Abstract: An inductive charging apparatus for use in charging a battery of an electric vehicle, for example, that provides for a tactile feel. The inductive charging apparatus comprises an inductive charging coupler and a charge port disposed in the electric vehicle and coupled to the battery of the electric vehicle. The charging coupler comprises a center magnetic core, and a primary winding disposed around the center magnetic core. A charger cable is coupled between the primary winding and an external power source for coupling energy to the charging coupler. A coupler housing is provided that has two mating coupler halves that are configured to provide a handle, and the mating coupler halves enclose the primary winding and the center magnetic core, and secures the charger cable in the handle. A plurality of indentations are formed in the side of the housing. The charge port has an opening into which the inductive charging coupler is inserted.

Abstract: In an exemplary fast charging system, a hand-held computerized terminal with rechargeable batteries therein may be bodily inserted into a charger receptacle. The terminal may have volatile memory and other components requiring load current during charging. The system may automatically identify battery type and progressively increase charging current while monitoring for an increase in battery terminal voltage to ascertain the level of load current. The battery temperature may be brought into a relationship to surrounding temperature such that by applying a suitable overcharge current value and observing any resultant temperature increase, the level of remaining battery charge can be determined. For example, if the battery is found to be relatively fully discharged, a relatively high fast-charge rate may be safely applied while monitoring battery temperature.

Abstract: An electromagnetically shielded inductive charging apparatus for use in charging a battery of an electric vehicle, for example. The inductive charging apparatus comprises an inductive charging coupler and a charge port disposed in the electric vehicle and coupled to the battery of the electric vehicle. The charging coupler comprises a center magnetic core, and a primary winding disposed around the center magnetic core. A charger cable is coupled between the primary winding and an external power source for coupling energy to the charging coupler. A plastic coupler housing is provided that has two mating coupler halves that are configured to provide a handle, and the mating coupler halves enclose the primary winding and the center magnetic core, and secures the charger cable in the handle. A plurality of metallized ribs are disposed in the handle that engage outer shielding braid of the charger cable.

Abstract: A bridge rectifier assembly includes: a self aligning cloverleaf shaped diode header which sandwiches each diode chip; a semi-circular heat and electrically conductive plate accommodated with receptacles to position the cloverleaf diodes; a heat and non-electrical conductive insulator; a finned heat and electrical conductive extrusion with similar receptacles to position the cloverleaf diodes; an articulated terminal to provide thermal and mechanical stress relief executing an electrode function adhered to the cloverleaf diode header; and a molded insulated integument with embedded electrical conductors of a cantilevered configuration to further alleviate thermodynamic and mechanical stresses. A second embodiment repeats the first embodiment, and includes a heat and electrical conductive plate that is larger in area and with the extrusion succeeded by a second plate of identical outline as the first.

Abstract: A method of controlling a battery car in which a motor is driven by a battery and the battery is charged with regeneration power generated by deceleration torque comprises the steps of charging a large-capacitance capacitor connected in parallel with the battery and the motor while restricting a current flowing from the battery to the large-capacitance capacitor, when the voltage of the large-capacitance capacitor is lower than a first voltage, charging the battery to a preset voltage while restricting a current flowing from the large-capacitance capacitor to the battery, when a charging voltage of the large-capacitance capacitor is increased above a predetermined voltage by the regeneration power, and driving the motor with only the charge stored in the large-capacitance capacitor, when the voltage of the large-capacitance capacitor is at least a second voltage.

Abstract: A hysteresis battery charging method repeats peak and trough voltage and current waveforms taking the battery to a temporary over-voltage state during peak charging. This method achieves rapid recharge while avoiding battery performance degradation. Constant current charging or quasi-constant current charging is performed during peak charging. During troughs, charging is either suspended or reduced from that during peak charging. After battery capacity has reached a set value by hysteresis charging, an optimum voltage is maintained by constant voltage charging.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for electrically generating mechanical braking torque employs direct field drive incorporating an AC alternator plus a current regulator. The stator windings of the alternator are directly coupled to the field winding via a full wave rectifier and the current regulator. The invention simplifies electrical circuitry for generating braking torque, provides wide dynamic range of torque generation, limits voltages and currents to easily manageable levels, and reduces mechanical drive train requirements. The invention produces a constant power mechanical load from essentially 0 to over 1,000 watts from an alternator of the size typically used for automotive applications.

Abstract: In a cognition device for battery residual capacity, battery voltage information and battery ambient temperature information are input to a microprocessor through an A/D converter. In the microprocessor, the voltage information is corrected with load information; the data conforming to the ambient temperature information are read out of the battery discharge characteristic data which are previously stored in memory, and the readout data are compared with the corrected voltage information so that the battery residual capacity can be computed from the result of the above comparison data. In this arrangement, it is therefore possible to accurately recognize battery residual capacity at an arbitrary point in time.

Abstract: An inductively-coupled transformer charging apparatus comprising a charging port having a nonmoving secondary core and a charging coupler that is insertable therein. The charging coupler comprises a primary winding disposed around a primary core. The charging port comprises a fixed secondary core comprising two secondary core halves and two secondary windings, and includes an opening into which the charging coupler is inserted. Heat transfer media in the charging port remove heat during charging. The opening and coupler are sized such that a gap is provided between the secondary core halves and the coupler to provide for a slip fit therebetween. The close fitting relationship between the coupler and the charge port acts to remove dirt build-up present on the coupler as it is inserted into the charging port.

Abstract: A toy electric car (11) with an accessible compartment (10) which removably houses an accumulator battery, is provided with a battery box (13) having a gripping and removing handle (15). The battery box (13) receives electric accumulators (21, 22) connected towards the outside by a socket (19) on the body of the battery box (13) to supply electric power to the vehicle through a complementary plug (20) connected to the wiring system of the vehicle and insertable in the socket.

Abstract: A battery charging control system includes an external power supply charging sub-system consisting of a power input automatic regulator, a current input control gate circuit, a first high-frequency full-wave rectifier, and a master control IC, and operated to charge a battery set according to the voltage of the battery set. Also, a light energy charging sub-system consisted of a light energy/electric power converter, an overvoltage protection control circuit, a second high-frequency full-wave rectifier, a current inductor, a temperature control gate circuit and the aforesaid master control IC, and controlled to charge the battery set according to the power level and temperature of the battery set.

Abstract: A battery charging device capable of charging any variety of rechargeable batteries and capable of being powered by either a 110 volt or a 220 volt A.C. power source. The battery charging device comprises an integrator circuit having a D.C. power source; a voltage comparator; a solid state relay; a D.C. output circuit; a positive voltage feedback circuit; and a negative voltage feedback circuit. The integrator circuit receives A.C. power from an A.C. power source and provides an output to the voltage comparator. The voltage comparator, in turn, is connected so as to provide an output to the solid state relay. The solid state relay preferably includes a zero voltage closing circuit and provides an output to the D.C. output circuit. The D.C. output circuit is connected to a battery-to-be-charged and provides an output D.C. voltage thereto. The D.C. output circuit is also connected to and provides outputs to the negative and positive feedback circuits which, in turn, provide feedback to the voltage comparator.

Abstract: An integrated AC adapter and battery charger is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an AC adapter unit for converting AC power to a DC power and a battery charging apparatus coupled to the AC adapter unit for charging a battery pack. The battery charging apparatus further comprises a microcontroller for sensing the condition of the battery pack or tacks being charged, a memory for storing the proper charging profile for a number of different types of battery packs, and a charging current generator capable of generating a varying charging current based on the microcontroller's determination of the battery's condition and the charging profile stored in the memory.

Abstract: An automatic ignition controlled battery charge and discharge system for vehicles such as RV's boats and the like, that have an engine with a charging system connected to a main battery, an ignition switch controlling the engine, and a plurality of auxiliary batteries. When the engine ignition is turned on, the main battery connected to a generator or alternator of the engine is placed in parallel with a plurality of auxiliary batteries for charging, and when the engine ignition is turned off, the main battery is isolated from the plurality of auxiliary batteries, to allow the auxiliary batteries to discharge without affecting the voltage potential of the main battery.

Abstract: A variable speed constant frequency synchronous electrical generating system includes a generator rotor with a polyphase field winding whereby the position of the electromagnetic field relative to the rotor structure can be controllably varied. The system includes means to substantially instantaneously determine the angular or rotational position of the generator rotor relative to a reference member rotating at a reference speed; whereby the angular position of the generator electromagnetic field relative to the structure of the generator rotor is maintained essentially the same as the angular position of the reference member, rotating at a reference speed, relative to the generator rotor. As a consequence, the rotational speed of the generator electromagnetic field is essentially the same as the reference rotational speed of the reference member, and is substantially independent of the rotational speed of the generator power input shaft.

Abstract: A switching circuit, comprising a first input for receiving power from an external power supply; a second input for receiving power for rapid charging a battery; means for selectively coupling to a power output for driving a device at least one of such power from the external power supply and power from the battery; and means for coupling such power for rapid charging a battery to the battery at the same time such power from the external power supply is coupled to the power output.

Abstract: A planar micro-motor and method of fabricating it are disclosed. The planar micro-motor comprises a stator supported by the substrate and preferably comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced micro-coils lying in a first plane. The micro-motor also has rotor comprising a plurality of magnetic regions circumferentially spaced about a shaft for rotation in a second plane parallel to, and spaced from, the first plane. Actuating elements selectively energize subsets of the micro-coils to generate electromagnetic fields acting on the magnetic regions of the rotor across the planar gap sandwiched between the micro-coils and the rotor. The amount and direction of rotation of the rotor can be controlled. The planar micro-motor can be employed as a stepper motor. It can be fabricated using microfabrication techniques.

Abstract: A charging apparatus comprising discrete charging circuits each for connection to a different group of cells of an accumulator having multiple groups of cells. Each discrete charging circuit comprises a separate transformer the primary winding of which is connected to a source of an a.c. voltage common to all discrete charging circuits. The secondary winding of each transformer is connected to the input of a rectifier whose output is connected to charging terminals for connection to group terminals of a corresponding group of cells. This arrangement enables the accumulator to be completely charged while substantially reducing the risk of damaging the cell or cells of lowermost maximum capacity.

Abstract: The primary winding and part of the magnetic circuit of an automobile battery charging transformer are mounted in a separable inductive charge coupler which is insertable into and removable from an inductive charge receptacle slot in the automobile adjacent the transformer secondary winding and magnetic structure. When the inductive charge coupler is in place and is energized, the primary winding energizes the secondary winding to permit charging of the batteries on the automobile. The inductive charge coupler is cooled by a fluid passage therein. The coolant may be a gas which is vented or may be a liquid which is circulated.

Abstract: A residual capacity indicating device for indicating the residual capacity of a battery, the discharge voltage of which decreases when the same is discharged and the capacity of which increases with the increase of its temperature, comprises differential amplifiers for comparing the output voltage of the battery with reference voltages. LEDs are driven by the outputs of the differential amplifiers, respectively, according to the residual capacity of the battery to indicate the residual capacity of the battery. The reference voltages are determined by a combination of a Zener diode and a pair of resistors connected to each of the inverting terminals of the differential amplifiers. Since the Zener diode has a temperature characteristic opposite that of the resistors, the residual capacity of the battery can correctly be indicated regardless of the variation of the temperature of the battery.