Abstract: A polarity-reversal protector for power sources, in particular for automobile batteries, which is connected between a power source and at least one consumer and/or at least one generator, is described. The polarity-reversal protector is to prevent the reverse polarity current from flowing through the connected systems, so that the systems may not be damaged in case of polarity reversal. For this purpose, the polarity-reversal protector includes means for recognizing whether the two poles of the power source are connected to the appropriate terminals of the consumer and/or generator, and means for decoupling the power source from the consumer and/or from the generator if the two poles of the power source have been transposed during connection to the consumer and/or generator.

Abstract: A power supply circuit comprises a bridge circuit that has four rectifier elements connected and produces a rectified voltage between a positive side output terminal and a negative side output terminal of the power supply circuit, two of the four rectifier elements being connected to the negative side output terminal, a current detection element with which to detect a current, a first switching element that is connected in series to the current detection element and together with the current detection element is connected in parallel with one of the two rectifier elements, and a second switching element that is connected in series to the current detection element and together with the current detection element is connected in parallel with the other of the two rectifier elements. Based on a result of detecting with the current detection element, switching timings of the first and second switching elements are controlled.

Abstract: In a DC to DC converter, first and second primary windings are magnetically coupled to a first secondary winding. Third and fourth primary windings are magnetically coupled to a second secondary winding. The first and second primary windings are magnetically coupled to the first secondary winding. The third and fourth primary windings are magnetically coupled to the second secondary winding. The first and third primary windings are coupled in series to form a first coil member. The second and fourth primary windings are coupled in series to form a second coil member. One end of the first coil member is coupled to the first positive power line. A first switching element is coupled between the first negative power line and the other end of the first coil member. A first capacitor is coupled between the first negative terminal and one end of the second coil member.

Abstract: A circuit for charging a battery by selecting among two available power sources while providing overcharging and temperature protection to the battery and managing a charging current is described. A power pass and sense circuit is arranged to provide charge voltage from either power source based on control voltages from a current/voltage control circuit, which receives control signals from a logic control and timer circuit, a sensed voltage from a current setting circuit and reference and temperature voltages from a voltage reference and thermo-sense circuit. Differential amplifiers controlling power pass transistors are turned on and off depending on a power source availability and selection. A power supply circuit provides global supply voltages to all subcircuits preventing reverse current to power sources and stable supply independent of a power source availability. A pair of transistors arranged to operate as body-switcher protect power pass and sense transistors against reverse bias current.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for charging a high-voltage battery of a hybrid electric vehicle. The high-voltage battery charging apparatus comprises a battery charger configured to provide electrical energy, a battery module configured to store the electrical energy provided by the battery charger, and a high-voltage bus coupled to the battery charger and the battery module, which is configured to transmit the electrical energy from the battery charger and battery module to the electrical system of the hybrid electric vehicle. In addition, the high-voltage battery charging apparatus comprises a bus contactor interposed between the high-voltage bus and the battery charger, which is bus contactor configured to provide a first substantial electrical isolation between the battery charger and the high-voltage bus during a charging period of the battery module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the complex impedance Z(fm) of a non-steady electrochemical system, comprising the following steps consisting in: bringing the system to a selected voltage condition and applying a sinusoidal signal with frequency fm thereto; immediately thereafter, measuring successive values for voltage and current at regular time intervals ?T; calculating the discrete Fourier transforms for voltage (E(f)) and current (I(f)), the voltage transform being calculated for the single frequency fm of the sinusoidal signal and the current transform being calculated for frequency fm and for two adjacent frequencies fm?1 and fm+1 on either side of frequency fm; and calculating the impedance using the following formula: Z(fm)=E(fm)/I*(fm), wherein I* denotes a corrected current such that Re[I*(fm)]=Re[I*(fm)]?(Re[I(fm+1)]+Re[I(fm?1)]2, Im[I*(fm)]=Im[I(fm)]?Im[I(fm+1)]+Im[I(fm?1)])/2.

Abstract: A quasi average current mode control scheme is provided. The control scheme allows only detecting one part of the inductor current of the switching converter to control the inductor current and make the average current of the inductor follow the reference current. The control scheme is noise insensitive and makes the whole controlled system cost effective.

Abstract: A first voltage source terminal, to which a first voltage is input, is connected to a maximum voltage terminal of serially-connected secondary batteries to be monitored. A second voltage source terminal, to which a second voltage is input, is connected to a minimum voltage terminal of the secondary batteries. A battery-voltage detecting unit outputs a detection signal based on a result of a voltage monitoring. A first reference-voltage generating unit receives the first and the second voltages as operating voltages, and generates a first reference voltage. A voltage converting unit receives the detection signal, and converts the detection signal received into either the first reference voltage or the second voltage. An output terminal outputs the detection signal converted, as an output detection signal.

Abstract: A charger for a secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode including lithium-containing silicon represented by the composition formula LixSi, and an electrolyte. This charger includes: (1) a voltage detector that detects voltage of the secondary battery that is being charged; and (2) a charge controller that calculates the value x in LixSi included in the secondary battery from an output of the voltage detector and stops the charging of the secondary battery when the calculated value x reaches a predetermined threshold value. The charge controller has at least one settable threshold value including a first threshold value, and the first threshold value is 2.33 or less. The use of this charger makes it possible to charge the secondary battery such that it has a high capacity, or a higher capacity if necessary, without accelerating the deterioration of cycle life.

Abstract: A cordless power tool such as a power staple gun 1 includes a power supply circuit of an electric double layer capacitor 8 and a lithium-ion battery 11. In a standby state, the lithium-ion battery charges the electric double layer capacitor, and at a switch on time, the electric double layer capacitor supplies large current to the motor 5. By combining the lithium-ion battery with high energy density and the electric double layer capacitor capable of discharging large current, it is possible to greatly reduce the size and weight as compared with a case where a nickel-cadmium battery or a nickel-hydrogen battery is used. Besides, since the electric double layer capacitor has a very long lifetime, the running cost can also be reduced.

Abstract: A method for compensating for overcharging of at least one battery includes calculating a charge rate for the at least one battery, comparing an overcharge accumulator value for the at least one battery with a maximum time limit value, comparing the calculated charge rate with a nominal charge rate for the at least one battery, if the overcharge accumulator value is less than the maximum time limit value, incrementing the overcharge accumulator value if the calculated charge rate is higher than the nominal charge rate, if the overcharge accumulator value is less than the maximum time limit value, decrementing the overcharge accumulator value if the calculated charge rate is lower than the nominal charge rate (if the overcharge accumulator value is less than the maximum time limit value), setting the charge rate for the at least one battery to the calculated charge rate (if the overcharge accumulator value is less than the maximum time limit value), and setting the charge rate for the at least one battery to t

Abstract: There is provided a charging apparatus, which uses a charging control timer having a relatively simple constitution, capable of preventing an overcharge of a secondary battery while detecting the overcharge of the secondary battery even if a charge current value is relatively small. The charging apparatus that discontinues the charging in a preset expiration time period of a timer has a variable controller for controlling the preset expiration time period of a timer in response to an interrupted time if the charging operation that is interrupted before reaching the preset expiration time of a timer is started again.

Abstract: A detection device and method for accurately detecting the battery capacity remaining in the device independent of the operating mode of the device. When the battery-powered device is operating in a low load mode, the battery discharge voltage is A/D converted and the remaining battery capacity is determined based on the resulting digital signal. When the battery-powered device is operating in a high load mode, the battery discharge voltage is compared with specific threshold voltages, and an interrupt process is run based on the comparison result to calculate the remaining battery capacity.

Abstract: A flyback converter is comprised of a primary side and a secondary side. The primary side includes a primary winding and a switch both connected in series. The secondary side includes a secondary winding, a tertiary winding, a first resistor, a capacitor, a second resistor, and an MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor). The first resistor, the capacitor, and the second resistor are connected in series and together connected in parallel with the tertiary winding. The MOSFET is connected in parallel with the first resistor at its gate and source. Accordingly, when the switch is turned on/off, the power energy provided at the primary side can be transferred to the secondary side in a flyback manner.

Abstract: A charging apparatus used with a mobile robot has an improved charging structure so that a mobile robot is easily brought into electrical contact with a charging unit, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and preventing a charging failure. The charging unit is provided with a plurality of charging terminals which are brought into electrical contact with corresponding ones of contact terminals of the mobile robot. Each of the charging terminals includes a body and a head. A contact plate is mounted to a predetermined portion of the head to be brought into electrical contact with a corresponding one of the contact terminals.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for the rapid charging of a lithium-ion battery. A charging algorithm is applied to modify a charging pulses frequency, duty cycle and amplitude depending on the measurement of the battery temperature. The charging algorithm is based on the chemical Diffusion Coefficient of the battery, with this Diffusion Coefficient, in turn, dependent on the type of solvent system, the type of electrolyte, and the temperature of the battery.

Abstract: A battery container of an electric vehicle is installed on the battery container supporting stand of the electric vehicle body. The container is a composite type and formed through alignment and combination of first and second cases. There are connecting ports, mutually embedded and mounted, on the assembled sides of these cases. The connecting ports have positive and negative electric connectors that can be oppositely inserted and jointed. The electrodes of the batteries inside the two cases can be connected. The battery container supporting stand forms a shape of a supporting surface. To ensure that the cases are placed together on the battery container supporting stand after alignment and combination, the assemblies of the positioning structure are used to control the positioning of and detachment between the battery container supporting stand and the cases. The battery container of an electric vehicle can be easily detached for independent charge.

Abstract: A method for determining the wear to an electrochemical energy store and an electrochemical energy store allows for continuously determining the amounts of charge (qL) converted during charging cycles of the energy store and calculating a wear variable (Qv) which characterizes the wear as a function of the determined converted amount of charge (qL).

Abstract: An apparatus for inductive charging a battery. The apparatus includes a housing with a lower surface and a charging surface. A rechargeable device with a rechargeable battery may be placed on the charging surface. The apparatus further includes a controller for driving an oscillator, wherein the controller receives power from a power source. A first charger coil and second charger coil are disposed within the housing and are coupled to the oscillator. The first charger coil and second charger coil create a substantially horizontal magnetic field in the volume of space above the charging surface.

Abstract: A computer provided with an intelligent battery 52 for charging/discharging, the intelligent battery 52 supplying power to a main system unit, wherein the intelligent battery 52 includes: a voltage measuring circuit 70 for measuring a battery voltage of the intelligent battery 52; a current measuring circuit 63 for measuring a charging/discharging current of the intelligent battery 52; a temperature measuring circuit 90 for measuring a temperature of the intelligent battery 52; and a CPU 62 for periodically reading the battery voltage measured by the voltage measuring circuit 70, the charging/discharging current measured by the current measuring circuit 63, and the temperature measured by the temperature measuring circuit 90 so as to manage a capacity deterioration of the battery due to a storage deterioration and a cycle deterioration, and wherein the main system unit includes an embedded controller 41 for receiving information about the capacity deterioration from the CPU 62 of the battery.