Abstract: There is provided a battery control apparatus that, when the battery temperature is low, repeats the charge and discharge of a battery on a short cycle such that the state of charge (SOC) of the battery lies in the range of 30 to 40% if the present SOC is less than 50%, and repeats the charge and discharge of the battery on a short cycle such that the SOC lies in the range of 50 to 60% if the present SOC is equal to or greater than 50%, thus increasing the temperature of the battery. Therefore, it is possible to increase the battery temperature in an efficient manner, and to prevent the available input-output power of the battery from being reduced due to a decrease in the battery temperature.

Abstract: The standby electric supply comprises an accumulator which comprises multiple interconnected blocks, a switching portion that conditionally connects the accumulator to a load or to a charging current supply and a measurement and control portion that produces measurement results for describing the state of the accumulator and that controls the switching portion on the basis of the measurement results produced. The measurement and control portion is arranged to measure, at an initial time, the initial value of the open cell voltage of each block from the accumulator when charged and to produce a threshold value from the measured block specific initial value of the open cell voltage. The measured open cell voltage at an observed time different from the initial time is compared with the threshold value. If the measured block specific value of the open cell voltage has reached the threshold value, the switching portion is controlled to connect the accumulator to the charging current supply.

Abstract: The invention provides: a charging and discharging control circuit which includes a charging and discharging control terminal having a test function as well and which is capable of conducting switch over among a normal application state, a charging and discharging prohibition state, and a test state; and a charging type power supply unit. Any one of a level “L”, “H”, or “M” of a voltage inputted to a charging and discharging control terminal is selected using the charging and discharging control terminal and a test fuse to allow switch over to the normal application state, the charging and discharging prohibition state, or the test state. In the test state, two modes for shortening a test delay time are realized depending on whether or not the test fuse is cut.

Abstract: In input and output enabling power estimating apparatus and method for a secondary cell, an input enabling power (Pin) of the secondary cell is estimated on the basis of parameter estimated values (?) and an open-circuit voltage (Vo), and an output enabling power (Pout) of the secondary cell is estimated on the basis of the parameter estimated values and the open-circuit voltage (Vo), the parameters are integrally estimated from at least one of equations (1) and (2): V = B ? ( s ) A ? ( s ) ? • ? ? I + 1 C ? ( s ) ? • ? ? Vo , ? wherein ? ? A ? ( s ) = ? k = 0 n ? a k ? • ? ? s k , B ? ( s ) = ? k = 0 n ? b k ? • ? ? s k , C ? ( s ) = ? k = 0 n ? c k ? • ? ? s k , ( 1 ) s denotes a Laplace transform operator, A(s), B(s), and C(s) denote each poly-nominal of s (n denotes degrees), a1?0, b1?0, and c1?0 and V = B ? ( s ) A ? ( s ) ? • ? ? I + 1 A ? ( s ) ? • ?

Abstract: A selector circuit configured to select among a DC power source and a plurality of batteries for an electronic device. The selector circuit is responsive to an output signal from an associated power management unit. The selector circuit is further configured to permit parallel operation of two or more of the batteries. The selector circuit may further act to independently verify power conditions and override instructions from the PMU in certain instances to enhance power supply safety and battery life such as by preventing inter battery current flow from a higher potential battery to a lower potential battery coupled in parallel.

Abstract: A device for a battery charger, includes connection elements 14, 16 connected to the output lines of the charger, connection elements 16, 24 for connection to the terminals of a battery to be charged. The device includes elements 80 for detecting a voltage over the output lines of the charger, elements 80 for detecting a positive voltage over the terminals of a connected battery, switch elements 60 for connecting at least one of the output lines to the connection elements to the terminals of the battery, and a switch activating element 70 arranged to the voltage detection elements and designed and arranged such that it is capable of activating the switch when a voltage is detected over the output lines of the charger and a positive voltage is detected over the terminals of the connected battery, thereby connecting the charger to the battery.

Abstract: A battery charger controller is coupled DC output terminals of an AC-DC (or DC-DC) adapter containing an AC-DC (or DC-DC) converter. A controlled current flow path between input and output terminals of the battery charger controller circuit is controlled to provide a substantially constant current to charge the battery to a nominal battery voltage. When a constant voltage output of the said adapter transitions to a value that limits available charging current to a value less than programmed constant charging current, current flow drive for the controlled current flow path is increased for a limited time interval. Thereafter, the controlled current flow path gradually reduces charging current as the battery voltage remains at its nominal battery voltage until the charge is complete or otherwise terminated.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply comprises a power supply unit for generating DC power at a predetermined voltage from AC power supplied from the outside to supply the DC power to an electronic device, and a rechargeable battery unit including rechargeable battery cells for storing the power supplied thereto from the power supply unit for supplying the electronic device with the power stored in the rechargeable battery upon service interruption of the AC power. Particularly, the rechargeable battery unit comprises a battery state monitoring unit for monitoring a state of the rechargeable battery cells, and communicating means for notifying the electronic device of information indicative of the state of the rechargeable battery detected by the battery state monitoring unit, thereby securely guaranteeing the operation of the electronic device upon power failure, and sufficiently improve the operational reliability of the entire system.

Abstract: A battery charger includes a battery voltage detector for detecting the voltage of a secondary battery and a battery temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the secondary battery. A controller determines the voltage of the secondary battery prior to beginning the charging process based on output from the battery voltage detector. The controller also determines the charging level from among a plurality of levels that indicate how much time is required for the secondary battery to reach a full charge, based on the determined voltage of the secondary battery and output from the battery temperature sensor. A display is provided for displaying the charging level that indicates the time remaining to achieve a full charge.

Abstract: A load is connected to a first battery group. The first battery group and a second battery group are connected in series to each other. A bidirectional DC/DC converter for electric power migration between the first battery group and the second battery group is provided.

Abstract: A protection method for preventing battery cells from over-discharging and being overcharged, a control circuit, and a battery unit are provided. In the protection method, when a set signal “1” is supplied to a set terminal, a flip-flop outputs “1”. The gate of a discharge control FET then becomes “1”, so that the discharge control FET is OFF regardless of a discharge control signal supplied from a voltage monitor circuit. When a reset signal “1” is supplied to a reset terminal, the flip-flop outputs “0”. The discharge control FET is then switched on and off in accordance with the output of a discharge control circuit of the voltage monitor circuit. In this manner, battery cells connected to an electronic device do not over-discharge, even when they are left unused for a long period of time. Thus, the battery unit can be prevented from deteriorating and shortening the life thereof.

Abstract: A watercraft battery control system monitors a battery charge. The system informs the watercraft operator when the battery charge is below a predetermined value. Alternatively, the system automatically controls engine operation by starting the engine or by increasing the speed of the engine to allow a generator to replenish the battery charge when the battery charge has fallen below a predetermined value. By informing the user of an inadequate battery charge, the user can start the engine an recharge the battery. Alternatively, the system automatically maintains the battery at a predetermined charge level to ensure safe and enjoyable watercraft operation.

Abstract: The battery assembly system 100 includes a battery assembly including a plurality of storage batteries C1 to Cn connected in series, a voltage detector 3 for detecting respectively voltages generated in the storage batteries, a current detector 4 for detecting a current flowing in the plurality of storage batteries, a state-of-charge (SOC) calculator 2 for calculating the state of charge (SOC) of the storage batteries, respectively, based on the voltages detected respectively by the voltage detectors 3 and the current detected by the current detector 4, and a charging/discharging unit 1 for charging or discharging at least one of the plurality of storage batteries so as to equalize the SOC of the storage batteries calculated respectively by the SOC calculator 2.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a backup battery charging circuit capable of continuing to charge a backup battery to the limit of the voltage drop of a main battery so as to reduce the possibility of data disappearance to an achievable extent. For this purpose, a backup battery charging circuit comprises: a main battery serving as a power supply; a backward current protection diode; a regulator circuit using the main battery as the power supply; a limiting resistor; a backup battery; a switch for performing direct charging from the main battery; and a comparator for determining whether the regulator circuit or the switch is to be used.

Abstract: A power controller for a vehicle controls the supply of power to an electrical load when the vehicle's engine is stopped or a key switch is turned off, so as to prevent lowering of the remaining capacity of a main battery. The control system has a control portion which controls operation of a power generator and an electrical load mounted on an automotive vehicle. The control system also includes remaining capacity measuring means for measuring the remaining capacity of a battery. The control portion drives a predetermined power load when the engine is stopped or when a key switch is held OFF, and operation of the power load is stopped when a remaining capacity of the battery measured by the remaining capacity measuring means becomes smaller than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A battery charging and/or DC power supply circuitry employs a control circuit through an SCR drive circuit and an MOS drive circuit to control when to turn on/off a semiconductor switch unit and to turn on the semiconductor switch unit while an initial section of each positive half wave of an AC power source and an terminating section of the same are located below a predetermined level for intercepting partial power for charging. While charging a battery, the circuitry is lightweight, small-sized, and to enhance the life of the battery. While being a DC power supply, the circuitry is small-sized, high-efficiency, and low-cost.

Abstract: A power supply unit, a distributed power supply system and an electric vehicle loaded therewith, capable of charge/discharge operation are disclosed. A first cell group is connected in parallel to a second cell group in which the electrolytic solution can be electrolyzed or the generated gas can be recombined. A plurality of the parallel circuit pairs are connected in series, and the series circuit is connected with a charger/discharger to constitute the power supply unit. The charger/discharger charges the power supply unit up to a voltage at which the electrolytic solution of the second cell group is electrolyzed or the generated gas is recombined.

Abstract: A portable, cellular phone battery charger using solar energy as the primary source of power and including two separate solar panels and a battery/switch containing unit. The two panels are hingedly connected together, and the battery/switch containing unit is hingedly connected to the back side of one of the panels. The assembly is pivotable between a retracted configuration in which the three component parts lie in parallel planes, and a deployed configuration in which the two solar panels lie in one plane and the battery/switch unit lies in another plane angularly intersecting the solar panel plane. The device is selectively operable in three different modes; namely, a first mode in which the solar panels are connected to charge or power a cell phone; a second node in which the solar panels are connected to charge the device's internal battery, and a third mode in which the internal battery is used to charge or power a phone coupled to the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for calculating remaining capacity of a battery is provided with a current detection section to detect current flow in the battery, a remaining capacity calculation section to integrate the current value detected by the current detection section and calculate remaining capacity, and a memory section to store discharge current within a specified current range. When current detected by the current detection section is within a specified range, the remaining capacity calculation section uses current values stored in the memory section, rather than values detected by the current detection section, as discharge current to calculate remaining capacity.

Abstract: A safety circuit for a rechargeable cell is employed as a simple, low cost, fuel gauging circuit. The safety circuit includes an undervoltage circuit having a reference voltage. The input of the safety circuit is selectively coupled between the voltage of a rechargeable cell and a scaled down voltage of the rechargeable cell. The scaled down voltage corresponds to a predetermined capacity threshold. A user or electronic device actuates a switch that couples the scaled down voltage to the safety circuit. The safety circuit compares this scaled down voltage to the reference voltage of it's under voltage circuit. If the scaled down voltage is above the reference voltage, the safety circuit causes a transistor coupled serially with the cell to be on, or in a conductive state, so as to allow current to flow through a capacity indicator like a LED. If the scaled down voltage is below the reference voltage the safety circuit causes the transistor to enter a high impedance state, thereby turning the indicator off.