Abstract: A self-contained emergency battery charger for use in motor vehicles for charging a fully or partially discharged starter storage battery which delivers current to a starter motor of the vehicle. The batter charger contains a preconditioning circuit to preconditions a discharged battery before applying a full charging current from a charged second battery to the discharged battery. The battery charger also contains a temperature circuit which adjusts the time of charging whereby the time for providing power from the second battery is increased or decreased in relation to the second battery's temperature.

Abstract: A system (10) and method (100) for charge and discharge equalization of a lithium-ion battery having a plurality of cells (12) in series. A central charge controller (16) and a central discharge controller (22) command a rate of charge to individual charge controllers (14) associated with each cell (12) of the battery for maintaining equalized charge at each cell (12) of the battery. The charging and discharging is initiated upon sensing a predetermined maximum charge threshold voltage (104) and a predetermined minimum discharge threshold voltage (114) at each cell in the series of cells.

Abstract: A fuse is melted and cut off when an overcurrent flows through the fuse. The fuse has a different thermal expansion coefficient metal laminate obtained by laminating a plurality of different thermal expansion coefficient metal plates. When the fuse is melted and cut off by heat of the overcurrent, a mechanical deforming force is applied to a melting portion of the fuse. The mechanical force is caused by the difference between thermal expansion coefficients of the different thermal expansion coefficient metal plates.

Abstract: A rechargeable coffee or spice grinding apparatus having a grinder and a charging station. The grinder is hand portable and useable separated from the charging station. The grinder has a power supply (e.g., a battery pack) that is recharged by a current induced in the grinder's charging circuit by the inductance probe of the charging station. The charging station is cordless and plugs directly into a household wall outlet. The charging station has an inductively coupled charging probe that mates with a probe receptacle in the grinder. The charging probe induces an electrical current in the charging circuit of the grinder without any wires or direct electrical contact between the grinder to the charging station. The grinder's charging circuit connects to the rechargeable power supply and provides the electricity to operate the grinder motor.

Abstract: A portable, rechargeable device for boost-charging a discharged target battery is equipped with current sensing and regulation circuitry. The device may be used, for example, for boost-charging through a cigarette lighter socket or directly. Such circuitry permits very rapid charging using voltages greater than the nominal voltage of the target battery without blowing a fuse of the cigarette lighter socket or damaging sensitive onboard electronics.

Abstract: In a voltage equalizing apparatus for battery devices, wherein each of a plurality of closed circuits is constituted of each of a plurality of battery devices interconnected in series on a secondary side, each of a plurality of secondary windings magnetically coupled with each other, and each of a plurality of switching devices on the secondary side, wherein a closed circuit is constituted of a battery device on a primary side, a primary winding magnetically coupled with the secondary windings in common, and a switching device on the primary side, and wherein the plurality of switching devices on the secondary side and the switching device on the primary side are alternately switched ON and OFF, thereby equalizing the output voltages of the plurality of battery devices interconnected in series on the secondary side; the ON operation of the plurality of switching devices on the secondary side is continued until after the completion of release of exciting energy stored in a transformer.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a lithium-ion battery in which the battery is charged by a bulk charger at a high rate until one or more of the cells reaches a predetermined series threshold voltage. When a predetermined cell threshold voltage is reached, the controller provides instructions as to whether to reduce or terminate the cell charging by the bulk charger. At this point in time, the redundant power supplies begin charging each cell individually through balancing switches. The balancing switches will turn off as their respective cells reach a predetermined cell threshold voltage. Ultimately, each cell will be fully charged to an identical high charge state.

Abstract: Present invention relates to a process for determining the electrical conductivity of fluids by means of conductively operable conductivity measuring cells using analysis and processing measurement technology, wherein the conductivity of the fluid is determined from a measured resistance value and the geometric measuring cell constants (k); in order to reduce error in the determination of the electrical conductivity, this is determined in the following manner: by using a measurement converter, the impedance of the measuring cell immersed in the fluid is determined for at least two frequency values of an alternating voltage, the frequency-independent parameters (n, Q) and the desired resistance (Rf1) are determined based on the determined impedance values and based on an equivalent circuit diagram comprised of a parallel connection of a capacitor (Ccell) representing the measuring cell capacitance, an ohmic resistance (Rf1) representing the desired resistance of the fluid inside the conductivity measuring ce

Abstract: A circuit interrupter rotary contact arm is provided. Rotational torque is applied to the contact arm by a spring force from one or more springs arranged along the sides of the contact arm. The contact arm includes an edge surface having one or more features or bumps. The bumps are configured cause the one or more springs to exert increased spring force and to increase frictional resistance, which increases the rotational torque required to move the contact arm.

Abstract: A battery saving electron flow blocking system for controlling the flow of electrons between a pair of batteries removably installed in a device and from between a battery and a conductor. The battery saving electron flow blocking system includes a blocking member comprising a panel movable into a position adjacent to one of the group of the first positive contacts and the first negative contacts in order to isolate the contacts from electrical communication with the conductor of the device. Additionally a track may be provided for guiding movement of the blocking member in the device.

Abstract: A changeable power sensing switch includes a sensor, a process actuating circuit and an output control port for detecting and sensing different external signals and triggering a work unit to perform work desired. The sensor sensitivity may be adjust to suit different dielectric medium and sensing distance. The switch is more versatile and has wider applications than conventional mechanical switch.

Abstract: A method for determining the state of charge (SOC) of a battery by measuring its open circuit voltage (OCV) either with the battery in a fully rested state of chemical and electrical equilibrium or an active state during a period in which the battery settles after charge or discharge is stopped. A first type algorithm is developed to correlate the OCV in a fully rested condition (OCVREST) to the state of charge at which that measurement is taken. A second type algorithm is developed that predicts a final settling OCV of a battery (OCVPRED), based on the set of parameters of OCV, rate of change of OCV, and battery case temperature, acquired during the settling period of a battery not at rest. To determine the SOC of a battery being tested that is in the fully settled state the measured OCVREST is applied to the first type algorithm.

Abstract: In a battery charging device 10 capable of detecting abnormalities in cells comprising batteries through a simple arrangement and terminating charge accordingly, cell temperature information Ta and cell temperature information Tb in charging operation within respective blocks A and B are detected through temperature sensors TM1, TM2 and a temperature detecting portion 38 incorporated in a battery package 50, the cell temperature information Ta of block A and cell temperature information Tb of block B are compared through a comparing/determining portion 35 wherein upon determining that temperature difference information Tdf is exceeding reference information for comparison Tref, instructions for terminating charging operations are sent from a control portion 36 to a charge current controlling portion 34 assuming that abnormalities have occurred in the cells comprising the block A or block B during charging operations.

Abstract: A system for determining the operating characteristics of an energy source. The system comprises a controller for generating and shaping a time-varying voltage signal for application to the energy source; a converter for receiving from the energy source a time-varying return voltage signal and for converting the tire-varying return voltage signal into a digital signal. The amplitude of the time-varying return signal contains information representative of the operating characteristics of the energy source. The time-varying return voltage signal is produced in response to the time-varying voltage signal. The controller is responsive to the digital signal and determines the operating characteristics of the energy source. The controller generates display signals, and the display signals are representative of the operating characteristics of the energy source. The system also includes a display for displaying the display signals.

Abstract: A battery pack and a PTC device are provided that can be used safely under large current loads by increasing the area of the incorporated PTC layer so as to decrease its internal resistance. The battery pack has a plurality of unit cells (1) placed side by side in parallel and the PTC device P to protect the unit cells (1) from overcurrents. The PTC device P has a first electrode (3) and a second electrode (4) connected to the both surfaces of the PTC layer (2). The PTC layer is formed to an outer shape that covers almost the entirety of the end surfaces of the two unit cells (1) to which the first electrode (3) and the second electrode (4) are connected, and has through holes (2B) positioned against the end electrodes (1A) of the unit cells (1).

Abstract: A power supply coupler for a battery charging device that includes a core, a coil surrounding the core, and a plastic case enclosing the core and the coil. The coil is electrically connected to a power supply device of the battery charging device with a cable. The power supply coupler has an interconnection member located between the coil and the case for transferring impact forces acting on the case to the coil.

Abstract: A system for actively controlling the charging profile of a battery uses a software-based alternator control unit to control the charging voltage. The voltage applied to the battery is initially increased over normal values following battery discharge, to charge the battery back as fast as possible without damaging the battery or alternator. The voltage is then reduced to a normal charging level, and subsequently further reduced to a float level.

Abstract: The present invention illustrates about the managing device for batteries which expands the durability of batteries and enhances the charging effect by maintaining the termination voltage of the rechargeable batteries used in all kinds of electrical devices and managing method for rechargeable battery thereof. The present invention provides a managing system for rechargeable batteries comprising a plurality of cells, a closed loop circuit method which connects the cells in parallel connection electrically, an electrical load means having regular voltage which is the sum of the maximum output voltage among the plurality of cells and being in parallel connection with the rechargeable cells which are connected in parallel with the closed loop circuit method, a switching means inserted between the plurality of cells and the electrical load means in order to cut off the current flowing in the electrical load means in case it reaches the discharge termination voltage of the plurality of rechargeable cells.

Abstract: An automotive battery charging system tester for testing the charging system of an automotive vehicle includes AC and DC voltage measurement circuits and a microprocessor controlled testing sequence. The microprocessor is used to perform a series of tests and to instruct an operator to perform steps associated with performing those tests. Through the application of various loads at various engine speeds, the tester is capable of identifying faults in the battery charging system including a bad battery, problems in the alternator or associated electronics, and problems in the starting system.

Abstract: In a power supply of a patient care system, a power management system monitors the temperature of an off-line switcher and adjusts the amount of current supplied by the off-line switcher to operate the off-line switcher within a range of temperature and power limits.