Abstract: The disclosure is related to managing an electric power demand in one or more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations by adjusting a charging condition including charging levels and/or charging prices. Particularly, the charging condition may be adjusted according to a proximity degree between a target power usage amount and a current/predicted power usage amount.

Abstract: A battery charging system includes a pre-charge control circuit for electrically coupling a plurality of power supply terminals to a plurality of load terminals. The pre-charge control circuit includes a plurality of switching elements for selectively coupling at least one of the plurality of power supply terminals and one of the plurality of power supply using one of a pre-charge current path and a standard charge current path. The pre-charge current path includes at least one pre-charge resistor in series with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistor.

Abstract: Improved cycling of high voltage lithium ion batteries is accomplished through the use of a formation step that seems to form a more stable structure for subsequent cycling and through the improved management of the charge-discharge cycling. In particular, the formation charge for the battery can be performed at a lower voltage prior to full activation of the battery through a charge to the specified operational voltage of the battery. With respect to management of the charging and discharging of the battery, it has been discovered that for the lithium rich high voltage compositions of interest that a deeper discharge can preserve the cycling capacity at a greater number of cycles. Battery management can be designed to exploit the improved cycling capacity obtained with deeper discharges of the battery.

Abstract: An energy storage system of an apartment building, an integrated power management system, and a method of controlling the integrated power management system. Power may be efficiently consumed by supplying remaining power stored in an energy storage system of each apartment to a common load.

Abstract: A decrease in the capacity of a power storage device is inhibited by adjusting or reducing imbalance in the amount of inserted and extracted carrier ions between positive and negative electrodes, which is caused by decomposition of an electrolyte solution of the negative electrode. Further, the capacity of the power storage device can be restored. Furthermore, impurities in the electrolyte solution can be decomposed with the use of the third electrode. A power storage device including positive and negative electrodes, an electrolyte, and a third electrode is provided. The third electrode has an adequate electrostatic capacitance. The third electrode can include a material with a large surface area. In addition, a method for charging the power storage device including the steps of performing charging by applying a current between the positive and negative electrodes, and performing additional applying a current between the third electrode and the negative electrode is provided.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the charging magnetic field produced in an air gap within an inductive charger for a hearing aid or other miniature device is shaped by lateral protrusions, which draw the magnetic field away from a body of a device battery situated behind a receiver inductor. Shaping the magnetic field allows reducing the magnetic field flux intercepted by the battery (rater than the receiver inductor), reducing the inductive heating of the battery. A charging element produces a high-frequency, ˜120 kHz, magnetic field inside the gap in which the hearing aid or other device is inserted to charge its battery. A loosely-coupled magnetic transformer circuit forms a resonant tank circuit that is excited, by a feedback control circuit, at its resonant frequency to ensure power transfer across the large gap regardless of the dimensional variations of the gap and the relative position of the hearing aid in the gap.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement for transmitting energy is described. The antenna arrangement includes a planar array of two or more rectangular loop antennas, adapted to transmit energy at low frequencies via non-radiative resonant coupling and at high frequencies via radiative coupling. The low frequencies correspond to a wavelength with half of the wavelength being larger than the longest rectangular loop antenna dimension and the high frequencies correspond to a wavelength with half of the wavelength being approximately equal the longest rectangular loop antenna dimension. The antenna arrangement also includes a feeding network connected to the planar array, which includes a phase shifting means for providing a phase difference between signals at the high frequencies to be transmitted by different rectangular loop antennas of the planar array, whereby the amount of phase difference is related to the distance of the rectangular loop antennas to a focal point in the near-field of the planar array.

Abstract: Circuitry in an electronic device may be attached to external device, such as a power supply, to receive a voltage at a desired voltage level from the external device. The circuitry may assert one of several electrical configurations on the cabling that electrically connects the portable device to the external device to indicate to the external device a desired voltage level.

Abstract: The present invention protects a high voltage battery in a hybrid electric vehicle. More particularly, it makes it possible to prevent a battery from being overcharged when a motor or an inverter system breaks, with the hybrid vehicle traveling. The technique for protecting a high voltage battery in a hybrid electric vehicle illustratively comprises: checking whether a motor functions properly; setting a virtual acceleration pedal value and keeping a present desired shifting map, when the motor breaks; determining a desired shifting stage according to the present desired shifting map based on the virtual acceleration pedal value; and, in certain embodiments, switching or keeping the engine control mode by comparing a value of a predetermined maximum engine speed region with the present engine speed in order to prevent high-speed rotation of the motor.

Abstract: A power distribution network includes multiple charge storage components and multiple charging circuits to control the charging and discharging of the charge storage components, which may comprise a battery and a supercapacitor. By appropriate arrangement and selection of the storage components, ripple in the power supply voltage, whose propagation to other components relying on the power distribution network may cause an audible buzz, may be significantly reduced. Additionally, appropriate arrangement and selection of the storage components, electromagnetic interference may also be significantly reduced.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a network-enabled power charging device comprising a processor and a computer readable medium coupled to the processor having instructions stored thereon which, if executed by the processor, cause the network enabled power charging device to perform operations comprising charging, using the network-enabled power charging device, an energy storage component of a user device, determining, by the network-enabled power charging device, a profile associated with the user device, accessing, by the network-enabled power charging device and based on determining the profile associated with the user device, content specified by the profile associated with the user device, loading, using a network interface, the specified content, and enabling, by the network-enabled power charging device, the user device to access the specified content.

Abstract: In a vehicle, a power storage device mounted thereon can be charged with electric power transmitted from an external power supply device via a power cable. The vehicle includes a PLC communication unit for establishing PLC communication with the external power supply device via the power cable. An ECU starts transmission of a signal from the PLC communication unit to the external power supply device in response to connection of the power cable to an inlet. When a response from the external power supply device to the signal is not received, the ECU switches a CCID provided in the power cable or the external power supply device to a state in which supply of the electric power is possible, and thereafter, retransmits the signal from the PLC communication unit to the external power supply device.

Abstract: An installation and a method for charging an electric battery for an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle comprises an on-board computer. The installation comprises a main power source delivering a charging power Pc1. The charging method comprises the step of determining the charging power Pc to be delivered to the electric battery in relation to a charging voltage and/or current set point demanded at an instant t by the onboard computer. The charging power is compared against the charging power Pc1 delivered by a main power source. If Pc>Pc1, at least one auxiliary power source delivering a charging power Pc2 is utilized in addition to the main power source such that the sum of the charging powers delivered by the power sources is equal to the charging power Pc.

Abstract: A method of detecting whether a foreign object is near a transmit coil in a wireless power transfer system (WPTS), the method involving: applying a pseudo-random signal to the transmit coil; while the pseudo-random signal is being applied to the transmit coil, recording one or more signals produced within the WPTS in response to the applied pseudo-random signal; by using the one or more recorded signals, generating a dynamic system model for some aspect of the WPTS; and using the generated dynamic system model in combination with stored training data to determine whether an object having characteristics recognizable from the stored training data as characteristic of the foreign object is near the transmit coil.

Abstract: Embodiments for a battery charger include a single conversion switched mode power supply having a bias winding on the primary side of the power transformer. The bias winding produces an output that is proportional to the voltage produced on the secondary winding, and is sensed by a programmable voltage sensing circuit. The programmable voltage sensing circuit is programmed by a voltage select signal from the secondary side of the charger to produce an sense signal that is proportional to the output of the bias winding by a selected factor corresponding to a battery type of a battery being charged.

Abstract: A method for recharging a battery pack includes attaching a portable charger to a user, which portable charger includes or is attached to a self-contained power supply and wherein a first charging port of the portable charger is disposed, e.g., on a belt worn by the user, hanging the battery pack on the belt while the battery pack is physically engaged and in electrical communication with a power tool, and initiating a transfer of power from the charger to the battery pack when the first charging port is at least proximal to a second charging port that is in electrical communication with at least one battery cell of the battery pack. A portable charging system capable of performing this method, as well as an adapter for use in performing this method, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a chargeable device is provided. The system can include a wireless charger including a wireless power antenna and a wireless power transmitter coupled to the wireless power antenna and configured to generate a wireless charging field in at least one charging region. The wireless charging field includes a plurality of power signals. The wireless charger further includes a communication antenna and a transceiver coupled to the communication antenna and configured to communicate with the chargeable device via the communication antenna. The wireless charger further includes a controller configured to facilitate avoidance of cross connection of the chargeable device with the wireless charger and at least one other wireless charger in which the chargeable device receives power from the wireless power transmitter of the wireless charger while communicating with at least one other wireless charger.

Abstract: A charger for a hand-held power tool includes a power source interface, a charger base and a charging cradle rotatably supported on the charger base. The rotatable charging cradle includes at least two charging output terminals electrically connected to the power source interface. A power tool system includes the charger and the hand-held power tool. A method of charging the power tool system includes contacting charging input terminals of the power tool with the charging output terminals, rotating the charging cradle and the power tool relative to the charging base and supplying charging current to at least one battery cell while the charging cradle and the power tool are allowed to freely swing relative to the charging base.

Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a solid secondary battery having a high energy density and a long service life, which can suitably suppress an increase in the battery resistance when charging has been carried out to a high SOC. To attain the object, a solid secondary battery comprising a cathode active material layer containing a cathode active material having lithium nickel-cobalt-manganate represented by a general formula: LiNiaCobMncO2 (0.33<a?0.6, 0<b<0.33, c=1?a?b); an anode active material layer containing an anode active material; and a solid electrolyte layer formed between the cathode active material layer and the anode active material layer, wherein at least one of the cathode active material layer and the solid electrolyte layer contains a sulfide solid electrolyte material, is provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, a wireless charger may include a wireless power antenna, a wireless power transmitter coupled to the wireless power antenna and configured to generate a wireless charging field in a charging region, a first communication antenna, a first transceiver coupled to the communication antenna and configured to communicate with the chargeable device via the communication antenna, a first signal strength detector configured to determine a signal strength of a first signal received by the transceiver, and a controller configured to determine whether the chargeable device is within the charging region based at least in part on the signal strength of the first signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for wireless charging and a wireless charging method in an integrated circuit are provided. The integrated circuit includes a first wireless communication unit configured to support a first wireless communication method; a second wireless communication unit configured to support a second wireless communication method; a first route selection unit configured to perform a selection from among a first power input according to wired charging and a second power input according to wireless charging to be allowed as input; a second route selection unit configured to perform a selection from among a power between a third power input from a battery and a fourth power input according to wireless charging to be allowed as input; a power block configured to receive the power from any the first and second route selection units; and a controller configured to control an operation of the first and second route selection units.

Abstract: A wireless charging method includes receiving information on a required amount of power from a second wireless power receiver while supplying power to one or more first wireless power receivers; calculating required power for all wireless power receivers including the one or more first wireless power receivers and the second wireless power receiver; and when a maximum amount of providable power is not larger than the required amount of power for all wireless power receivers, transmitting insufficient power amount information to each of the wireless power receivers.

Abstract: Method for monitoring an electrochemical cell or a battery (1), in particular method for monitoring the first charging of an electrochemical cell or of a battery (1) of Li-ion type, comprising a step of acquiring data relating to acoustic emissions produced in the electrochemical cell or in the battery and, by using the data acquired, a step of detecting: the formation of a passivation film on an electrode of the electrochemical cell or of the battery; and/or the first storage of lithium in an electrode of the electrochemical cell or of the battery.

Abstract: A contactless charging module, a contactless charging device, and a method of manufacturing the contactless charging module, wherein a magnetic sheet can be prevented from being damaged and giving an adverse effect on power transmission characteristic, by adopting a flexible magnetic sheet having slits, and wherein power transmission efficiency of the contactless charging module can be prevented from decreasing significantly. The contactless charging module is provided with: a planar coil unit; a magnetic sheet upon which the planar coil unit is to be mounted; a recess section or a slit that is formed on the magnetic sheet, and that is for housing therein a portion of a conductor wire of the planar coil unit; and a plurality of flexible slits that are for giving flexibility to the magnetic sheet. At least one of the plurality of flexible slits is formed such that a virtual extension line of the flexible slit will be arranged within the width of the recess section or the slit.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include an antenna for receiving electromagnetic radiation in a broadcast radiation band and a near-field radiation band to generate a Radio Frequency (RF) signal. A coupling element couples the RF signal to a first port and at least one additional port, which may be a second port and a third port. A wireless power receiver on the first port includes a rectifier for converting the RF signal to a DC signal when the antenna couples to radiation in the near-field radiation band in a coupling-mode region of the antenna. A near-field communication transceiver includes circuitry for communicating information on the antenna in the near-field radiation band when the coupling element couples the second port to the RF signal. A broadcast receiver on the third port includes circuitry for receiving and tuning the broadcast radiation band when the coupling element couples the third port to the RF signal.

Abstract: A switching charger having a control circuit configured to provide a control signal; a power stage turned ON and OFF by the control signal; an inductor coupled between the power stage and a load; and an output capacitor coupled in parallel with the load; wherein the control circuit limits a current flowing through the inductor in a hysteretic window, and wherein the hysteretic window is adjusted according to an ON time of the control signal.

Abstract: Simultaneous fuelling and electrical charging of a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle (PHEV) is inhibited by detecting pre-charging electrical continuity between an on-board charger of the vehicle and a charging plug engaging the charger, and impeding opening of a door controlling access to a fueling port if the pre-charging electrical continuity exist. Simultaneous fuelling and electrical charging of a PHEV may further be inhibited by detecting whether a fuel door of the vehicle is in a fueling-permitting condition and, if the fuel door is in the fueling-permitting condition, preventing an on-board charger engaged with a charging plug from receiving charging current from the charging plug.

Abstract: A switching charger having a control circuit configured to provide a control signal; a power stage turned ON and OFF by the control signal; an inductor coupled between the power stage and a load; and an output capacitor coupled in parallel with the load; a current sense circuit integrated to the control circuit to sense a current flowing through the power stage.

Abstract: A method comprising supplying current to charging elements, a charging element producing a configurable magnetic field polarity, magnetic field polarities produced by the charging elements according to a charging polarity code. The method determines a relative position between a receiving element and a charging element, receiving elements fixedly electrically connected according to the charging polarity code, responsive to determining, re-configuring a magnetic field polarity of one or more of the charging elements due to movement of the receiving elements relative to the charging elements, and inducing a charging current by the charging elements in the receiving elements to increase power transfer from the charging elements to the receiving elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are circuits and methods for limiting a charger input current. In one embodiment, a self-adaptive input power charger for charging a battery, can include: (i) a power stage circuit configured to receive an external input power supply that supplies an input voltage and an input current to the charger; (ii) a comparison circuit configured to generate a comparison result indicating that the input power supply has entered a current-limiting state when the input voltage is less than a first reference voltage; (iii) a current regulation circuit configured to generate a first control signal in response to the comparison result; and (iv) a driving control circuit configured to limit the input current by the first control signal.

Abstract: A server of a network-controlled charging system for electric vehicles receives a request for charge transfer for an electric vehicle at a network-controlled charge transfer device, determines whether to enable charge transfer, and responsive to determining to enable charge transfer, transmits a communication to the network-controlled charge transfer device that indicates to the network-controlled charge transfer device to enable charge transfer.

Abstract: An electromotive furniture drive includes an electric motor, the rotational direction of which can be reversed, a motor controller, a manual control, a battery unit, and a mains power supply device. A speed-reducing transmission is connected downstream of the electric motor and a further transmission is connected downstream of each speed-reducing transmission and the battery unit has at least one battery. To enable simple, economical and easy installation, in particular in tight installation spaces, the furniture drive has a coupling device which includes a charging device for charging the at least one battery of the battery unit. The coupling device also has a reference device, which is connected to a charging device The furniture drive is especially suited for slatted bed frames and armchairs.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display section which is attached to an electric vehicle EV operable upon supply of electric power thereto and displays information regarding the electric power supplied to the electric vehicle EV; a determination section which determines whether or not the electric power supplied to the electric vehicle EV contains green electric power; and a display control section. In the case where the determination section determines that the electric power supplied to the electric vehicle EV contains green electric power, the display control section controls the display section such that the display color becomes green. In the case where the determination section determines that the electric power supplied to the electric vehicle EV does not contain green electric power, the display control section controls the display section such that the display color becomes red.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery is disclosed. The rechargeable battery of the invention includes a high density capacitor and an integrated circuit. The high density capacitor is connected to a ground terminal and a first node carrying a first voltage. The integrated circuit includes a band gap circuit, a first detecting unit, a voltage divider, a second detecting unit and at least one low dropout voltage regulator. The band gap circuit generates a band gap voltage according to the first voltage. The first detecting unit measures the first voltage and determines whether to apply an input charging voltage to the high density capacitor. The voltage divider is connected in parallel with the high density capacitor and has a second node carrying a second voltage. The second detecting unit measures the second voltage according to the band gap voltage and determines whether to connect a third node to the first node.

Abstract: Circuitry in a portable device may be attached to external device, such as a power supply, to receive a voltage at a desired voltage level from the external device. The circuitry may assert one of several electrical configurations on the cabling that electrically connects the portable device to the external device to indicate to the external device a desired voltage level.

Abstract: A charging system having a charging device with a groove for receiving a mobile/portable device for charging is provided having a magnetic core located in a housing of the charging device with the magnetic core having a base and two legs that are located around the groove. A coil is wrapped around the base and a driver circuit is connected to the coil as well as to an external power source. A power receiver is located in a mobile/portable device that can be placed in the groove in the charging device. The power receiver includes a receiver magnetic core as well as a receiving coil wrapped around the receiver magnetic core for receiving an inductive current from the charging device. A charging circuit is connected to the receiving coil and adapted to be connected to the battery of the mobile/portable device for charging.

Abstract: In a device for transmitting energy to the electric vehicle a first rotating disc is provided on a parking space, which turning disc can be rotated about a rotational axis by means of a drive device. Arranged on the rotating disc is a positioning device by means of which an energy output device can be positioned on the first rotating disc, as a result of which a radial distance between the output device and the first rotational axis can be changed.

Abstract: A battery management system and a method of driving the same are provided. When the output signal of a charger is higher than a first voltage, a battery cell is charged with a first current by a first charge circuit. When the output signal of the charger is higher than a second voltage, a battery cell is charged with a second current by a second charge circuit. The second voltage is higher than the first voltage and second current is higher than the first current.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an electrical system. In many embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a system input configured to receive a first power signal from an external power source. In the same or different embodiments, the first power signal can comprise a first voltage. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a system output electrically coupled to the system input. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a charger module electrically coupled to the system input. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a resistive component coupled between the system input and the system output. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a power storage device electrically coupled to the system output and to the charger module.

Abstract: A protective monitoring circuit includes a protective circuit to detect at least one of overcharging, overdischarging, and overcurrent of a chargeable secondary battery to control whether to turn on or off a control transistor to protect the secondary battery, and a secondary-battery monitoring circuit, having a reduced size and having a breakdown voltage lower than a battery voltage of the secondary battery, to detect a status of the secondary battery, wherein the protective circuit generates a voltage that is commensurate with an output voltage of the secondary battery and that is within a predetermined tolerance voltage range of the secondary-battery monitoring circuit, and the secondary-battery monitoring circuit generates a detection value responsive to the generated voltage supplied from the protective circuit, the detection value being indicative of the output voltage of the secondary battery.

Abstract: A system and a method to provide alignment between a source resonator and a capture resonator. The system and method may be used to align a vehicle having a capture resonator to the source resonator of a wireless inductive battery charging system for an electric vehicle. The system includes a display device, a sensor to determine a location of the source resonator relative to the capture resonator, and a controller in communication with the source resonator, the capture resonator, the sensor, and the display device. The controller is programmed to determine a relative distance and a relative direction between the source resonator and the capture resonator, determine a transfer efficiency of electrical power between the source resonator and the capture resonator. The display device is configured to indicate the relative distance and the relative direction between the source resonator and the capture resonator and indicate the transfer efficiency.

Abstract: Apparatus for charging an electrical energy store from an AC voltage source. The apparatus includes a rectifier device with a capacitor interconnected in parallel with the rectifier device A current controller device is interconnected with the rectifier device. A converter device is interconnected with the current controller device. The converter device includes at least one first half-bridge having two switches connected in series, An inductor is interconnected with a connection point of the switches of the first half-bridge Depending on the voltage of the AC voltage source and a current through the inductor a switch of the current controller device and one of the switches of the first half-bridge of the converter device are switchable by means of a controller in such a manner that a current for charging the electrical energy store drawn from the AC voltage source and a voltage of the AC voltage source are substantially in phase.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, described herein are systems and methods for enabling efficient wireless power transfer and charging of devices and/or batteries, including in some embodiments freedom of placement of the devices and/or batteries in one or multiple (e.g. one, two or three) dimensions, and/or improved features such as ease of use and compatibility. Exemplary applications include beam inductive or magnetic charging and power for use in, e.g., mobile, electronic, electric, lighting or other devices, batteries, power tools, kitchen, military, medical, industrial tools or systems, robots, trains, buses, trucks and/or vehicles, and other environments.

Abstract: A portable battery charger with inductive charging has a housing, an output inductive coil beneath the surface of the housing to transmit power to a portable device also having a coil therein, and a battery within the housing connected to the output coil, wherein the output coil operates at the battery voltage and transmits power from the battery to the portable device. The charger may also have an input inductive coil beneath the surface of the housing to receive power from a source, and transmit the power to the battery, and the output coil and the input coil may be the same coil. A method of charging the battery of a portable device comprises the steps of aligning the input coil of a portable device adjacent to with an output coil of a charger using magnets positioned near the respective coils, and inductively charging the device battery without connecting the device to the charger.

Abstract: Techniques for charging electronic devices are presented. A charger controller component controls supplying power to an electronic device having a solar cell component using optical charging. The charger controller component detects a shape and position of the electronic device located on a charger substrate component. The charger controller component identifies a subset of a plurality of light sources associated with the charger substrate component that correspond to the shape and position of the electronic device, and controls illumination of the light sources to illuminate the subset of light sources. The illumination of the subset of light sources provides optical waves to the electronic device that are converted to electrical energy to charge a power component of the electronic device. An optical processing element can employ an array of lenticular lens or microlens that can expand coverage of each light source and enhance uniformity of the illuminated area.

Abstract: A charging station for electric vehicles receives customer bids on a charging time interval allotment, compares the customer bids, and supplies electric current from the charging station to a plurality of electric vehicles allocated to each electric vehicle according to the bids.

Abstract: A power supply system includes a battery and a power management system. The power management system is coupled to the battery and to an external power source that is operable to charge the battery using a first charge level. The power management system is operable to determine that a battery power level of the battery is greater than a first predetermined level that depends on a battery storage option and, in response, disable power from being supplied from the external power source such that power is supplied from the battery until the battery power level is below the first predetermined level. The power management system is also operable to determine that the battery power level of the battery is less than the first predetermined level and, in response, charge the battery with a second charge level that is less than the first charge level until the battery power level is above a second predetermined level that depends on the battery storage option.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to lithium based energy storage devices. According to the present invention there is provided a lithium energy storage device comprising: at least one positive electrode; at least one negative electrode; and an ionic liquid electrolyte comprising an anion, a cation counterion and lithium mobile ions, wherein the anion comprises a nitrogen, boron, phosphorous, arsenic or carbon anionic group having at least one nitrile group coordinated to the nitrogen, boron, phosphorous, arsenic or carbon atom of the anionic group.

Abstract: A device may measure or detect, using at least one magnetic sensor, a magnetic field to determine whether a magnet is included within a charging device. In some examples, the device may include a receiving coil for charging of a battery based on magnetic induction. In response to determining that a magnet is present within the charging device, the device may instruct the charging device to adjust an amount of electrical current supplied to a transmitting coil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging battery connected to a device and in parallel with the device includes a clamp circuit that detects changes in the charging voltage indicative of changes in the current demand by the device. In response to detected changes in load, the charger increases charging current to prevent discharge of the battery by supplying enough current to meet increases in demand by the device.