Abstract: A voltage measuring circuit for measuring a voltage level of an unknown voltage source, including a capacitor configured for storing a charge from the unknown voltage source, a switch such as a transistor, configured to discharge the capacitor after the capacitor has reached a known threshold voltage, a microprocessor which controls the switch and measures the amount of time required to charge the capacitor to the threshold voltage, allowing the voltage level to be measured without disconnecting the capacitor from the circuit.

Abstract: The invention concerns a recharging device (4), comprising and consisting of photovoltaic sensors (5), alveolar lens particles (11), light energy amplifier (6), electronic management unit (7), magnetic counter-weight (17), steel balls (18), spring mechanism (22) with its manual butterfly winder (23), alternator (25) and battery (2), consisting in a single extra flat system, comprising several forms of recharging and in all conditions and all positions, inserted and fixed, matching the shape of the mobile (cellular) portable telephone (1), or on the protective case (21), or on a battery (2) or any other communication means comprising a transmitter-receiver, providing them with autonomy, causing them to operate by delivering voltage and electric current (13) so as to recharge them, maintain them and enabling them to operate, using daylight (10), artificial lighting (8), vibrations (20), movements (19) and the spring manual winder.

Abstract: A lighted escutcheon plate for power distribution equipment includes an escutcheon plate in electrical communication with a power distribution circuit; and a plurality of LED bulbs, generally green or alternatively red, mounted on the escutcheon plate, so as to provide a visual indication of an open circuit status by lighting when the power distribution circuit is opened. The plate also includes a plurality of LED bulbs, generally red or alternatively green, mounted on the escutcheon plate, so as to provide a visual indication of a close circuit status by lighting when the power distribution circuit is closed. For tripped circuit conditions the plate includes a plurality of LED bulbs, generally yellow or amber, mounted on the escutcheon plate, so as to provide a visual indication of a trip circuit status by lighting when the power distribution circuit is tripped.

Abstract: A battery switching circuit provides a mechanism by which a plurality of electrical storage batteries can be alternatively connected in parallel or series based on the position of a manually controlled joystick of a marine positioning and maneuvering system. When the joystick is in a neutral position in which no docking motion is demanded by the marine vessel operator, the storage batteries are connected in parallel so that they can benefit from charging by an alternator or generator associated with an internal combustion engine. If the joystick is moved out of its neutral position, the batteries are immediately connected in series to provide power to a plurality of electric motors that are used to drive a plurality of impellers of the docking system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring an electrochemical impedance at high speed. The method for measuring the electrochemical impedance of an electrolyte at high speed includes applying a direct current (DC) voltage having the reaction potential of the electrolyte to the electrolyte via a counter electrode and, after a delay, applying a signal voltage, including a DC voltage added to a differentiated or integrated Dirac-delta function voltage, to the electrolyte; computing a digital data value related only to the differentiated or integrated Dirac-delta function voltage, obtained by converting signal current flowing in a working electrode via the electrolyte into a voltage, integrating or differentiating the voltage, and Fourier transforming the result of the integration or differentiation; and obtaining changes in magnitude and phase as a function of frequency based on the Fourier transform, to compute the impedance.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and a method for forecasting output voltage of a battery of a digital camera. A dummy load is disconnected after the digital camera is powered on. An output voltage of the battery is obtained when he dummy load is off. The dummy load is then conducted. An output voltage of the battery is obtained when the dummy load is on. An internal resistance of the battery and the output voltage of the battery in operating the power consumptive elements are determined based on the output voltages, so as to obtain the voltage drop of the output voltage of the battery caused by power consumptive elements thereby being aware of the remaining power of the battery and obtaining the maximum power supplying efficiency for the digital camera.

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: The invention relates to a charging device (10) for the batteries of a cellular telephone, whereby the same device can be used to charge batteries (15) with different external dimensions. The charging device (10) comprises width controllers (19a, 19b), the position of which controls the location and position of the actual battery guides (18a, 18b), which enable batteries of different sizes to get a reliable contact with the electrical connectors (17) of the charging device. Short batteries are locked to the charging device by means of a separate stopper (14).

Abstract: A current monitoring circuit for monitoring a charging/discharging current of a secondary battery that achieves high-precision monitoring and that restricts an increase in the circuit scale. An amplifier amplifies a voltage of a current sense resistor generated by a charging/discharging current under a various amplification degrees. A comparator compares an output voltage of the amplifier with a reference voltage. A controller controls a reference voltage to be supplied to each unit and controls the amplification degree of the amplifier, based on a result of the comparison. An A/D converter A/D converts an output voltage of the amplifier. A numerical-value converter converts a digital value obtained by the conversion of the A/D converter into a numerical value corresponding to a charging/discharging current, under the control of the controller. When an excess current has been detected, a switch is set to a non-conductive state, to thereby disconnect the battery from the external unit.

Abstract: A power supply control unit of this invention has a stabilized power source by a DC/DC converter and a Zener diode for supplying selectively plural voltages and supplies a power to a current vibration type shut-off function provided switching circuit. When power supply from a power source to a low voltage load is controlled via switching by a temperature sensor incorporated FET, a reference voltage having a voltage characteristic equivalent to that of a voltage between terminals of the temperature sensor incorporated FET to which a predetermined load is connected is generated by a reference FET and a resistor. A difference between a voltage between the terminals of the temperature sensor incorporated FET and the reference voltage is detected by a comparator. Then, the ON/OFF of the temperature sensor incorporated FET is controlled depending on a difference between the voltage between the terminals and the reference voltage by a driving circuit.

Abstract: A battery charger, a method of charging a battery and a battery plant incorporating the battery charger or the method. In one embodiment, the battery charger includes: (1) a battery voltage monitor that measures a voltage of a battery and (2) a charge current generator, coupled to the battery voltage monitor, that provides an incrementally adjustable charge current to the battery based on the voltage.

Abstract: This invention includes a battery overprotection device comprising a thermal resistor, a zener diode, a pass element and a control circuit. The thermal resistor is used as an over-temperature limiting device, rather than an overcurrent device. By thermally coupling the thermal resistor to the zener diode, the thermal resistor protects the zener diode from “burning up” as a result of continuous power dissipation. When the zener is subjected to continuous power dissipation, its temperature rises. As the temperature rises, the thermal resistor's impedance increases, thereby reducing the power dissipation in the zener. The zener/thermal resistor combination serves as an auxiliary safety circuit for the transistor and control circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for managing battery packs from which it is powered by measuring and monitoring the operating capacity of individual battery modules in a battery pack. A programmable logic controller directs the selective closing of relays to allow individual battery modules to be load-tested using a variable discharge load unit, without compromising useful battery pack capacity. In a further embodiment, the invention can include, for each user, a network of battery management devices with two-way communications links to a central management location with computer based monitoring and control of all battery packs. In addition, a centre of expertise on battery technology is linked to the user networks.

Abstract: A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. The system further includes a battery pack charger and a converter for converting AC electricity to DC electricity. A battery pack interface block is captured between clam shell halves of a battery pack housing and includes a plurality of male blade terminals. The male blade terminals are received within recessed female terminals of a tool terminal block and similarly received by recessed female terminals of the charger. The tool terminal block further includes a pair of male terminals which engage recessed female terminals of the converter. Apertures are provided in guide rails of the battery pack to receive the male terminals of the tool terminal block.

Abstract: A power supply section includes a capacity detector capable of detecting the remaining capacity in a battery and a controller issuing power consumption reduction instructions to independently operable function devices based on usage priorities thereof. This allows power consumption operations to be performed such as stopping function devices with low priorities first based on the remaining battery capacity. As a result, power to function devices with higher priorities can be maintained. Based on the remaining battery capacity, the controller controls the operations of the function devices and uses a display to show information allowing the operator to identify operable and inoperable function devices as the battery capacity drops.

Abstract: In a power supply system in which a load is connected to a battery, the battery is efficiently charged without degrading the characteristics of the load. When a load that deteriorates in characteristics if a voltage exceeding the rated voltage of the load is applied thereto is connected to the battery (during an on-state of the load), the battery is charged with the rated voltage even if there is a need to charge the battery with a charging voltage higher than the rated voltage. Alternatively, the battery may be charged for a predetermined time at a voltage above the rated voltage and then at or below the rated voltage, or the voltage seen by the load may be converted to a voltage at or below the rated voltage while the battery is being charged at a voltage above the rated voltage. When the load is off, the battery is charged with a voltage higher than the rated voltage.

Abstract: A timed electric battery charger 10 for the processing of non-lithium, small appliance and utility batteries 19 through a charging cycle comprising a current source having an alternating current input 11 and a direct current output 14 and a timer 16 for dividing the charging cycle into a plurality of successive, predetermined phases, each phase comprising a duty cycle wherein a charging current is delivered to the battery, alternated with a resting cycle during which a charging current is not delivered to the battery.

Abstract: A battery charging method (300) determines a current at which to start charging the battery which provides the capability for faster higher current sourcing capability. A start current(Istart)is determined based on the battery's cut off voltage, steady state voltage, and characteristic impedance (314). This start current is then compared and adjusted based on the rated power supply current for the power supply (316, 318) and rated charge current for the battery (320, 322). The adjusted current is then applied to the battery (324) at the beginning of the charge sequence to provide faster higher current sourcing capability.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a portable, self-contained CD player and radio 18 having a solar energy collection, conversion and storage system as a primary power source with a DC to AC to AC inverter 46 that provides the present invention with the capability of powering AC dependent devices. The solar energy is collected by a solar panel 12 that is pivotably attached to the topside of the device and can be adjusted to an angle sufficient to maximize the suns rays. To further increase the potential power output of the present invention 10 remote solar panel arrays 72 having a telescoping adjustable tripod 78 can be connected to the device. The solar panels 72 are pivotably and rotatably affixed to the tripod 78 to allow precise adjustment for effective solar energy collection.

Abstract: The invention is related to method(s) and system for ensuring lifetime of recharged battery built-in portable electronic device. The method comprises: receive a predetermined range of electricity power; perform an electricity power testing process to measure an actual account of electricity power of a recharged battery that built-in a portable electronic device; and perform an electricity power adjusting process to let the actual account is modified into the predetermined range whenever the actual account is out the predetermined range.