Abstract: A charge equalizing device for a power storage unit, which equalizes a remaining charge of each cell unit of the power storage unit that includes a plurality of groups of cells formed by a plurality of the cell units which are connected in series. The charge equalizing device includes a connection device which connects the groups of cells in series, the connection device being capable of connecting and disconnecting the groups of cells, a connection terminal provided for each of the cell units, and a switch device which connects one of the connection terminals of one of the groups of cells to another connection terminal of the other group of cells. The switch device is capable of changing the combination of the connection terminals to be connected.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck including a dielectric layer made of aluminum nitride, an inner electrode buried in the dielectric layer, and a surface layer covering a surface of the dielectric layer. The surface layer is made of a material harder than the aluminum nitride constituting the dielectric layer and having a thickness of not less than 200 nm, and the surface of the dielectric layer has a center-line average surface roughness of not more than 25 nm. The electrostatic chuck is adapted to adsorb a wafer onto the dielectric layer through the surface layer.

Abstract: A battery pack for use as a backup power supply device for various electronic devices has a rechargeable battery group having a plurality of cylindrical rechargeable batteries connected in series and/or parallel and arranged in horizontal flat arrays as a flat block, and an electronic circuit for controlling charging of the rechargeable battery group. Two heat radiating plates sandwich opposite surfaces of the rechargeable batteries of the rechargeable battery group and are held against circumferential surfaces of the rechargeable batteries. A battery case houses an electronic circuit positioned at an end in the direction of the arrays of the rechargeable batteries and surrounds the rechargeable battery group to accommodate them therein. The battery case supports the heat radiating plates so as to be exposed to the exterior. The battery pack is compact and free of thermal problems with the rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: Electrical energy is charged to a dielectric by using an energizing unit. A relay apparatus includes a first electromagnetic relay and a second electromagnetic relay. One light-emitting transistor is turned on by self-maintaining the second electromagnetic relay and, then, one light-receiving transistor is turned on. Another light-emitting diode is turned on by discharging the dielectric and another light-receiving transistor is turned on. A power voltage is applied to a base of a transistor for start, and the transistor for start is turned on. The first electromagnetic relay is self-maintained, an interval between output terminals is energized, and a load is driven. Accordingly, the relay apparatus can be miniaturized with a safety function and with low costs.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle and a control method of the hybrid vehicle is provided, capable of suppressing discharge of the battery at the time of starting a DC/DC converter and suppressing temporal voltage drop of the battery. When the engine is in the idle state and the power generated by the motor is not sufficient, the motor controller starts the DC/DC converter at a low output voltage state, and the amount of power generated by the motor is gradually increased at a speed without disturbing the idle rotation of the engine, and when it is determined that the power generation by the motor is sufficiently high by comparing the amount of power generation with the amount of power consumption at the output of the DC/DC converter, the operation mode of the output variable DC/DC converter is switched from the low voltage mode to the high voltage mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an energy source for portable computer systems. In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of a front flip cover having integrated therewithin a flat rechargeable battery. The front flip cover is adapted to be removably attached to a portable computer system. In the present embodiment, the front flip cover includes a hinge. The front flip cover further has a first electrical connector coupled to the hinge. The front flip cover further has a second electrical connector coupled to the front flip cover. A renewable energy source or battery is coupled with the front flip cover and is disposed integral of the front flip cover. The renewable energy source or battery provides operating power to the portable computer system. In one embodiment, the flip cover also has a communication port attached thereto for allowing synchronization and recharging functions when inserted into a cradle.

Abstract: A terminal assembly for measuring electrical current passing to and from a battery post, including an electrically conductive collar for connecting to a post of a battery, and an electrically conductive terminal for receiving a connector of a load. An electrically conductive resistor having a known resistance extends between outer surfaces of the collar and the terminal. The terminal assembly is incorporated into a battery, which also includes a volt meter connected between the outer surfaces of the collar and the terminal for measuring the voltage drop across the resistor, memory for storing the known resistance of the resistor, and a processor programmed to receive the measured voltage drop from the volt meter, retrieve the known resistance from the memory, and calculate current flow through the resistor based on the measured voltage drop and the known resistance, whereby current flow to and from the battery can be measured.

Abstract: An electric motor cycle 1 carrying batteries (12) wherein the batteries (12) and a charger (13) are integrated into one body, and the integrated body of batteries and charger is removably mounted on a vehicle body (2). The batteries (12) and the charger (13) are further integrated with a remaining capacity meter (14) into one body, and the integrated body of batteries, charger and remaining capacity meter is removably mounted on the vehicle body. And, a battery-monitoring CPU for protecting the batteries (12) serves to control the charger. A signal line from the remaining capacity meter (14) and a signal line provided on the vehicle body are connected via a connector, and a display of the remaining capacity meter is provided near a speed meter display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rechargeable power source apparatus capable of performing the detection of a charge current with the overdischarge protection state being held and the detection of a discharge current with the overcharge protection state being held. For the detection of the charge current, the voltage developed across a resistance component of a charging switch of a switching circuit is utilized. Also, for the detection of the discharge current, the voltage developed across a resistance component of a discharging switch of the switching circuit is utilized. As a result, it is possible to perform the detection of the overcharge current in the overdischarge protection state and the detection of the overdischarge current in the overcharge protection state.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus that includes temperature-sensitive functional means for performing pre-configured functionality (such as video recording), mounting means for mounting the apparatus to a motor vehicle, and heating means for heating the functional means. Detection means detects at least one of: whether an automobile battery in the automobile is being charged and whether an engine block in the automobile is being heated. Control means controls the heating means and initiates a heating process upon detection by the detection means.

Abstract: A method for managing temperature of a battery of an electric vehicle is provided which comprises: determining whether a value of a state of charge of a battery is less than a predetermined value; regulating temperature of the battery such that the temperature of the battery approaches a temperature for a maximum charge power of the battery, if the value of the state of charge of the battery is less than the predetermined value; and regulating temperature of the battery such that the temperature of the battery approaches a temperature for a maximum charge amount of the battery, if the value of the state of charge of the battery is greater than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A solar powered monitor is powered by a photovoltaic solar module. The monitor measures the electrical output from the solar module and records the length of each interval of time during which the electrical output is below a predetermined value. The length of those intervals is accumulated and periodically displayed to determine the operability of the solar module. The module can be used to provide power for surveillance and for other uses.

Abstract: The pads of a semiconductor die are protected from an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event by an ESD protection circuit that has a number of master clamps and a number of slave clamps that are controlled by the master clamps. The slave clamps are formed under the ESD plus and minus rings which, in turn, are formed under the pads, thereby providing a significant reduction in the height of the I/O cell, and improved ESD performance by reducing metalization IR drops. The master and slave clamps provide 5V tolerance by utilizing a keep off circuit that prevents the master clamp from triggering when the voltage on the positive ESD rail changes from a first non-ESD voltage to a second non-ESD voltage.

Abstract: A charging device having a voltage stabilization unit, a charging unit, a battery protection unit, and a voltage setting unit. The voltage setting unit includes a control circuit, a voltage adjustment circuit, and a voltage selection circuit. The charging device can output a selected one of a plurality of voltages to one of various portable electronic devices such that a plurality of portable electronic devices can be charged with only one charging device. Moreover, the device is connectable to external power source or automobile power supply depending on applications. Hence, it is convenient in use.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) corner clamp is connected to a positive ESD rail that has a steady first voltage, such as 2.6V, and can be driven to a larger second voltage, such as 4.3V. The ESD corner clamp provides 5V tolerance by utilizing a keep off circuit that prevents the corner clamp from triggering when the voltage on the positive ESD rail changes from the first voltage to the second voltage.

Abstract: The battery charging process monitors the battery charging pockets waiting for an indication that a battery or a phone-battery combination has been inserted into their respective pockets. The first battery that is inserted is the high priority battery and is charged first while any subsequent battery inserted into a charging pocket has no power applied until the high priority battery is charged. If the phone enters a call while in the charger, it becomes the high priority battery if it was not already. In this case, power is removed from the individual battery and applied to the phone-battery combination until the call has been completed. At this point, the process returns the high priority status to the battery that had it prior to the call interrupt.

Abstract: A method and a system of maintaining a rechargeable battery for an electronic device capable of utilizing the battery as a power source are disclosed. Usage of the battery is monitored. Based on this monitored usage, a user of the electronic device is notified of the need for performing a conditioning or deep discharge cycle on the battery. The user is provided with a user interface for scheduling the conditioning cycle on the battery. The conditioning cycle is then performed as scheduled, provided that the electronic device is coupled to an external power source and/or is in a mode appropriate for performing the conditioning cycle on the battery (e.g., shut down or standby mode). Further, the life capacity of the battery may be monitored, and the user may be notified of the need to replace the battery if the life capacity of the battery falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A Li-ion and/or Li-ion polymer cell, comprised of a first cathode section and a second cathode section. Each cathode section has a cathode current collector in contact therewith. The cathode current collector is comprised of a sheet of metal mesh having a tab portion that extends outwardly from the sheet beyond the cathode section. The cathode tab from the first cathode section is disposed adjacent to the cathode tab from the second cathode section. An anode section is disposed between the cathode sections. The anode section has an anode current collector having a tab portion that extends therefrom beyond the anode section. A separator layer is disposed between the anode section and each of the cathode sections. A protective band is disposed between the tabs of each cathode current collector. The protective band is disposed between the cathode tabs and the anode section to prevent shorts when the cathode tabs are pressed together to form a single positive lead.

Abstract: A circuit assembly for doubling the voltage of a battery includes a charge pump (12) fed by the battery voltage and controlled by a clock generator (10). The supply voltage of the clock generator is the voltage output by the charge pump (12). The source/drain circuit of a field-effect transistor (P4) is inserted in the connection between the output of the charge pump (12) and the battery (26), the field-effect transistor (P4) being ON when its gate voltage is smaller than its source voltage. Connected to the gate of the field-effect transistor (P4) is the output circuit branch (N2) of a current mirror circuit (32) through which a limited small current is derivable from the gate to ground. An auxiliary charge pump (22) is provided which receives its supply voltage from the output of the charge pump (12) and which is likewise controlled by the clock generator (10). The voltage generated by the auxiliary charge pump (22) is placed on the gate of the field-effect transistor (P4) to switch it OFF.

Abstract: Cell controllers provided to control modules each constituted of a plurality of cells each calculate deterioration factors indicating the extents to which the cells under its control have become depleted and detect the deterioration factor of the cell in the most advanced state of depletion. The cell controller provided at the uppermost stage transmits the detected deterioration factor to the cell controller at the next stage. The subsequent cell controllers connected at the stages succeeding the uppermost stage each compare the deterioration factor detected therein and the deterioration factor transmitted from the cell controller at the proceedings stage and transmits the deterioration factor with the smaller value to the cell controller at the next stage. The cell controller at the lowermost stage, too, executes the processing described above and transmits the deterioration factor with the smaller value to a battery controller.