Abstract: An image recording apparatus which records a stamp image to identify a recording sheet onto the recording sheet on which an image is recorded. The apparatus includes an input unit to input image data, a memory unit to store stamp image data, a recording unit to record the image data from the input unit and the stamp image data from the memory unit onto a recording sheet, and a number of copies setting circuit to set the number of copies which are recorded by the recording unit. When specific image data is received from a specific partner apparatus, the recording unit performs the recording of one copy irrespective of the set number of copies. The recording unit can be applied to a facsimile apparatus, a printer, a copying apparatus, or the like. The recording unit selects the different stamp image data from the memory every recording of each copy and records the selected stamp image data onto the recording sheet.

Abstract: A charger for charging a rechargeable battery. The charger comprising a circuit for producing a charging current having a variable level and a control circuit for controlling the charging current. During a first charging period the current is maintained at a level to rapidly charge the battery at a rate in amperes which is greater than the capacity of the battery in ampere-hours. The controller includes means for interrupting the charging current for a predetermined interruption interval. During the interruption interval, the charging current is maintained at a non-zero value. The controller also includes means for determining a resistance free voltage for the battery. During a subsequent charging period, the charging current is controlled in response to the value of the resistance free voltage.

Abstract: A battery charge controller (50) is provided which includes a PWM switch controller (36) that is operable to control a switching regulator to supply current to a battery (10) in either a current regulation mode or a voltage regulation mode. A charge control (40) is operable to control the charging operation such that multiple modes of operation are selectable by an external programmable pin. The three modes provided are: a constant voltage mode, a dual-current mode and a pulse-current mode. The constant voltage mode provides for a conditioning state followed by a bulk charging state followed by a maintenance state. In the bulk charging state, current regulation is provided at a maximum current until a charged condition occurs, at which time the charger is placed in a voltage regulation mode.

Abstract: An electronic battery equalization circuit that equalizes the voltages of a plurality of series connected batteries in a battery pack. The current waveform is in the shape of a ramp for providing zero current switching. The ramp converter power circuit has at least one semiconductor device and a transformer coupled to the equalizing voltage supply source. The transformer has a primary winding circuit and at least one secondary winding circuit. In one embodiment, each secondary winding circuit is connected to a different pair of batteries. The equalizing current is provided to the lowest voltage batteries in one half of the battery pack during one half of the charging cycle. The equalizing current is then provided to the lowest voltage batteries in the other half of the battery pack during the other half of the charging cycle. In another embodiment, each secondary winding circuit is connected to a different single battery.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a battery of an electrically powered vehicle located at a charging station is provided. The apparatus comprises a pair of separate primary cores each of which has a primary coil and is disposed in a wheel stop block secured at the battery charging station, and a secondary coil which is carried by the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a first drive mechanism for retractably lowering the secondary coil linearly to its operative positions, and a second drive mechanism for retractably moving the primary cores inwardly toward each other linearly to their operative position where a closed magnetic circuit is formed thereby and the primary coil is inductively coupled with the secondary coil which is then placed in its operative position. Each primary core has a projection which is engageable with a counterpart of the other core, and the engaged projections of the cores are arranged to pass through an opening of a secondary coil case round which opening the secondary coil is wound.

Abstract: A battery charger connected to a source of substantially constant voltage power includes a regulator for conditioning the power for application to a battery to be charged. Net discharge current from the battery is monitored, as a function of time, during a time period between recharge cycles, and data representative of the net discharge current as a function of time is stored and used to compute net ampere-hour discharge data. The discharge data establish a total recharge ampere-hours to be applied to the battery, which corresponds to the net amount of discharge ampere-hours. The battery charger also compensates the total recharge ampere-hours by an amount determined from the age of the battery, and tracks the number of occurrences of recharge of the battery and the accumulated ampere-hours for applying an equalizing charge to the battery after a predetermined number of recharge occurrences and accumulated ampere-hours since a last equalizing charge.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a portable electrical device with a discriminating, rechargeable battery system is provided. The rechargeable battery system includes a load circuit connected to a discharge contact adapted to electrically couple to an electrical terminal on a battery to receive power therefrom whereby either a first battery having a predetermined feature or a second battery lacking the predetermined feature may be coupled thereto. The system further includes a charger circuit connected to a charging contact adapted to electrically couple to the same electrical terminal on the battery to provide a charging current to the battery from an outside power source. An inhibitor is associated with the charger circuit and is adapted to cooperate with the predetermined feature to only allow the coupling of the charging contact with the electrical terminal of the first battery thereby preventing the coupling of the charging contact with the electrical terminal of the second battery.

Abstract: A battery charger/monitor circuit for charging and/or monitoring a plurality of series-connected cells, including a voltage sensor for sensing the voltage across each of the cells to provide a high cell voltage signal proportional to the highest voltage across any of the cells and a low cell voltage signal proportional to the lowest voltage across any of the cells. The circuit is operable in a monitor mode or a charge mode. In the monitor mode, the cells are disconnected from a load if the low cell voltage signal decreases to a first predetermined level. The circuit includes a controller which provides a control signal in response to the high cell voltage signal, the low cell voltage signal and a current sense signal, for controlling the charging of the cells.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the internal pressure of a battery, including a charge/discharge unit for charging or discharging the battery, an internal pressure measuring sensor unit for measuring the internal pressure of the battery while charging or discharging the battery through the charge/discharge unit, an analog/digital converting unit for converting a sensing signal output from the internal pressure measuring sensor unit into a digital signal, a digital signal control unit for controlling the digital signal output from the A/D converting unit so that the digital signal can be applied to a computer, and the computer for recording an output signal from the digital signal control unit using a database. The apparatus can manage the data about battery's internal pressure using a data base. The apparatus also includes a gas collecting unit connected between the battery and the internal pressure measuring sensor unit and charged with argon or nitrogen gas.

Abstract: A method of charging a secondary battery by applying the voltage pulses higher than a rated terminal voltage of the secondary battery at predetermined intervals so that a charging current intermittently flows through the secondary battery while the peak value or pulse width of the charging current is controlled as the voltage measured across the terminals of the secondary battery at the intervals when the the voltage pulses are not applied steppedly is made higher.

Abstract: A battery comprises a plurality of cells, in particular lithium-ion cells, connected in series and having two external connection contacts constituting charging/discharging contacts. A switch between the cells, in the electrical circuit connecting them, is open when the battery is being charged and closed when the battery is being discharged. On either side of each switch is an external charging contact for connection to a separate charging circuit for each cell. Each charging/discharging contact also constitutes a charging contact for the cell that is directly connected to it.

Abstract: A malfunction preventing circuit for a battery charger of a two-terminal structure comprises charging terminals between which a battery is to be attached and connected; and an attachment detecting unit of a high impedance which detects a voltage across the charging terminals, thereby detecting the attachment of the battery, a circuit for connecting a low-impedance element to an output circuit of the battery charger via a switch is disposed, and means for, when an input power (AC power) for the battery charger is supplied, causing the switch to operate so that the low-impedance element is connected to the output circuit to lower the output impedance is disposed.

Abstract: To equally charge a plurality of batteries constituting a traction battery, when the number of times of the ordinary charges increases beyond a reference value or when the sum total watt-hour (charged energy or charged and discharged energy) of the traction battery increases beyond a reference value or when a difference in terminal voltage between the maximum and minimum values among the battery blocks increases beyond a reference value, the traction battery is automatically equalizing charged at a small charge current for a long charge time, continuously after the ordinary battery charge, periodically, thus facilitating the maintenance of an electric vehicle. Further, whenever the traction battery is equalizing charged, the remaining battery capacity meter can be reset to a full scale automatically to eliminate an accumulated error. In addition, the battery life is estimated for battery replacement.

Abstract: A battery selecting and charging system forms part of a portable electronic device, preferably a portable medical device. When the device is powered up, a selecting circuit selects one of two rechargeable batteries to power the device until it is depleted, and then automatically switches to the other battery. When the second battery is depleted, both batteries are selected to power the device. When the device is powered down, a battery charging circuit, having both a high and low charge section, provides a high charge to the battery having the greatest terminal voltage. Thereafter, the high charge is applied to the other battery, the low charge is applied to the first battery, and then the low charge is applied to the second battery. The battery charging circuit monitors the terminal voltage to prevent any damage to the batteries or the device.

Abstract: A circuit and method of operating a circuit furnish a capability to connect a battery in a conduction mode to a battery pack and, therefore, to a charger. The circuit and method furnish this capability even when no power is available for driving normally active electronic circuits. The circuit includes passive-type components which sense for the presence of a charger and activate switches for connecting the battery to the charger. The circuit and method in these embodiments supply this capability by applying a voltage derived from the charger to a power switch connecting the battery to the battery pack. For example, for a battery pack utilizing a power switch including two power FETs connected back-to-back, the circuit pulls a gate potential of the power switch FETs as far as possible from the potential at the minus terminal of the power pack so that conduction through the FETs and battery accompanies attachment of the charger to the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery recharging apparatus is specifically configured to enable a customer to exchange a discharged or partially discharged battery for a fully charged replacement. Operator-assisted and entirely automatic vending versions are disclosed. In all embodiments, a controller causes a multiple port charger to recharge one or more batteries electrically connected thereto, preferably using a time multiplexing scheme. In the operator-assisted embodiment, an attendant inputs information concerning the customer, the vehicle, or the battery, and accounting-related functions are carried out through an interface to an electric cash register or some other payment-related facility. In the automated alternative of the invention, the apparatus is entirely self-contained within an enclosure including an access panel or window through which a user may deposit a battery in turn for a fully charged unit. Alternatively, the user may simply purchase a new, fully charged battery or battery pack.

Abstract: A process for charging one or more lithium containig electrochemical cells which exhibit a plurality of characteristics with respect to time while either being charged with or while discharging energy, wherein the charging process includes an unpetrify phase, a fast phase, a top up phase, a done phase, a good phase, and a low phase.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a solar lamp includes a thermistor TH1 that reduces a power supply to a lamp if a Mosfet Q1 to which it is physically mounted becomes too hot. Also, a resistor R37 sets at low voltage level below which the battery will be isolated. This serves to set a lower but safe level than the voltage at which the circuit in block A isolates the battery during optimum operating conditions of the lamp. Such components prevent or at least inhibit the possibility of the battery being discharged beyond a level from which it cannot recover.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a battery conditioning system monitors battery conditioning and includes a memory for storing data based thereon; for example, data may be stored representative of available battery capacity as measured during a deep discharge cycle. With a microprocessor monitoring battery operation of a portable unit, a measure of remaining battery capacity can be calculated and displayed. Where the microprocessor and battery conditioning system memory are permanently secured to the battery so as to receive operating power therefrom during storage and handling, the performance of a given battery in actual use can be accurately judged since the battery system can itself maintain a count of accumulated hours of use and other relevant parameters. In the case of a non-portable conditioning system, two-way communication may be established with a memory associated with the portable unit so that the portable unit can transmit to the conditioning system information concerning battery parameters (e.g.

Abstract: A battery charging aparatus and method are provided for charging a battery using current control with a switching power supply charging circuit coupled to the battery. During a first charging phase, a predetermined constant charging current is applied to the battery. The battery voltage is monitored and a second charging phase is started when the battery voltage reaches a predetermined threshold voltage. During a second charging phase, a sequence of stepwise decreasing-amplitude current pulses are applied to the battery. The envelope for the decreasing current pulses is exponential which is characteristic of the current for voltage controlled charging methods. The battery voltage is maintained at a temperature compensated target with a 1% tolerance. The charging current is compared to a predetermined minimum amplitude value and a third charging phase is started when the sequential charging current pulse equals the predetermined minimum amplitude value.