Detection Of Current Or Voltage Amplitude Patents (Class 320/157)
  • Publication number: 20140145675
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to solve a problem that, in the case where NFC and power supply operation of wireless power supply or the like repeat in a time division manner, the count value of a charge timer is reset to an initial value and a charge timer erroneously operates during an NFC period. A charge output terminal charges a battery using DC output voltage. A voltage detecting circuit detects reach of battery voltage to a predetermined level, generates a control signal, and generates a level determination signal discriminating an NFC period and a wireless power supply period by detection of the level of a DC input, voltage of an input terminal. During execution of operation of counting charge time of the battery by the charge timer, the voltage detecting circuit controls the charge timer by the control signal in the NFC period, and the charge timer holds the count value of the counting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuya Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8729861
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a battery system whose life can be extended. A cell pack having at least one lithium secondary battery that uses a manganese-based cathode material and a control unit that controls charging and discharging of the cell pack are provided, and the control unit controls charging and discharging within a low-degradation voltage range that is set on the basis of a target cell degradation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Takehiko Nishida, Katsuaki Kobayashi, Tomoh Akiyama, Katsuo Hashizaki, Hidehiko Tajima, Kazuyuki Adachi, Shinji Murakami, Yoshihiro Wada, Hiroyuki Shibata, Kouji Kurayama
  • Patent number: 8680818
    Abstract: A voltage clamping circuit includes a current source having a fixed current source and a variable current source and a variable resistor receiving current from the current source. The variable resistor varies its resistance in response to an environmental operating condition. The voltage clamping circuit also includes an amplifier configured to compare a sensor node voltage with a reference voltage, the sensor node voltage being in communication with the voltage drop across the variable resistor. The amplifier is configured and connected to provide a control output to control the variable current source to modify current output from the variable current source to at least in part prevent the sensor node voltage from exceeding a reference voltage when certain operating conditions are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher L. Betty, Paul L. Brohlin, Deepak M. Khanchandani
  • Publication number: 20140077754
    Abstract: A battery charging system and method for schedule based charging to pre-charge a battery to an interim voltage level for a first duration of time and applies a finishing to a maximum voltage level at a second time shortly preceding use of the battery. The finishing charge may be initiated based on a schedule or may by a manual actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Charger Coach LLC
    Inventors: Steven D. Carmichael, Robert F. Skaff, JR.
  • Patent number: 8674664
    Abstract: There is provided a charge controller capable of charging a capacitor while suppressing the progress of deterioration of the capacitor without unnecessary charge/discharge of the capacitor. The charge controller includes a voltage sensor 133 that detects the voltage of a capacitor 101, a current sensor 135 that detects the charge/discharge current of the capacitor 101, a battery ECU 123 that estimates the SOC of the capacitor 101 based on the detected voltage, and a management ECU 117. The management ECU 117 calculates the charge/discharge amount from the start of charging of the capacitor 101 by integrating the charge/discharge currents detected by the current sensor 135 and controls the charging of the capacitor 101 based on the estimated SOC and the calculated charge/discharge amount. The management ECU 117 updates and sets the estimated SOC to an actual use upper limit SOC based on the state characteristics of the capacitor 101.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kazuaki Takizawa, Yoshikazu Ohnuma, Mutsuji Suzuki, Yoshihiro Sunaga, Naoki Maruno, Satoru Komoda, Atsushi Shibutani, Yoshikazu Nishida
  • Publication number: 20140035536
    Abstract: This utility model releases an activation device for use on intelligent battery, which includes: main control circuit, and the said main control circuit is connected to charging time control circuit via the primary control signal, to the output voltage control circuit via the secondary control signal, to the charging status control circuit via the tertiary and quaternary, to the pulse control circuit via the quinary control signal and to the power supply circuit via the 14V voltage signal. The activation device makes improvements on basis of normal chargers, has simple circuit design and is easy to use and free of influence of cold weather conditions; in addition, it can also protect the battery from oxidation and activate the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: TIANJIN CHANGHE TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Changhe Fan
  • Patent number: 8638066
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing battery optimization and protection in a low power energy environment is presented. A current configuration of a battery module including a plurality of a particular type of battery is determined. A voltage level of the battery module is detected. A determination is made whether the current configuration of the battery module is a preferred configuration for the particular type of batteries of the battery module. When the determination is that the current configuration of the battery module is not the preferred configuration for the particular type of batteries of the battery module, then the battery module is reconfigured to a preferred configuration for the particular type of batteries of the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: BBN Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Dale G. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20140002031
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrochemical battery system performs optimized charging of a battery. The electrochemical battery system includes at least one electrochemical cell, a memory storing command instructions, and a controller operably connected to the memory and a current source. The controller executes the command instructions to generate a first prediction of at least one state parameter corresponding to an internal state of the at least one electrochemical cell in the event that a first input current is applied to the at least one electrochemical cell for a predetermined time based upon a present state of the at least one state parameter in the electrochemical cell, determine a second input current based on the first prediction and at least one predetermined state parameter constraint, and control the current source to apply the second input current to the at least one electrochemical cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Nalin Chaturvedi, Reinhardt Klein, John F. Christensen, Jasim Ahmed, Aleksandar Kojic
  • Patent number: 8604755
    Abstract: A lithium-ion secondary battery system is provided which can improve the cycle life and the storage property of a lithium-ion secondary battery and can decrease a discharge capacity which cannot be recharged. The lithium-ion secondary battery system includes a lithium-ion secondary battery having a cathode, an anode including carbon, and a non-aqueous electrolyte; a charge/discharge circuit for putting the lithium-ion secondary battery on charge according to a charge control parameter; and an arithmetic processing section for controlling the charge/discharge circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsuko Nishimura, Katsunori Nishimura, Akihide Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8598851
    Abstract: A charging circuit that prevents a system abnormality caused by removal of a battery. The charging circuit includes a constant voltage charge controller which detects charge voltage and performs a constant voltage charging operation. A constant current charge controller detects charge current and performs a constant current charging operation. A controller controls the constant voltage charge controller to perform the constant voltage charging operation during a period from when the charge voltage reaches a fully charged voltage to when the charge current decreases to a charge completion current. The controller suspends charging the battery when the constant voltage charging operation is being performed and detects whether or not the battery is coupled to the charging circuit based on the charge voltage during the charging suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventor: Shinichi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8598848
    Abstract: A method for determining an end of life of a battery includes determining a discharge capacity of the battery at a given moment in time, determining a discharge capacity at a functional endpoint of the battery, and determining a fuel remaining in the battery at the given moment in time as a function of both the discharge capacity at the given moment in time and the discharge capacity of the battery at the functional endpoint of the battery. The determined fuel remaining is indicative of an end of life of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Guanghong Zheng, Peter F Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20130307479
    Abstract: An energy storage device and methods for controlling the same are disclosed. The energy storage device can include a connector to or from which at least one battery pack is attached or detached, a power converter that converts external input power into DC power in a charge mode, and a switching unit that performs a switching operation such that the DC power converted by the power converter is charged in a first battery pack attached to the connector in the charge mode. Energy storage device can also include a controller that controls the switching unit to turn off electrical connections between the energy storage device and the first battery pack and a second battery pack for a predetermined off period when the first and second battery packs are attached to the connector. Accordingly, when a battery pack is attached or detached, a surge of inrush current may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sanghun Kim
  • Patent number: 8581608
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for easily detecting an abnormal status of power generation of a solar cell panel in a solar cell power generation system having the power generation of 1 MW or higher. The present invention provides an abnormality detecting apparatus for a solar cell power generation system including a plurality of solar cell strings each having a plurality of solar cell modules connected to each other in series and a backflow preventing diode connected to a power output terminal of each of the solar cell strings, characterized in that the abnormality detecting apparatus further includes measuring means for measuring a current flowing in the backflow preventing diode; and that the measuring means is supplied with electric power from both terminals of the backflow preventing diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Onamba Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Shizuya, Jun Ishida, Hideki Furubayashi, Yukitaka Miyata
  • Patent number: 8575892
    Abstract: Provided is a charging apparatus for a moving robot including a charging terminal that is connected to a terminal for charging a battery of the moving robot; a power supply unit that supplies a charging voltage for charging the battery of the moving robot; a power switching unit that outputs a detection signal, depending on whether a voltage is applied from the charging terminal or not, and switches a current flow between the power supply unit and the charging terminal in accordance with an input control signal; and a control unit that responds to the detection signal so as to output the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Young Gie Kim
  • Patent number: 8575899
    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 battery charger 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schumacher Electric Corporation
    Inventors: John Whiting, Matthew A. Heins
  • Patent number: 8564252
    Abstract: A circuit for charging a capacitive load to a reference voltage in a capacitive sensor measurement circuit includes a reference buffer, a boost buffer, and drive logic. The reference buffer and the boost buffer are coupled with the capacitive load to be charged. The boost buffer first charges the capacitive load towards the reference voltage at a first rate of charging, and then ceases charging. The reference buffer subsequently continues charging at a slower second rate to settle the voltage across the capacitive load to within a tolerable range of the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Nandakishore Raimar, Timothy J. Williams
  • Patent number: 8564298
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, an energy harvesting system is provided. The system comprises a coil wound about a generally cylindrical shaped magnetic core having a first end and a second end. The coil includes wires that are wound in such a manner that the wires are generally parallel to the cylindrical shaped magnetic core axis. The cylindrical shaped magnetic core defines a core gap that extends parallel to the magnetic core axis. The cylindrical shaped magnetic core also defines an opening extending therethrough from the first end to the second end such that the cylindrical shaped magnetic core is configured to fit around current carrying conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Mohammod Ali, Rashed H. Bhulyan, Roger Dougal
  • Patent number: 8558508
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the status of a system of battery strings is described. The system includes a current sensor for each of the battery strings, and a controller configured to compute the average current from the measured currents. The state of the battery system is determined as being fully charged, discharging or charging, and the individual battery string currents are compared with the average measured current to determine if the currents are within a threshold value. An alarm indication is provided when one or more of the currents exceeds a threshold difference. The system may provide a local indication of status and may also interface with a communications network to provide for remote monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: C & C Power, Inc.
    Inventors: William Fechalos, N. William Conrardy
  • Patent number: 8552693
    Abstract: A battery cell charging system, including a charger and a controller, for low-temperature (below about zero degrees Celsius) charging a lithium ion battery cell, the battery cell charging system includes: a circuit for charging the battery cell using an adjustable voltage charging-profile to apply a charging voltage and a charging current to the battery cell wherein the adjustable voltage charging-profile having: a non-low-temperature charging stage for charging the battery cell using a charging profile adapted for battery cell temperatures above about zero degrees Celsius; and a low-temperature charging stage with a variable low-temperature stage charging current that decreases responsive to a battery cell temperature falling below zero degrees Celsius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Anil Paryani
  • Patent number: 8519678
    Abstract: Battery charging circuitry is provided. A charge controller receives electrical energy from a photovoltaic panel. A first timer provides a stream of clock pulses. A second timer is triggered by the clock pulses and generates a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal. A duty cycle of the PWM signal is determined by way of comparing a time-varying capacitor voltage to a signal derived from a storage battery voltage. Transfer of electrical energy from the photovoltaic panel to the storage battery is regulated by a shunting element using the PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Scott Kennedy Gallert
  • Patent number: 8493030
    Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with operation of an energy storage system (ESS) connectable to an electric power system. The charging-discharging schedule of the ESS can be determined through application of a time-dependent forecast of ESS and power system states based on historical data. Exemplary embodiments can include ESSs which have been historically activated with a certain periodicity, for example, for power system load leveling, frequency regulation, arbitrage, peak load shaving and/or integration of renewable power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Andrew Paice, Alexandre Oudalov, Thomas von Hoff
  • Patent number: 8493029
    Abstract: A method of dynamic power management of a mobile device. The method includes monitoring at least one load to determine when at least one of the loads will become active or inactive, determining a minimum required output voltage level to be provided by a single voltage converter based on voltage level requirements of the at least one load that will become active or inactive, converting an input voltage level via the voltage converter to provide the minimum required output voltage level to the output power port in advance of the at least one load becoming active or after the at least one load becomes inactive, monitoring the input voltage level, determining whether the input voltage level is below a first threshold, and when the input voltage level is below the first threshold, reducing the output voltage level provided by the single voltage converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, Dusan Veselic, Martin George Albert Guthrie
  • Patent number: 8487589
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for determining the start of a charging process for an energy storage device in a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to determining at least one first parameter that indicates that a passenger is about to exit the electric vehicle. In addition, a first time t1 at which the charging process concludes at the earliest is determined, and a second time t2 at which the charging process is to have concluded at the latest is set, where t2?t1. Further, a determination is made as to whether a third time t3 at which a lowered second energy rate relative to the first energy rate is present before the second time t2 has been reached, and the start of the charging process is set in such a way that the at least one third time t3 lies within the charging process, and the charging process concludes by the second time t2 at the latest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Aiko Böhme, Heiko Bald
  • Patent number: 8465859
    Abstract: A current sensor includes a magnetic balance sensor and a switching circuit. The magnetic balance sensor includes a feedback coil which is disposed near a magnetic sensor element varying in characteristics due to application of an induction field caused by measurement current and which produces a canceling magnetic field canceling the induction field. The switching circuit switches between magnetic proportional detection and magnetic balance detection. The magnetic proportional detection is configured to output a voltage difference as a sensor output. The magnetic balance detection is configured to output, as a sensor output, a value corresponding to current flowing through the feedback coil when a balanced state in which the induction field and the canceling magnetic field cancel each other out is reached after the feedback coil is energized by the voltage difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Alps Green Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Murata, Manabu Tamura, Shinji Mitsuya, Hiroyuki Hebiguchi
  • Publication number: 20130132742
    Abstract: Disclosed are charging control methods for a rechargeable battery and portable computers. The charging control method includes acquiring a control parameter for a charge current of the rechargeable battery; modifying, based on the control parameter, the charge current from a first charge current to a second charge current less than the first charge current; and charging the rechargeable battery with the second charge current. Compared with conventional methods of charging the battery always with the maximal charge current, the present disclosure can improve the battery's lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicants: BEIJING LENOVO SOFTWARE LTD., LENOVO (BEIJING) LIMITED
    Inventors: Shuangcheng Zhao, Xiaoren Cheng, Ling Yao, Weizhi Lin
  • Patent number: 8446130
    Abstract: A charging circuit for charging a battery includes a processor, a switching circuit, a voltage converter, and a power voltage detecting circuit. A first terminal of the switching circuit is connected to a power source. A second terminal of the switching circuit is connected to a first output of the processor. A first terminal of the voltage converter is connected to a third terminal of the switching circuit. A second terminal of the voltage converter is connected to the battery. The power voltage detecting circuit is connected to the power source, and a first input and a second output of the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Yuan Hsu
  • Publication number: 20130119946
    Abstract: A rectification processor includes rectifier elements that control charge to batteries independently for each of the batteries. A charge-state detector detects charge states of the batteries from their voltages, and determines whether to select the batteries for charging in a half-cycle determined beforehand in accordance with the detected result. A synchronous signal detector detects a signal synchronized with the phase of the 3-phase alternate current (AC) generator from the 3-phase AC generator, and outputs a synchronous signal. A charge controller controls the charge in the rectification processor in synchronization with the 3-phase AC generator according to the synchronous signal from the synchronous signal detector, and, in accordance with the charge states of the batteries output from the charge-state detector, controls charge amounts to the battery/batteries that was determined for selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: SHINDENGEN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shindengen Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130119920
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a charging system including a management device and a plurality of charging devices. The management device includes a scheduling control module and a charging host. The scheduling control module executes dynamic scheduling according to a residence time and a charging time, and re-executes the dynamic scheduling according to a queue-jumping request. The charging host calculates the charging time according to battery information, and charges a plurality of electric vehicles according to the dynamic scheduling. The charging devices are coupled to the management device and connected to the electric vehicles, wherein each of the charging devices includes an input interface and a charging plug. The input interface receives the residence time and a power demand. The charging plug is connected to one of the electric vehicles to receive the battery information, and charges the connected electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Industrial Technology Research Institute
  • Patent number: 8433938
    Abstract: A computer system includes a device which operates depending on a clock frequency; a battery unit which comprises a plurality of battery cells and supplies power to the device; a temperature sensor which senses temperature of the battery cells; and a controller which decreases the clock frequency if the sensed temperature is beyond a first preset critical point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-deok Cha, Jong-tae Chun
  • Patent number: 8427112
    Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determine the state of charge of a battery/cell using data which is representative of an overpotential of the battery/cell. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a state of charge of the battery/cell and/or the data which is representative of an overpotential of the battery/cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Qnovo Inc.
    Inventors: Dania Ghantous, Fred Berkowitz, Nadim Maluf
  • Patent number: 8421420
    Abstract: A rectification processor includes rectifier elements that control charge to batteries independently for each of the batteries. A charge-state detector detects charge states of the batteries from their voltages, and determines whether to select the batteries for charging in a half-cycle determined beforehand in accordance with the detected result. A synchronous signal detector detects a signal synchronized with the phase of the 3-phase alternate current (AC) generator from the 3-phase AC generator, and outputs a synchronous signal. A charge controller controls the charge in the rectification processor in synchronization with the 3-phase AC generator according to the synchronous signal from the synchronous signal detector, and, in accordance with the charge states of the batteries output from the charge-state detector, controls charge amounts to the battery/batteries that was determined for selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Shindengen Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Arai, Tokihiko Iwakura
  • Patent number: 8421415
    Abstract: Provided is a hybrid working machine capable of performing battery charging control both for a working period and a standby period. The hybrid working machine includes a hydraulic actuator, an engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator, a battery, a generator motor connected to the engine to serve as a generator by an output power of the engine to charge the battery and serve as a motor for assisting the engine by supply of an electric power from the battery, a battery monitor detecting a battery SOC, a controller which controls a charging power of the battery depending on the battery SOC, and a working state detector detecting a working state as information for discriminating between a working period during which the hydraulic actuator is actuated and a standby period during which the hydraulic actuator is not actuated. The controller limits the charging power in the standby period in comparison with in the working period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Kagoshima
  • Patent number: 8421416
    Abstract: A battery charger and method for a rechargeable battery pack which includes various elements in series with the cells to be charged, including but not limited to current control FETs, a fuse, current sense resistor, and internal series impedance of the series connected cells to be charged. The charging current Ichg flowing through these series elements reduces the voltage applied to the cells, thus lengthening charging time. A compensation voltage Vcomp, which when added to the nominal charging voltage for the series connected cells overcomes these voltage drops, facilitates more efficient charging while avoiding over-voltage damage to the cells. Three voltages representing substantially all of the voltage drops reducing the charging voltage on the cells, are summed, and the result is a compensation voltage which is utilized to change the nominal charge voltage for the battery to overcome these voltage drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Tsing Hsu, Yevgen Barsukov, Robert Martinez, Peter Mignano
  • Patent number: 8405362
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a portable device incorporating a battery and a battery charger. In the portable device, there are a plurality of system components configured to facilitate a plurality of functions that the portable device is designed to perform. The battery in the portable device is configured for providing an internal power supply to the plurality of system components in the absence of an external input power supply. The battery charger is configured for charging the battery when the external input power supply is available. The battery charger disclosed herein is capable of supplying system power to the system components when voltage of the battery that is being charged is below a limit, thereby allowing the portable device to operate when voltage of the battery drops below the limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Leo Martin, David Justin Simmons
  • Patent number: 8405353
    Abstract: A controller 10 suitable for controlling a bath lift. The controller 10 includes a rechargeable unit 12 and a first protection unit 14 which measures the voltage and current provided by the rechargeable unit 12. The first protection unit 14 prevents connection to the bath lift when the voltage of the rechargeable unit falls below a lower predetermined limit. A second protection unit 20 is also provided which measures the voltage from the rechargeable unit 12 and detects whether the voltage has fallen below an upper predetermined voltage, and if the voltage has dropped below this level downward movement of the bath lift is not permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Care-Knight Limited
    Inventor: Annette Elvina Greenwood
  • Patent number: 8405358
    Abstract: A charging path includes a charging switch for transferring a charging current from an input terminal to an output terminal. The charging path further includes a first enable terminal coupled to the charging switch. The first enable terminal receives a first enable signal to control the charging switch to operate in either a first mode, a second mode, or a third mode, based on a status of the output terminal. More specifically, in the first mode, the charging switch is fully turned off. In the second mode, an equivalent resistance of the charging switch is determined by a control terminal of the charging switch. In the third mode, the charging switch is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: O2Micro Inc.
    Inventors: Guoxing Li, Ruichao Tang, Chutao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130049673
    Abstract: Technologies generally described herein relate to a cell balancing and charging scheme for a serially coupled Li-Ion battery pack supported by a photovoltaic cell array power source. A switched capacitor DC-DC converter and a cell monitoring approach may be used to charge and cell balance the battery pack. When one of the cells falls below a predefined voltage, a capacitor (charged by the photovoltaic array) may supply current to bring the voltage to the predefined point. Continuous monitoring for the cells during charging and discharging may ensure cell voltage changes beyond the predefined limit are detected timely. Cell balancing may be performed even in the absence of photovoltaic (PV) array illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Indian Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Vivek Agarwal, Pradeep Kuruvilla Peter
  • Patent number: 8384358
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to charge a vehicle battery from an external power source. The system includes a sensor configured to detect an electrical current received from the external power source and a processor configured to determine a charging schedule related to charging the vehicle battery. The processor is also configured to determine a variation from the charging schedule based on the electrical current and to direct transmissions of messages based on the electrical current detected by the sensor. The system includes a remote electronic device configured to receive the messages and to alert a driver of the plug-in vehicle based on the messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William A. Biondo, Clark E. McCall, David T. Proefke
  • Publication number: 20130043832
    Abstract: A battery status indicating method for an electronic device is provided. The battery module is pluggable into the electronic device. When a residual electric quantity of the battery module is lower than a threshold electric quantity, the battery module stops outputting a battery voltage. The battery status indicating method includes steps of judging whether the battery module is in a plugged status or an unplugged status according to the battery voltage, periodically charging the battery module in a first time interval of a fixed cycle if the battery module is in the unplugged status, and judging whether the battery module is switched to the unplugged status according to a change of the battery voltage if the battery module is in the plugged status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: RDC Semiconductor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Ming-Chou Yen
  • Patent number: 8378634
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a power management circuit, including: a first voltage regulator, which converts an input voltage to an output voltage; a second voltage regulator coupled between the output voltage and a battery; and a voltage difference control circuit, which receives the output voltage and a voltage of the battery, and outputs a voltage difference control signal to control the first voltage regulator. The voltage difference control circuit includes: a battery reference voltage determination circuit, which generates a battery reference voltage related to the battery voltage, and an error amplifier, which receives the output voltage and the battery reference voltage and generates the voltage difference control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Nien-Hui Kung
  • Patent number: 8368357
    Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adapt the charging of a battery/cell using data which is representative of an overpotential of the battery/cell. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to calculate data which is representative of an overpotential of the battery/cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Qnovo Inc.
    Inventors: Dania Ghantous, Fred Berkowitz, Nadim Maluf
  • Patent number: 8362748
    Abstract: A voltage comparison circuit makes a comparison between a first voltage and a second voltage. A resistor and a constant current source are provided in series between the first voltage and the ground voltage. A comparator receives the second voltage via one input terminal (non-inverting input terminal), and the voltage at a connection node between the aforementioned resistor and the constant current source via the other input terminal (inverting terminal). The first voltage is preferably used as the power supply voltage for the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Miyanaga, Yutaka Shibata
  • Patent number: 8362750
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a charging circuit is provided. The apparatus includes a first detector, a second detector, and a controller. The first detector detects a voltage level at a first time and generates a first indication value corresponding to the voltage level at the first time, where the voltage level corresponds to an output voltage of the charging circuit. The second detector detects the voltage level at a second time after the first time and generates a second indication value corresponding to the voltage level at the second time. The controller receives the first and second indication values, and generates a control signal according to the first and second indication values for turning the charging circuit on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Leadtrend Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Ming-Nan Chuang, Yi-Shan Chu
  • Patent number: 8358103
    Abstract: Several methods and systems to perform automatic coupling of an alternating current power source and an inductive power apparatus to charge a target device battery are disclosed. In an embodiment, an inductive battery charging system includes a connection module to determine when a target device is coupled to a charging apparatus comprised of an inductive power apparatus. The system further includes a monitoring module to determine when a target device battery is below a charging threshold while using power from a supplemental power source. In addition, the system includes an activation module to automatically couple the inductive power apparatus and an alternating current power source when a power level of the target device battery is below the charging threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Vampire Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Raymond Eastlack
  • Patent number: 8350528
    Abstract: A balancing method for a battery pack includes balancing battery cells near an end of discharge. A deep discharge of the battery cells can be prevented without using an overdischarge control unit. One battery cell balancing method includes: a balancing check condition determination step for determining whether or not a maximum voltage out of voltages of the battery cells is smaller than a reference voltage; a balancing start condition determination step for determining whether or not a residual capacity difference or voltage difference between the individual battery cells exceeds a reference value; a balancing time calculation step for calculating a balancing time for discharging the battery cell that exceeds the reference value; and a balancing operation step for discharging the selected battery cell when the battery cells are under charge or are at rest or when a discharge current of the battery cells is smaller than a reference current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jongwoon Yang, Segawa Susumu, Inkyu Park, Yonguk Kim
  • Publication number: 20130002200
    Abstract: When maximum cell voltage remains at or below a maximum current control voltage (4200 mV), which is below the start-full-charge detection voltage (4210 mV), three consecutive times with 250 ms periodicity, set current is increased one level (128 mA). When maximum cell voltage is higher than the start-full-charge detection voltage three consecutive times with 250 ms periodicity, set current is reduced. When maximum cell voltage is higher than the start-full-charge detection voltage and charging current remains below 384 mA two consecutive times with 250 ms periodicity, the rechargeable battery is determined to be fully-charged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Masayuki KOBAYASHI, Tomomi Kaino
  • Patent number: 8344701
    Abstract: A method for preventing fake charging of an electronic apparatus is provided. The method includes: providing a power management table for setting function units for each power range; activating a fake charging preventing function according to a predetermined condition or an activating operation of users; detecting power of the electronic apparatus every a first predetermined time interval; determining a current power range the detected power falls into; determining whether the current power range is changed; beginning to time when the current power range is changed; activating function units which are disabled and whose power range is the current power range when the timing reaches a second predetermined time interval and the detected power is still in the current power range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hua-Dong Cheng, Han-Che Wang
  • Patent number: 8330426
    Abstract: Each of a battery charger and a battery pack has a microcomputer. The respective microcomputers mutually perform data communication while the battery pack is being charged by the battery charger, and confirm an operational state of the microcomputer of the communication counterpart (mutual operation confirmation) based on a result of the data communication. When an abnormality of one of the microcomputers is detected, the other microcomputer executes a predetermined process for stopping charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Suzuki, Tadahiko Kobayakawa, Tomoo Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8319479
    Abstract: A smart battery device includes an adapter, a switch electrically connected to the adapter, a battery pack electrically connected the switch, a sense resistor electrically connected to the battery pack and the adapter, an analog preprocessing circuit electrically connected to the battery pack and the sense resistor for digitizing analog signals measured at the battery pack and the sense resistor to form digital signals, and an adaptive control circuit electrically connected to the analog preprocessing circuit for receiving the digital signals, and electrically connected to the switch for selectively turning the switch on or off according to the digital signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: eMemory Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Hsing Kao, Chun-Ming Chen, Tien-Chung Tso
  • Patent number: 8306692
    Abstract: An input/output control device for a secondary battery mounted on a vehicle includes a current estimating unit estimating a battery current input to or output from the secondary battery based on an input/output power of the secondary battery and outputting an estimated value (estimated current (Is)), a current sensor measuring the battery current and outputting a measured value (measured current (It)), and an input/output control unit controlling the input/output power based on the estimated value and the measured value. The input/output control device controls the input/output of the secondary battery, using the measured current (It) as well as the estimated value (Is), and therefore can suppress more reliably significant increase in heating value of the secondary battery and its peripheral parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruo Ishishita