Abstract: A battery pack apparatus includes a battery pack having multiple rechargeable batteries arranged in parallel and heat medium passages formed therebetween. The battery pack apparatus also includes a heat insulation cover formed of a heat insulation material that covers a circumferential surface of the battery pack substantially entirely. A supply passage and a discharge passage are provided between the heat insulation cover and the battery pack. The supply passage supplies a heat medium to the heat medium passages while the discharge passage discharges the heat medium from the heat medium passages. The battery pack apparatus also includes a supply device that supplies the heat medium to the supply passage.

Abstract: A battery charger with a discrete switched regulator provides relatively high efficiency and relatively low cost. Unlike known battery chargers which incorporate switched regulator ICs, the battery charger in accordance with the present invention utilizes the microprocessor for a dual function. In particular, the microprocessor not only controls the charging characteristics of the battery charging circuit but also directly controls the power output of the battery charger by direct control of the discrete switched regulator circuit. By using a discrete switched regulator circuit and redefining the role of the microprocessor, the battery charger in accordance with the present invention is relatively less expensive than known battery chargers which incorporate switched regulator ICs.

Abstract: A diagnostic technique for determining whether the degradation of a rechargeable battery is normal or abnormal is provided. A device for determining whether the degradation of a rechargeable battery is normal or abnormal comprises a device for measuring a degradation indicator of a rechargeable battery 18, a device for determining the usage quantity of the rechargeable battery, and a device for comparing the usage quantity with a reference usage quantity in the case where the measured degradation indicator exceeds a reference degradation value.

Abstract: A battery charger system, for use with an injector system, comprises a power supply and a battery pack. The power supply converts AC power to DC power. The battery pack includes a battery and a charging module. The module monitors the operating mode of the injector system. When the battery pack is disconnected from the injection control unit, the module enables the power supply to charge the battery with DC power. When the battery pack is connected to the injection control unit: (A) upon detecting the injector system in an idle mode, the module routes DC power from the power supply to both the battery for charging thereof and the injection control unit for operation thereof; and (B) upon detecting the injector system in a non-idle mode, the module prevents the power supply from charging the battery and enables the battery to provide DC power to the injection control unit.

Abstract: A back-up power system having a monitoring system for determining, and for allowing remote monitoring of, a back-up time can be provided by a plurality of batteries for a given application, at all times. The back-up power system includes a plurality of batteries, each having an integrated circuit adapted to monitor individual battery's state of health. The back-up power system also includes a data management unit for evaluating the back-up time available from the plurality of batteries based on a sum of individual battery available capacity, a measured ambient temperature and a continuously updated measured application current load. The available back-up time and the measured application current load are accessible to a remote user via a communication link.

Abstract: A signal generator provides an output signal having a series of pulses and a pulse repetition rate. The signal generator includes an energy storage circuit and a switch control circuit. The energy storage circuit includes a switch operated by the switch control circuit. After delivery of a pulse of the output signal, the switch control circuit operates the switch in a first mode to provide the pulse repetition rate of the output signal. The switch control circuit also operates the switch in each of the first mode and a second mode at a switching rate, wherein relatively more energy from a battery is stored as a consequence of the second mode than is stored as a consequence of the first mode. Energy from the battery is stored for delivery in a pulse of the output signal. The switching rate is compensated in accordance with a temperature of the battery and a voltage of the battery. Compensation maintains the battery voltage above a minimum value.

Abstract: A battery pack with a charge control function includes a charge protection circuit and a charge control circuit. The charge control circuit turns a discharge control switch on or off to control a discharge current which flows from a secondary battery to a load and also turns a charge control switch on or off to control a charge current which flows from a charger to the secondary battery. When an abnormal voltage is input, the charge control circuit turns the charge control switch on or off to stop the charging of the secondary battery through the charger.

Abstract: The method comprises coupling an external load having a predetermined resistance directly in series with the battery, conducting a power transistor to supply a transient large current to the battery for sampling voltage of the battery in a set very short period of time, and determining the internal resistance of the battery. The internal resistance of the battery can then be compared with a predetermined warning value of internal resistance of the battery so as to determine whether the former is equal to or larger than the warning value, and displaying a warning on a display if the determination is affirmative. The invention enables a driver to correctly know the condition of the battery in substantially real time while consuming a minimum amount of current.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting the remaining discharge time of a battery are provided. The method includes measuring a dynamic parameter of the battery, obtaining a discharge current of the battery, measuring a voltage of the battery and obtaining a temperature of the battery. The remaining run time of the battery is predicted as a function of the measured battery dynamic parameter, the discharge current, the measured battery voltage, the battery temperature, a full charge battery dynamic parameter and an estimated capacity of the battery.

Abstract: A method is provided for inductively charging a rechargeable battery of a portable device in a vehicle via a primary circuit that includes a primary inductive coil, a secondary circuit that includes a secondary inductive coil, and a rectifying circuit electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery. A primary coil is energized with a supply voltage. A frequency of the supply voltage is varied. A peak voltage of the primary circuit is detected. The frequency of the supply voltage is adjusted to a respective frequency associated with the peak voltage.

Abstract: Numerous features and improvements currently related to a portable computing and data collection system are presented. It will be appreciated, however, that although the features disclosed herein are disclosed in connection with a small, portable hand-held system, these features can also be used singly or in combination with a variety of other computing or battery powered devices. Disclosed features include an improved battery pack containing a unique battery temperature-based sensing system, a modular radio system having an antenna board, a radio frame designed to accept any of a variety of different radio boards, a sealed hand-held personal computing system, a light transmissive window that also serves as a door providing access to the interior of the device, and a unique compact flash card implementation. Embodiments containing various combinations and relations of these features in a portable computing system are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention a battery charger and method of charging a battery includes an input circuit that receive an ac input having a period of T seconds and provides a dc signal. A converter receives the first dc signal and provides a converter output across a dc bus having a peak voltage of V volts. An output circuit receives the dc signal and provides a battery charging signal having a power of P watts. A controller, controls the converter to provide power factor correction. A bus capacitor is connected across the dc bus and has a capacitance of at least (3PT)/(V2) farads, or a capacitance to store sufficient energy to maintain the available output power signal through the duration of mechanical transient. The capacitance may be at least (4PT)/(V2), (5PT)/(V2), or (5.5PT)/(V2). Multiple output circuits may be provided, connected either one at a time, or a number at a time.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a charging parameter provided to a rechargeable battery. The circuit includes a power control circuit configured to provide a power control signal representative of a power output level of a DC source, and a control signal generating circuit configured to reduce the charging parameter provided to the battery if the power output level exceeds a predetermined power threshold level. An electronic device having such a circuit and a method is also provided. The circuit may be used with a DC source that supplies power to recharge a rechargeable battery. The DC source may have a non-fixed output voltage level such as from a controllable DC source or a variable DC source.

Abstract: An automatic charging device and method of an automatically traveling cleaner are disclosed. Since a charging terminal unit is installed inside a traveling cleaner and selectively drawn out, the traveling cleaner is prevented from being damaged from collision with an object while being moved forwardly. In addition, because a power source terminal, a contact sensor unit and a charging terminal unit are formed in a shape of a circular arc, the entering angle of the traveling cleaner widens, so that the charging induction time can be much reduced and the charging can be performed easily and quickly.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and a system (100) for charging a battery (112). The method includes the steps of determining (214) a charge termination point for the battery, in which the charge termination point produces a charge on the battery that is less than an initial maximum charging capacity of the battery, and charging (224) the battery using the charge termination point for at least a portion of the charge cycles of the battery. The method reduces at least in part the variation of battery capacity over the cycle life of the battery.

Abstract: Using an overcurrent detector and one-shot, an AC-DC adapter interface and battery charging circuit is operative, in response to the total current being drawn from an AC-DC adapter exceeding a prescribed limit, to immediately reduce (e.g., interrupt) the supply of battery charging current for a prescribed interval, and thereafter allow the battery charging current to incrementally adjust to an acceptable level, while maintaining the total current drawn from the AC-DC adapter to less than the prescribed limit.

Abstract: A portable emergency vehicle battery charger has a portable case, a battery and a circuit board. The battery and circuit board are mounted in the portable case. The case mainly has a power out socket connected to the battery through the circuit board, a power input socket connected to the battery and a power supply switch connected between the circuit board and the battery. The power output socket is a cigar-lighter socket. When a vehicle battery does not have sufficient charge to start an engine, the driver uses a jumper cable connected between a cigar-lighter in the vehicle and the power output socket to charge the battery. Then the driver turns the power supply switch on to provide a constant current to the vehicle battery.

Abstract: A method and system for controllably transferring energy from a high voltage bus to a low voltage bus in a hybrid electric vehicle. A vehicle system controller controls a DC/DC converter coupled between the high voltage bus and the low voltage bus to control the transfer of energy therebetween.

Abstract: The invention provides a secondary battery system that allows a high overload operation regardless of discharging condition during a steady operation, and an operating method thereof. The secondary battery system comprises first tanks 31, 32 for reserving electrolytes required for a steady operation, and second tanks 33, 34 for reserving electrolytes required for an emergency operation. Valves 41–48 are opened and closed for allowing selective switching between the electrolytes in the first tanks 31, 32 and the electrolytes in the second tanks 33, 34 to circulate the selected electrolytes through a cell stack 100. The electrolytes reserved in the second tanks 33, 34 are electrolytes having a proportion of a quantity of active material produced in a charging reaction to a total quantity of active material of not less than 50%.

Abstract: A temperature rise pattern is retrieved from charging time based on the difference between a battery temperature at the beginning of battery charge and a target temperature value which a battery is intended to reach (in S116). The battery is charged while adjusting a current value so that a temperature rise value becomes the temperature rise pattern (in S118 and S120). Thus, by optimizing the temperature rise pattern, it is possible to charge the battery so that the temperature at the time of the completion of battery charge becomes the target temperature value (the lowest temperature value).