Abstract: A device for providing an alternative power source for a battery operated device is generally provided with a source module and a transformer, which are electrically coupled to the battery operated device. When necessary, one or more conductor modules are electrically coupled to the battery operated device. A selector on the transformer regulates the amount of voltage provided to the source module. In use, a source module and, if necessary, one or more conductor modules are positioned within a battery operated device. The selector is adjusted to supply the correct voltage for the type and number of batteries required by the battery operated device.

Abstract: A current interrupt device for rechargeable, electrochemical cells having a safety valve, insulating spacer and a thin metal plate for coupling to an electrode assembly is provided. The thin metal plate electrically couples to the safety valve by way of a conductive polymer, preferably having a positive temperature coefficient characteristic. The positive temperature coefficient characteristic is such that the impedance of the polymer increases with increasing temperature. In normal operation, the polymer conducts current. In high current situations, where internal components heat due to parasitic resistances, the polymer becomes an insulator and disconnects the cell from the exterior can. When gasses build within the cell, the safety valve deforms, thereby causing the safety valve to separate from the thin metal plate. Once the safety valve and thin metal plate have separated, the electrode assembly is electrically isolated from the exterior can.

Abstract: Polarized electric charge storage devices economically provide high available capacitance. The present invention directly employs polarized electrical charge storage (PECS) devices such as polarized capacitors or electrochemical batteries in general AC applications with a novel circuit topology. In one embodiment, an anti-series configuration of first and second PECS devices are used within an AC network for enhancing operation of the AC network. At least one DC source is provided for maintaining the PECS devices forwardly biased while they are subjected to an AC signal. The AC signal, which drives an AC load, is applied to the anti-series devices. The devices are sufficiently biased by the at least one DC voltage source so that they remain forwardly biased while coupling the AC signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for discharging a battery includes a battery discharge circuit contained within the battery that, when actuated, discharges the battery. A light sensing circuit is operatively connected to the battery discharge circuit and actuates the battery discharge circuit after exposing to light the light sensing circuit.

Abstract: A remaining charge predicting method which improves the precision of predicting the remaining charge of a rechargeable battery. A battery pack has a measuring circuit which monitors a charge current, discharge current, the voltage of the rechargeable battery and the temperature of the battery. The measuring circuit notifies a power management microcomputer, provided in a portable device, of the measured current, voltage and temperature. The power management microcomputer predicts the remaining charge of the battery based on the received measured values. The battery pack does not perform data processing for predicting the remaining charge.

Abstract: A charge control device has a full charge detection circuit for checking whether a secondary cell is in a fully charged state or not based on the charge voltage and/or the charge current of the secondary cell, a control circuit for controlling the feeding of electric power to the secondary cell according to the output of the full charge detection circuit, a storage circuit for storing control information, and a setting circuit for setting the level of the charge voltage and/or the charge current at which the full charge detection circuit recognizes the fully charged state according to the control information read from the storage circuit. The control information is fed into the storage circuit from outside. With this configuration, it is possible to accurately control the charging of a secondary cell by canceling the influence of stress occurring when an IC is packaged or mounted on a circuit board and other factors.

Abstract: A circuit passively discharges energy from a piezoelectric device and stores the energy in a power storage element. The circuit has two parallel flow paths each including a diode set and an inductor electrically connected to opposite sides of a piezoelectric device. A power storage element is connected to both inductors. The diode sets are alternately forward biased, and energy from the piezoelectric device discharges through the inductor(s). A portion of the energy is stored in the inductor(s) and the remaining portion is stored in the power storage element. The benefits achieved include passive switching between the parallel circuit paths through diodes in place of traditional switches, and the additional energy stored by the inductors which is also transferred to the power storage element. Passive switching conserves additional energy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a carrying case with an integrated power supply system for providing power to multiple electronic devices from a single power source. In addition to allowing quick access and storage of various electronic devices, the carrying case also allows the individual electronic devices to be easily connected to the power source and eliminates the need to carry multiple charging cords. In certain embodiments, the power supply system further includes an additional battery or other power source, which increases the runtime of connected electronic devices and reduces the need to carry additional individual batteries for the individual devices. With different connectors on the input to the power system, different AC or DC power sources may be utilized. Different connectors can also be used to provide power to different electronic devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medically implantable integrated biocompatible power module incorporating a power source (e.g., battery), a power management circuit (PMC), a magnetically inductive coupling system (MICS) for remote communication and/or inductive charging and a homing device for locating the implanted inductive charging coil. Three configurations are disclosed, each generally suitable for a specified range of energy capacities. The implantable power module (IPM) allows for improved design flexibility for medical devices since the power source may be located remotely and be recharged safely in situ. Special safety aspects may be incorporated, including endothermic phase change heat absorption material (HAM), emergency energy disconnect and emergency energy drain circuits. Communication (one or two way) may be carried out using the inductive charging link, a separate inductive pathway, or other pathway such as RF or via light waves.

Abstract: A casing structure for a charger. The casing structure includes a main body, a connecting device, and an upper cover. The main body has a slot for receiving and charging an electronic apparatus, the connecting device has one end connecting to the main body, and the upper cover is connected with the other end of the connecting device and switched between a first position and a second position with respect to the main body. Thereby, the upper cover can be switched to the first position to support the electronic apparatus when the electronic apparatus is received and charged in the slot and switched to the second position to cover the slot when the electronic apparatus is not received and charged in the slot.

Abstract: A method, device and system is disclosed for rapidly and safely discharging remaining energy stored in an electrochemical battery 104 in the event of an internal short circuit or other fault. In its best mode of implementation, if a sensor 116 detects one or more parameters such as battery temperature 204 or pressure 206, exceeding a predetermined threshold value 334, the terminals 144 of the battery or cell are intentionally short-circuited external to the battery through a low or near zero resistance load 150 which rapidly drains energy from the battery 104. Heat generated by such rapid drain is absorbed by a heat absorbing material 151 such as an endothermic phase-change material like paraffin. The rate energy is drained via the external discharge load 150 may be controlled with an electronic circuit 136 responsive to factors such as state of charge and battery temperature.

Abstract: A charging circuit system includes: a power supply; a sensor configured to sense a power level of the power supply and provide a first signal representative of the power level; and a charging circuit including: at least one input signal terminal and at least one output signal terminal; and a transmitter including an amplifier, wherein the amplifier has an input coupled to at least one input signal terminal, and the amplifier has an output coupled to at least one output signal terminal, wherein at least one input signal terminal is configured to receive the first signal from the sensor, and wherein the amplifier is configured to amplify the first signal and provide a second signal. The charging circuit system may be used by a charging circuit of a laptop computer in conjunction with a docking station.

Abstract: An arm-short diagnostic method for a bi-directional DC/DC converter that includes a buck switching device, a buck diode, a boost switching device, and a boost diode, is presented. The method includes detecting an output current of the bi-directional DC/DC converter, and determining whether the output current is detected in a positive direction. The method also includes maintaining supply of a turn-off gating signal to the boost switching device, and supplying a turn-on gating signal to the buck switching device, if the detected output current is in a positive direction. Finally, the method includes determining whether the output current of the bi-directional DC/DC converter increases in a positive direction, and determining that at least one of the boost switching device and the buck diode is in a short circuit state, if it is determined that the output current of the bi-directional DC/DC converter does not increase in the positive direction.

Abstract: A method for charging at least one rechargeable battery is described where a plurality of short duration high magnitude positive current pulses are delivered to the battery. Each pulse is followed by a period of positive average charging current and then a negative current pulse. This cycle is repeated a number of times followed by a large negative current pulse and possibly a rest period. Both the duration and magnitude of each pulse or period may be pseudo randomly varied.

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery-driven electronic device for which a long time use of the battery can be achieved and mobile communications equipment such as a portable telephone. Even if the time at which the output voltage of a battery 201 becomes below the supply voltage required by a load 206 including a power amplifier for wireless communications comes earlier than a conventional lithium ion battery because of its discharge characteristics that the battery voltage change ratio is 0.25 or more, a step-up and -down converter 200 operates as follows. When the output voltage of the battery is higher than the supply voltage required by the load, the voltage is set to a predetermined supply voltage by the step-down operation mode. When the output voltage of the battery is decreased and becomes lower than the supply voltage required by the load, the voltage is set to a predetermined supply voltage by the step-up operation mode.

Abstract: A battery pack for a battery-powered vehicle is provided in accordance with the present invention. The battery pack for the battery-powered vehicle comprises battery modules coupled in series. The battery modules are configured to provide power to the battery-powered vehicle and each of the battery modules has a state-of-charge. The battery pack also comprises battery control modules (BCMs) that are coupled to the battery modules. Each of the battery modules is coupled to one of the BCMs and each of BCMs is configured to monitor a battery module parameter. Furthermore, the battery pack comprises a battery control interface module (BCIM) coupled to each of the BCMs. The BCIM is configured to receive the battery module parameter from each of the BCMs and independently adjust the state-of-charge of each of the battery modules based on the battery module parameter.

Abstract: A switching power supply unit which contains a secondary battery for backup and a circuit for controlling the charging and discharging of the secondary battery in its enclosure and which properly manages the charging and discharging of the secondary battery. A switching power supply circuit includes a rectifying and smoothing circuit for smoothing alternating-current input from commercial power supply Vin at normal operation time, a battery pack charged by a DC—DC converter which can continuously output a predetermined direct-current power supply voltage for supplying power supply voltage to the DC—DC converter at the time of a stoppage in alternating-current input, a charging circuit section for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery pack, and a charging and discharging control circuit. The battery pack and circuits, such as the DC—DC converter, are mounted in the same unit enclosure.

Abstract: Methods are described for determining the state of charge and/or the operability of a charge accumulator using estimates. The information, which is obtained at a least two different operating points or operating conditions of the energy accumulator, is taken into account in the estimates. The estimates are carried out with regard to an instantaneous and/or future state of charge and/or an instantaneous and/or future operability of the charge accumulator. Different methods are executed, depending on the operating point or operating condition. The methods may be run in a processor of a control unit.

Abstract: An adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with An electrical apparatus such as a cordless power tool or a charger. The adapter includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion provides releasable attachment to the electrical apparatus. The second portion physically receives at least a portion of the battery pack. A method of converting an electrical apparatus for use with a battery pack not directly attachable to the electrical apparatus includes the steps of providing an adapter for electrically connecting the battery pack to an electrical apparatus, releasably attaching the adapter to the electrical apparatus and physically receiving at least a portion of the battery pack by the adapter so as to establish an electrical circuit between the electrical apparatus and the battery pack.

Abstract: Based on the measurement of the increase of sinusoidal voltage ?V=Vmaxsine(2?ft) on adding a sinusoidal current ?I=Imaxsine(2?ft+?) to the battery current, where f is the frequency and Imax, the amplitude of the superimposed current, with whose magnitudes the electrochemical impedance of the battery Z(f)=Vmax/Imaxej? is calculated, comprising the application of a first sinusoidal signal of prefixed frequency to the battery which generates an alternate voltage component superimposed over the direct one; eliminating the direct component of the response signal; applying a second periodic voltage signal with a frequency identical to that of said first signal and carrying out a synchronous detection of the alternate component generated by the application of said first signal to obtain the voltage proportional to the electrochemical impedance and evaluate the state of health and charge of the battery.