHz.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tracking and analysis devices, systems, and methods for optimizing workflow operations using the tracking and analysis devices and a plurality of movable and fixed tracking beacons. The movable tracking beacons may be configured for secure attachment to, or incorporation within, mobile workflow assets, while the fixed tracking beacons may be placed around the workflow environment in a grid-pattern. The tracking and analysis devices, as well as the movable and fixed tracking beacons, may each comprise any combination of a: battery, a low frequency Bluetooth module, an accelerometer, a Wi-Fi module, a USB hub, and/or an RFID reader/scanner. The tracking and analysis device may track and identify a workflow asset's location within a workflow environment within a range of about 2-3 feet by receiving and comparing relative signal strength of low frequency Bluetooth signals received from the movable tracking beacons and/or the plurality of fixed tracking beacons.

Abstract: Mobile swappable battery for a powered workstation. In an embodiment of a mobile swappable battery sized for detachable coupling with a base of a powered workstation of the present disclosure, the battery comprises a wheeled housing enclosing a portion of the battery, wherein the wheeled housing comprises at least two wheels attached to a bottom side of the housing, and a collapsible handle for pushing and guiding the wheeled housing into detachable alignment with a battery guide in the base of the powered workstation.

Abstract: Power systems and methods of using the same to deliver power. A power system referenced herein can include a housing capable of attaching to a workstation, one or more cradles or mounting fixtures to receive at least one energy storage device, electronic circuitry to communicate status of the at least one energy storage device, state of charge of the at least one energy storage device, and/or overall health of the at least one energy storage device, and one or more electrical connectors to allow the at least one energy storage device to charge and/or discharge and communicate with the electronic circuitry, with said housing having an internal power supply and charge circuitry, said power supply capable of receiving input power from an external AC or DC power source; wherein the power system is configured to deliver power to the workstation.

Abstract: Mobile battery powered workstation carts for order fulfillment are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery powered workstation cart may comprise a wheeled cart having a frame, a rechargeable lithium battery, a computer, a barcode reader/scanner, a RFID reader/scanner, a printer, an artificial intelligence hub, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and/or GPS. The frame may also comprise two side bracket arms and/or shelves, which may be modular to receive various different sized baskets, bins, or totes therein to expedite retail order fulfillment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, devices, systems, and methods for operating same. A battery management system (BMS) may be configured to monitor and control heating and cooling elements within the battery. The at least one battery pack may have battery cells and harnessing disposed therein, as well as at least one temperature control element configured to absorb heat and/or exhaust heat from within the battery to outside the battery to decrease and/or increase temperature within the battery. Also disclosed herein are batteries having phase change materials (PCM), heating element(s), and/or thermal electric device(s) disposed therein and configured to maintain internal temperature of the battery at an optimal range for uninterrupted battery operations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are battery docks for receiving a battery, and methods for switching off an electrical load to a battery or to the battery dock to prevent overheating. A battery dock may comprise a battery connection contact to attach to a battery, and a circuit sensor electrically coupled to the battery connection contact for sensing the temperature of the battery dock and at the battery connection contact. The circuit sensor can be configured to switch off an electrical load or charging current once a threshold temperature has been reached to prevent overheating. In operation, the temperature of the battery dock, such as at the battery connection contact, may be sensed or monitored and electrical current may be prevented from passing to/from the battery by switching off the battery dock if the sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature.

Abstract: Power systems and methods of using the same to deliver power. A power system referenced herein can include a housing capable of attaching to a workstation, one or more cradles or mounting fixtures to receive at least one energy storage device, electronic circuitry to communicate status of the at least one energy storage device, state of charge of the at least one energy storage device, and/or overall health of the at least one energy storage device, and one or more electrical connectors to allow the at least one energy storage device to charge and/or discharge and communicate with the electronic circuitry, with said housing having an internal power supply and charge circuitry, said power supply capable of receiving input power from an external AC or DC power source; wherein the power system is configured to deliver power to the workstation.

Abstract: Mobile battery powered workstation carts for order fulfillment are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery powered workstation cart may comprise a wheeled cart having a frame, a rechargeable lithium battery, a computer, a barcode reader/scanner, a RFID reader/scanner, a printer, an artificial intelligence hub, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and/or GPS. The frame may also comprise two side bracket arms and/or shelves, which may be modular to receive various different sized baskets, bins, or totes therein to expedite retail order fulfillment.

Abstract: Thermal sensor for a battery. In an exemplary embodiment of a battery docking connector of the present disclosure, the connector comprises exposed battery contacts, and a circuit sensor electrically coupled to the exposed battery contacts for sensing the temperature at the exposed battery contacts, wherein the circuit sensor is configured to switch off an electrical load coupled thereto once a threshold temperature has been reached, to prevent overheating of a battery providing power to the electrical load.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various mobile battery powered beverage distribution and marketing carts, kiosks, systems, and methods for operating, transporting, charging, maintaining, optimizing, and storing these mobile battery powered beverage distribution and marketing carts. The mobile battery powered beverage carts may generally comprise a wheeled base, upper workstation, at least one storage and/or refrigerated compartment, a battery, and a large viewing screen for displaying marketing and/or entertainment content thereon. The battery within the cart is configured to operate any electrical componentry on the cart, so that the cart can be independently operable away from any electrical wall outlets. These carts can be customized with any number of options or accessories to meet particular demands and be temporarily deployed to areas where demand, or crowd size, is highest.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mobile battery powered kiosks generally shaped as a standing workstation having an interactive touch screen at a comfortable viewing height and a wheeled base portion for convenient rolling transportation. These mobile kiosks may have collapsible handles and may be nested together for more compact storage and more efficient battery charging, such as by daisy chaining These mobile kiosks may have removable or swappable rechargeable batteries, or may be recharged simply by plugging into a wall outlet. The mobile kiosks have an interactive touch screen, which may itself be a computer, or may be operably coupled to a computer, such as via Wi-Fi. These mobile kiosks may be used at a point-of sale and are wheeled and lightweight to be easily maneuvered and quickly deployed when needed, such as at crowded venues, or on a temporary as-needed basis, and can then be put away, when no longer needed.

Abstract: Battery systems containing recyclable battery portions. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a battery system, comprising a housing configured to retain two or more battery portions; two or more battery portions configured to fit within the housing; wherein the housing is configured to fit within a battery compartment of a cart; wherein the two or more battery portions, when effectively connected together using a central connector of the battery system, collectively produce sufficient power to power electronic equipment of the cart; and wherein each of the two or more battery portions weigh at or below a desired threshold weight.

Abstract: Power systems and methods of using the same to deliver power. A power system referenced herein can include a housing capable of attaching to a workstation, one or more cradles or mounting fixtures to receive at least one energy storage device, electronic circuitry to communicate status of the at least one energy storage device, state of charge of the at least one energy storage device, and/or overall health of the at least one energy storage device, and one or more electrical connectors to allow the at least one energy storage device to charge and/or discharge and communicate with the electronic circuitry, with said housing having an internal power supply and charge circuitry, said power supply capable of receiving input power from an external AC or DC power source; wherein the power system is configured to deliver power to the workstation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an add-on battery that may be electrically coupled to a second system that includes an electrical energy storage device are presented. In one example, the systems and methods provide for extending operation of the second system via selectively powering the second system via the add-on battery in response to operating conditions of the second system.

Abstract: Battery systems containing recyclable battery portions. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a battery system, comprising a housing configured to retain two or more battery portions; two or more battery portions configured to fit within the housing; wherein the housing is configured to fit within a battery compartment of a cart; wherein the two or more battery portions, when effectively connected together using a central connector of the battery system, collectively produce sufficient power to power electronic equipment of the cart; and wherein each of the two or more battery portions weigh at or below a desired threshold weight.

Abstract: Disclosed are mobile battery powered workstations, methods of operating these workstations to increase warehouse and retail efficiency (through improved order fulfillment, as a mobile shipping & receiving station, mobile inventory management, and/or as mobile powered quality analysis stations), and methods of calculating remaining battery runtime for these workstations. A mobile battery powered workstation may comprise a wheeled base having a modular battery power bay, an upper workstation having a monitor, a computer, a printer, and at least one adjustable height column coupling the wheeled base to the upper workstation. The workstation may also include a glass overlay display positioned on a top surface of the upper workstation area and configured to provide order fulfillment employees with haptic feedback on remaining battery runtime, calculated via an algorithm for increased accuracy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an add-on battery that may be electrically coupled to a second system that includes an electrical energy storage device are presented. In one example, the systems and methods provide for extending operation of the second system via selectively powering the second system via the add-on battery in response to operating conditions of the second system.