Abstract: A system is presented for harvesting electromagnetic energy propagating in surroundings. The system comprises an antenna unit, a harvesting unit, and an input signal adapting circuit. The antenna unit is configured for receiving external electromagnetic radiation from the surroundings and producing a corresponding electric output. The harvesting unit comprises at least one energy harvesting circuit each configured and operable for receiving signals indicative of the output of the antenna unit and generating and storing corresponding electric charge, the harvesting circuit comprising: a rectifying unit comprising a plurality of rectifiers each configured and operable to receive AC electric signals and generate corresponding DC electric power; and a charge collection unit configured and operable to receive the plurality of DC electric powers from said rectifying unit and converting and accumulating them into the electric charge presenting harvested energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting a maximum depth of discharge of an energy reservoir for a time period. The method includes: defining a first target aging value of the energy reservoir for a first time period; determining a first aging value that describes an aging of the energy reservoir during the first period; calculating a first difference between the first target aging value of the energy reservoir and the first aging value of the energy reservoir; defining a second target aging value of the energy reservoir for a second time period; calculating a maximum aging value of the energy reservoir for the second time period, based on the second target aging value and at least the first difference; calculating a maximum depth-of-discharge value based on the maximum aging value; setting the maximum depth of discharge of the energy reservoir for the second time period to the maximum depth-of-discharge value.

Abstract: Provided are balancing device and method which can achieve a balancing function between energy storage units connected in series using a small number of switch elements, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and size and enabling various balancing modes. The balancing device for balancing between a plurality of energy storage units a battery module, in which the energy storage units are connected in series, includes: a transformer; and a switch network comparing a cell switch unit, a polarity switch unit, and au auxiliary switch unit, wherein the auxiliary switch unit includes: a first auxiliary switch unit for connecting a second common node to one terminal of the secondary winding of the transformer; and a second auxiliary switch unit for connecting a first common node to the other terminal of the secondary winding of the transformer.

Abstract: A battery control apparatus is provided which can keep an inter-terminal voltage of each single cell within a permitted range while permitted power is controlled in units of a battery pack. The battery control apparatus of the invention restricts the permitted power of the battery pack according to a degree of closeness of a close circuit voltage of the single cell to an upper limit or a lower limit of the permitted range.

Abstract: An energy harvesting circuit receives an input voltage from a transducer and uses a single inductor operating in a DC-DC converter charging mode to generate charging current at a first output coupled to an energy storage device where a supply voltage is stored. The energy harvesting circuit further receives the supply voltage from the energy storage device and uses the same single inductor operating in a DC-DC converter regulating mode to generate load current at a second output where a regulated load voltage is provided. The energy harvesting circuit switches between the charging mode and the regulating mode in accordance with a discontinuous mode (DCM) control process.

Abstract: In a circuit adapted to supply a voltage Vs an electronic device, such as a load or a light source said voltage Vs is led to a circuit (ACG) that is able to derive a voltage VACG from Vs where VACG?Vs. The circuit consist in a first embodiment of three serial coupled diodes (D1,D2,D3) and two capacitors (C1,C2), and where the capacitor (CI) is coupled in parallel with tow of the diodes (D1,D2) and the capacitor (C2) is coupled in parallel with the diodes (D2,D3). In this way an Asymmetric Current Generator (ACG) is provided, that from a normal periodic source voltage Vs can derive two voltages both of which are suitable for a rechargeable battery or a light source. In this way a cost effective voltage in which the voltage required for the electronic device is beneficial for recharging the battery or strengthen the light for a LED light source leading to save in current cost and a fast recharging of the rechargeable battery and gaining light from the light source.

Abstract: Provided is an food packing material, manufacturing method. A battery pack and a electrical bike having the same are further provided. In particular, the battery pack may include a battery pack, battery array, a protecting circuit module, and a connection terminal section. The battery case may be formed as cylindrical or polygon. The battery array may include a plurality of batteries formed as multi-stage within the battery pack. The protecting circuit module may be provided between an upper portion of the battery array and an upper surface of the battery pack. A connection terminal portion may be formed at the lower stage of the battery pack and may include a power terminal and a control terminal. By providing the battery pack as bottle shape, the electrical bike can selectively accommodate the bottle for the bike and the battery pack.

Abstract: A hybrid battery charger is disclosed that includes a linear charger circuit for providing vehicle starting current and battery charging and a high frequency battery charging circuit that provides battery charging current. The linear charger circuit and the high frequency battery charging circuits are selectively enabled to provide vehicle starting current, maximum charging current and optimum efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed are a load/charger detection circuit, a battery management system comprising the same and a driving method thereof. The load/charger detection circuit includes a current source; a current mirror connected to the current source to copy a current of the current mirror; at least two resistors connected between a first terminal providing a corresponding voltage to a charger or a load and a power supply; and a zener diode connected between the first terminal and the current mirror.

Abstract: A wired/wireless charging apparatus capable of performing wired charging and wireless charging and a circuit are provided. The wired/wireless charging apparatus includes a body including a wired charging circuit for wired charging, a wireless charging circuit for wireless charging, and a battery mounting space a cover coupled with the body and including a transmission coil generating a magnetic field for the wireless charging, wherein the body and the cover including a contact unit for electrically connecting the transmission coil to the wireless charging circuit.

Abstract: Deterioration of a power storage device is reduced. Switches that control the connections of a plurality of power storage devices separately are provided. The switches are controlled with a plurality of control signals, so as to switch between charge and discharge of each of the power storage devices or between serial connection and parallel connection of the plurality of power storage devices. Further, a semiconductor circuit having a function of carrying out arithmetic is provided for the power storage devices, so that a control system of the power storage devices or a power storage system is constructed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle having a storage for electrical energy, which store is coupled to a coil into which electrical energy can be induced from outside the motor vehicle during a charging process. The vehicle includes a housing in which the coil is arranged, the housing being made of plastic toward the underside of the motor vehicle, and an optical waveguide is arranged in particular between two walls of the housing. When light from a light source is coupled into the optical waveguide and a detector detects the light, damage to the housing can be detected and the induction of electrical energy into the coil at a charging station can optionally be interrupted in order to avoid hazards to persons.

Abstract: A charging system for a battery device of a handheld tool includes a charging device provided to inductively charge the battery device in a charging operation, the charging device having at least one induction charging unit which has at least one charging coil having a main coil extension. A gap is provided between the battery device and the charging device in a charging operation. A ratio between (i) the at least one main coil extension and (ii) a minimum clearance between the at least one charging coil and a surface defining the gap is at most 30/1.

Abstract: A multi-state battery charger includes a single-stage AC-to-DC switching converter, where the single-stage converter receives an AC supply voltage and directly charges a rechargeable battery without there being any intervening second power stage. A novel battery charger controller integrated circuit in the converter's secondary side detects profile selection resistor values, monitors battery voltage, monitors charging current, monitors battery temperature, controls a protection transistor, and sends a control signal back to a PWM in the primary side. The controller includes a flexible preprogrammed digital state machine circuit that is configured to control the converter from charging state to charging state so that the battery is charged in accordance with a selected one of multiple preprogrammed different multi-state battery charging profiles, where at least one of the profiles has at least one CC (constant current) state and one CV (constant voltage) state.

Abstract: In the case of a method for determining a charge acceptance ICA of a rechargeable battery, the battery is computationally split up into a predetermined number n of compartments i having a respective maximum charge capacitance Ci, which are connected in parallel via resistances Ri, and the charge acceptance ICA of the battery is determined on the basis of the charge capacitance C1 and the resistance R1 of the compartment adjacent to the battery terminals. The invention also relates to a method for charging a rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A voltage monitoring module includes voltage control circuits each connected between two adjacent input terminals and causing a current to flow to generate a voltage drop when a voltage of a k-th input terminal counted from a high potential side is higher than a voltage of a (k?1)-th input terminal; and a disconnection detection circuit that detects a disconnection between battery cells and m input terminals. The disconnection detection circuit includes an activation circuit that controls a flow of m currents flowing between the m input terminals and a ground terminal; (m?1) first switches having one end connected to each of second to m-th input terminals, and a control terminal connected to each of first to (m?1)-th input terminals, and turning on when a voltage applied to the control terminal is smaller than a predetermined value; and a memory unit connected to another end of the (m?1) first switches.

Abstract: A system includes first and second relays which physically adjoin one another and are controlled such that one of the relays is off whenever the other relay is on. In operation, heat generated in the first relay thermally conducts to the second relay where the relays physically adjoin one another whereby the second relay functions as a heat sink for the first relay while the second relay is off and the first relay is on. Correspondingly, in operation, heat generated in the second relay thermally conducts to the first relay where the relays physically adjoin one another whereby the first relay functions as a heat sink for the second relay while the first relay is off and the second relay is on.

Abstract: A method for controlling a wireless power transmitter that transmits charging power to a wireless power receiver is provided. The method includes driving the wireless power transmitter; determining whether latch fault mode entry conditions are met, in which the wireless power transmitter is allowed to enter a latch fault mode in which the wireless power transmitter periodically applies first power having a first power value in a first cycle; and if the latch fault mode entry conditions are met, periodically applying the first power in the first cycle.

Abstract: A method and system of balancing battery cells are provided that use a data map that includes a balancing duty ratio based on an environment temperature of a battery and the number of balancing target-cells. The method includes measuring, by a temperature sensor, the environment temperature of a battery. In addition, a controller is configured to identify the number of the balancing target-cells and calculate a balancing duty ratio by substituting the environment temperature and the number of the balancing-target cells to the data map. A balancing time is deducted by the controller based on the calculated duty ratio and the corresponding battery cells are balanced by the controller with the calculated duty ratio for the balancing time.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided comprising a battery, a charge plate electrically connected to the battery, and a thermal sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a sensed temperature. The thermal sensor can be positioned to determine temperature in the area proximate to the charge plate. The vehicle further includes at least one controller configured to (a) cause an association signal to be repeatedly transmitted during a battery charge procedure such that charging of the battery via the charge plate is maintained, and (b) in response to the sensed temperature exceeding a primary threshold, cause the repeated transmission of the association signal to be interrupted such that charging of the battery ceases.