Abstract: The invention provides an automatic charging device via a USB and method of operating the same. The charging device comprises: a battery charger; an indicator; an USB interface; and a charging controller.

Abstract: A method for activating a secondary battery is provided that enables sufficient activation of a secondary battery in a short time. A secondary battery is activated with a varying current, e.g., pulse current, in which current values in a charge direction and a discharge direction are repeated alternately in a cycle ranging from 1 to 30 seconds.

Abstract: A battery charger charges a plurality of battery portions (204-214) connected in series with one another, a battery portion comprising at least one cell. The battery charger includes a battery portion charger (100) having an output that is electrically floating with respect to a DC power source utilized to power the battery portion charger. The battery portion charger is arranged to be coupled in parallel with a corresponding one of the plurality of battery portions. The battery charger also includes a controller (232) for controlling the battery portion charger.

Abstract: A multi-cell battery includes a battery box having at least three battery plate compartments, wherein the plates in one compartment lie in planes substantially perpendicular to plates in the other two compartments. The compartments can be of rectangular shape and arranged with the length direction of one compartment substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the other two compartments.

Abstract: A multi-battery automatic charging circuit with individual regulator is further provided with one secondary or more than one output interface to convert an AC source via a rectifier into a DC charging source, thus to supply power to an external rechargeable device or a DC load of different voltage through a tap of the circuit specific voltage; or alternatively, a primary battery, or a rechargeable battery provided with storage capacity, or any other rechargeable device generally available in the market is placed in the battery holder provided otherwise for the placement of rechargeable batteries to charge the external rechargeable device or to supply power to a DC load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a series charger with separate detection of batteries which includes a charging control device for converting the inputted AC power into DC power so as to charging four batteries in series connection. The charging control device further provides a reference voltage source to a control IC which is connected with a current detector for measuring the current value of the batteries. Each of the series-connected batteries is parallel-connected with a switch element. A one-way diode is interposed between the positive end of the batteries and each of the switch elements. Besides, the control IC provides −&Dgr;V to the positive terminal of the respective charging circuit of the batteries for detecting the end-point voltage thereof. When each of the batteries is fully charged, the respective switch element is switched in a close circuit so that the charging current continues to flow downward for further charging operation.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply includes a power supply unit for generating DC power at a predetermined voltage from AC power supplied from the outside to supply the DC power to an electronic device, and a rechargeable battery unit including rechargeable battery cells for storing the power supplied thereto from the power supply unit for supplying the electronic device with the power stored in the rechargeable battery upon service interruption of the AC power. The rechargeable battery unit includes a battery state monitoring unit for monitoring a state of the rechargeable battery cells and a communicating unit for notifying the electronic device of information indicative of the state of the rechargeable battery detected by the battery state monitoring unit. The rechargeable battery cells include nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery is provided. The tester includes a pair of Kelvin connectors that can electrically couple to terminals of the battery. Also included, is a source that can apply a time varying forcing function to the battery through the Kelvin connectors. A sensor that electrically couples to the Kelvin connectors can sense a response of the storage battery to the applied forcing function and provide a response signal. An analog to digital converter digitizes the response signal. Processing circuitry converts the digitized response signal into multiple Fourier components and determines noise in the response signal from a subset of the multiple Fourier components.

Abstract: A battery power source device is provided for supplying high electric power used for a drive power source for a vehicle. The battery power source device includes a battery box for storing a plurality of batteries arranged in a connected state in a battery storage room, an inlet opening for introducing a temperature control medium into the battery storage room, an outlet opening for discharging the medium from the battery storage room to the outside, a medium circulation passage for leading the medium discharged from the outlet opening to the inlet opening for feeding into the battery storage room again, and a medium transport device for forcing the medium flow.

Abstract: In a hybrid power supply device constituted such that a secondary battery (4) is charged by a fuel battery (3) and electric power is supplied from the secondary battery (4) to a load (1), even when there are variations among residual capacities of individual unit secondary batteries (4a) constituting the secondary battery (4), the secondary battery (4) can be charged properly without causing overcharging in each of unit secondary batteries (4a). The fuel battery (3) is divided into a plurality of unit fuel batteries (3a), each consisting of a predetermined number of cells, and each unit hybrid power supply (2a) is constituted by connecting each unit fuel battery (3a) with each unit secondary battery (4a) through each charging switch (13) in parallel. The charging switch (13) is controlled independently for each unit hybrid power supply (2a) on the basis of the residual capacity of each unit secondary battery (4a) to perform charging of the unit secondary battery (4a) by the unit fuel battery (3a).

Abstract: A battery module comprises a flat cell including a laminate film; an electric power generating element; lead terminals; a cell outer case junction part formed by partially or completely covering the electric power generating element with the laminate film, and by sealing the laminate film by thermal fusion; a cell assembly formed by collecting a plurality of the flat cells; and a pair of planar supports for interposing the cell assembly. Further, the battery module comprises rib-shaped protrusions respectively including electrical conductors for electrically connecting the lead terminals of the flat cells, the rib-shaped protrusions being held on the planar support at predetermined intervals, and the planar supports pressing and supporting the cell assembly.

Abstract: In a device for generating electrical power with the fuel cell in a vehicle, a temporary power storage supplies power for a battery start, is charged when the fuel cell is operating, outputs power to connected loads of the fuel cell power system when there is an increased power demand, and absorbs power during braking.

Abstract: A backup power supply, comprising: a storage medium for holding an electrical charge and being configured to be connected and disconnected from an electrical device; a source of intermittent power coupled to a power supply and the electrical device being configured to provide an amount of power to the electrical device for a period of time long enough to connect the storage medium to the electrical device. An operating system for determining whether the electrical device requires power from the storage medium. In one embodiment the operating system monitors the current of the source of intermittent power and if the current exceeds a predetermined limit the operating system couples the storage medium to the electrical device by manipulating the position of a switching device disposed between the electrical storage medium and the electrical device.

Abstract: A portable multi-function charger for electronic devices comprises a body, a circuit section, an input end, an output end, an output cord and a battery connector. The body has a cavity therein to receive the circuit section. The circuit section has a circuit board therein and having a plurality of spring contacts. The input end, the output end, the output cord and the battery connector are connected to the circuit board. A mounting stage is arranged on outer surface of the body and has a plurality of contacts therein. The multi-function charger can be electrically connected to notebook computer, wall socket, vehicle charger or battery for inputting electric power. The inventive multi-function charger can be used to simultaneously charge a plurality of portable electronic devices and rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A technique for prolonging the life of a rechargeable battery in a computer is disclosed, wherein an automatic discharging and charging cycle occurs only during a time when the user does not anticipate ever needing to operate the computer using the battery. In another technique for prolonging the life of a rechargeable battery, to eliminate frequent topping off of the battery's charge by the computer's recharging routine, the battery is only automatically topped off after a relatively long interval if the computer remains plugged in. Such topping off may occur after the battery charge has fallen to a certain charge level or only after an extended time period. The time period may be set by the user. By topping off less frequently, the battery life is extended.

Abstract: A battery charger method and apparatus are disclosed for providing detailed battery status and charging method information for a selected one of multiple batteries that are simultaneously coupled to the battery charger. The battery charger includes a controller. The controller selects one of the batteries to monitor and charge. The controller then starts a measurement cycle for the selected battery. During the measurement cycle, the controller determines current battery characteristics of the selected battery. The controller determines whether the selected battery is ready for charging by determining whether the battery characteristics of the selected battery are within a specified range. If the controller determines that the selected battery is ready for charging, the controller causes the battery charger to start charging the battery. If the controller determines that the selected battery is not ready for charging, the controller selects another battery to monitor and charge.

Abstract: An external battery pack apparatus is provided for supplying to a power-supply voltage to a portable appliance, including an adapter having a power-supply terminal and output voltage setting terminals for programming an output voltage; a cable connected to the adapter; and a main body including a battery, a charging controller for charging the battery, and an output controller for performing a DC-to-DC conversion on a voltage charged in the battery, outputting the DC-to-DC converted voltage to the adapter via the cable, detecting a programming status of the adapter, and changing an output voltage in response to the detected programming status.

Abstract: An integrated micro power supply is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the micro power supply includes a microbattery formed within a substrate and an energy gathering device for capturing energy from a local ambient environment. An energy transforming device is also formed within the substrate for converting energy captured by the energy gathering device to electrical charging energy supplied to the microbattery.

Abstract: An autoclavable battery for use with electrical equipment in operative procedures includes a series of electrochemical cells surrounded by insulation and hermetically sealed in a battery case. The insulation has a thickness and thermal conductivity effective to prevent the cells from reaching their venting temperature when subjected to autoclave conditions.

Abstract: An electrical battery comprises a plurality of cells connected in series which are charged by a charger under the control of a battery management system including an individual current shunt circuit in parallel with each cell. The shunt circuit is activated if the voltage at the terminals of the cell exceeds a minimum balancing threshold value. A higher balancing threshold voltage is substituted for the minimum balancing threshold voltage if the battery has not been supplied with power by the charger for a time exceeding a particular time-delay. In the battery management system a single-wire control daisychain connects individual interfaces assigned to each cell of the battery in series to a common control interface.