Abstract: A method for fast-charging an electrochemical cell comprises the steps of: —providing the electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell presenting an initial state of charge (SOC), and—providing a time-varying charging voltage to the electrochemical cell, thereby generating a charging current resulting in charging of the electrochemical cell from the initial SOC up to a target value SOCf for the state of charge. The step of providing a time-varying charging voltage involves applying N bundles of current pulses in such a way that: each bundle k (1?k?N) comprises a variable number Pk of ik pulses (1?ik?Pk), each ik pulse in a k bundle being defined by a C-rate equal to ni,k·C and a duration ?i,k. at each pulse ik, the state of charge (SOC) is increased by ?ik (%)=ni,k·?i,k/M, with M as a predetermined parameter.
Abstract: A fuel cell system includes fuel cell, electrical storage device that stores electric power generated by the fuel cell, and control device of the fuel cell, the control device performs first control which causes the fuel cell to generate power and increases charging rate of the electrical storage device and second control which restricts output of the fuel cell to be smaller than that in the first control and decreases charging rate of the electrical storage device, and when switching condition, in which electric power demand from the external devices becomes greater than predetermined electric power or state in which electric power demand from the external devices is greater than the predetermined electric power continues for predetermined time, is satisfied, the control device increases power output by the fuel cell during the first control being performed to be larger than that before the switching condition was satisfied.
Abstract: Described herein are techniques that increase the charging and/or discharging rate of a rechargeable battery, at least in part, by using frequency modulated (FM) signals having a frequency in the megahertz (MHz) frequency range. In some embodiments, the MHz frequency range may include any frequency between 0.1 MHz and 1 gigahertz (GHz). In some embodiments, a battery charger described herein may be configured to generate and transmit, to a battery, an FM signal modulated over a frequency range during a period of time, the FM signal having a frequency of at least 0.5 MHz during at least a first portion of the period of time. In some embodiments, a method described herein includes transmitting an FM signal modulated over a frequency range during a period of time and having a frequency of at least 0.5 MHz during at least a first portion of the period of time to a battery.
Abstract: This cell balance control device comprises an execution unit that executes cell balance control of a battery having a plurality of battery cells, and an execution condition setting unit that variably sets execution conditions for the cell balance control so that the execution frequency of the cell balance control is increased as the battery deteriorates.
Abstract: A contact unit for a charging station of an electrically driven vehicle and a related method. The contact unit includes at least two charging contact supports having at least two charging contacts thereon and connected by a parallel linkage having connecting and support rods disposed in parallel, each support rod being connected to the connecting rods in one of two parallel movement planes via connecting hinges forming a parallelogram with the connecting rods, the connecting rods connected to a base support by support hinges spaced apart in a support plane extending in parallel and centrically to the movement planes, each charging contact support being connected to the support rod via a rotary hinge, the rotary hinges being orthogonally disposed with respect to the connecting hinges, each charging contact support mounting the charging contacts coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation.
Abstract: A voltage measurer measures a voltage of a battery cell. A controller controls charging-discharging of the battery cell. The controller performs control to apply a reverse current for canceling a polarization voltage of the battery cell through the battery cell after the completion of charging-discharging of the battery cell. For example, after the charging-discharging of the battery cell completes, the controller sets a current command value, in a power converter, that instructs flow of a reverse current of a preset value for a preset time.
Abstract: The All Test Platform (ATP) provides provides a safe and easy way to test batteries within an environmental test chamber. The ATP enables rapid changing of batteries and battery types between tests, and provides the highest density per square foot of environmental test chamber space available for battery testing. The ATP combines multiple components critical for battery testing into a configurable, scalable, safe, and high density battery testing platform.
Abstract: Systems and processes are provided to detect a deeply discharged rechargeable battery. A process includes initiating a processor operative to perform a function within a battery-operated device, determining a first output voltage of a battery, charging the battery with a battery charger for a duration of time between three and seven seconds in response to the first output voltage being less than a cutoff voltage, rebooting the battery-operated device, determining a second output voltage of the battery, providing a user prompt indicative of battery fault in response to the second output voltage being less than the cutoff voltage, and shutting down the battery-operated device.
Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques for monitoring the temperature of a device used to charge a rechargeable power source are disclosed. Implantable medical devices may include a rechargeable power source that can be transcutaneously charged. The temperature of an external charging device and/or an implantable medical device may be monitored to control the temperature exposure to patient tissue. In one example, a temperature sensor may sense a temperature of a portion of a device, wherein the portion is non-thermally coupled to the temperature sensor. A processor may then control charging of the rechargeable power source based on the sensed temperature.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 7, 2020
Date of Patent:
July 19, 2022
Assignee:
Medtronic, Inc.
Inventors:
Peng Cong, Venkat R. Gaddam, David P. Olson, Erik R. Scott, Todd V. Smith, Leroy L. Perz
Abstract: A control system of a charging station can automatically and intelligently connect to and charge an electric vehicle's battery or otherwise provide power to a component of a vehicle. The control system can be configured to detect the position of an onboard unit on a vehicle and automatically maneuver a receiver underneath the onboard unit. The control system can then cause the onboard unit to extend and plug into the receiver. The control system can then deliver power via the receiver and onboard unit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 20, 2021
Date of Patent:
July 5, 2022
Assignee:
Mod.al Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Kreg Peeler, Preston Ruff, Erick Vega, Bruce Cain
Abstract: Provided is a battery system in which a battery cell does not exceed a use limit temperature, and a time taken for returning to the charging/discharging process is shortened even if a frequency for the battery system to stop a charging/discharging process is reduced and the charging/discharging process is stopped. The battery system disclosed in the invention includes a plurality of battery cells and a control circuit which controls a charging/discharging current of the battery cell. The control circuit performs a plurality of temperature rising estimations on the basis of a battery temperature, a charging/discharging current, and a time width of a time window. The control circuit selects the charging/discharging current corresponding to a temperature rising estimation in which the temperature of the battery cell does not exceed a use limit temperature among the temperature rising estimations.
Abstract: The economic efficiency estimation apparatus of the rechargeable battery and the economic efficiency estimation method thereof according to the present invention estimate an economic efficiency index correlated with a full-charge capacity and a charge/discharge energy quantity of a secondary battery, by using a voltage difference between a discharge voltage, which is precalculated, and a charge maximum voltage.
Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a battery management system for periodically determining at least one of charge power limit and discharge power limit of a battery. The method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes predicting the terminal voltage and the net resistance of the battery after a predefined time from the current time using an equivalent circuit model for the battery, and determining the charge power limit or the discharge power limit of the battery from the predicted terminal voltage and net resistance.
Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media may charge a battery. A value of at least one battery parameter is determined, and a range of values to which the value of the at least one battery parameter corresponds to is identified. Based on the identified range of values, a set of values for at least one charging parameter is determined, and a battery is charged while a value of the at least one charging parameter is swept among the set of values.
Abstract: A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.
Abstract: A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.
Abstract: A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.
Abstract: A battery energy storage system is provided with: a charging/discharging control device capable of controlling charging/discharging of each of a plurality of electricity storage units in accordance with the supply and demand state of a power system; and a management device for adjusting the progression of deterioration of each of the electricity storage units by differentiating the charging/discharging amount of each of the electricity storage units and managing by differentiating the electricity storage units having a low degree of progression of deterioration from the electricity storage units having a high degree of progression deterioration.
Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 2, 2018
Date of Patent:
May 31, 2022
Assignee:
Proterra Operating Company, Inc.
Inventors:
Dale Hill, Michael Walker, Joshua Goldman, John Horth
Abstract: A vehicle charging system includes a second fitting body. The second fitting body includes a projection-side electrode holding unit which includes a projection, the projection holding a second electrode member and projecting in a facing direction, and an elastic body which supports the projection-side electrode holding unit in the facing direction and is elastically deformable in a compression direction which is one direction of the facing direction. The elastic body moves the projection-side electrode holding unit in the compression direction from an initial position by being compressed by a load in the compression direction applied to the projection-side electrode holding unit and moves the projection-side electrode holding unit to the initial position by being restored when the load is removed.