Abstract: A switched capacitor system for automatic battery equalization can be used with series coupled batteries as well as primary and backup batteries which are alternately couplable to a load. The system includes a plurality of capacitors and a plurality of switching elements. Each of the capacitors is switched back and forth between a predetermined pair of batteries for the purpose of transferring charge therebetween and equalizing the output voltages of each of the batteries in the pair. The capacitors and switching elements can be configured in a modular fashion. Multiple modules can be used, for example, in combination with multiple batteries which are series coupled to one another. The system could be used in electric vehicles and in battery back-up systems of all types.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an alkaline secondary battery improved in the positive electrode utilization, the large-current discharge characteristic, the discharge capacity, and the capacity recovery ratio after storage. This method of manufacturing an alkaline secondary battery comprising a positive electrode containing a nickel compound and a cobalt compound, a negative electrode and an alkaline electrolyte, the method comprising the step of performing initial charging which comprises a charging process of supplying a current I (mA) satisfying the following Inequality (1):50<(T.times.C.sup.2)/(I.times.S)<2000 (1)where C is a electrochemical capacity (mAh) of the cobalt compound contained in the positive electrode, which is calculated on the basis of a electrochemical equivalent of the cobalt compound, T is a temperature (.degree.C.) at which the charging process is performed, and S is an area (cm.sup.2) of the positive electrode.

Abstract: In an overdischarge detection device which is connected between positive and negative load current lines for connecting a chargeable electric cell with a load and which comprises an overdischarge detection circuit including a voltage comparing section for detecting that a cell voltage of the electric cell falls below a threshold voltage to prohibit discharging operation, an adjusting circuit connected to the overdischarge detection circuit detects a particular voltage of a specified part that corresponds to a load current varying in response to relative weight of the load to adjust the threshold voltage on the basis of the particular voltage. Preferably, the adjusting circuit may be constructed so as to clamp the threshold voltage when the particular voltage is higher than a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A charge control apparatus and method for charging of an electrical energy storage device, such as a rechargeable storage battery, by an electrical energy source, such as a photovoltaic panel, provides multiple charge setpoint selection means wherein the electrical connection of one or more setpoint control terminations to the three electrical potential contacts storage device "+", no contact (NC), or common "-", produces a specific and predefined charge setpoint condition, including charge termination and resumption voltage thresholds, from a plurality of charge setpoint possibilities. Temperature compensation is employed in multiple setpoint charge control to maintain setpoint thresholds essentially constant with apparatus temperature and to effect a change in setpoint thresholds with storage device temperature in accordance with storage device charging characteristics.

Abstract: A charging system (1) for a variety of batteries (nominal voltage, capacity, chemical components), stepping, and self-adjusting to the top-of-charge voltage of the battery (12a) by interacting with the terminal voltage of this battery in each one of a series of periodic intervals (steps). CONTROL (2) means are provided for enabling signals (4) in predetermined subintervals in each periodic interval, to control the charging process. The charging voltage parameter in the running periodic interval is set by REFERENCE VOLTAGE (10) means, based on the sample of the terminal voltage of the battery taken by READING (5) means in the beginning of the running periodic interval and slightly amplified by a predetermined factor (25%). Thereafter VOLTAGE REGULATOR(15) means regulate the voltage of the charging current according to, as this set, charging voltage parameter.

Abstract: A cutoff switch (40) separates the reference line (20) of a control circuit (18) from the B- line (24). The cutoff switch is in an electrically open state until the function of the control circuit is required, thus eliminating current flow through the control circuit when the function of the control circuit is not required. To enable the control circuit, a threshold switch (42) is provided to cause the cutoff switch to change states when the battery voltage reaches a predetermined level. To provide an override, a diode is connected between an auxiliary line (26), used a thermistor (28), for example.

Abstract: A charging control circuit is disclosed which comprises: a 1st connector (17) receiving an input supply power (34); a 2nd connector (30) for supplying a charging supply power (35) to charge either of a 1st (Ni-Cd) or 2nd (Lithium ion) battery (33a, 33b) and receiving a discharging supply power (36) from the battery; a kind detection portion (15) for detecting which of the 1st and 2nd kind of battery is to be charged; a voltage detection circuit for detecting an emf of the battery to be charged; a current detection circuit for detecting a charging current to the battery to be charged; a REF signal generation portion (15) for generating a REF signal (38) in accordance with outputs from the kind detection portion, the current detection circuit, and the voltage detection circuit; a difference providing portion (111) for providing a difference between the REF signal and the detected emf; and a charging supply power generation circuit for generating the charging supply power from the input supply power according to

Abstract: A secondary battery is charged in alternating charging and pulse-charging periods in which the secondary battery is continuously charged during the charging periods and the secondary battery is charged in a series of charging pulses during the pulse-charging periods. The terminal voltage or the temperature of the secondary battery may be sampled during at least one interval between the pulses in a pulse-charging period to detect a full charge level or an excessive temperature, respectively. Such an arrangement can reduce charging time and facilitate accurate monitoring of the terminal voltage or the temperature.

Abstract: A pair of power supply terminals have parallel-connected therebetween an adapter and a serial connection of a battery and a power MOS circuit composed of a multiplicity of switching and current-limiting MOS transistors of which a particular one has a resistor interconnected between a source electrode thereof and one of the power supply terminals to provide a current detection signal representative of a fraction of a charge or discharge current passing the MOS circuit, and which are controlled with a bias voltage selected between one of potentials at the power supply terminals and an output of a comparator comparing the current direction signal with a reference voltage, in accordance with a level combination control signals output from a control circuit in response to a detection signal representative of a battery voltage and a detection signal representative of a connection state between the adapter and an outlet, permitting a reduced device size and a reduced power consumption.

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: 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: 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: 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 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.