Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for discharging an improperly charged cell. A circuit detects when an unsafe event occurs that disables the rechargeable battery. When such an event occurs, a discharge circuit discharges the cell to a level making it safer to dispose, thereby lowering the risk of explosion. A thermal circuit may also be provided that senses the temperature of the cell and discharges the cell based on the sensed temperature.

Abstract: A charging system for a plurality of batteries is provided to better regulate the charging process of the batteries, particularly in the case where one of the batteries is being charged by multiple generators. In one mode, the charging system inhibits overcharging of the batteries. In a further variation, the charging system seeks to maintain the voltages of the batteries within a predetermined charge range (i.e., between an undercharged value and a fully charged value).

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle operating system constituted of a vehicle and at least a charging apparatus, the system comprising means for enabling high-precision unmanned positioning, despite primarily vertical displacements of the vehicle due to changes in tire pressure or weight of a passenger or passengers, and hence enabling efficient, stable power feeding. The charging apparatus includes a power feeding unit, and a vehicle includes a power receiving unit for feeding power in a noncontact manner, which makes possible recharging without manual assistance. A C-shaped transformer and an I-shaped transformer are used for the power feeding unit and the power receiving unit, respectively, so that a magnetic flux induced therebetween can develop substantially in the horizontal direction, thereby feeding power stably despite changes in tire pressure and the like.

Abstract: A solar system for a motor vehicle has a solar generator and an energy storage for supplying power to at least one power consuming device, the solar generator being intended for charging of the energy storage, which is formed by at least one high-capacitance capacitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile terminal (1) for a wireless telecommunication system, with a main body (2) and a battery pack (3) to be connected to said main body (2). The main body (2) comprises a first frequency generating means (4) for generating a first frequency information and a processing means (5) for processing said first frequency information to provide a real time information. The battery pack (3) comprises a second frequency generating means (12) for generating a second frequency information and control means (11) for controlling the transmission of said second frequency information to said processing means (5). The processing means (5) uses the second frequency information for providing updated real time information, whereby the control means (11) comprises a battery pack memory (13) for storing first information relating to an update value of the second frequency information.

Abstract: An integrated power and sense device provides a current used in measuring the charge of a rechargeable battery. The charge measurement apparatus for a rechargeable battery powered system includes an integrated power and sense device having a power device and a sense device, connected to the rechargeable battery and a load; the sense device operatively coupled to provide a mirror current that is a fixed ratio of the current in the power device, and a first circuit that uses the mirror current to measure the charge in the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: An electrical switch and a method of generating an electrical switch output signal. An electric switch senses both pressure placed upon the switch's surface and the contact of the object exerting the pressure on the switch. When both conditions exist, the switch is activated. The electrical switch may employ a piezoelectric element to recognize the application of pressure, a capacitive sensing circuit to recognize the presence of an object applying the pressure, and a microcontroller circuit to control output switch circuity upon satisfaction of both conditions precedent. The electrical switch can be configured to provide a continuous output signal for the duration that the switch is pressed after the conditions are satisfied or to switch between open and closed states each time the switch is pressed after the conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: The problem of battery failure due to failure of one cell in a rechargeable battery, and the related problem of inefficient use of a battery over its dynamic range due to differences between the performance of cells in a battery, are addresses by providing one or more capacitors selectively coupled to the various cells of the battery. The selective and repetitive coupling of capacitors to the cells permits balancing of charge among the cells. This minimizes the risk that any one cell would suffer catastrophic failure due to being fully charged or discharged prior to the other cells in the battery. This also permits making use of the battery over nearly all of its dynamic range. In this way, battery life is maximized.

Abstract: A protection circuit for use with a charger and a chargeable element, such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery, comprises a shunt regulator having a threshold ON voltage coupled in parallel across the chargeable element, and a temperature-dependent resistor, e.g., a positive temperature coefficient device, coupled in series between the charger and the chargeable element. The temperature dependent resistor is thermally and electrically coupled to the shunt regulator, wherein the first variable resistor limits current flowing through the shunt regulator if the current reaches a predetermined level less than that which would cause failure of the regulator, due to ohmic heating of the regulator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of estimating the state of charge of a rechargeable lithium battery. The first step of said method is to determine whether the battery is in an equilibrium state or in a non-equilibrium state. If the battery is determined to be in an equilibrium state, the voltage across the battery is measured and converted into an equilibrium state-of-charge value. If the battery is in a non-equilibrium state, the charge withdrawn from or supplied to the battery is calculated by means of current integration, and this charge is subtracted from or added to a state-of-charge value calculated earlier. Also disclosed is a method of estimating the time that an application can be used under predefined conditions.

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.

Abstract: A system for actively controlling the charging profile of a battery uses a software-based alternator control unit to control the charging voltage. The system optimizes battery and alternator life. The system, on a dynamic basis, uses battery open-circuit voltage (OCV) to estimate battery state-of-charge (SOC). Also, the charging current of the battery is periodically estimated; this, after processing, provides an estimated SOC of the battery.

Abstract: A battery system including at least one battery cell having an interior and having at least one exterior surface is provided with at least one cooling plate that is positioned in engagement with the exterior surface for absorbing heat from the interior of the battery cell. A cooling tube is thermally coupled to the cooling plate for absorbing heat from the cooling plate.

Abstract: A radiant system in accumulators and a resultant product objectifying optimization of energy's generation, storage and use, allowing the reduction of costs through ultra-fast recharges, using pulsating processes that cause high-frequency radiations, through tensions higher than ones currently used, without losses in the characteristics of electricity's conventional use, allowing greater facilities for its use.

Abstract: A battery-charging adapter for a hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA) of the type that is placed in a data cradle. The adapter includes a battery pack that replaces the batteries in the PDA and has a recharging interface, a door that replaces the door of the PDA's battery compartment and permits access to the battery pack's recharging interface when the door is closed, and a surface which is attachable to the data cradle and has a recharging interface and recharging circuitry which is coupled to the recharging interface and a power supply. When the adapter surface is attached to the data cradle and the PDA is in the cradle, the battery pack's recharging interface is coupled to the adapter's recharging interface, permitting the batteries in the PDA to be recharged while the PDA is in the cradle.

Abstract: A regulating circuit that is coupled to a bus voltage and bus voltage return includes a solar array and a bus voltage limiting circuit electrically coupling the bus to the solar array. A battery is coupled to a battery discharge circuit and a battery charge circuit. The battery discharge circuit and the battery charge circuits are also coupled to the bus. A master bus regulator generates a voltage control signal. The control signal is coupled to the bus voltage limiting circuit, the battery discharge circuit, and the battery charge circuit. The voltage control signal is generated in response to the bus voltage.

Abstract: A battery pack diagnostic apparatus that performs diagnosis on a plurality of cells constituting a battery pack measures the current flowing through the battery pack and starts a cell voltage measurement at the terminals of each cell when the absolute value of the measured current flowing through the battery pack has sustained a level equal to or lower than a predetermined value over a specific length of time. By detecting a faulty cell based upon the measured cell voltage value at individual cells thus obtained, a cell failure occurring while the battery pack is used in a normal state such as while the vehicle is in a running state can be detected reliably.

Abstract: A power management unit (PMU) apparatus and method may include: a bi-directional pin configured to serve as an input pin during a first condition and as an output pin during a second condition; or a battery charge controller for providing a first conditioning charge and a second full charge to a voltage source of the PMU; or an adapter detector configured to detect the presence of a continuous output adapter and a pulse output adapter; an under voltage lockout protection circuit to prevent start up of the PMU until a power source reaches a predetermined threshold lockout level and to shut down the PMU once the power source reaches a lower threshold lockout disabling level; or a plurality of internal switches for allowing an external switch to have multiple functions; or a power on reset circuit; or multi-output charge status pin.

Abstract: Universal serial bus powered battery charger primarily intended for use in battery powered hand-held and other portable devices to charge the battery or batteries within the battery powered device when the same is connected to a host device, powered hub or a bus powered hub through a universal serial bus (USB) port. The battery charger includes one or more current limits to conform to the universal serial bus current supply limit set in the USB specification. Any of the universal serial bus voltage and current limits may be used to charge batteries in the battery powered device, such as single cell lithium-ion batteries. Various features are disclosed.

Abstract: A storage battery of the conventional kind for supplying power to electrical devices has a supervising unit for determining the electric capacity. The supervising unit is electrically connected to terminal posts of the battery in order to measure the battery voltage and also measures the battery current. Measurement posts are connected to the end cells of the battery in parallel to the terminal posts and to the supervising unit through bridges. The supervising unit also measures the voltage between the measurement posts and the difference between the measured voltages is a measure of the current flowing through the battery, this difference voltage corresponding to a sum of the voltages over portions of the terminal posts and the bridges. From this difference voltage the current through the battery is calculated and therefrom the remaining electric capacity of the battery is determined by repeating regularly the measurement.