Abstract: A method and apparatus for an active discharge of an X-capacitor are provided. A sensor signal, indicative of a voltage at the capacitor, is compared with a lower and upper threshold values. A first value of a smaller one of the lower and upper threshold values is increased to a first new value that is greater than a second value of a larger one of the lower and upper threshold values in response to a first control signal indicating the sensor signal is greater than the upper and lower threshold values. A third value of the greater one of the lower and upper threshold values is decreased to a second new value that is less than the value of the larger one of the lower and upper threshold values in response to a second control signal indicating the sensor signal is less than the upper and lower threshold values.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 24, 2020
Date of Patent:
September 5, 2023
Assignee:
STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
Inventors:
Massimiliano Gobbi, Ignazio Salvatore Bellomo, Domenico Tripodi, Antonio Borrello, Alberto Bianco
Abstract: A battery control unit includes a plurality of battery units, a charger configured to charge a battery, a controller, and a charging controller. Each of the plurality of battery units includes a switching unit. The switching unit is configured to switch between a connected state where the battery configured to be located in the same battery unit as that of the switching unit is connected in series with the battery configured to be located in an adjacent battery unit, and a non-connected state where the battery in the same battery unit as that of the switching unit is disconnected from the series connection with the battery in the adjacent battery unit.
Abstract: Techniques for electric vehicle systems, and in particular to an electric vehicle emergency charging system and method of use. In one embodiment, a system for charging a moving electric vehicle is disclosed, the system comprising: an electrical storage unit disposed on the electric vehicle; a charging panel in electrical communication with the electrical storage unit; a vehicle controller that determines if the electrical storage unit requires charging and configured to determine if an emergency external power source is available to charge the electrical storage unit; wherein the charging panel receives the charge from the emergency external power source and charges the electrical storage unit.
Abstract: An embodiment includes a system, comprising: a circuit; an energy harvesting device configured to convert energy from the circuit to electrical energy; an energy storage device configured to store the electrical energy; and a power supply configured to supply power from the energy storage device, and multi-sensor module including such a system.
Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable and executable instructions are provided for moderating a charging for a number of power resources. Moderating a charging for a number of power resources can include calculating a distinct charging window for each of the number of power resources. Moderating a charging for a number of power resources can also include selecting a first power resource from the number of power resources based on a current time and the distinct charging window for the first power resource. Furthermore, moderating a charging for a number of power resources can include charging the first power resource within the distinct charging window before charging a second power resource.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 23, 2012
Date of Patent:
January 29, 2019
Assignee:
HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT LP
Inventors:
Peter Hansen, Darrel G Gaston, Scott E Holloway
Abstract: A motor vehicle includes an high-voltage power system, a multi-battery system including energy stores for supplying power to an electric drive motor, and switching units connecting the energy stores to the power system. A control device detects a state of charge of each energy store and to selectively connect and/or disconnect the energy stores as a function of their state of charge during travel to and from the power system. The switching units include each contactors to disconnect the energy stores on a plus side and on a minus side from the power system, with only either the positive side or negative side of each energy store including a contactor configured to switch when a load is greater than a minimum load, whereas the other one of the positive and negative sides includes a contactor that is adequate only for a load demand which is less than the minimum load.
Abstract: A charging control apparatus is provided and includes a control unit configured to transmit instructions to a charging unit to execute charging of a battery. The control unit is configured to cause a scheme change from a first charging scheme to a second charging scheme based on charging scheme information received by the control unit.
Abstract: A battery charging system for cablelessly charging a battery includes a primary-side charging unit as a primary side, a secondary-side charging unit as a secondary side, a transformer having a primary-side winding as part of the primary side and a secondary-side winding as part of the secondary side, one controller on the primary side and one controller on the secondary side, one voltage sensor on the primary side and one voltage sensor on the secondary side, one current sensor on the primary side and one current sensor on the secondary side, one communication unit on the primary side and one communication unit on the secondary side, and one direct current converter provided on the primary side only.
Abstract: A hand tool device having at least one charging coil, which includes at least one coil core which is at least partially made of a ceramic material and which is provided for transmitting energy. The coil core may be configured as a composite component.
Abstract: In a voltage monitoring apparatus, a capacitor circuit includes at least one capacitor. Input-side switches are connected to electrode terminals of at least one battery cell, and apply voltage to terminals of the capacitor. A voltage detection circuit includes a pair of voltage sensing terminals connected to terminals of the capacitor, and detects the potential difference across voltage sensing terminals. Output-side switches are connected to terminals of the capacitor, and apply voltage across terminals of the capacitor to the voltage sensing terminals. An impedance circuit is connected to the voltage sensing terminals. A stabilizing power circuit is connected to the voltage sensing terminals via the impedance circuit, and stabilizes voltage of the voltage sensing terminals. Based on the detected voltage when one of the output-side switches is turned on, an on-failure of the remaining output-side switches which should not be turned on are detected by a control unit.
Abstract: Disclosed is a power supply system. A power supply system according to an embodiment includes a system control unit configured to set a first system droop curve for a plurality of batteries and a charging control unit configured to control charging/discharging of the plurality of batteries on the basis of the first system droop curve.
Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, apparatus and methods to optimize charging of a battery, including providing a first charge profile configured to provide charge current pulses to a battery in a plurality of steps. In the first charge profile, the charge current pulses can be stepped down in the plurality of steps using a comparison of a terminal voltage of the battery to a clamp voltage. When the terminal voltage meets or exceeds the clamp voltage, a high time current of the charge current pulse can be decreased and the clamp voltage can be increased before providing a subsequent charge current pulse.
Abstract: A mining vehicle and a method for an energy supply of the mining vehicle is disclosed. The mining vehicle includes at least one mining work device, at least one AC electric motor for powering the at least one mining work device, and an auxiliary energy source. The mining vehicle further includes a power electronics device that is used for supplying reactive current and for charging or discharging the auxiliary energy source. The amount of the reactive current supplied by the power electronics device and the amount of the effective charging current for charging or discharging the auxiliary energy source are controlled such that the maximum value for the current of the supply cable and the maximum value for the current of the power electronics device are not exceeded.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 21, 2015
Date of Patent:
October 2, 2018
Assignee:
SANDVIK MINING AND CONSTRUCTION OY
Inventors:
Mikko Kouvo, Samuli Kouhia, Samuli Verho, Harri Vatanen
Abstract: A power pack vending system comprises a plurality of kiosks including a magazine having a plurality of slots, and a plurality of rechargeable power packs. Each power pack has a unique identifier and is sized to be received within one slot. Each kiosk includes a computer for receiving and storing the unique identifier of each power pack received within the magazine, the specific slot the power pack is in, and current power pack information. The kiosk computer controls a charging unit for charging the power packs. The system includes a central management operation comprising a central computer and central database. The management operation communicates with each kiosk and the central database includes a database storing power pack information for every power pack and a database storing customer information. The central management operation receives, stores and processes information received from the kiosks and sends information to each of the kiosks.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 2, 2015
Date of Patent:
September 25, 2018
Assignee:
NRG ENERGY, INC.
Inventors:
Calhoun B. Hamilton, Scott C. Burns, Paul Hatch, Clifford Krapfl, Anders Olof Rostlund, James Dangora, Ross Brinkman
Abstract: A system having a hand tool battery, a hand tool case which has at least one inductive charge receiving area which is provided for storing a hand tool battery which is inserted into the inductive charge receiving area at least partially in close proximity to at least one wall of the hand tool case, and having at least one latent heat storage unit which is provided for influencing at least a temperature of the at least one hand tool battery.
Abstract: A universal serial bus (USB) charger provides power to a client device. A USB connector interfaces with a client device and receives a request for the output voltage of the USB charger to be at a specific value. If the requested voltage level is lower than the current output voltage level, the output voltage level is set to the requested level and a bleeder circuit is enabled to discharge the output capacitor of the USB charger.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 21, 2014
Date of Patent:
August 28, 2018
Assignee:
Dialog Semiconductor Inc.
Inventors:
Jianming Yao, Yimin Chen, Yong Li, Junjie Zheng, Dickson T. Wong
Abstract: A battery monitoring apparatus capable of reducing power consumption. At least one monitoring integrated circuit (IC) is electrically connected to a high-voltage battery formed of a plurality of cells and configured to monitor the high-voltage battery in a plurality of modes of operation. A low-voltage power supply circuit can deliver power of a lower voltage than the power of the high-voltage battery to the at least one monitoring IC. A power supply to the at least one monitoring IC is selected from a group of the high-voltage battery and the low-voltage power supply circuit depending on the mode of operation the at least one monitoring IC.
Abstract: An electrode probe is brought into contact with a measurement part on an outer surface of at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode of a sheet type cell, and quantity of electricity is measured at the measurement part, so as to evaluate the sheet type cell. The electrode probe may be connected to a voltage meter and to a charge source or a discharge source, and the evaluation made by detecting a charge characteristic that changes the cell from a non-charged state to a fully charged state, a discharge characteristic that changes the cell from a fully charged state to the non-charged state, or a measurement voltage of the voltage meter when the cell is in the fully charged state.
Abstract: The present disclosure includes an automotive battery system including a first battery that couples to an electrical system. Additionally, the first battery includes a first battery chemistry. Further, the automotive battery system includes a second battery coupled in parallel with the first battery and couples to the electrical system. Furthermore, the automotive battery system includes a first switch coupled to a positive terminal of the second battery, which electrically couples or decouples the second battery to or from the electrical system. Moreover, the automotive battery system includes a battery control unit that detects a short circuit condition of the first battery, the second battery, or both and decouples the second battery from the electrical system by opening the first switch upon detecting the short circuit condition.
Abstract: A semiconductor device, a battery monitoring system, and a method for activating the semiconductor device that may reduce current consumption in standby state. An integrated circuit (IC) of the semiconductor device includes an activation circuit that uses a ground of the IC as ground and a power source voltage of the IC as its power source, and a driving circuit that uses the power source voltage as ground and a boosted voltage output from a boosting circuit as its power source. In the IC, only the activation circuit enters an operation state in a standby state, and when recovered from the standby state, causes the activation circuit to make inner circuits of the IC enter the operation state based on an activation signal. When all the inner circuits enter the operation state, the driving circuit outputs the activation signal to the activation circuit of an upper IC.