Patents Examined by K. Shin
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Patent number: 5644212Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tsutomu Takahashi
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Patent number: 5644208Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1996Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: Alcatel Mobile PhonesInventor: Benoit Abiven
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Patent number: 5640078Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1994Date of Patent: June 17, 1997Assignee: Physio-Control CorporationInventors: Abraham H. Kou, Robert A. Wiley
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Patent number: 5635821Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1995Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventor: Gregory J. Smith
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Patent number: 5631539Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1994Date of Patent: May 20, 1997Assignee: Norand CorporationInventor: Paul Beard
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Patent number: 5631536Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1994Date of Patent: May 20, 1997Inventor: Ling-yuan Tseng
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Patent number: 5621303Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1995Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Assignee: Solar Wide Industrial Ltd.Inventor: Ram Shalvi
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Patent number: 5619117Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1995Date of Patent: April 8, 1997Assignee: Norand CorporationInventor: Steven E. Koenck
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Patent number: 5617007Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1994Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven D. Keidl, Jeffrey S. Rotter, Steven W. Steele
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Patent number: 5614808Abstract: An electric vehicle charging connector used for charging a power battery of an electric vehicle includes connector holder and a display section mounted in an upper portion of the connector holder. The display section includes red and green light-emitting diodes and a seven-segment two-digit numeric display including light-emitting diodes. The red light-emitting diode is turned on while the power battery is being charged. The green light-emitting diode is turned on instead of the red light-emitting diode when charging has been completed. Either the time elapsed after the charging operation has been initiated or the remaining capacity of the power battery is displayed by the numeric display.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1994Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Hisashi Konoya, Heiji Kuki
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Patent number: 5614806Abstract: The battery charging system of the present invention charges the battery of a portable, multiple mode radiotelephone while the radiotelephone is operating. The radiotelephone generates a clock signal having varying on/off times dependent on the radiotelephone's mode. This mode can include an analog cellular mode or a digital cellular mode. The battery charger detects the clock signal's on/off times and changes the average charge current to compensate for one mode requiring a larger charge current.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1994Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Inventors: Nathaniel B. Wilson, Elbert A. McLaren, II
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Patent number: 5610497Abstract: A battery transfer apparatus and method according to the present invention provides continuous battery power to a battery powered device while changing batteries. Battery power is provided to the battery powered device from a charged battery while a nearly discharged battery is removed from the battery powered device. Battery power is also provided to the battery powered device from the nearly discharged battery while the charged battery is inserted into the battery powered device. The nearly discharged battery may be prevented from draining power from the charged battery during the transfer operation. A battery charger and battery condition indicator may also be included.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1994Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: Ericsson Inc.Inventor: William J. Croughwell
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Image forming apparatus for forming an image in synchronization with a vertical synchronizing signal
Patent number: 5610721Abstract: In response to a vertical synchronizing signal generated from a vertical synchronizing signal generator, a microcomputer forms a predetermined image on a print sheet using a printer head on the basis of image data applied from an image memory. The microcomputer controls the rotation of a motor so that the move position of the print sheet is set to a predetermined position with a vertical synchronizing signal as the reference after an edge of the print sheet is detected by a sheet sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1995Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kaoru Higuchi, Hiroshi Ishii, Masaya Nagata -
Patent number: 5604598Abstract: An image processing apparatus is disclosed which is arranged to incorporate a monochrome printer and have a color printer, which is connected thereto through an external interface, wherein a color/monochrome discriminating circuit discriminates whether color images are included in image information to be printed, and the image information to be printed is supplied to the color printer when color images are included and to the monochrome printer when color images are not included.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1994Date of Patent: February 18, 1997Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshihiro Shigemura
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Patent number: 5602457Abstract: A laminated windshield in which thin solar cells are sandwiched between the glass layer. The solar cell is electrically connected to a vehicle battery to provide recharging current to the battery from the electrical current generated by the solar cells. The solar cells may be formed of dendrite solar cells arranged in flexible strings. These solar cell strings may be positioned in the windshield proximate to an edge of the windshield and superimposed over windshield tinting or darkened border areas of the windshield.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1996Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Assignee: Exide CorporationInventors: Carl J. Anderson, Howard E. Mitchell
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Patent number: 5602459Abstract: A multi-battery charging system and for reduced fuel consumption and associated emissions for an automotive vehicle. The system starts the vehicle with a start battery in a fuel saving manner, removing electrical torque from alternator shaft, and allows a second (run) battery to provide all or some of the current required by the vehicle loads as fuel savings measure. The start battery is typically recharged after start using the alternator and then switched out of the system in a fully charged state for future vehicle starts. The run battery is typically recharged when its charge level drops below a predetermined level using an on-board battery charging device. The on-board battery charging device is powered from a power line source (e.g., 115 volt or 220 volt ac) external to the vehicle. The system controls the alternator field current with a voltage regulator.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Assignee: Electronic Development Inc.Inventor: Wesley A. Rogers
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Patent number: 5600222Abstract: An inductive battery charging system comprising a charge probe and a charge port that employs multi-turn spiral and helical windings in the charge probe to provide improved thermal management of the power produced by the charging system. The thermal management provided by the multi-turn windings of the present invention improves the power handling capacity of the system and reduces AC proximity losses. Numerous flat helical coil and spiral transformer windings are disclosed that provide for differing thermal management schemes. The present invention may be used to increase the inductive charging capacity of electric vehicle propulsion batteries to on the order of 120 KW. The present invention may be used with almost any transformer or inductor that uses foil windings.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1994Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Delco Electronics CorporationInventors: John T. Hall, Ray G. Radys, George R. Woody
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Patent number: 5600228Abstract: A power managing apparatus in an electronic apparatus using a battery comprises a residual power quantity detector for detecting a residual quantity of the battery; a time setter for setting a time; a judging unit for judging whether the electronic apparatus can be driven until the set time or not on the basis of the detected residual quantity of the battery; and an alarm display for notifying the result of the judgment. The set time is an operable time of the electronic apparatus or an operable time obtained from the next charging time or can be input by a pen.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1994Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuhiro Matsubayashi, Kazutoshi Shimada, Eisaku Tatsumi, Shigeki Mori, Shinichi Sunakawa, Takashi Harada, Katsuhiko Nagasaki
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Patent number: 5598083Abstract: A battery changing system is provided for an electrically powered vehicle. The battery changing system includes a housing for the battery. The housing includes first and second spaced crossbars. A battery manipulating mechanism is mounted to the vehicle. This battery manipulating mechanism includes at least one outwardly projecting arm that is pivotally connected to the vehicle and driven by an actuator so as to raise and lower the battery. More specifically, the arm includes an upwardly directed recess for engaging the first crossbar on the battery housing and a downwardly directed saddle for receiving the second crossbar of the battery housing. A locking plate may be selectively extended to secure the second crossbar in the saddle.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1995Date of Patent: January 28, 1997Assignee: Stamler CorporationInventor: Paul M. Gaskins
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Patent number: 5594319Abstract: A battery pack (10) has a memory (26) for storing a password. Upon connecting to a host device (12), or similar load, the battery waits for a data word to be communicated from the host device over a communications channel (22). If an incorrect data word is received a predetermined number of time, or if an initial power time period, as defined by a timer (30), is reached, a switch (16) is opened, thereby disconnecting the battery cell or cells (14) from the load.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1996Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventor: Iilonga P. Thandiwe