Abstract: A power conditioner with iterative switching for charging a battery pack from a photovoltaic panel senses sunlight on panel cells, senses battery cells charges, senses panel output voltage and battery pack voltage, connects the panels to battery packs upon sensing sunlight and panel output voltage greater than battery pack voltage, disconnects the panels when battery cells approach full charge, reconnects the panels to the battery pack when battery charges drop and iteratively switches the connections on and off according to the readings from voltage sensors.

Abstract: A power transmitting device includes: a power transmitting unit that contactlessly transmits alternating-current power to be transmitted to a power receiving unit of a vehicle; a camera that detects a positional relationship between the power transmitting unit and the power receiving unit; and a power supply ECU. The power supply ECU is configured to perform an “alignment process” performing a process using the positional relationship detected by the camera for aligning the power receiving unit with the power transmitting unit, and a “power transmission function check process” causing the power transmitting unit to output a checking power to check whether a power transmission function of the power transmitting unit functions properly. When wireless communication is established with the vehicle, the power supply ECU initially performs the alignment process, and after it is determined that the alignment process completes alignment, the power supply ECU performs the power transmission function check process.

Abstract: A battery charging method includes: charging a battery based on a charging profile; and in response to a charging termination event occurring, terminating the charging of the battery, wherein the charging profile is determined using weight information derived based on battery characteristic information and a basic charging profile.

Abstract: The device (10) is connected to AC supply (12). The device (10) is also connected to a charger that may charge a battery. The device (10) detects an AC current and AC voltage when the charging operation is ongoing and/or interrupted. Based on the detected AC voltage and AC current, the device (10) determines an active power. The device (10) may also obtain electrical characteristics of the charger. Based on the active power, the device (10) may determine a DC charging current taking place at the charger charging the battery. The characteristics of the charger may be utilized when determining this. Consequently, the device (10) can determine a currently used DC charging current of the charger. The device (10) uses an algorithm to determine an appropriate point of time for disconnecting the AC output for disconnecting the charging operation. The device (10) inspects the charging current in a stepwise procedure.

Abstract: A device balances an energy storage module having multiple energy storage cells connected in series.

Abstract: Battery packs and methods for controlling charging of battery packs are disclosed. In one aspect, a battery pack includes a battery including at least one battery cell, a first pack terminal and a second pack terminal configured to be connected to a charger, and a discharging switch including a first switch and a diode. The first switch is connected between the second pack terminal and the battery. The diode is connected in parallel to the first switch and has a forward direction in which charging current of the battery flows. The battery pack further includes a battery management unit configured to select a charging mode from one of a first charging mode in which the battery is charged with charging current flowing through the first switch and a second charging mode in which the battery is charged with charging current flowing through the diode.

Abstract: A sorting mechanism includes a flap that selects a first path connecting from a battery outlet of a charging section to a battery inlet of a first compartment section as a path to introduce a first battery to the first compartment section in a case of housing the first battery in the first compartment section, and that selects a second path connecting from the battery outlet of the charging section to a battery inlet of a second compartment section as a path to introduce a second battery to the second compartment section in a case of housing the second battery in the second compartment section.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electric vehicle charger with load shedding. One embodiment provides a method of load shedding including receiving, at an electronic processor of an EV charger, an indication of an amount of current flowing through a main switchboard connected to the EV charger and determining, with the electronic processor, whether the amount of current exceeds a predetermined threshold. The method also includes reducing, using the electronic processor, a charge rating of the EV charger when the amount of current exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle battery jump starter including a battery pack interface configured to receive at least one of a first rechargeable battery pack having a first nominal voltage and a second rechargeable battery pack having a second nominal voltage different from the first nominal voltage, a power boost module including one or more energy storage devices, and terminal clamps configured to electrically connect the vehicle battery jump starter to a vehicle battery. The jump starter further includes a controller having an electronic processor configured to close a jump start switch in response to detecting an attempted vehicle start, close a first bypass switch when the voltage of the battery pack is greater than the voltage threshold, and close the second bypass switch when the voltage of the battery pack is less than the voltage threshold.

Abstract: A terminal, a power adapter, and a method for handling a charging anomaly are provided. The terminal includes a battery and a charging interface. The terminal forms a charging loop with the power adapter via the charging interface. The terminal also includes a communication unit, an anomaly detection unit, and an anomaly handling unit. The communications unit receives charging parameter information from the power adapter. The handling detection unit determines whether an anomaly occurs on the charging loop according to the charging parameter information. When the anomaly occurs on the charging loop, the anomaly handling unit controls the charging loop to enter into a protection state. Therefore, the security of the charging process is improved.

Abstract: A wireless charger includes a rectifier, a first filter that includes an inductor, a resonant tank circuit, and a second filter that includes a switch. The rectifier receives a drive signal from a voltage supply and generates a rectified voltage signal. The rectified voltage signal is filtered by the first filter and the filtered signal is provided to the tank circuit, which resonates to provide power wirelessly to a receiver. The switch of the second filter is connected in parallel with the inductor of the first filter. The switch is closed in order to bypass the inductor during a detection phase in which the wireless charger determines a quality factor of the tank circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for balancing a battery having a plurality of cells connected in series. The system includes a plurality of reactive charge transfer units connected with the plurality of cells, a first control unit and a second control unit. The first control unit is configured to determine a state of charge of the plurality of cells, determine a reference value associated with the battery, identify an overcharged cell or a discharged cell in the battery, and determine a charge differential between state of charge of the overcharged cell or the discharged cell and the reference value associated with the battery. The second control unit is configured to arrange charge transfer between the overcharged cell or the discharged cell, and remaining pack of cells in the battery. The first and the second control units are configured to function iteratively until cell balancing is attained.

Abstract: The present invention includes a battery pack maintenance device for performing maintenance on battery packs of hybrid and/or electrical vehicles (referred herein generally as electric vehicles). In various embodiments, the device includes one or more loads for connecting to a battery pack for use in discharging the battery pack, and/or charging circuitry for use in charging the battery pack. Optional input/output circuitry can be provided for communicating with circuitry of in the battery pack and/or circuitry of the vehicle.

Abstract: A modular dynamically allocated capacity storage system (MODACS) is provided and includes a housing and a control module. The housing includes source terminals, switches, cells, and sensing module. The source terminals supplying power at a first voltage potential to a first plurality of loads and power at a second voltage potential to a second plurality of loads. The cells are configured to supply power to each of the source terminals based on states of the switches. The sensing modules are configured to determine parameters of each of the cells and generate corresponding status signals. The control module is configured to receive a power request signal, and based on the power request signal and the parameters of each of the cells, determine a connected configuration for the cells relative to each other and the plurality of source terminals and set states of the switches according to the connected configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery pack, including: at least one battery module which includes a plurality of battery cells and is connected between a first terminal and a second terminal; a relay connected between the first terminal and a third terminal; and a battery management system (BMS) which is connected to the first to third terminals, and generates a charge control signal controlling a charge operation of a charger connected to the third terminal based on battery detection information obtained by detecting the plurality of battery cells and the at least one battery module.

Abstract: A battery for a motor vehicle, having multiple battery cells which include respective battery cell housings with electric terminals via which the battery cells are electrically connected to one another. In the battery cell housings, in each case a cell branch connecting the terminals, with a galvanic cell, is arranged, and in each case several of the battery cells are connected to one another in parallel connection to form respective cell blocks. Each cell branch includes a switching element for opening and closing the cell branch; the battery has a control device which is configured in order to actuate the switching elements of the cell branches for opening or closing the switching elements as a function of a performance requirement of an electric drive of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: It is common for a power tool system from a manufacturer to include a battery pack that is designed and configured to mate and operate with at least one power tool and a battery charger. However, as systems have evolved it has become desirable to provide a battery pack that is designed and configured to mate and operate with at least one power tool and a first battery charger but not a second battery charger. The present disclosure provides a battery pack including a housing, a terminal block, a plurality of terminals, and a mechanical lockout for allowing engagement with a power tool and a first battery charger while preventing engagement with a second battery charger.

Abstract: A device and method of transferring energy between peer devices includes determining a predefined limit on energy transfer to a consumer device, initiating transfer of the energy via an energy transfer connection, and terminating the energy transfer when the predefined limit is reached.

Abstract: A wireless battery charging system includes a trickle power device (e.g., FET) that generates a trickle charging current for charging a battery and a trickle charging regulator that controls the trickle power device. A fast charging device generates a fast charging current for charging the battery, where the fast charging current is greater than the trickle charging current. A fast charging regulator controls the fast charging device. A digital control module generates a trickle charging codeword to control the trickle charging regulator and a fast charging codeword to control the fast charging regulator. Each charging regulator has a programmable current mirror that generates a mirrored current signal based on a codeword from the digital control module. The digital control module instructs the charging regulators to control the power devices to operate in a trickle charging mode, a fast charging mode, and transitions between those modes.

Abstract: A method for determining a temperature characteristic of an electrochemical cell assembly includes (1) sensing a first voltage via one or more thermistors electrically coupled to the electrochemical cell assembly while loading circuitry electrically coupled to the thermistors is deactivated, (2) sensing a second voltage via the one or more thermistors while the loading circuitry is activated, and (3) determining the temperature characteristic of the electrochemical cell assembly at least partially from the first and second voltages.