Abstract: A battery management circuit allows a communication circuit to communicate with a CPU of an intelligent battery. The communication circuit serves to obtain a battery information signal from the CPU. A battery controlling circuit is allowed to control the supply of the electric power from the intelligent battery in view of the battery information, such as the electric power remaining in the battery, the voltage level of the supplied electric power. When a deficiency is found in the battery information signal, the battery controlling circuit switches over the supply and cutoff of the electric power based on the voltage level detected at a voltage detector circuit. The supply of the electric power can be controlled without the battery information signal. Even when the defect is found in the battery information signal, the supply of the electric power can be maintained as long as the voltage level is normal. The interruption of related operations can be deferred.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for supplying power to electronic devices, comprising a housing, an electric power source connector coupled to the housing, an electronic circuit enclosed in the housing and electrically coupled to the power source connector, and a universal serial bus connector coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the electronic circuit, wherein the connector is capable of supplying electrical power to one or more electronic devices for battery charging. The electronic circuit is capable of controlling the charging of the batteries of more than one device and can be enabled to provide data communication between data devices. The apparatus may receive power from a utility power outlet or from another electronic device through the USB connector.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus is disclosed which would allow a user to use a vacuum cleaner for up to about 15 to 20 minutes, or possibly even longer, without the need for an alternating current hookup. The present invention would weigh about 10 pounds and would be affixed to the side of a vacuum cleaner. The present invention would be capable of storing a charge necessary to run a vacuum cleaner for about 15 to 20 minutes, and would function as a temporary battery while providing 2,000 watts of continuous power output.

Abstract: A protection circuit (100) and protection device (300) for protecting a rechargeable (lithium-based) battery cell or cells from overcharging. A voltage regulator element (110, 310) is connected in parallel with the battery cell or cells (5) and is thermally coupled to a thermal element (120, 322, 326) connected in series with the charging current supply. The voltage regulator element (110, 310) prevents overcharging of the battery (5) by shunting current away from the battery when a predetermined voltage across the battery is exceeded. Moreover, the thermal element (120, 322, 326) prevents failure of the voltage regulator element (110, 310) by open circuiting the current path when the heat dissipated by the voltage regulator element (110, 310), thermally coupled to the thermal element (120, 322, 326) causes the thermal element to enter a high resistance state.

Abstract: An improved power source is provided incorporating a main battery pack and reserve battery pack. Both the main battery pack and reserve battery pack include rechargeable power sources and electrical power terminals. In addition, the power source includes a first mount for affixing the main battery pack to the reserve battery pack so that the respective power terminals engage and become electrically coupled. Moreover, the reserve battery pack includes an additional second set of power terminals for connection to an electrically powered device, such as a video camera. A second mount is provided for affixing the reserve battery pack to the electrically powered device so that the reserve battery pack's second set of power terminals engage electrical terminals of the electrically powered device. A controller is provided for controlling the electrical connection of the main battery pack and reserve battery pack to the electrically powered device.

Abstract: A method of distributing jump-start booster packs. The method includes furnishing a jump-start booster pack without an internal booster battery at an origin location and packaging the jump-start booster pack at the origin location. The jump-start booster pack is then shipped to a remote location.

Abstract: A splitting adapter for a battery charger having a power cord for connection to an electrical source, the charger having a single charging receptacle for receiving a connector extension of a battery pack of the type used with cordless power tools, said adapter including a housing having a housing connector extension with a sufficiently similar structural and electrical configuration as the connector extension of the battery pack so that the housing can be electrically connected to the battery charger when said housing connector extension is inserted into the charging receptacle. The splitting adapter also includes at least two charging receptacles, each of which is configured to receive a battery pack connector extension, where the charging receptacles are spaced from one another a sufficient distance that the battery packs will not interfere with one another when inserted into the adapter.

Abstract: A starter/alternator system (24) for hybrid electric vehicle (10) having an internal combustion engine (12) and an energy storage device (34) has a controller (30) coupled to the starter/alternator (26). The controller (30) has a state of charge manager (40) that monitors the state of charge of the energy storage device. The controller has eight battery state-of-charge threshold values that determine the hybrid operating mode of the hybrid electric vehicle. The value of the battery state-of-charge relative to the threshold values is a factor in the determination of the hybrid mode, for example; regenerative braking, charging, battery bleed, boost. The starter/alternator may be operated as a generator or a motor, depending upon the mode.

Abstract: A mobile AC power system wherein the DC current of battery is converted by a power inverter electrically coupled to the battery terminals and the inverter is also mechanically coupled the battery. An AC outlet is positioned to provide a source of power and the unit has a power input being configured to receive a charging current for the battery. The AC outlet is disabled when the power input is receiving a charge.

Abstract: A swivel-jointed voltage-stepping charger comprising a flexible hose, a transformer, a power socket/signal input-output port, an engaging bracket, a supporting frame and two charging stands. The flexible hose is a cylindrical tube that can be bent into a variety of final configurations. The transformer is connected to one end of the flexible hose. The power socket/signal input-output port has a plurality of connection terminals therein and is connected to the other end of the flexible hose away from the transformer. The engaging bracket joins up with the power socket/signal input-output port and the flexible hose. The supporting frame is firmly attached to the engaging bracket. Each charging stand has a signaling port and a ball-in-socket joint installed on the front and back surface of each charging stand. The two ball-in-socket joints are each fastened to a linkage sheath and a linking rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical energy passing to and from a battery post. The apparatus includes a resistor having a known resistance, a first conducting surface and a second conducting surface. The conducting surfaces are arranged such that current flow from a battery post will travel through the resistor from the first conducting surface to the second conducting surface, and current flow to the post travels through the resistor from the second to the first conducting surfaces. The energy measuring apparatus further includes a first lead electrically connected to the first conducting surface of the resistor, and a second lead electrically connected to the second conducting surface of the resistor.

Abstract: A fuel cell system determines each of a battery charging current error, a battery voltage error, and a stack current error. The fuel cell system regulates current through a series pass element in response to a greater of the determined errors, operating in three modes: battery voltage limiting mode, stack current limiting mode and battery charging current limiting mode. Additionally, there can be a fourth “saturation” mode where the stack voltage VS drops below the battery voltage VB. A voltage difference across the series pass element is compared to a desired condition such as a saturation level, and a partial pressure of a reactant flow to the fuel cell stack adjusted based on the determined amount of deviation limiting the energy dissipated by the series pass element. Individual fuel cell systems can be combined in series and/or parallel to produce a combined fuel cell system having a desired output voltage and current.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide an output based upon a selected test criteria. Additionally, circuitry is provided to assist in balancing batteries used in a string of multiple batteries.

Abstract: In a solar cell arrangement, a generally rectangular solar cell has mutually orthogonal sides in plan view and a third oblique side to them which adjoins them. A protection diode is located in the region bounded by the third side and projections of the first and second sides. The protection diode is electrically connected to the solar cell. Use of the invention enables protection to be provided individual solar cells of a solar cell array without a significant loss in the area occupied by the light sensitive solar cell surfaces.

Abstract: An over-charge determining circuit provided for every unit cell generates, a cell over-charge detection signal which becomes high level when a cell voltage is higher than an upper limit value of an allowable voltage range thereof which is set as the threshold value voltage. The threshold value voltage is changed to a lower limit value of the allowable voltage range with which the cell over-charge detection signal surely becomes high level. Even when an output of an AND circuit for obtaining a logical product of the cell over-charge detection signals should become high, if an over-charge determining circuit of which output is fixed to the low level due to a fault of the like exists, the output of the AND circuit becomes low.

Abstract: A power ring of annular conductor configuration for use in a military vehicle to supply electricity to devices in the vehicle. The power ring includes a plurality of controllers (1) as monitoring and switching devices arranged along and connected with the annular conductor segments forming the ring, a plurality of taps provided for the annular conductor (9) for connecting the annular conductor to loads, feed locations on the annular conductor (9) for feeding electrical energy, and data connections between the controllers (1) and a superordinated control apparatus for monitoring and controlling the power ring. The tap or the feed location for the annular conductor is in each instance structurally combined as a unit with a controllable node that is disposed along the annular conductor and connected into the annular conductor in a multiple manner so that annular conductor segments (9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5) are obtained between the tap controllers (1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.

Abstract: A method for controlling charge preventing an operation of a valve during charging and suppressing the false detection of the upper limit charging voltage due to the memory effect at the charge side in a secondary battery mounted on an automated guided vehicle is presented. The method includes charging the secondary battery at a charging current value of not less than 0.5 C and not more than 4.0 C; detecting current that flows in the secondary battery and calculating the remaining capacity by accumulating at least the detected current; and completing the charge to the secondary battery when the calculated remaining capacity is not less than the threshold value that is pre-set to not less than 60% and not more than 95%.

Abstract: In a cellular phone of the invention, a rechargeable battery is used as a power supply to feed power to a second load and a regulator via a charging current detector circuit and a charging switch when an external power is not fed. The power is converted to an optimum voltage by the regulator and fed to a CPU and a load. When the external power is fed, the rechargeable battery is recharged and the charging current is detected by the charging current detector circuit. While a variation in the load is caused by a change in the operating state of the cellular phone from the call termination ready state to conversation state, or while a variation in the second load is caused by lighting of a key backlight, the current flowing in the charging current detector circuit stays constant and the correct charging current can be detected exclusively.

Abstract: Battery life estimation can be performed by using an algorithm and parameter values for the algorithm, scaled according to the type, e.g. capacity and chemistry, of the battery actually being used. The result of the algorithm may be scaled according to the expected current demand of the apparatus being powered by the battery. A parameter of the algorithm may also be varied if it fails to meet a predetermined fitness criterion during discharging of the battery.

Abstract: This application relates to a control system and method for use in a hybrid power supply apparatus comprising a current generating device, such as a fuel cell, and an energy storage device, such as a battery. The invention ensures that the fuel cell operates in a quasi steady state mode irrespective of fluctuations in load power demands. By restricting the operation of the fuel cell to discrete steady modes with minimal state changes, the useful service life of the fuel cell is prolonged. The control scheme ensures that the current generating device will run in a near steady mode even in the presence of a dynamic load.