Abstract: A connection-switched capacitor storage system comprises plural capacitors, parallel monitors connected with the capacitors, respectively, switches for switching the connections of the capacitors from a series combination to a parallel combination or vice versa, and a control portion. The parallel monitors bypass the charging current for the capacitors when the terminal voltages of the capacitors exceed a given voltage, thus limiting increases of the terminal voltages of initializing the terminal voltages of the capacitors to their original level. The control portion controls initialization and switching of the connections of the capacitors. The control portion causes the parallel monitors to initialize the capacitors near the voltage at which the connections of the capacitors are switched by the switches.

Abstract: A charging rate adjusting circuit which comprises includes a serial line for connecting a plurality of cell blocks, a switch interposed on the line, a plurality of parallel lines for connecting a plurality of parallel connecting points each corresponding to in the cell blocks, switches each interposed on each of the lines, discharge circuits connected to a opposite electrodes of each of the cell modules, a voltage measuring circuit for detecting voltage across each of the cell modules, and a control circuit. The control circuit, in normal operation, sets on the switch and sets off all the switches, while, in adjustment, the circuit sets off the switch and sets on all the switches, and sets on the discharge operation of the circuit based on a detection result of the circuit.

Abstract: A battery charger method and apparatus are disclosed for providing detailed battery status and charging method information for a selected one of multiple batteries that are simultaneously coupled to the battery charger. The battery charger includes a controller. The controller selects one of the batteries to monitor and charge. The controller then starts a measurement cycle for the selected battery. During the measurement cycle, the controller determines current battery characteristics of the selected battery. The controller determines whether the selected battery is ready for charging by determining whether the battery characteristics of the selected battery are within a specified range. If the controller determines that the selected battery is ready for charging, the controller causes the battery charger to start charging the battery. If the controller determines that the selected battery is not ready for charging, the controller selects another battery to monitor and charge.

Abstract: Using the combination of batteries and supercapacitors to provide impulse, various all-in-one power tools driven by the impulse are devised. The impulse may be utilized in three ways, namely, to launch an object, to create an impact force, and to form a peak current that can be greater than 100A. While the supercapacitors greatly enhance the power output of the power module, the supercapacitors are disposed in-parallel for charging and switched to series connection for discharging on depressing the triggers of the tools. Therefore, the batteries required to drive the portable power tools can be minimized & reduced, and the circuitry for conducting the parallel-to-series switch is simple and economical. Using interchangeable attachments or accessories, and power module of the invention, one tool body can be applied to many types of work and maintenance at homes and in the fields.

Abstract: An electrical system (12) is provided for an automotive vehicle (10) having a first power source (14) with a first positive terminal (16) and first negative terminal (18). A second power source (20) having a second positive terminal (22) and a second negative terminal (24) is also provided. A common electrical node N2 is coupled to the first negative terminal and the second positive terminal. A first load (26) is coupled between the first positive terminal and the second node N2. A second load (28) is coupled between the common node N2 and the second negative terminal (24). A DC-to-DC converter (80) is coupled to the first power source, the second power source and the common node.

Abstract: In an electronic device, a method for adjusting the power consumption of the electronic device includes the steps of presenting a power adapter that supplies power to the electronic device. The method continues with the electronic device sensing an attribute of power adapter, and modifying an aspect of the operation of the electronic device in response to the sensing step.

Abstract: A car accessory includes an elongate bar removably received and retained in a retainer that is selectively attached to a sun visor of a car. The elongate bar forms a connector for connection with a mobile phone and an electrical system of the car. A speaker is mounted to the bar for broadcasting audio signal from the mobile phone and giving off sound signals. A control circuit is arranged in the bar for controlling the operation of the car accessory and synthesizing the sound signals. A battery set is mounted in the bar for powering the car accessory. Three lighting units are mounted to the bar and controlled by switches to selectively give off light signals and serve as a flashlight. The lighting units are operable with the speaker to give off visual and sound signals.

Abstract: A portable power supply for powering a handheld data-processing and telecommunication device, comprising a conventional battery situated internally to the device, and an external, easily detached and exchangeable battery pack, whereby the external, easily detached and exchangeable battery pack powers the device, and the internal, conventional battery acts as a backup power supply.

Abstract: An electrical system (12) is provided for an automotive vehicle (10) having a first power source (14) with a first positive terminal (16) and first negative terminal (18). A second power source (20) having a second positive terminal (22) and a second negative terminal (24) is also provided. A common electrical node N2 is coupled to the first negative terminal and the second positive terminal. A first load (26) is coupled between the first positive terminal and the second node N2. A second load (28) is coupled between the common node N2 and the second negative terminal (24).

Abstract: An electrochemical device includes electrodes stacked one on the other with a separator intervening between the adjacent electrodes. The electrode includes a current collector and an electrode layer stacked on the current collector via an adhesive resin layer. The electrode layer contains an active material, an electrically conductive auxiliary and a binder resin. At least part of the electrically conductive auxiliary or the active material penetrates the adhesive resin layer to establish an electrical connection with the current collector.

Abstract: A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. The system further includes a battery pack charger and a converter for converting AC electricity to DC electricity. A battery pack interface block is captured between clam shell halves of a battery pack housing and includes a plurality of male blade terminals. The male blade terminals are received within recessed female terminals of a tool terminal block and similarly received by recessed female terminals of the charger. The tool terminal block further includes a pair of male terminals which engage recessed female terminals of the converter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a standard high volume battery charger that is capable of applying a seasoning cycle to batteries disposed within it as well as display battery measurements on a monitor through a user interface serial port. This battery charger comprises an enclosure including a power supply, a user interface connector and disposed with at least one sub-module comprising a mode control board and battery cavity. The mode control board has a user interface front panel, which is comprised of a battery section, battery status panel and a system status panel. The system status panel has disposed upon it two switches, that control the operation of the sub-module, which enable a user to select the application of a seasoning cycle to the batteries in the charger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a converter comprising at least one converter module presenting at least one electricity feed terminal coupled to an electricity generator and to an electricity feed line such as a bus and including at least one series switch and at least one parallel switch, the series switch being connected in series between the electricity feed terminal and a first inductor, itself in series with an electricity source, the first series switch and the first inductor forming a series branch, and the parallel switch being connected in parallel between said series branch and ground, said switches of said module being controlled in phase opposition by a control circuit presenting a first control state in which said switches are operated in a first or “voltage-lowering” mode of operation in which an electrical current flows from the electricity generator to the electricity feed line, and a second control state in which said switches are operated in a second or “voltage-raising&r

Abstract: A method of reconditioning a battery having a plurality of cells in a plurality of packs comprises electrically connecting the plurality of packs in series. A selected pack for reconditioning is electrically isolated from the remaining packs. A current produced by the battery is bypassed around the pack to be reconditioned by a bypass circuit. The selected pack is discharged. While being discharged, the current produced by the remaining battery is passed to an electrical load. Upon discharging, the selected pack is recharged.

Abstract: A serial battery charger including a number of serially connected battery charging sections in which the battery charging section is characterized by a first and second parallelly connected branches. The first branch includes terminals for connecting to the battery to be charged and a current blocking device and the second branch includes a by-passing switch which shunts across the terminals of the first branch when activated. The blocking device in the first branch prevents adverse reverse current flow from the battery to the charger when there is no power supply and also functions as a current block to prevent adverse flow of current from the battery into the shunting by-passing switch when the power supply to the charging section is in operation. This invention provides a simple solution to fulfil the conflicting requirements of an intelligent serial battery charger.

Abstract: A battery pack for containing a plurality of cells and being attached to an electronic device comprises a plurality of switches for switching connection status of the cells between parallel connection and series connection. In the case of a battery pack containing a first cell and a second cell, the battery pack comprises a first wire for connecting the positive pole of the first cell and the positive pole of the second cell, a second wire for connecting the negative pole of the first cell and the negative pole of the second cell, a third wire for connecting the negative pole of the first cell and the positive pole of the second cell, a first switch for connecting/disconnecting the first wire, a second switch for connecting/disconnecting the second wire, and a third switch for connecting/disconnecting the third wire. The cells are connected in series when high voltage is needed, and in parallel otherwise.

Abstract: A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. The system further includes a battery pack charger and a converter for converting AC electricity to DC electricity. A battery pack interface block is captured between clam shell halves of a battery pack housing and includes a plurality of male blade terminals. The male blade terminals are received within recessed female terminals of a tool terminal block and similarly received by recessed female terminals of the charger. The tool terminal block further includes a pair of male terminals which engage recessed female terminals of the converter.

Abstract: A multiple battery system for a vehicle comprises a primary battery; a reserve battery electrically connectable to the primary battery; and a control unit with a relay switch electrically connected between the primary and reserve batteries. The relay switch is operable to close upon actuation and connect the reserve battery to the primary battery. The control unit also has a receiver electrically connected to the relay switch and is adapted to receive a control signal for actuating the relay switch. A wireless transmitter has a manually actuable switch for sending the control signal to the receiver. With this arrangement, actuation of the transmitter switch causes the control signal to be transmitted to the receiver and actuate the relay switch to connect the reserve battery to the primary battery.

Abstract: A data terminal apparatus includes a basic unit, a plurality of units, a power supply circuit, switching units and a controller. The basic unit realizes a basic function of the data terminal apparatus and requires a basic quantity of DC power. Each of the plurality of units realizes a specific function of the data terminal apparatus and requires quantities of DC power. The power supply circuit receives DC power from a power supply source, and can supply the DC power to the basic unit and the plurality of units. The switching units are provided for the plurality of units, and each of the switching units selectively supplies the DC power from the power supply circuit to a corresponding one of the plurality of units in response to a switching control signal. The controller selectively outputs the switching control signals to the switching units based on the DC power of the power supply source.

Abstract: A battery backup system has a number of batteries and number of switches interconnecting the batteries to either a high-power load or a low-power load. The batteries are selectively connected in series with each other, or in parallel with each other by the switches. When the batteries are in the parallel configuration they are also connected to power the low-power load, and when in series, to power the high-power load. Between switching from the high-power series configuration to the low-power parallel configuration, a transition phase is provided during which a transition battery powers the low-power load.

Abstract: A battery switching circuit provides a mechanism by which a plurality of electrical storage batteries can be alternatively connected in parallel or series based on the position of a manually controlled joystick of a marine positioning and maneuvering system. When the joystick is in a neutral position in which no docking motion is demanded by the marine vessel operator, the storage batteries are connected in parallel so that they can benefit from charging by an alternator or generator associated with an internal combustion engine. If the joystick is moved out of its neutral position, the batteries are immediately connected in series to provide power to a plurality of electric motors that are used to drive a plurality of impellers of the docking system.

Abstract: A rectifying circuit (a) comprising a diode Da and a capacitor Ca is provided for a winding Ta on the secondary side of a transformer T. A rectifying circuit (b) comprising Db and Cb is provided for a winding Tb. A charging device Ra connected to one output of the circuit (a) is connected to the + side of a secondary battery E1. The + side of E1 is connected to an output terminal To1 and the + side of E3 through a switching circuit S1. The − side of E1 is connected to the other output of the circuit (a) and connected to the − side of E3 through S2. Rb connected to one output of the circuit (b) is connected to the + side of E2. The + side of E2 is connected to the + side of E4 through S2. The − side of E2 is connected to the other output of the circuit (b) and connected to the − side of E4 through S3. The − side of E4 is connected to an output terminal To2. S4 is provided between the + side of E1 and the − side of E4.

Abstract: A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. The system further includes a battery pack charger and a converter for converting AC electricity to DC electricity. A battery pack interface block is captured between clam shell halves of a battery pack housing and includes a plurality of male blade terminals. The male blade terminals are received within recessed female terminals of a tool terminal block and similarly received by recessed female terminals of the charger. The tool terminal block further includes a pair of male terminals which engage recessed female terminals of the converter.

Abstract: A battery manager that provides the ability to switch multiple batteries, battery cells, or other forms of power sources to power external devices individually, in series, and/or in parallel. The device is typically electronic based and consists of voltage level detecting circuits for comparing each power source to a reference voltage, FET control logic for controlling the switching matrix, and a switching matrix which accomplishes the required configuration of power sources to provide an output power source. The invention can be extended with the addition of an output power monitor, DC/DC converter, and control signals that augment internal switching. Depending upon implementation requirements, the battery manager can be in the form of a single integrated circuit.

Abstract: An electrical charging system 10 which is adapted for use in combination with an automotive vehicle. System 10 includes a conventional controller or control module 12, an alternator 14, a pair of electrical charge storage devices or batteries 16, 18, an electrical switch or relay 24, and a voltage regulating device or regulator 28. System 10 selectively charges batteries 16 and 18 in an efficient and cost-effective manner without compromising the integrity of system 10.

Abstract: A sliding door mechanism controls a door 10 in the form of a series of horizontal slats articulated to the slats above and below to move from a closed position in a vertical plane, along between tracks 14, until open. The door is moved by cables winding on or off a cable drum 12 driven through a drive belt 16 by an electric motor 18. The motor is on a carriage mounted at 30 to allow the drive belt to be slackened to remove drive from the drum 12. Control circuits 20 for the apparatus are described.

Abstract: A device for generating electrical energy for a power supply bus connected to a load. The device includes an electrical energy storage unit having at least one battery, a solar energy generator presenting a plurality of modules, a regulator for controlling discharging of the storage unit to power the bus, and for each module, a three-state control device. The device also includes a control unit causing the control devices to take up one of their three states. Each three-state control device has a first state in which current from the module powers the bus, a second state in which current from module powers the storage unit, and a third state in which the module is short-circuited.

Abstract: A battery charging device which charges a plurality of batteries includes a charging part which supplies a charging current, and a control part which controls the charging part so that the batteries are serially charged one by one and a supplemental charge to the batteries is then performed in parallel. The control part calculates a charged capacity for a first one of the batteries and thus determines a timing in which serial charge is switched to a second one of the batteries on the basis of the charged capacity.

Abstract: A system for obtaining a variable voltage output from an assembly of battery banks and switches. The battery banks are composed of a plurality of individual cells that are connected in series so that the first bank is composed of one cell, and each succeeding bank has double the number of cells as the previous bank. A corresponding plurality of mechanical or solid state switches are interconnected with the series of batteries so that output voltage may be varied in increments equal to the voltage of one cell. The output voltage is varied from zero to a maximum corresponding to the sum of the voltages of all the battery-banks in series. The number of steps between the minimum and the maximum is equal to the number of cells in all the battery-banks.

Abstract: A method for balancing charge of a plurality of series-connected batteries includes alternately coupling each of a plurality of energy storage circuits across a respective one of the batteries and in parallel with each other. A charge balancing system comprises a plurality of series connected batteries and a plurality of energy storage circuits. The system also includes switching circuitry for alternately connecting each energy storage circuit across a respective one of the batteries and in parallel with each other. The switching circuitry can also be controlled to couple a plurality of the energy storage circuits across a relatively-highly-charged battery and then across a relatively-weakly-charged battery.

Abstract: A smart charge connector is provided incorporating a switching feature allowing the cells in a multi-cell battery to be uniformly charged. When engaged with a charger, the smart connector will connect the cells in parallel so that all cells within the same battery will be charged uniformly to the same voltage level eliminating the uneven charging that occurs when cells are charged in series connected strings. During normal operation the connector connects the cells of the battery in series to supply a battery output voltage. However, when the connector is engaged with a charger, the cells are connected in parallel to be charged by a source of electrical power at a voltage higher than the battery output voltage. The connector includes a number of switch contacts that are activated when the connector is engaged with the charger allowing the cells to be charged in parallel. The switch contacts automatically reconnect the cells in series upon removal of the charger.

Abstract: A charge control circuit for use with lithium ion satellite batteries that provides for both charge control and cell bypass features. The charge control circuit reconfigures the battery from a series array of cells to a parallel array of cells using switches (that are part of the battery) in order to implement the cell bypass function. The switches are preferably implemented using low resistance mechanical relays to lessen the thermal dissipation of the circuit. The charge control circuit minimizes the amount of current passing through the parallel battery circuit by breaking the battery down into sub-modules for purposes of charging, and using distributed low voltage power supplies for charging. The charge control circuit may also implement sequential charging of the battery along with bus cross strapping to ensure that the satellite electrical bus is always supported by one battery during battery recharging.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a circuit that is capable of driving a load with the current as electrons flow during equilibration from a high-potential battery bank to a low-potential bank. The cells comprising each battery bank can be switched from being in parallel to each other to being in series; this switch causes the potential of each battery bank to change and thereby creates a relative potential difference between the cells. By switching the battery banks so that one bank is parallel and the other is serial, allowing the battery banks to equilibrate, and then switching the cells in the battery banks after equilibration from parallel to serial and serial to parallel, a potential difference can be recreated repeatedly and current flow maintained.

Abstract: A power supply device produces, on a plurality of accesses, a plurality of voltages coming from a plurality of accumulator assemblies formed by at least one accumulator element and connected in series by at least one series connection. The power supply device includes a back-up provision for mitigating discharges of at least one of the accumulator assemblies.

Abstract: A vehicle battery and controller combination having two batteries where each battery has one positive terminal cell and associated positive terminal conductor and one negative terminal cell and associated terminal conductor. Each terminal cell is independent of any other terminal cell. The controller includes a first switch capable of connecting one or more pairs of like poles of the batteries. The first switch opens to allow individual output from each battery, opens and closes to control the charging and discharging of at least one of the batteries and to preserve the state of charge of at least one battery, and closes to connect both batteries in parallel to receive charge from the alternator.

Abstract: A charging-and-discharging device in an electronic apparatus includes a rechargeable battery and a charging device for charging the battery. The charging-and-discharging device includes a switching circuit electrically isolating one terminal side of the battery from a ground side of the electronic apparatus. The charging-and-discharging device further includes a charge control section controlling the isolating of the one terminal side of the battery from the ground side of the electronic apparatus by turning off the switching circuit during charging of the battery. In the charging-and-discharging device, the one terminal side of the battery is isolated from the ground side of the electronic apparatus by the switching circuit during charging of the battery and a closed loop including the charging device and the battery is established to charge the battery.

Abstract: An intelligent switching mechanism for the backup batteries of an alarm system is disclosed. When AC input power has failed but no alarm has been declared, the batteries are switched into a parallel configuration, which is sufficient to supply the control panel, so that the batteries are drained in tandem. When AC input power has failed and an alarm has been declared, the batteries are switched into a series configuration to supply power at the higher voltage required by the alarm annunciators.

Abstract: Lithium polymer battery charger methods for charging a plurality of equal charge point lithium polymer battery cells prevent overcharging of any cell, whether the cells are arranged in a series stack or are arranged in parallel. When the cells are connected in a series stack, a power supply is connected to the series stack to apply a charge current to the series stack. The state of charge of each cell in the stack is monitored. Information that the state of charge of any cell is approaching full charge is used to control the charge current and to prevent overcharging of any cell.

Abstract: Battery charging time is shortened. The control circuit 6 controls the switches 7-1 and 7-2 to charge the batteries 21-1 and 21-2 at a constant current one by one. Subsequently the batteries are charged one by one at a constant voltage until the charging current decreases to 1/2 a prescribed current. Next, the control circuit 6 turns the switches 7-1 and 7-2 on to charge simultaneously the batteries 21-1 and 21-2 in a parallel connection. After the charging current decreases to a prescribed current value, the batteries are charged at a constant voltage for a prescribed time. Then charging is completed.