Abstract: A start/service aircraft battery system including a housing on wheels/dolly for convenient movement to a space adjacent an aircraft to be started/serviced. An electrical output cable is carried by the housing and attachable to the aircraft to be started/serviced. A control panel on the housing includes a start/service switch having a start position and a service position. A starting battery and a larger service battery are carried by the housing, the starting battery being coupled to the electrical output cable through the start/service switch in the start position and the larger service battery being coupled to the electrical output cable through the start/service switch in the service position. The starting battery is removably attached to the start/service aircraft battery system for individual starting operations.

Abstract: A battery module having a housing (15) including a plurality of cavities (16), each receiving a housing-element assembly (1) having: a) an electrochemical element (2) with a cylindrical container and two current output terminals (3, 4) disposed on a wall of one of the ends of the container, at least one of the two current output terminals being electrically connected to an electrical connection bar (5); b) a housing (6) in the form of a tube for receiving the electrochemical element, the housing electrically insulating the electrochemical element and having one or more indexing members (7, 8); c) a housing cover (9) provided with a means (10) for causing the electrochemical element to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus which can be mounted with a first battery and a second battery includes: a load circuit configured to operate the imaging apparatus; and a control circuit configured to control power supply to the load circuit based on a first battery voltage in the first battery and a second battery voltage in the second battery. In a high-load mode, the control circuit selects any one of the first battery, the second battery, and a combination of the first and second batteries in accordance with the first and second battery voltages, to supply power to the load circuit. In a low-load mode, the control circuit selects either one of the first battery and the second battery in accordance with the first and second battery voltages without selecting the combination of the first and second batteries, to supply power to the load circuit.

Abstract: There is provided a power storage device, a power storage control device, and a power storage control method for rapidly equalizing voltages of cells with a simple configuration. A power storage device including a plurality of cells which are connected in series; a plurality of reactance elements which are connected in series; a plurality of connection lines configured to connect the respective cells and the respective reactance elements in parallel in a one-to-one correspondence; a plurality of switching elements configured to independently open and close each of the connection lines; and a power storage control device configured to control the switching elements to cause energy to be transferred between the cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power storage device, a power storage control device, and a power storage control method for suppressing a burden imposed on a cell when voltages of cells are equalized. A power storage device includes: a plurality of cells which are connected in series; a series resonance circuit configured to include a reactor and a capacitor; and a power storage control device configured to control a connection state of the cells and the series resonance circuit. The power storage control device causes energy to be transferred between equal numbers of cells via the series resonance circuit.

Abstract: A system, method, and battery control module for detecting negative contactor status of a battery, such as a high voltage vehicle battery, is disclosed. The method includes applying a constant current to a bipolar transistor element having a base, an emitter, and a collector, wherein the base is electrically connected to a first resistor and an analog-to-digital converter, the collector being electrically connected to a second resistor and a diode. A collected current is delivered by the collector, and the method includes injecting the collected current through the second resistor and the diode and into a negative contactor of a battery. The method also includes determining a resistance across the negative contactor of the battery. The system may include a battery having a negative contactor, the negative contactor having a switch side, and a battery control module in communication with the battery.

Abstract: An electric storage device protection apparatus includes switches arranged between an electric device and an electric storage device and connected in parallel to each other, and each of which being configured to be switched to be in an open state and a closed state, a rectifier component connected in series to one of the switches between a pair of common connection points of the switches, and a controller configured to perform a process to make the one of the switches that is connected to the rectifier component to be in the closed state and make another one of the switches to be in the open state when determining that the electric storage device is in a state where a voltage of the electric storage device becomes higher than a reference range.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed to techniques for improving battery life performance of end devices in resource monitoring systems which transmit data using low-power, wide area network (LPWAN) technologies. Further, the techniques include providing sensor interfaces in the end devices configured to communicate with multiple types of metrology sensors. Additionally, the systems and methods include techniques for reducing the size of a concentrator of a gateway device which receives resource measurement data from end devices. The reduced size of the concentrator results in smaller, more compact gateway devices that consume less energy and reduce heat dissipation experienced in gateway devices. The concentrator may comply with modular interface standards, and include two radios configured for transmitting 1-watt signals.

Abstract: Systems, methods and/or devices are used to reduce anomalous charging current by selectively shunting biasing current away from a control terminal of a controlled device that conducts the charging current during a charging mode. In some embodiments, a power-control circuit includes: (1) a controlled device with a first terminal coupled to a power-supply node, a second terminal to provide a first output voltage, and a control terminal; (2) a current source to provide a biasing current to the control terminal of the controlled device during a charging mode; and (3) a selective current shunt to shunt a portion of the biasing current away from the control terminal of the controlled device in response to a determination that a charging current through the first and second terminals of the controlled device satisfies a threshold during the charging mode.

Abstract: A battery cell monitoring system includes multiple battery monitoring circuits, each connected to a corresponding battery cell, and a microcomputer for controlling the monitoring circuits. The battery monitoring circuits include a data output circuit that outputs a data signal corresponding to the monitoring results for the battery cell monitored thereby and a multiplexer that outputs either the monitoring results received from the data output circuit or monitoring results received from another battery monitoring circuit. The battery cell monitoring circuit includes a flip-flop circuit receiving a clock signal and the signal output from the multiplexer which is latched in synchronization with the clock signal.

Abstract: An electrical storage device monitoring circuit includes a 3-state buffer configured to switch between a high output state and a low output state based on a flag output delivered from a previous electrical storage device monitoring circuit at a front stage, and also configured to detect a disconnection between the current electrical storage device monitoring circuit and the previous electrical storage device monitoring circuit at the front stage; a detection circuit configured to monitor an electrical storage device to detect whether the electrical storage device is normal or abnormal; and an output circuit configured to deliver the flag output to a subsequent electrical storage device monitoring circuit at a next stage based on an input of the 3-state buffer and a detection result of the detection circuit.

Abstract: A method of pulse charging a secondary electrochemical storage cell is provided. The secondary cell includes a negative electrode comprising an alkaline metal; a positive electrode comprising at least one transition metal halide; a molten salt electrolyte comprising alkaline metal haloaluminate; and a solid electrolyte partitioning the positive electrode from the negative electrode, such that a first surface of the solid electrolyte is in contact with the positive electrode, and a second surface of the solid electrolyte is in contact with the negative electrode. The method of charging includes polarizing the cell by applying a polarizing voltage greater than about 0.1 V above the cell's rest potential for a first predetermined period of time; depolarizing the cell for a second predetermined period of time; and repeating the polarizing and depolarizing steps until a charging end-point is reached.

Abstract: A quencher for a flow cell battery is described. The quencher utilizes a quench solution formed from FeCl2 in a dilute HCl solution in order to quench chlorine emissions from the flow cell battery. A quench sensor is further described. The quench sensor monitors the concentration level of FeCl2 in the quench solution and may also monitor the level of the quench solution in the quencher.

Abstract: The teachings herein disclose a method and apparatus for preventing excessive battery passivation in an electronic meter-reading module. The module operates in a low-power state most of the time. The low-power state is interrupted at defined transmit times, wherein the module temporarily turns on or otherwise activates an included communication transmitter, for the transmission of data to a remote node reachable through a wireless communication network. Because of its low current draw during the times between data transmissions, the module's battery is vulnerable to passivation layer buildup. Advantageously, however, the module is configured to perform dummy activations of its transmitter at times other than the defined transmit times, e.g., in the intervals between data transmissions. These dummy activations are not for data transmission, but rather are temporary activations of the relatively high-power transmitter, for reducing passivation layer buildup on the battery in advance of a next data transmission.

Abstract: A quencher for a flow cell battery is described. The quencher utilizes a quench solution formed from FeCl2 in a dilute HCl solution in order to quench chlorine emissions from the flow cell battery. A quench sensor is further described. The quench sensor monitors the concentration level of FeCl2 in the quench solution and may also monitor the level of the quench solution in the quencher.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for protecting a battery from current leakage when the battery is not in use includes a control signal input circuit and a switch circuit. The control signal input circuit receives a first control signal from a chip and output a second control signal. The switch circuit receives the second control signal and turns on or off an electronic connection between the battery and the chip. Wherein when the battery is not in use and not being charged by the adaptor, there is a possibility of current leakage from the battery. In such case, the switch circuit turns off the electronic connection between the battery and the chip, and the battery does not provide power to the chip.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an inertia of a synchronous condenser are described. An example system may include a motor, bidirectional power source, and at least one control device. The motor may be configured to alter a rotation of a condenser shaft to obtain a desired inertia of a synchronous condenser during a power disturbance event. The bidirectional power source may be coupled to the motor. The at least one control device may be configured to identify the power disturbance event, determine an amount of power to supply to or receive from the motor to obtain the desired inertia, and control the supply of power from the power source to the motor or from the motor to the power source based upon the determined amount of power.

Abstract: A recharging device with voltage detection for an alkaline primary cell includes an oscillating unit that generates a pulse signal from an input power to charge the alkaline primary cell. The recharging device also includes a detecting unit configured to be electrically coupled to the alkaline primary cell. The detecting unit is also configured to detect a voltage of the alkaline primary cell and output a corresponding detection signal. The recharging device further includes a control unit electrically coupled to the oscillating unit and the detecting unit. The control unit controls the oscillating unit to operate in one of a first charge mode and a waiting mode based on the detection signal output by the detecting unit. The oscillating unit outputs the pulse signal when operated in the first charge mode and discontinues output of the pulse signal when operated in the waiting mode.

Abstract: A charging device for charging primary cells includes a transforming rectifying unit, a voltage current processing unit, a microprocessor, an agitating unit, a detecting unit and a display unit. The transforming rectifying unit transforms an input power source into a direct-current output power source, which is transformed by the voltage current processing unit into a direct-current power source and charging power source. The charging power source is used for charging the battery set. The detecting unit detects an output voltage of the battery set and produces a detecting signal. The microprocessor controls an overall charging operation of the charging device according to the detecting signal, including making the agitating unit produce a sine pulse to chemically activate the battery set to remove the carbon deposition, and making the display unit show the charging status.

Abstract: A method of recovering voltage of a primary cell and its device. The method of steps of reading a cell to obtain start voltage, capacitance and number of the cells to be recovered, of imposing sine curve impulse once every 1-3 second on the positive pole of the cell(s) for stimulating chemical substance in the cell(s), of imposing sine curve impulse once every 5-7 seconds when the voltage recovery reaches 70%, of imposing sine curve impulse once every 10-12 seconds when the voltage recovery reaches more than 90%, and of changing sine curve impulse into a small stream of impulse when the voltage recovery reaches more than 99% for stabilizing the chemical substance in the cell(s). The device includes a reading circuit, a stimulating circuit, a control circuit, a control circuit and a voltage transforming and rectifying circuit.

Abstract: A secondary battery charging system, mounted on a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, has a secondary battery, a fuel cell, a fuel storage unit, and a fuel supply controller. In order to start the engine of the vehicle, the engine requires the electric power from the secondary battery. The fuel storage unit stores a fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell. When a given condition is satisfied, the fuel supply controller instructs the fuel storage unit to supply the fuel to the fuel cell in order to start the operation of the engine of the vehicle. The fuel cell thereby starts the generation of the electric power by performing electric chemical reaction and supplies the generated electric power to the secondary battery. The secondary battery supplies the electric power to the engine of the vehicle. The engine initiates its operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the supply of electric power to mobile equipment has a battery checker that checks a remaining battery-level of at least one of plural batteries including main battery. The main battery is installed in a body, and the other batteries are installed in an auxiliary electric power source accessory that is detachably mounted on the body. The apparatus further has a battery-level indicator that indicates a mark so as to represent a remaining battery-level based on a plurality of grades and indicates a common mark in each grade, and a battery selector that selectively uses one of the plural batteries. When the remaining battery-level shifts over a boundary battery-level positioned between grades adjacent to each other, the battery selector selects one of the plural batteries, the remaining battery-level of which is greatest.

Abstract: A battery pack apparatus is configured with a battery pack composed of a plurality of rechargeable batteries arranged in parallel with cooling medium passages formed therebetween, and a cross flow fan which faces a distribution space formed adjacent to one side of the battery pack to supply or discharge cooling medium with respect to each of the cooling medium passages, and which is disposed such that the rotational axis thereof follows the aligning direction of the rechargeable batteries. The axial position of the fan is eccentric in the direction of movement of an impeller at an intake chamber side with respect to a center line of the distribution space, the line perpendicular to the aligning direction of the rechargeable batteries. The rechargeable batteries are uniformly cooled within a compact configuration.

Abstract: The invention refers to a charge/discharge protection circuit for a rechargeable battery being able to differentiate between a temporary overvoltage on the charge/discharge terminals and a permanent overvoltage and in the last case for security reasons to permanently disconnect the battery from the charge/discharge terminals. Hereby said protection circuit comprises a number of partial switches (15[1:]), being either parallel to a load switch (LS) or parallel to the charge terminals, and an overvoltage detector (10) which closes in case of an overvoltage all partial switches via a control logic (11, 12, 13, 17, 18) and which afterwards opens one partial switch after the other. A voltage detector (16), monitoring the remaining voltage over the partial switches, inhibits, however, the opening of at that time next partial switch if the remaining voltage over the still closed partial switches is higher than a predefined limit of said remaining voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical apparatus, program and method for a user to display a preliminary charging state in a battery. In one aspect, the present invention provides an electrical apparatus that is capable of receiving a battery for supplying electric power to a main unit by discharging after charging, comprising preliminary charge judging means for judging whether or not the battery is in a preliminary charging state that is a recovery from over-discharge, and display means for displaying an indication of preliminary charging if the preliminary charge judging means judges that the battery is in the preliminary charging state.

Abstract: The invention refers to a charge/discharge protection circuit for a rechargeable battery being able to differentiate between a temporary overvoltage on the charge/discharge terminals and a permanent overvoltage and in the last case for security reasons to permanently disconnect the battery from the charge/discharge terminals. Hereby said protection circuit comprises a number of partial switches (15[1:]), being either parallel to a load switch (LS) or parallel to the charge terminals, and an overvoltage detector (10) which closes in case of an overvoltage all partial switches via a control logic (11, 12, 13, 17, 18) and which afterwards opens one partial switch after the other. A voltage detector (16), monitoring the remaining voltage over the partial switches, inhibits, however, the opening of at that time next partial switch if the remaining voltage over the still closed partial switches is higher than a predefined limit of said remaining voltage.

Abstract: Polarized electric charge storage devices economically provide high available capacitance. The present invention directly employs polarized electrical charge storage (PECS) devices such as polarized capacitors or electrochemical batteries in general AC applications with a novel circuit topology. In one embodiment, an anti-series configuration of first and second PECS devices are used within an AC network for enhancing operation of the AC network. At least one DC source is provided for maintaining the PECS devices forwardly biased while they are subjected to an AC signal. The AC signal, which drives an AC load, is applied to the anti-series devices. The devices are sufficiently biased by the at least one DC voltage source so that they remain forwardly biased while coupling the AC signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatic recovery of sulfated lead acid batteries rely on monitoring battery voltage, current and internal resistance during battery charging. The lead acid battery is recovered for usage by measuring the internal resistance to see if it is so high such that the battery is unrecoverable, or so low such that the normal charging methods can be used. If the internal resistance is between the two limits, the battery receives a first constant charge current. As the lead acid battery is being charged slowly by a constant charge current, the battery voltage is measured. The decrease in the internal resistance (IR) of the battery causes the battery voltage to decrease during charging, while the charging causes the battery voltage to increase. According to the present invention, if it is detected that the battery voltage has reached the minimum voltage and begun to increase in a predetermined period of time, the charge current is substantially increased (e.g.

Abstract: A power converter supplies a charging current to a rechargeable battery responsive to a control module. The control module includes a microcontroller, a memory coupled to the microcontroller and power converter code. The power converter code causes the microcontroller to determine a battery output voltage of the rechargeable battery. The power converter code also causes the microcontroller to provide a control signal, which adjusts the power converter output voltage responsive to the battery output voltage. The control module also provides for a desulfation mode when the power converter is in a storage mode.

Abstract: Apparatus for charging and desulfating lead-acid batteries provides a DC electrical charging current to the battery terminals to charge the battery to a fully charged voltage during a bulk charge mode. When the battery reaches a fully charged voltage, the apparatus switches to a float charge mode where the battery voltage decreases to a float voltage less than the fully charged voltage and is maintained at this level. When the apparatus is in the float charge mode, the battery charging current is turned rapidly on and off to maintain the battery at the float voltage and to desulfate the battery. When the battery voltage drops to a predetermined value below the float voltage, the bulk charge mode is reentered.

Abstract: Electroacoustic battery sonication rehabilitates a battery by decreasing metallic shorting across battery elements through sonication. Sonication may be produced by application of an electrical signal of selected frequency to the terminals of a battery, thereby establishing a resonant condition within the battery. Alternately, sonication may be provided by transducers placed within a battery and receiving a drive signal of selected frequency to establish a resonant condition within the battery. By removing metallic shorting, e.g., lead hydrates in the case of a lead acid battery, undesirable electrical conduction between battery plates diminishes and battery charging efficiency and capacity increase.

Abstract: Electrodes are cured through application of modulated electrical signals. In preferred embodiments the signal comprises pulsed currents, and in particularly preferred embodiments the signal comprises a train of both forward and reversed pulses, with modulation of the duty cycle by pulse width modulation during the curing process.