Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes first and second Kelvin connections configured to couple to the battery. A forcing function applies a time varying signal to the battery through the first and second Kelvin connections. Further, a resistive load is configured to couple across the first and second terminals of the battery and draw a relatively large current. The storage battery is tested as a function of a dynamic parameter measured through the first and second Kelvin connections and as a function of a response of the storage battery to the relatively large current drawn through the resistive load.

Abstract: Electrical storage cell battery comprising electrically interconnected cells each comprising positive plates, negative plates, intermediate separators and free or immobilized electrolyte, each cell further comprising an independent cylinder which ends on its open top in a common prismatic vessel, with all cylinders placed parallel to and near each other. In the same plane, the vessel is provided at least on its external lateral surface with complementary connecting elements for mechanical attachment to other vessels, including female connecting elements and male connecting elements provided on at least two of the opposite faces of the vessel. The connecting elements may also be placed on the cylinders.

Abstract: A single integrated circuit package for controlling the charging circuits of a battery charger. The single integrated circuit package comprises a microcontroller, switch mode power supply controller(s), analog to digital converter and analog input multiplexer which may be fabricated on a single integrated circuit die, or the microcontroller may be on one integrated circuit die, and the remaining aforementioned circuits may be on a second integrated circuit die. The switch mode power supply controller is adapted for connection to a power converter which is used to control the voltage and/or current to a battery being charged. The power converter may also be on the same integrated circuit die as the switch mode power supply controller, or may be on a separate semiconductor die but included in the single integrated circuit package. Single or multiple batteries may be charged using charging algorithms specifically tailored to each battery.

Abstract: Battery charging methods and associated chargers which are capable of rapidly charging a battery while subjecting it to reduced levels of overcharging. The methods described are capable of being utilized within numerous battery charging systems for batteries spanning a range of chemistries, such as lead-acid, nickel-based, and lithium-based batteries. Upon detection of the onset-of-overcharge during the charge process, a variable voltage lid is imposed (VLID=&ngr;(&phgr;)+&bgr;log&phgr;+&kgr;&phgr;) which reduces the maximum voltage that may be applied to the battery as a function of charge acceptance which is typically estimated by a calculation based on state-of-charge. Additionally, the voltage lid can be approximated with step-wise voltage lids which are responsive to the level of charge acceptance within the battery.

Abstract: Loads (53) in a slide door are in a stopped condition, and the charging rate of a slide door-contained battery (38) is below a predetermined value, the slide door-contained battery (38) is charged. When the charging rate of the slide door-contained battery (38) is above the predetermined value, the trickle charging is effected.

Abstract: A system for recharging batteries of an electric vehicle or mobile power plant has a dual or multiple bank of batteries. One of the battery banks powers the vehicle, while the other bank is on stand-by. The system has at least two generators. The generators are engaged to a motor driving one of the wheels of the vehicle, by means of a V-belt and a V-belt drive wheel pulley. The generators are electrically connected to respective banks of the dual or multiple battery banks, and provide transient recharging of the corresponding battery bank when the vehicle or mobile power plant is braking or coasting. Each battery bank is fully discharged before it is recharged, thus extending the battery life.

Abstract: A battery-powered electronic device having a main battery and a second battery, and method for controlling power supply to a battery-powered electronic device, are described. If the two batteries are simultaneously mounted in the electronic device, the electronic device receives power from the battery having a relatively higher voltage level in advance of receiving power from the other battery. When the voltage levels of the two batteries are substantially identical to each other, as the one battery is discharged, the other battery is also simultaneously discharged.

Abstract: A battery charge control circuit, a battery charging device, and a battery charge control method for controlling the charging of a battery are provided. A power source supplies a current to a load, and a battery also supplies a current to the load. If the current supply capacity of the power source is restricted when the power source charges the battery, the charging of the battery is not stopped. Thus, a wrong operation can be avoided, and more reliable battery charging can be performed.

Abstract: A system and method for developing a cost efficient electronic power supply system that handles a range of supported electronic circuits is provided. The electronic power supply system adaptively configures the power applied to electronic circuits. Thereby, eliminating redesign of a power supply system when a newly developed or different electronic circuit is implemented. When an electronic circuit is attached to the electronic power supply, a controller confirms electronic circuit presence and queries for electronic circuit power on requirements. As more electronic circuits are added, the controller examines each electronic circuit power on requirements and determines if a power conflict is present. If a conflict exists, the controller will not supply power to the electronic circuits until the conflict is resolved.

Abstract: A system for and method of charging a battery of an electric-powered vehicle is disclosed. The system utilizes a light-transforming cell that can transform light energy to current. The cell is supported by a support material positioned either inside or outside of the vehicle such that the cell may be exposed to light energy. Current produced by the cell is provided to the battery through electrical connectors, which may have a switch. This invention allows an electric-powered vehicle to be charged whenever there is sufficient light to allow energy-converting cells to convert light energy to electric current.

Abstract: A sanitary installation (1) has a sanitary fitting (2) with an electrically actuable device, in particular a solenoid valve. Furthermore, it comprises a rechargeable battery (3) fed by a solar cell device (6) which is part of a supply device. The solar cell device (6) is integrated in a mirror (7) situated in the vicinity of the sanitary fitting (2). Ambient light which is regularly present during the operation of the sanitary appliance suffices for the self-sufficient operation of the sanitary installation (1).

Abstract: A method for measuring fitness for use of a storage battery subject to electric loading including determining a load profile (current profile I(t) or power profile P(t)) as a function of time t, for the storage battery, recording an actual voltage response U(t) of the storage battery to the load profile or calculating a voltage response U(t) of the storage battery to the load profile, and determining a fitness for use value SOH for the storage battery based on the difference between a lowest (highest) voltage value Umin (Umax) during application of the load profile to the storage battery, and based on a voltage limiting value U1, wherein U1 is a voltage value which may not be undershot (overshot) by the voltage U(t) at any time t during which the load profile is applied to the storage battery.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for managing electrical power flow among a plurality of loads or devices, which can be classified into critical loads (as to which maintaining power flow for a maximal period is a priority) and non-critical loads (as to which power flow may be cutoff when available power becomes limited). The invention is of particular use for rationing backup battery power among a plurality of data communications or telecommunications devices or services, whereby one or more less-crucial, and perhaps power-intensive, devices may be provided with a guaranteed duration of backup battery power (to perform an orderly shutdown, for instance), while a more-crucial, and perhaps less power-intensive, device is supplied with a longer duration of backup battery power, such that as the unavailability of primary power continues, crucial functions are maintained.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical system tester includes a starter motor or charging system voltage measurement circuit configured to measure a voltage of an electrical system of a vehicle. A microprocessor is configured to diagnose the electrical system as a function of the measured voltage and responsively output the diagnosed condition on a display. The microprocessor is further configured to encrypt the diagnosed condition and responsively output encrypted information related to the condition.

Abstract: A system and method for recharging secondary batteries. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a supervisory circuit, a voltage converter, a portable power source, and one or more of a holder and a socket. The holder is adapted to receive a specific type of secondary battery of a portable device. The socket is adapted to mate with a plug of a device-specific charging cord connected to the portable device. Each of the holder and the plug can be associated with a programming resistor that provides a voltage requirement of the secondary battery. When the secondary battery is either placed in the holder or is connected to the socket, the supervisory circuit communicates with the voltage converter to supply the appropriate voltage required to recharge the secondary battery. The voltage converter receives power from the portable power source. The voltage converter can convert the voltage of the portable power source up (i.e., increasing the voltage) or down (i.e.

Abstract: A battery charging control method is disclosed, which can reduce the charging time a low-temperature battery without providing an additional heating system. The method includes executing a first pulsed charging and discharging operation when the battery temperature T is lower than a first predetermined temperature (e.g., 0° C.), wherein the amount of charging is equal to the amount of discharging; and switching from the first pulsed charging and discharging operation to a second pulsed charging and discharging operation when the battery temperature exceeds the first predetermined temperature, wherein in the second pulsed charging and discharging operation, the amount of discharging is less than the amount of charging. Therefore, it is possible to accomplish not only heating but also charging. When the battery temperature T exceeds a second predetermined temperature (e.g., 10° C.), a normal charging operation is performed.

Abstract: A method enabling balanced charging of batteries that have voltages of the same order of magnitude and which can be of different kinds uses a charger device to provide at least one constant regulation voltage appropriate to a battery, in an arrangement including a system composed of individual interfaces associated with respective rechargeable cells constituting the battery and a common interface. The individual interfaces provide the common interface with an indication relating to the voltages that they measure at the terminals of the associated cell. The common interface produces a signal controlling switching of a battery charging characteristic between two characteristics when one of the measurement circuits determining the voltage present at the terminals of the rechargeable cells reports that a maximum balancing threshold value is exceeded.

Abstract: An improved emergency auxiliary power supply comprised of a rechargeable secondary battery or a super capacitor to function as an emergency charging source; a conduction train, an optional charging control circuit and another optional first storage unit comprised of a diode on the output side to prevent inverse voltage and connected to a second storage in the load coupled to the output are provided to comprise a DC power supply system allowing flexible combination with at least two stages for serial stage power supply.

Abstract: A battery pack, using a battery having one or more cells as a power source and for connecting power to an external host device, and including charging/discharging apparatus connected in series with the battery and for performing charging and discharging, current detecting apparatus for detecting charging and discharging current, voltage detecting apparatus for detecting voltage, temperature detecting means for detecting temperature, and a controller, whereby the controller is operated in such manner that it turns the state from at least one of charging state, discharging state, charging stop state, and discharging stop state to another state by controlling the charging/discharging apparatus based on the charging/discharging current, the voltage and the temperature as detected, and the state information is transmitted to the external host device when there is a request or at regular interval or when there is state transition, and state transition such as a charging/discharging state or a stop state of the batt

Abstract: A pH analyzer is operated to measure pH of a solution by applying a reference electrode current, IREF, to a reference electrode of a pH sensor and an ion-specific electrode current, IGLASS, to an ion-specific electrode of the pH sensor. The currents to the reference electrode and ion-specific electrode are multiplexed to avoid cross-talk. Multiplexing the currents provides a more accurate measurement of electrode impedance for diagnostic purpose. A current spike is optionally added to the reference electrode current to discharge any charge in the solution due to the reference electrode current.