Abstract: A charging controller for charging a secondary battery by a dc source having a consumption current detector detecting a consumption current to the load; a charging current detector detecting a charging current to the secondary battery; a charging voltage detector detecting a charging voltage to the secondary battery; an operation processor to which detection outputs from the consumption current detector, the charging current detector, and the charging voltage detector are provided, respectively; and a charging control circuit controlling a charging output to the secondary battery, based on calculation results by the operation processor such that driving the load and charging are simultaneously executed within the ratings of the dc source.

Abstract: A battery charger comprising a converter (CNV) for converting an input voltage (Ui) which is connected between an input terminal (1) and a reference terminal (GND) into a terminal voltage (Vk1) of a rechargeable battery (BT) which is connected between an output terminal (2) and the reference terminal (GND). The converter comprises a first and a second switch (SW1, SW2), a coil (L), a control circuit (CNTRL), a comparator (CMP), a frequency counter (CNT), and an indicator (IND). If the terminal voltage (Vk1) is lower than the reference voltage (VRF), the start signal (ST) delivered by the comparator (CMP) will turn logic high. As a consequence the control circuit (CNTRL) will start an energy transfer cycle for transferring an amount of energy from the input terminal (1) to the rechargeable battery (BT). The frequency of the start signal (ST) decreases as the terminal voltage (Vk1) increases.

Abstract: The invention is a circuit and method of limiting the charging current voltage from a power supply net work applied to an individual cell of a plurality of cells making up a battery being charged in series. It is particularly designed for use with batteries that can be damaged by overcharging, such as Lithium-ion type batteries. In detail, the method includes the following steps: 1) sensing the actual voltage level of the individual cell; 2) comparing the actual voltage level of the individual cell with a reference value and providing an error signal representative thereof; and 3) by-passing the charging current around individual cell necessary to keep the individual cell voltage level generally equal to a specific voltage level while continuing to charge the remaining cells.

Abstract: A battery manager that provides the ability to switch multiple batteries, battery cells, or other forms of power sources to power external devices individually, in series, and/or in parallel. The device is typically electronic based and consists of voltage level detecting circuits for comparing each power source to a reference voltage, FET control logic for controlling the switching matrix, and a switching matrix which accomplishes the required configuration of power sources to provide an output power source. The invention can be extended with the addition of an output power monitor, DC/DC converter, and control signals that augment internal switching. Depending upon implementation requirements, the battery manager can be in the form of a single integrated circuit.

Abstract: An ultracapacitor power supply for an electric vehicle is provided which employs an ultracapacitor as the primary power source and a battery as a supplemental power source. This vehicle is particularly effective in power-rail system having gaps in the power-rail or in non-power rail systems having recharging stations positioned along the track The ultracapacitor recharges quickly upon vehicle passage over a live power rail or entry into a recharging station. Optimum performance is achieved when the capacitor is allowed to fully recharge. The battery need only provide power when the ultracapacitor has been discharged or during acceleration or other periods of peak power consumption, thereby reducing the number of battery recharges required during any given operational period.

Abstract: In a method for detecting abnormality in a parallel battery-connection circuit, the parallel battery-connection circuit includes: a first circuit including a first plurality of batteries connected in series and a second circuit including a second plurality of batteries connected in series; wherein: at least one of the first plurality of batteries is connected to a first temperature detection section, at least one of the second plurality of batteries is connected to a second temperature detection section, and the first temperature detection section and the second temperature detection section are connected to an abnormality determining section for determining abnormality in the parallel battery-connection circuit, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a first temperature of the at least one of the first plurality of batteries by the first temperature detection section; detecting a second temperature of the at least one of the second plurality of batteries by the second temperature detection section; an

Abstract: Arrangement for controlling the power supply to a load (19) fed from a rechargeable current source (15) of limited capacity, such as a battery, supplied with energy from a generator (17), a solar cell arrangement or the like and connected to the load (19) via a line (12) of undetermined resistance which connects to the load (19) via a terminal (16) at which voltage measurements can be performed. The arrangement is an electronic control arrangement (18) disposed adjacent to the load (19) and connected to the terminal (16). The electronic arrangement performs voltage measurements at said terminal in accordance with a predetermined program. In a series of such voltage measurements a first one is performed with the load (19) disconnected, whereas one or a plurality of measurements are performed with the load (19) connected. The first voltage measurement value represents the terminal voltage of the current source (15) at the start of the series of measurements.

Abstract: A system for controlling the application of power from a battery (12) to an electrical system (18) as well as to a computer (30) that monitors the battery, includes a switch (52) in the power supply path between the battery and the computer. The switch is operated by a controller (40) that receives data representing the battery voltage and the current supplied to the electrical system (18). The controller includes a comparator for comparing the received voltage and current data to preset data values to produce a signal (46) to turn on the switch for a predetermined time to supply power to actuate the computer to perform its monitoring function when one of the current or voltage data received by the controller exceeds one of a predetermined high or low limit data value.

Abstract: A battery charge control device is capable of detecting a gassing state in a battery without using a temperature sensor. Under condition of charging the battery 5 with a charging current, when a terminal voltage Vi of the battery 5 monitored by the device exceeds a threshold value, a temporary-gassing detecting unit 23 informs a voltage regulation calculating unit 24 that the battery 5 is in course of reaching its gassing state. The voltage regulation calculating unit 24 calculates a changing rate of terminal voltage Vi of the battery 5 while it is in course of reaching the gassing state. When the calculated changing rate exceeds a preset decision value, a gassing detecting unit 25 judges that the battery 5 has just reached the gassing state. A decision value renewing unit 27 changes the decision value corresponding to the charging current.

Abstract: A charge/discharge control circuit is provided for an electric power source apparatus in which a service life is prolonged. A voltage dividing circuit, an overcharge voltage detection circuit, an overdischarge voltage detection circuit and a control circuit are connected in parallel to a secondary cell which is an electric power source, wherein the control circuit detects a condition of the secondary cell from the overcharge/overdischarge voltage detection circuits and outputs a signal Vs for controlling a power supply to an external equipment and a charge by an external power source and controls a switching element provided in series with the voltage dividing circuit and reduces a current which flows through the voltage dividing circuit.

Abstract: A battery powered device such as an electric vehicle includes a high power loads such as a drive motor (50), and on-board charging and discharging systems (20) which share significant components such as a pulsing subsystem (40). In particularly preferred embodiments the battery (10) and regenerative braking system (90), where applicable, are selected to operate efficiently with the charging and discharging systems (20).

Abstract: This method of controlling charging and discharging computes a capacity of a battery array formed from a plurality of series connected rechargeable batteries while charging and discharging the battery array. For each specified time period, charge-discharge capacity is computed and integrated during the specified time period. A first specified time period is followed by a second specified time period, and forced charging or forced discharge is performed during the second specified time period to make the sum of the charge-discharge capacity during the second specified time period plus the charge-discharge capacity during the first specified time period approach zero.

Abstract: A self-charging continuous EOT power supply/battery pack operates from excess air pressure available in a train's air system. An electric generator is driven by compressed air from the locomotive that is transmitted through the air brake system of the train. The generated electricity is input to a circuit card assembly that regulates the output voltage and generator speed. The regulated voltage is supplied to the EOT electronics and also to a storage battery to recharge the storage battery, which provides peak operating power as well as back-up power if the generating system is inoperable.

Abstract: A cell voltage detection circuit 20 comprises a first input selecting means 22 connected to the positive and negative electrodes of each of cells connected in series to each other to acquire a voltage from either a selected positive or negative electrode of an intended cell, a second input selecting means 24 connected to the positive and negative electrodes of each of the cells to acquire a voltage from either a selected positive or negative electrode of an intended cell, a voltage detector 30 to acquire a detected cell output voltage from output voltages of the first and second input selecting means 22 and 24, respectively, and a processing means 40 for converting a detected cell output voltage of the voltage detector 30 from analog to digital for calculation to provide the voltage of each cell.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for determining the status of a primary or secondary battery in which said battery is discharged to a specific residual charge. Following a replacement or full charge of the battery, the invention provides for a measurement of the time which elapses until the battery voltage has dropped to a first voltage threshold value. Then the first voltage threshold value is lowered by an amount dependent on the measured discharge time. It is only the dropping of the battery voltage to the lowered voltage threshold value which is taken as an indicator for the battery's discharge to the residual charge.

Abstract: A battery includes a battery tester including a display that is disposed around a substantial portion of the circumference of the battery. Also describe is a battery operated electronic device including a case that houses electronic components that comprise the electronic device, said case including a door that opens up to a battery compartment, with the door having at least a transparent window portion in the door.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electric vehicle, which enables the installed battery to be replaced with many kinds of batteries and having high reliability and economical properties. The electric vehicle comprises: a driving unit for driving the electric vehicle with an electricity; a vehicle controller for controlling the driving unit; a battery unit for supplying an electric power to the driving unit; and a battery charger for charging the battery unit, the battery unit being provided with plural secondary batteries and means for monitoring the state of the secondary batteries thereby to issue a signal to the vehicle controller based on the obtained information from the secondary batteries.

Abstract: A battery charger is described for one or more rechargeable batteries. The charger derives its power from a DC power source such as another battery, and produces a pulsed recharging current that has a periodic variable frequency pulse. The charger also permits higher voltage charging current to be achieved than the initial voltage of the DC power source, and monitors both the power source and the batteries being recharged to avoid depletion of the power source or over charging of the batteries.

Abstract: A circuit for providing hi-Z charging of a deeply discharged battery includes a load simulator circuit to provide a charging load resistance even when the battery has been discharged to 0V. The load simulator circuit includes a transistor connected in series with the battery. A logic circuit detects when the battery voltage is below a minimum threshold voltage and instructs a voltage control circuit to provide a constant voltage across the battery and the load simulator circuit. The logic circuit also applies the output of a current control circuit to the gate terminal of the transistor, enabling the current control circuit to regulate the total resistive load of the battery-transistor pair and thus maintain a constant hi-Z charge current across the battery.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention as applied to vehicles, such as electric automotive systems, battery equalization is optimized through performance simultaneously with other routine vehicle functions in the way of maintenance during periods when the temperature of the battery pack is in a lower temperature regime. An equalization current is chosen as a function of the ambient conditions and effectiveness of the thermal system detected by the battery pack control module, so that heat can be minimized as well as then more easily removed from the battery pack, thereby also reducing the length of the process. Opportunity equalization therefore is performed more frequently than is typical at more convenient times and in a manner to optimize the process in view of existing conditions.