Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric power converter; an electric power storage device; a control unit. The control unit is configured to i) increase command electric power stepwise by a specified reference amount toward target electric power, ii) after the command electric power reaches the target electric power, reduce the command electric power each time a voltage of the electric power storage device exceeds a first threshold voltage, and iii) stop supply of electric power from an external power supply when the voltage of the electric power storage device reaches a second threshold voltage that is higher than the first threshold voltage. The specified reference amount is set such that an increased amount of the voltage of the electric power storage device at each step of increasing the command electric power is smaller than a voltage difference between the second threshold voltage and the first threshold voltage.

Abstract: A method, a transmitter, a receiver, and a power management apparatus are provided for wireless charging. The method may include: acquiring, in response to an establishment of a connection from the wireless charging transmitter to a charger, voltage and current capability information of the charger; determining, in response to fast wireless charge identification information received from a wireless charging receiver, acknowledgment information corresponding to the fast wireless charge identification information according to the voltage and current capability information of the charger; sending the acknowledgment information to the wireless charging receiver; and requesting, in response to a charging request including desired voltage information and desired current information received from the wireless charging receiver, the charger for a voltage and a current corresponding to the desired voltage information and the desired current information, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle power supply apparatus includes a generator, a first electricity storage, a second electricity storage, a switch, a generator controller, and a switch controller. The generator controller controls the generator into a first electric power generation state and a second electric power generation state higher in electric power generation voltage than the first electric power generation state. The switch controller controls the switch into an electrically-conductive state and a cutoff state. The switch controller controls the switch into the electrically-conductive state and the generator controller controls the generator into the first electric power generation state when a high-load apparatus is stopped. The high-load apparatus is one of a plurality of electrical loads coupled to the first electricity storage.

Abstract: A vehicle charging device includes a charger to electrically charge a storage battery mounted in an electric vehicle. The vehicle charging device comprises: a housing in which the charger is housed; a charging cable having one end side and an opposite end side, the one end side including an end portion connected to the charger, the opposite end side including an end portion connected to a connector to be connected to the electric vehicle, the opposite end side including a portion pulled out from an inside of the housing to an outside of the housing; and a cable holder provided on one side surface of the housing, the cable holder holding an intermediate portion of the charging cable pulled out to the outside of the housing. The cable holder includes: a cable holder guide portion secured to the one side surface of the housing; and a cable holder movable portion attached to the cable holder guide portion such that the cable holder movable portion is movable in a height direction of the housing.

Abstract: A clamping device for an electrochemical cell stack is provided. The clamping device can include a first plate and a second plate. The second plate can be positionable relative to the first plate such that a space between the first plate and the second plate can be sized to receive an electrochemical cell stack. The device also can include a coupling member coupling the first plate to the second plate. At least one of the first and second plates can be movable away from the other plate. The coupling member can have a first end portion and a second end portion. The device further can include an elastic member disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a charging system for electric vehicles while in motion. A retractable power charger coupled to an electric vehicle has a blade extendable between a retracted and extended position. The tapered sides of the blade contact rails in a trench when the blade is in the extended position and provide power for charging the electric vehicle while in motion. The blade can be automatically extended by a sensing system (e.g., magnetic) or by user actuation.

Abstract: Provided is an auxiliary battery capable of transmitting and receiving wireless power. The auxiliary battery capable of transmitting and receiving wireless power according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a battery; a wireless power transfer antenna which functions as an antenna for transmitting or receiving wireless power and is provided as a single antenna; and a circuit unit for controlling an operation of the wireless power transfer antenna, wherein the single antenna receives wireless power supplied from an external source so as to charge the battery, or wirelessly transmits power stored in the battery so as to charge a battery of the charge target.

Abstract: Predictive rechargeable battery management is provided, which includes obtaining performance data on a battery cell of multiple rechargeable battery cells within a product, and comparing the performance data of the battery cell to statistical data on battery cell performance of a plurality of battery cells of similar type to the battery cell, and in corresponding condition(s) to the battery cell. Further, the managing includes determining, based on the comparing, that performance of the battery cell is trending away from the statistical data of battery cell performance of the plurality of battery cells. Further, the managing includes performing a battery-related action based on the performance of the battery cell trending away from that of the plurality of battery cells of similar type and in corresponding condition(s) to the battery cell.

Abstract: A charging device includes a charging assembly for imparting a charge on a mobile device, a housing for receiving the mobile device to be charged, and for defining a cavity therein for housing the charging assembly. There is at least one air intake port in the housing for allowing air to be drawn into the cavity and at least one air exhaust port in the housing for allowing air to be exhausted from the cavity. There is an ionic wind generator, for generating an airstream to draw air into the housing through the at least one air intake port, through the cavity, and push air out of the housing through the at least one air exhaust port. The ionic wind generator comprises an emitter and a collector, such that when a voltage is applied to the emitter, air ionizes around the emitter and is drawn toward the collector, thereby creating the airstream.

Abstract: A battery charger adapted to simultaneously store, charge and dispense batteries. The battery charger is in an elongated form having a reservoir to store the battery in an upper portion and provides a mean to push the batteries from the reservoir toward charging station which are vertically aligned in a charging compartment connected to the reservoir by a passageway. When the push means is activated, a battery from the storing compartment is pushed in an uppermost charging station, pushing any battery present in the said uppermost charging station. When all charging stations contain a battery, the battery from the lowermost charging station is expelled or ejected from the said lowermost charging station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a charging apparatus, which comprises: a first charging interface and a second charging interface, which respectively and detachably connected to a first energy storage apparatus and a second energy storage apparatus; a power supply conversion circuit, converting external power supply into charging energy; a charging circuit, outputting charging energy output by the power supply conversion circuit to the first charging interface and the second charging interface, wherein the charging circuit comprises a first charging mode and a second charging mode. In the first charging mode, the charging circuit outputs charging energy to both the first charging interface and the second charging interface, and in the second charging mode, the charging circuit selectively outputs charging energy to the first charging interface or the second charging interface.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is disclosed a cell stack which can include cell modules connected in series to generate a stack operating voltage. The cell modules can include a battery cell in series with a series switch and include a shunt switch connected in parallel to the battery cell and the series switch. A stack monitor circuit can have a series control coupled to the series switch, a shunt control coupled to the shunt switch, and a battery cell monitor coupled to the battery cell for measuring a cell parameter from each cell module. Based on the measured cell parameter, the stack monitor circuit can select at least one cell module either to contribute to the stack operating voltage by closing the series switch and opening the shunt switch or to bypass the stack operating voltage by the opening the series switch and closing the shunt switch.

Abstract: A connector includes: a terminal including a base portion and a cylindrical portion, an outer circumferential surface thereof contacting a counterpart terminal; and a heat transfer member which contacts an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, absorbs a portion of heat generated at the cylindrical portion, and transports the absorbed heat to a base portion side. The heat transfer member is configured to satisfy Q1>Q2, where Q1 is defined as a heat transfer amount transported to the base portion side during conduction, using the heat transfer member, and Q2 is defined as a heat transfer amount transported to the base portion side during the conduction, using another heat transfer member constituted of a member having a heat conductivity identical to that of the cylindrical portion, when the other one is arranged to fill a space formed on an inner circumferential surface side of the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: To provide a vehicle in which an increase or fluctuations in engine vibration or noise during external electric power supply can be suppressed. A vehicle includes an electric power generation device, a battery connected to the electric power generation device via a power line, an external electric power supply device that interconnects the power line and external equipment, and an ECU that controls charging and discharging of the electric power generation device and the battery. The ECU starts an engine and supplies electric power generated by a generator to the battery and the external equipment in a case where a SOC is equal to or less than a use lower limit SOC and supplies the external equipment with electric power from the battery in a case where the SOC exceeds a use upper limit SOC. In addition, the ECU executes fixed point control for controlling the engine and the generator.

Abstract: A vehicle power system includes loads, a battery coupled to the loads, an ultra-capacitor coupled to the battery, and a bypass circuit. The loads, the ultra-capacitor, and the battery are electrically coupled in series. The bypass circuit monitors the ultra-capacitor and prevents the ultra-capacitor from over-discharging and reversing in polarity.

Abstract: A clamping device for an electrochemical cell stack is provided. The clamping device can include a first plate and a second plate. The second plate can be positionable relative to the first plate such that a space between the first plate and the second plate can be sized to receive an electrochemical cell stack. The device also can include a coupling member coupling the first plate to the second plate. At least one of the first and second plates can be movable away from the other plate. The coupling member can have a first end portion and a second end portion. The device further can include an elastic member disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting water flowing into a battery system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a detection circuit unit to output different voltage values based on a level of water flowing into the battery system, and a water inflow determining unit to measure a voltage value output from the detection circuit unit and to determine a water inflow state of the battery system based on the measured voltage value.

Abstract: A meshwork for detecting an object in a magnetic field is provided. The meshwork includes a plurality of sensor lines. The sensor lines are connected together parallel to one another in a first direction. The sensor lines define multiple meshes in a second direction running transversely to the first direction. The respective meshes of adjacent sensor lines are coupled together such that the sensor lines form the meshwork. A device for detecting an object in a magnetic field, a method for producing the meshwork, and an inductive charging unit are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems, methods, and devices for voltage regulation of a hybrid energy storage module (HESM). The embodiments include a system controller including a first voltage regulator and a second voltage regulator, a first HESM coupled to the system controller, where the first HESM is coupled to a first bus, and a second HESM coupled to the system controller, where the second HESM is coupled to a second bus, and the first bus and the second bus are different.

Abstract: A first temperature detector detects a temperature in a high-temperature area and a temperature in a low-temperature area of a power storage unit based on an output value of a first temperature detection element provided at a first position in the high-temperature area and an output value of a temperature detection element provided at a predetermined position in the low-temperature area. A main controller controls charge and discharge based on the temperatures by the first temperature detector. A second temperature detector detects a temperature in the high-temperature area based on an output value of a second temperature detection element provided at a second position in the high-temperature area. A sub-controller controls charge and discharge based on the temperature detected by the second temperature detector during occurrence of an abnormality in the main controller.