Abstract: A battery pack BP having terminals T1, T2, and T3, a detecting circuit, a signal generating circuit, a temperature, voltage, and current detecting circuit, a switching circuit, and a secondary battery connected to the switching circuit. A first external signal generating unit may be connected to terminals T1 and T2 and a second external signal generating unit may be connected to terminals T2 and T3. The detecting circuit detects whether the first or second external signal generating units has been connected. In so doing, the detecting circuit may detect an impedance of the first external signal generating unit and may detect a terminal voltage of the second external signal generating unit. The on/off operations of the switching circuit SW may be controlled in accordance with the detection result.

Abstract: An electrical connection box is provided for a vehicle which has a low-voltage battery of maximum output voltage selected from 14V and 28V, and a high-voltage battery of output voltage higher than that of said first battery structure. The electrical connection box has an insulation plate and, fixed on one face of said insulation plate, first bus bars connected in use to the first battery and second bus bars connected in use to the second battery so that the first and second bus bars are at different potentials. In order to reduce a risk of electrical leakage paths on the insulation plate, at least one of the following features is present: (i) the first bus bars and the second bus bars are separated on the face of the insulation plate by an air insulation zone of width in the range of from about 1 mm to about 30 mm, (ii) an insulation wall stands up on the insulation plate between the first bus bars and the second bus bars, (iii) the second bus bars are embedded in the insulating material.

Abstract: A capacity gauge is provided that measures a selected battery capacity of a plurality of batteries in a multiple battery system. A capacity gauge and a battery current sense resistor reside on the end equipment, while the battery pack contains minimal information associated with the battery pack. Control circuits provide for proper pack selection and pack connection timing, as well as capacity gauge synchronization. Power up/down circuits provide power to control logic, the selection circuits and capacity gauge at power up, power down and battery pack removal. The system is powered by a selected battery pack after the battery pack selection is executed, and the selected battery pack monitored by the capacity gauge.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism, a power supply, and a trip mechanism powered from a first power supply output. A power supply monitor circuit includes a terminal adapted for electrical connection to a ground, a first resistor electrically connected in series with a power supply regulator, a first transistor having an output and two inputs electrically connected in parallel with the first resistor, a first capacitor electrically connected between the first power supply output and the first transistor output, a second resistor electrically connected in series with the first capacitor between power supply outputs, a second transistor having a first input electrically interconnected with the first transistor output, a second input and an output, a diode electrically connected between the terminal and the second transistor second input, and an interface between the second transistor output and a trip mechanism input for disabling the tripping.

Abstract: A battery pack mounted to a predetermined apparatus to permit supply and output of power of a secondary battery cell between the battery pack and the apparatus, comprising: a plurality of field effect transistors for stopping charge or discharge current in response to a control signal; and a control circuit for controlling the charge or discharge current of the secondary battery cell by outputting control voltage for controlling the field effect transistors; wherein the control voltage is supplied to the respective gates of the plurality of field effect transistors through resistors of 10 [k&OHgr;] or more.

Abstract: A battery holding portion holds the plurality of secondary batteries in series connection to a charging power source. The power supply to the secondary batteries in series connection is turned on or off by a switching circuit. A control terminal of the switching circuit is connected to a chassis exposure part of one secondary battery, the chassis exposure parts of other secondary batteries being connected to the reference voltage of the charging power source. When the primary battery is mounted, the switching circuit is turned off, because no current path from the charging power source through the plurality of secondary batteries to the reference voltage is established, whereby the batteries are not charged. Hence, it is possible to prevent the charging for the primary battery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the state of charge of a lead-acid battery. The present invention includes steps to determine a current-based state of charge while accounting for such factors as current, temperature, charge efficiency, parasitic losses and self-discharge. The present invention is capable of measuring and/or calculating the open circuit voltage during and after operation to determine a voltage-based state of charge while compensating the open circuit voltage for its transient behavior and accounting for the voltage shift caused by charge events. The correlation of the open circuit voltage to the state of charge is dependent on the battery's mode of operation. The present invention is adaptive to battery aging by updating the battery resistance, correcting coulomb errors, and accounting for capacity degradation while in operation.

Abstract: An autonomous interactive solar energy production system including a base secured to a floor, a parallelepiped body that swivels on the base including a tilting face fitted with a filed of photovoltaic, thermal and/or mixed cells, a solar energy collector, whose uptake field makes two movements for tracking the sun, one along the azimuth between 0 and 280° between sunrise and sunset, and the other along the zenith between 90 and 45°.

Abstract: a voltage equalizing apparatus for battery devices includes a core, a plurality of first closed circuits and a second closed circuit. The plurality of first closed circuits each includes one of a plurality of first battery devices interconnected in series, one of a plurality of secondary windings magnetically connected with each other through the core, and one of a plurality of first switching devices. The second closed circuit includes a second battery device, a primary winding magnetically connected with the secondary windings through the core, and a second switching device. The first switching devices and the second switching device are alternately turned ON and OFF to equalize the output voltages of the first battery devices. The first switching devices continue to be turned ON after completion of the transportation of the exciting energy stored in the core.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery device includes battery voltage detection means which detects the terminal voltage of a rechargeable battery comprising a nickel hydride metal battery and switching means which switches on and off the charging current of the rechargeable battery continuously or intermittently. A value corresponding to the internal resistance R of the rechargeable battery is determined from the battery voltage Von immediately before the charging current is switched off and the open battery voltage Voff after the charging current is switched off. The value Z(int) corresponding to the early-stage internal resistance R of the rechargeable battery and the value Z(now) corresponding to the latest internal resistance R of the rechargeable battery are compared to determine the operation life of the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an overvoltage disconnect circuit for a lithium ion battery and/or cell. The lithium ion battery has at least one lithium ion battery cell having a rated voltage or a desired voltage, an input terminal, and being chargeable by a charger. The overvoltage disconnect circuit has (1) a switch unit, and (2 & 3) a first and second voltage dividers connected to (4) a comparator. The switch unit is in series with the lithium ion cell and the charger and the gate of the switch unit is connected to the comparator. The first voltage divider receives the voltage of the charger and generates a second charge. The second charge is proportionally below the voltage of the charger. The second voltage divider receives the voltage of the charger and generates a predetermined charge; the predetermined charge is proportionally below and sometimes less than the rated voltage or the desired voltage of the cell. The comparator compares the predetermined charge to the second charge.

Abstract: A portable auxiliary power source includes a clamshell-type housing including a top section or cover and a bottom section hingedly connected together. The housing provides a watertight chamber which fully encloses all internal components. Disposed within the housing are a battery, a pair of charging cables, and a pair of charging clamps. Also disposed within the housing is a control panel which includes a work light, battery charge status indicators, a charge status button, battery monitoring circuitry, an on/off switch. Further the control panel may include a 12 volt charging port, an AC charging port, and a 12 volt DC socket. The control panel provides a storage tray for storage of the charging cables and charging clamps.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply with energy control includes a source of direct current (DC) voltage and current with a battery coupled to an inverter. The output from the inverter is applied to a computer or other loads. A charger is disposed between power line input and the battery as a component of the direct current source.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery which may be used with most presently available hearing aids (or other appliances) with no modification to the existing hearing aid is needed in order to use the described wireless charging system. The battery may be known a “Dynamic battery” as the battery is actively charged by means of an inductor circuit built into the battery housing itself or added onto the battery. The hearing aid may simply be placed within the charger housing (or cradle) to charge the battery. No electrical connection by either wires or electrical contacts is needed to recharge the battery, which is located inside the hearing aid housing. Moreover, the battery need not be removed from the hearing aid (or other appliance).

Abstract: The method is directed to preserve the starter/alternator in an IC engine installation from potential failure owing to insufficient electrical charge in the system energy storage device. The system controller monitors starter/alternator controller signals relating to energy storage device charge level and whether the starter/alternator is available for operation. When monitored charge is detected to be insufficient to operate the starter/alternator, the starter/alternator is disabled and the system controller provides this information to the vehicle operator as a warning signal that the starter/alternator is disabled. Once the operator has effected a remedy (i.e., recharging or replacing the energy charging device), the starter/alternator is again made available for operation.

Abstract: A wireless mouse induction power supply comprises a wireless mouse and a mouse pad. The wireless mouse is installed with a first induction coil which is connected to a first capacitor of a power supply circuit in parallel as an oscillating circuit. The oscillating circuit is connected to a charging capacitor through a diode. A second coil is embedded in the mouse pad; the second coil being connected to a power wire. When power is inputted into the second coil in the mouse pad for generating electromagnetic wave, the electromagnetic wave is received by the first induction coil in the wireless mouse. The induction coil will generate an electromotive potential so as to oscillate with the first capacitor; then the potential will charge the capacitor through the diode. Then, power is outputted to a transmitter in an interior of the wireless mouse; thereby, the wireless mouse remotely controlling a computer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a standard high volume battery charger that is capable of applying a seasoning cycle to batteries disposed within it as well as display battery measurements on a monitor through a user interface serial port. This battery charger comprises an enclosure including a power supply, a user interface connector and disposed with at least one sub-module comprising a mode control board and battery cavity. The mode control board has a user interface front panel, which is comprised of a battery section, battery status panel and a system status panel. The system status panel has disposed upon it two switches, that control the operation of the sub-module, which enable a user to select the application of a seasoning cycle to the batteries in the charger.

Abstract: A system (40) for an automotive vehicle has a temperature sensor (90) generating a temperature signal indicative of the temperature outside the vehicle and a battery. A battery controller (54) is coupled to the temperature sensor (90) and the battery (64). The controller monitors a state of charge of the battery (64), monitors a temperature outside of the vehicle and compares the state of charge to a predetermined state of charge. The predetermined state of charge is a function of the temperature. The controller (54) generates an indicator when the state of charge reaches the predetermined state of charge.

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 device for controlling the operation of a vehicle battery exhibits two current paths for connecting the battery to the vehicle electrical system. Here, the first current path allows current to flow in both directions and the second current path only allows a charging current to flow from the vehicle electrical system to the battery. In addition, the first current path contains a switch which is only closed when the voltage at the generator connection is less than a predetermined value. Apart from this, a measuring device which measures a change in the state of charge of the battery, a storage device which stores the instantaneous state of charge of the battery, and a checking device which checks a predetermined electrical criterion for the maximum attainable state of charge of the battery, are provided.