Abstract: In a fuel cell system in which load electric power is supplied from a fuel cell and a secondary battery, intermittent operation is performed, that is, operation of the fuel cell is stopped and the load electric power is supplied from the secondary battery in a low load region. At this time, a threshold value for stopping and starting the operation of the fuel cell is adjusted according to open circuit voltage. Thus, it is possible to prevent fuel from being unnecessarily consumed in order to maintain the open circuit voltage at a predetermined value when the operation of the fuel cell is stopped, and to improve response of the fuel cell when the operation of the fuel cell is restarted after the open circuit voltage has decreased in the fuel cell that has stopped generating electric power.

Abstract: The battery management system (BMS) measures a state of charge (SOC) of a battery by using a total amount of charge corresponding to a total amount of discharge accumulation. The BMS, outputting a SOC of a battery to an engine control unit (ECU), includes a sensor, state of health (SOH) and SOC measurers, a total amount of charge (TAC) determiner, and an output unit. The sensor detects a pack current and a pack voltage of the battery. The SOH measurer outputs a SOH of the battery by using the pack current and voltage. The SOC measurer measures a SOC of the battery by using the pack current and a TAC of the battery. The TAC determiner accumulates a total amount of discharge accumulation by using the pack current, determines a TAC corresponding to the total amount of discharge accumulation, and delivers the determined TAC to the SOC measurer. The output unit outputs the SOC and SOH to the ECU.

Abstract: An electricity storage system includes a plurality of storage modules connected in series, each storage module including a single storage cell or a plurality of storage cells connected in series, an isolation transformer and a rectifying circuit that are associated with each of the storage modules, the isolation transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, and a voltage balancing circuit that generates an alternating current by switching a direct-current power source, the primary windings of the isolation transformers being all connected in parallel and connected to an output end of the voltage balancing circuit by a common wiring, the secondary windings of the isolation transformers being connected to the corresponding storage modules via the respective rectifying circuits, the alternating current being supplied to the primary winding of each of the isolation transformers.

Abstract: A state-of-charge equalizing device equalizes the state of charge of each of cells connected in series to form an assembled battery, and comprises charging/discharging circuits connected in parallel to the respective cells to discharge and/or charge the respective cells, voltage measurement circuits connected to the respective charging/discharging circuits to measure the voltages across the respective cells, and a control circuit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a strobe device having a charging circuit of a separately excited oscillation type is provided. The apparatus includes a main capacitor in which charge is accumulated to supply power to a strobe-light-flashing unit, a step-up transformer including at least primary and secondary coils, a switching element that performs a switching operation to control a current supplied to the primary coil, a rectifier diode that rectifies a flyback pulse generated in the secondary coil to supply a charging voltage to the main capacitor, a power-supply-interrupting circuit that selectively interrupts power supplied from the power supply, a full-charge detection unit that detects whether the main capacitor reaches a fully charged state, and a power-supply-control unit that controls the power-supply-interrupting circuit so as to set the power-supply-interrupting circuit to be in an interrupting state.

Abstract: A battery replaceable pack for a portable electronic device is provided. The battery replaceable pack includes a containing casing, at least one battery, a protecting circuit board, and a connector. The protecting circuit board has a charging circuit and a detecting circuit electrically connected with each other. When the portable electronic device is connected to an external power supply, the charging circuit performs a testing charge on the battery and the detecting circuit detects the status of the battery. The detecting circuit detects whether the battery is rechargeable so as to assure the battery safety. An electronic device with the battery replaceable pack is also disclosed.

Abstract: A charge protection circuit with a timing function is disclosed. The circuit includes a charge protection module constituting of a second switch, a second capacitor and a control integrated circuit (IC). The second switch Q2 is switched to turn on or turn off to charge or discharge the lithium-ion battery. The second capacitor configured for setting a delay time of a Ct terminal of the control IC, thus to prevent the battery from being overcharged. The circuit further includes a charge timing circuit configured for predetermining a time threshold value. When the charge time reaches the time threshold value, the charge timing circuit outputs a second high level signal to charge the second capacitor. The second capacitor triggers the control IC to turn off the second switch, thereby terminating the charge of the battery body.

Abstract: A battery-voltage detection circuit comprising: a first-capacitor; an operational-amplifier; a second-capacitor; a voltage-application-circuit to sequentially apply one and the other-battery-terminal-voltages to the other-first-capacitor-end; a discharge circuit to allow the second-capacitor to discharge before the other-battery-terminal-voltage is applied to the other-first-capacitor-end; a constant current circuit to output a constant-current causing predetermined-speed-discharge of electric charge accumulated in the second-capacitor in response to a discharge-start-signal input after voltage is applied to the other-first-capacitor-end; a comparator; and a measurement-circuit to measure a time-period from a time when the discharge-start-signal is input until a time when an comparator-output-signal changes to one logic level as a time-period corresponding to a battery-voltage, at least one of the operational-amplifier and the comparator being provided with an offset so that the comparator-output-signal chang

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying different types of energy sources used to charge a battery by receiving energy from at least one of the different types of energy sources at input terminals, identifying the type of energy source, and selecting a mode for charging the battery based on the type of energy source identified. A method and apparatus for protecting against certain energy sources used to charge a battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: When a user performs a short-press manipulation to A button or B button, a vehicle ID associated with either A button or B button having received the short-press manipulation is specified based on a button-vehicle correspondence table. Charge status information of a battery of a vehicle corresponding to the above associated vehicle ID is acquired from the vehicle. Thereby, the display device displays the acquired charge status information or the electric power supply is started to the battery of the vehicle corresponding to the vehicle ID.

Abstract: In the method for estimating battery residual capacity of the present invention, the voltage measurement values are obtained (step S2). And once it is finished, using the initial values of the coefficients set at the step S3 as starting, the optimization is progressed with renewing each value of the coefficients on the following iterating calculations (step S4). Once the optimum value of each coefficient in the approximation is determined at the step S4, the stable open circuit voltage is calculated by the optimized reciprocal function using thereof at the step S5. And then based thereon, the battery residual capacity is calculated by the predetermined conversion method (step S6).

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a power gauge for accurately measuring current consumed by a load coupled to a power source includes a current sense resistor having a first terminal coupled to the power source and a second terminal coupled to the load. The power gauge further includes a first integrator configured to integrate a voltage at the first terminal of the current sense resistor during a time period and to output a first integrated voltage. The power gauge further includes a second integrator configured to integrate a voltage at the second terminal of the current sense resistor during the time period and to output a second integrated voltage. A difference between the first and second integrated voltages can be used to accurately determine the current consumed by the load during the time period.

Abstract: It is presented an apparatus comprising: a converter (118) having an AC side and a DC side, a switch (112) adapted to be connected to a transmission line (104) on a first side and the switch being adapted to be connected to a load (122) on a second side, the second side also being connected to the AC side of the converter, an energy storage device (120), connected to the DC side of the converter. In a first operating mode, the switch is closed, such that an energy storage current flows to or from the energy storage device to charge or discharge the energy storage device, respectively, using the converter for any necessary conversion between AC and DC. In a second operating mode, the switch is open, preventing current from flowing from the transmission line to the converter, and the energy storage device supplies a direct current which is converted to an alternating current by the converter.

Abstract: A battery charger is disclosed that is configured to be connected to an external battery by way of external battery cables. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the battery charger is configured with automatic voltage detection which automatically determines the nominal voltage of the battery connected to its terminals and charges the battery as a function of the detected nominal voltage irrespective of the nominal voltage selected by a user. Various safeguards are built into the battery charger to avoid overcharging a battery. For battery chargers with user selectable nominal battery voltage charging modes, battery charger is configured to over-ride a user selected battery voltage mode if it detects that the battery connected to the battery charger terminals is different than the user selected charging mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial truck with at least one drive battery and at least one apparatus (A) for determining the state of charge of the battery and to a method for operating such an industrial truck. The apparatus (A) for determining the state of charge of the battery includes a device (B) for determining the dynamic internal resistance and a device (C) for determining the internal cell voltage of the battery with the aid of the dynamic internal resistance.

Abstract: A battery-powered apparatus which makes it possible to perform battery check with accuracy irrespective of whether a battery is used as an internal battery or an external battery and make the end voltages of the internal battery and the external battery coincide with each other. It is determined whether the battery or an accessory having the battery incorporated therein has been attached to the apparatus, and a predetermined voltage threshold level is set based on the determination result. The voltage value of the battery or the accessory having the battery incorporated therein is detected, and the detected voltage value and the voltage threshold level are compared with each other to decide whether or not it is possible to drive the apparatus.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, battery charge management using a scheduling application is disclosed. A first parameter may be received from a scheduling application running on a mobile computing device having a battery pack. Based on at least the first parameter and battery pack data, a required charge percentage for the battery pack may be determined and the remaining capacity of the battery pack may be determined. If the remaining capacity of the battery pack is less than the required charge percentage, a charge termination voltage may be determined and the battery pack may be charged to the charge termination voltage.

Abstract: A charging device capable of providing backflow current and inrush current protection includes a reception end for receiving a charging voltage, a rechargeable battery, and a dynamic protection unit coupled between the reception end and the rechargeable battery for controlling connection between the reception end and the rechargeable battery according to a control signal and connection condition between the reception end and the charging voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery protection circuit for protecting a plurality of batteries connected in series. The battery protection circuit includes: a controller for monitoring the batteries and outputting control signals based on predetermined conditions associated with the batteries; a first N-channel MOSFET and a second N-channel MOSFET coupled in a common-drain configuration in a low-side path, wherein at least one of the first and second N-channel MOSFETs turns off in response to the control signal received from the controller when at least one of the predetermined conditions is detected; and a gate protection circuit for preventing gate-to-source voltages of the first and second N-channel MOSFETs from exceeding a predetermined gate-to-source voltage level.

Abstract: A processor executes a program to calculate values of the internal resistance R of a battery and updates a database of parameters defining the dependence of internal resistance on the battery state of charge (SOC) and temperature. The database is utilized to obtain the information needed to make accurate remaining run-time calculations. The processor may also execute a program to effectuate entry of a database into memory representative of characteristics of the battery including values of measured open circuit voltages (OCV) of the battery and determinations of “starting SOC” values that correspond to the most recently measured values of OCV after the battery has stabilized. The processor may also execute programs to determine the present SOC of the battery, the present battery capacity, and the remaining run-time of the device powered by the battery.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a state of charge (SOC) of a secondary battery. A control section of a battery controller (ECU) computes a total amount of electric discharge of a secondary battery and compares the total amount of electric discharge with a predetermined threshold value. The threshold value is set so as to fall within a range of; for instance, 400 Ah to 1600 Ah. When the total amount of electric discharge is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, an open-circuit-voltage (OCV)-SOC map is replaced with a map achieved in a state where a memory effect is saturated. When the total amount of electric discharge is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, a correction is made to the map so as to achieve a map that is a mixture consisting of the OCV-SOC map achieved in an initial state and the OCV-SOC map achieved in the saturated state at a predetermined ratio. The SOC is estimated by use of the corrected map.

Abstract: A battery-powered apparatus which makes it possible to perform battery check with accuracy irrespective of whether a battery is used as an internal battery or an external battery and make the end voltages of the internal battery and the external battery coincide with each other. It is determined whether the battery or an accessory having the battery incorporated therein has been attached to the apparatus, and a predetermined voltage threshold level is set based on the determination result. The voltage value of the battery or the accessory having the battery incorporated therein is detected, and the detected voltage value and the voltage threshold level are compared with each other to decide whether or not it is possible to drive the apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic device which is capable of performing high-accuracy remaining battery capacity management. The electronic device has a plurality of battery pack compartments assigned specific addresses, respectively. A remaining capacity-detecting unit detects the remaining battery capacity of a battery pack mounted in a battery pack compartment. A control microcomputer receives information indicative of a remaining battery capacity sent from a battery pack accommodated in one of the battery pack compartments and address information on the battery pack compartment, and sends correction information concerning the remaining battery capacity to the battery pack.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for operating a non-volatile memory charger. Specifically, during the operation of a storage system, the non-volatile memory of the storage system can temporarily store data. The temporarily stored data is flushed to disks of the storage system during the normal operation of the storage system. However, if the storage system is inoperable, then the temporarily stored data is maintained for a time period by a rechargeable battery of the non-volatile memory. The rechargeable battery prevents data loss when the temporarily stored data cannot be flushed to the disks of the storage system. The rechargeable battery maintains sufficient voltage levels to continue to temporarily store data by the operation of a charger connected to the rechargeable battery. A charger policy operated by an operating system of the storage system enables and disables the charging of the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: An exemplary charging circuit (200) includes for charging a load component (210) includes a power supply unit (220), a feedback circuit, and a sampling resistor (230). The power supply unit includes a pulse width modulation circuit (221) and a power output terminal (222) configured to output a direct current supply. The feedback circuit includes an amplifying comparator (241), a constant voltage circuit (242), a transistor (243), and an optoelectrical coupler (244). The constant voltage circuit is configured to generate a reference voltage and apply the reference voltage to a negative input terminal of the amplifier comparator. An output terminal of the amplifier comparator is connected to the pulse width modulation circuit via the transistor and the optoelectrical coupler. The sampling resistor includes a current sampling terminal connected to a positive input terminal of the amplifier comparator.

Abstract: Error in an electromotive force Ve of a secondary battery calculated on the basis of a polarized voltage Vp is reduced.

Abstract: A battery charging system and method for charging a plug-in electric vehicle with power from an external power source, such as a standard 110 volt or 220 volt AC wall outlet. The method senses various internal and external conditions and uses this information to charge the plug-in electric vehicle in an optimum fashion that reduces charging time yet avoids damage to components of the charging system. In one embodiment, the battery charging system includes an external power source, a battery charger with sensors for monitoring the external power source and the charger, a battery unit with sensors for monitoring the battery, a battery charging control module for processing the information, and a user interface that allows user-specified custom charging constraints. All of these components, with the exception of external power source, may be located on the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus estimates charge/discharge electricity amount without being affected by current measurement error. Under specific selection conditions, a no-load voltage calculation part uses pairs of data consisting of current data I(n) and voltage data V(n) corresponding to the current data to calculate a no-load voltage Vsep as the voltage intercept at a current of zero in a straight-line approximation obtained by statistical processing such as regression analysis using a least squares method. If specific current conditions exist for a certain amount of time, an open circuit voltage calculation part calculates the terminal voltage of the secondary battery as the open circuit voltage Voc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a state of charge (SOC) compensation method for a vehicle using electrical energy, and a battery management system using the SOC compensation method. To determine the SOC of the battery, charge and discharge current of the battery is used to calculate a first SOC of the battery and a first corresponding voltage, a rheobasic voltage is calculated, an integration error corresponding to a difference between the first voltage and the rheobasic voltage is calculated, a SOC compensation factor is added to the first SOC when the integration error is greater than a first threshold value, and a SOC compensation factor is subtracted from the first SOC when the integration error is less than a second threshold value.

Abstract: In a battery pack which comprises: a battery set composed of two or more lithium battery cells connected in series; a first protection circuit including a first voltage detect part for detecting the voltage(s) of a part of the two or more battery cells, and a first signal output part for issuing an output signal when a detect voltage detected by the first voltage detect part goes below a given over-discharge judgment voltage value; a second protection circuit including a second voltage detect part for detecting the voltage(s) of another part of the two or more battery cells, and a second signal output part for issuing an output signal when the detect voltage of the battery cell detected by the second voltage detect part goes below a given over-discharge judgment voltage value; and, a switch which is connected to the current path of the battery set and can be turned on or off according to the output signals of the first and second signal output parts and, there is further provided dead time means connected bet

Abstract: A battery assembly of a battery pack has a structure in which a substrate holder abuts on a side surface of a cell with a protecting circuit being held. The substrate holder includes a first side plate having a circuit part fitted part in which a circuit element of the protecting circuit is fitted and a second side plate along which a first lead is situated. Above the first side plate, a brim is provided that protrudes by an amount substantially equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the substrate and the circuit element, that is, the thickness of the protecting circuit substrate. Above the second side plate, a brim is provided that protrudes by an amount greater than the thickness of the first lead.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for measuring an amount of current in battery cells. The apparatus includes: a plurality of resistors (R1, R2, and R3) connected in parallel; a main chip connected to both ends of one (R1) of the plurality of resistors, detecting voltage across the connected resistor, and adding up the amount of current on the basis of the detected voltage; a multiplexer selecting one of the other resistors (R2 and R3) when the amount of current added up at the main chip exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and a plurality of switches connected to the plurality of resistors respectively, and switched on/off by an output signal of the multiplexer. Thereby, it is possible to prevent damage to the surrounding components caused by the generation of heat from the single detection resistor, and detect a more precise amount of current in the battery cells.

Abstract: A fraction of the battery energy is kept in reserve during operational use of a battery-powered apparatus. The motor of the apparatus is switched off when the battery has discharged to the level of this reserve fraction. The reserve is made available again for operational use when the user has recharged the apparatus for a little while. This approach 5 simulates a super fast charging operation.

Abstract: A battery control device includes a unit to measure a voltage of a battery, a unit to measure an electric current of the battery, and a control unit to calculate an open-circuit voltage of the battery based on the voltage and the electric current of the battery, and to calculate a battery residual quantity ratio of the battery by use of relative information and the calculated open-circuit voltage, wherein the control unit calculates a charge quantity ratio of the battery by subtracting a battery residual quantity ratio at charge ending time from a battery residual quantity ratio at charge starting time, calculates a value obtained by multiplying the charge quantity ratio by a correction coefficient as a charging-discharging count of the battery, and integrates the charging-discharging count each time the charging-discharging count is calculated.

Abstract: A motor current control method is provided to reduce voltage and current spikes within a spindle motor and a power supply. Subsequently, the amount of current applied to the spindle motor is monitored. In addition, an apparatus for limiting motor power is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for accurately estimating a state of charge of a battery, which can measure a change of temperature and an open circuit voltage so as to estimate the state of charge at an initial time when a vehicle is not driven, and while measuring a decrement in a capacity of a battery according to charging and discharging of the battery when the vehicle is driven. The method includes the steps of: measuring a temperature in an initial estimation of the state of charge; measuring an open circuit voltage; obtaining parameters indicating a change of the open circuit voltage according to a change of temperature; and calculating the state of charge using the parameters and the open circuit voltage which is measured depending on the obtained parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for estimating discharge and charge power of battery applications, including battery packs used in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) and Electric Vehicles (EV). One charge/discharge power estimating method incorporates voltage, state-of-charge (SOC), power, and current design constraints and works for a user-specified prediction time horizon ?t. At least two cell models are used in calculating maximum charge/discharge power based on voltage limits. The first is a simple cell model that uses a Taylor-series expansion to linearize the equation involved. The second is a more complex and accurate model that models cell dynamics in discrete-time state-space form. The cell model can incorporate a inputs such as temperature, resistance, capacity, etc. One advantage of using model-based approach is that the same model may be used in both Kalman-filtering to produce the SOC and the estimation of maximum charge/discharge current based on voltage limits.

Abstract: A system for modeling a battery installed on a motor vehicle including a crank started engine, a voltage sensor connected to provide measurements of battery voltage and a temperature sensor providing temperature measurements provides for correcting capacity of the battery starting from the battery's rated capacity. A vehicle body computer implements the model through a stored program implementing an energy flow model of the target battery and stored data relating to model parameters including battery rated capacity and cranking current required for engine start over a temperature range. The stored program being responsive upon execution by the vehicle body computer for using the battery voltage measurements and temperature measurements during engine cranking to correct battery capacity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of charging a lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell wherein the lithium-sulfur cell comprises a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material, an anode comprising lithium, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. Also disclosed are methods for determining charge termination when charging lithium-sulfur cells.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus 11 and a storage device 12 that stores power supplied by the power supply apparatus 11 interpose a power supply control circuit 10. The circuit has a charging current detector 13 to detect charging current IC flowing from the power supply apparatus 11 to the storage device 12; a blocking unit 15 to interrupt the backflow current IR that flows from the storage device to the power supply apparatus on the basis of an inputted blocking control signal SH; and a backflow monitoring unit 14 to monitor by sampling for the presence of the charging current IC until the charging current IC is detected, constantly to monitor for the presence of the charging current IC after the charging current IC has been detected, and to output a blocking control signal SH for cutting off the backflow current IR when the charging current IC is not flowing.

Abstract: A secondary-battery management apparatus calculates the possible discharge duration of a secondary battery correctly even after a load current changes. The secondary-battery management apparatus calculates the remaining capacity and the remaining lifetime of the secondary battery in accordance with a measured temperature of the battery in a standby state, calculates the remaining capacity of the battery in accordance with a measured discharging current of the battery while the battery is in a discharging state, and calculates the remaining capacity of the battery in accordance with a measured charging current while the battery is in a charging state. When discharging from the battery is required by means of a reduction of an output voltage of a rectifier, the deterioration of the battery is checked by discharging to a load device. A battery capacity is checked by measuring the discharge duration of the battery in the discharge by the load current pattern.

Abstract: In a battery pack which comprises: a battery set composed of two or more lithium battery cells connected in series; a first protection circuit including a first voltage detect part for detecting the voltage(s) of a part of the two or more battery cells, and a first signal output part for issuing an output signal when a detect voltage detected by the first voltage detect part goes below a given over-discharge judgment voltage value; a second protection circuit including a second voltage detect part for detecting the voltage(s) of another part of the two or more battery cells, and a second signal output part for issuing an output signal when the detect voltage of the battery cell detected by the second voltage detect part goes below a given over-discharge judgment voltage value; and, a switch which is connected to the current path of the battery set and can be turned on or off according to the output signals of the first and second signal output parts and, there is further provided dead time means connected bet

Abstract: System and method for estimating a time to recharge a rechargeable power source of an implantable medical device. A plurality of measured parameters relating to the implantable medical device and an external charging device are applied to a model of recharging performance and an estimate is provided to a patient, perhaps in advance of charging. Once charging has begun, updated estimates can be provided until charging is complete. Once charging is complete, the model may be updated to reflect any differences in the estimated time to complete charging and the actual time required to complete charging. The model may be based on limitations to the rate at which charge may be transferred to the rechargeable power source over a plurality of intervals.

Abstract: A control device for a motor-driven vehicle, the control device includes: a zone determining unit that determines at least a normal use zone, a discharge zone, an over-discharge zone, a charge zone, and an over-charge zone; and a control unit controlling the motor by stipulating the charge and discharge power of the storage unit for each zone that is determined by the zone determining unit, setting the normal use zone to be in a predetermined range that includes a remaining capacity at which the discharge output according to the remaining capacity of the storage unit and the charge input according to the remaining capacity of the storage unit are equivalent, and making the discharge output and the charge input in the normal use zone to be a predetermined value regardless of the remaining capacity of the storage unit in the zone.

Abstract: A battery pack comprises a protection circuit adapted to detect an excessive current consumption condition associated with electronic components forming the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery system may be provided with a battery charge current path that is different from the battery discharge current path of the battery system, for example, by providing no controlled charge circuitry (e.g., providing no C-FETs) in the discharge current path of the battery system to avoid the power loss experienced across the C-FETs of a conventional battery system during battery system discharging operations.

Abstract: A recharging apparatus applied to a portable electronic device. The recharging apparatus is capable of selectively enabling or interrupting the recharging procedure for a rechargeable battery in the portable electronic device. The recharging apparatus includes an input unit, a recharging circuit, and a control unit. The input unit is applied to generate a switching control signal; the recharging circuit is applied to receive an enable signal and then output recharging power used for recharging the rechargeable battery; and the control unit, electrically connected to the input unit and the rechargeable battery, is applied to determine whether to output the enable signal to the recharging circuit or not in accordance with the switching control signal.

Abstract: A driving device of the invention is mounted on a motor vehicle, where a sun gear, a carrier, and a ring gear of a planetary gear mechanism are respectively connected to a motor MG1, to an engine, and to a drive shaft and a motor MG2. The driving device has a power supply system including a capacitor, a transistor TR, and a diode DI. The capacitor is connected to power lines, which are shared by inverters for the motors MG1 and MG2 and are linked to a battery via a DC-DC converter. The transistor TR is located between the power lines and the capacitor and is arranged in a direction of charging the capacitor. The diode DI is arranged in an opposite direction in parallel with the transistor TR. Drive control of the transistor TR and the DC-DC converter converts an output voltage of the battery into a desired voltage level and outputs the converted voltage to the power lines, while adequately controlling charge and discharge of the capacitor.

Abstract: A battery monitoring network including a battery node (6); one or more distributed nodes of a first class (4) each including means for acquiring first battery variable information, processing means adapted to manipulate the first battery variable information, and a communication means for communicating with a battery node; and one or more distributed nodes of a second class (5) each including means for acquiring second battery variable information, processing means adapted to manipulate the second battery variable information, and a communication means for communicating with the battery node.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, there are systems and methods for predicting end of life of a Li-ion battery. The method can include at least one of partially charging and partially discharging a battery, measuring an open circuit voltage of the battery before and after at least one of partial charging and partial discharging, and determining a state of charge value of the battery corresponding to the open circuit voltage measured before and after at least one of partial charging and partial discharging. The method can also include correlating at least one of a charge energy and a discharge energy with a change in the state of charge value and extrapolating to get a full battery capacity, tracking the full battery capacity as a function of time, and performing trend analysis of the full battery capacity over time to predict the battery's end of life.