Abstract: This invention relates to a portable external storage device including a battery which supplies power to a communication section which communicates with a plurality of information processing apparatuses, a detection unit which detects a remaining amount of the battery, a storage unit which stores setting information representing a notifying method for information about a remaining amount of the battery transmitted from the information processing apparatus serving as a host device, and a remaining amount of the battery at which a warning is generated, and a notifying unit which notifies the host device of information about the remaining amount of the battery detected by the detection unit on the basis of the setting information stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: Automatic Surveillant Revolving Storage Battery Auxiliary Charging System, to compare the value as controlled by an artificial control or the value as set in a central control unit, with a testing signal produced by a battery charge level detector circuit, operating in line with said artificial control or CCU, so as to drive, in a controlled manner, an auxiliary power supply in the form of a D.C. charge converted from an A.C. line feeder, or to drive the engine generator straight, equipped with a variety of operative functions as optional.

Abstract: A module for a battery is disclosed. The module includes a power system in the container. The power system also includes a high voltage battery for powering high voltage loads. The power system also includes a low voltage battery for powering low voltage loads. The module also includes a converter at least partially in the container configured for directing power provided from the high voltage battery to the low voltage battery. The module also includes a device for disconnecting at least one of the high voltage battery from the high voltage loads and the low voltage battery from the low voltage loads. The container is configured to transfer heat from the battery system to an outside of the container. A module for thermal management of a battery system is also disclosed. An energy management system for a battery system is also disclosed.

Abstract: When a battery is in a standby mode, a microcomputer switches to a sleep mode when no charging/discharging current is supplied within a predetermined time and controls a timer to start measuring the standby time of the battery. When a charging/discharging current is supplied, the microcomputer switches to a wake-up mode and controls the timer to stop measuring the standby time. Then, the microcomputer reads the measured standby time. Based on the read standby time, the microcomputer calculates the correction value to correct the currently stored remaining battery capacity value.

Abstract: A battery recycle system includes a vending machine for vending secondary batteries. The vending machine has therein a telecommunication terminal connected to a server provided in a secondary battery for receiving information of minimum quality of a typical used secondary battery. Upon receiving a used battery from a user, the vending machine supplies a charged battery to the user at a reduced cost corresponding to the quality of the used battery. The used battery is charged and stocked for a next user.

Abstract: A convoluted, bi-metallic test strip is inserted between a battery and an electrical circuit within a flashlight having a nonzero, quiescent, current drain. Squeezing the test strip permits consumers to temporarily test the flashlight. The strip is then removed by consumers after the flashlight has been purchased.

Abstract: A battery pack apparatus including: a plurality of battery packs each having a plurality of rechargeable batteries arranged in parallel, with a cooling medium passage interposed therebetween; a plurality of cooling medium feeding devices provided, one for each of the battery packs for feeding a cooling medium through the cooling medium passage of the battery pack; a temperature detector for detecting temperature of the rechargeable batteries in the respective battery packs; and a controller for controlling the cooling medium feeding devices based on detected temperatures, wherein the controller controls the cooling medium feeding devices such that the maximum or minimum temperatures detected for the respective battery packs substantially match with each other, to thereby inhibit the temperature variation among the rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable lithium battery fabricated by the same. In this method, an electrolyte is placed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode to prepare an electrode element, and the electrode element is pulse charged.

Abstract: A system and method for battery isolation in a charging system includes an isolation diode connected to a charger input voltage and a PNP pass transistor connected in series between the isolation diode and a battery. The pass device conducts a charging current in response to a drive signal applied to its base; the pass transistor side of the diode is at a voltage Vchg. A first switch couples the pass transistor's base to Vchg when Vchg>Vbat such that the pass transistor's base-collector junction blocks current from Vchg from flowing through the pass transistor when the charger is not in use, and a second switch couples the base to Vbat when Vbat>Vchg such that the pass transistor's base-emitter junction blocks current from the battery from flowing through the pass transistor when the charger is not in use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery control device for controlling charging and discharging operations performed on a battery pack in which a plurality of serially-connected battery blocks each include a plurality of battery cells, and the device includes: a voltage measurement section for measuring a battery voltage value for each voltage detection unit determined according to a prescribed condition based on at least one battery characteristic; and an abnormal battery detection section for detecting an abnormal battery based on the battery voltage value measured by the voltage measurement section.

Abstract: A battery charger for use with a battery, and which is provided with a first charging current to substantially maintain the electrical charge of the battery is described and which includes a plurality of fuel cell modules which supply a second charging current for substantially maintaining the charge of the battery; and a controller electrically coupled with the plurality of fuel cell modules, and wherein upon interruption of the first charging current, the controller operably delivers the second charging current to the battery.

Abstract: An increased capacity battery holder, which allows a device to be used for a longer time duration than can be achieved from solely internally contained batteries, capable of providing additional energy to the device, beyond internal space and volume limitations of the device, having additional battery holding capacity external to the device, with the additional battery holding capacity self contained within the battery holder. The battery holder provides maximum energy output, a portion of the battery holder being matingly removably attachable and optionally removably lockable to the device. The battery holder is safe, of simple construction, easy to install and remove therefrom the device, acts as an additional means for holding and/or handling the device, and is capable of forming an integral assembly with the device. The battery holder has means for preventing inadvertent shorting and/or reversing polarity of the batteries, and optionally recharging means for recharging the batteries.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester includes a calibration interface. A microprocessor is configured to calibrate the battery tester by coupling to a calibrator through the calibration interface.

Abstract: A portable battery charger. The portable battery charger is for charging a battery and comprises a housing assembly including a charging port for supporting the battery during charging of the battery, a portable power source supported by the housing assembly, and a charging circuit supported by the housing assembly and electrically connectable between the power source and the battery to supply power from the power source to the battery to charge the battery.

Abstract: A chargeable battery or a battery pack stores electrical energy, and supplies the electrical energy to a portable terminal device connected to the battery pack. A display device of the battery pack derives a value of a current flowing through a sensor which is connected to the chargeable battery. The display device derives the remaining amount of electrical energy stored in the chargeable battery, by adding up the derived current value. The display device includes a plurality of photodiodes, and shows the remaining amount of electrical energy stored in the chargeable battery, by lighting up corresponding number of photodiodes corresponding to the derived remaining amount.

Abstract: A jump start protection circuit having a normally open switch and a resistor positioned in parallel intermediate to a battery and a jump start post. A controller manipulates the switch between an open position and closed position, the closed position connects the jump start post to the battery and the open position disconnects the jump start post from the battery. The controller measures voltages at the battery and jump start post and is capable of receiving one or more additional inputs. The controller closes the switch when acceptable jump start conditions are detected. The controller can open the switch or maintain the switch in an open position. The jump start circuit provides protection against attempts to charge a battery with incorrect polarity connections and attempts to charge a battery from a potentially hazardous higher voltage power source.

Abstract: A method and system for equalizing the voltage of batteries in a battery string to a desired voltage. An equal string current is drawn from the batteries of the battery string and redistributed as a plurality of secondary currents to each battery depending upon the comparative voltage of the individual batteries. A larger secondary current is provided to batteries having a low voltage and a smaller secondary current is provided to batteries having a high voltage. A transformer is provided electrically connected to the battery string having an input winding connected to the battery string such that it receives an equal string current from each battery. The transformer has a plurality of output windings having an equal turn ratio, each output winding in parallel with a battery of the battery string, to provide a secondary charging current to a battery in the battery string.

Abstract: A battery pack having a first secondary cell and a second secondary cell, preferably of a non-aqueous chemistry, is described. Each secondary cell has a discharge capacity and an internal resistance to a direct charge current. To diminish and alleviate problems associated with extended cycling of battery packs, the internal resistance to the direct charge current and the discharge capacity of each secondary cell is substantially matched. Thereby, the battery packs have longer running voltages and increased energy density.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for improving the power consumption of a switch input circuit is described having resistive elements, the method including the steps of providing a wetting current to at least one switch through a respective resistive element, and modulating the wetting current with a pulse width modulation signal to provide a reduced average voltage applied to the respective resistive element, and thereby reduce the power consumption of the circuit.

Abstract: This method of charging includes a method of terminating charge when three events have occurred: a voltage across at least one of the cells reaches a predetermined maximum voltage, the average charging current falls below a predetermined minimum current, and the presence of a power source has been detected. The method also includes a safety termination that prohibits charge upon the expiration of a timer when the cells have stored little or no energy.