Patents Examined by Pia Tibbits
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Patent number: 6924567Abstract: An exchanger switch for use with a plurality of batteries that extends the useful life of the batteries. In a generator, a first battery can provide power to an external load while also providing power to recharge a second battery. When the first battery is depleted to a certain voltage level, the exchanger switch is activated and the second battery can begin providing power to the external load. The exchanger switch also directs a portion of the power from the second battery to recharging the first battery. The exchanger switch allows the generator to continue providing power to the external load without interruption. Using the batteries as alternating power sources allows the exchanger switch to increase the useful life of the batteries.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2004Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Energy & Engine Technology CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Killian, Nathaniel D. Brown, Fernando A. Pereira, Roger N. Wurtele
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Patent number: 6924622Abstract: A method of obtaining information relating to the charge capacity of one or more cells utilizing information from the initial discharge period of the cell or cells. The method involves measuring a variable cell parameter for at least a part of an initial period of discharge during which the cell voltage initially decreases to a through voltage and then increases to a plateau voltage (the Coup De Fouet period), and relating the variable cell parameter to reference information to obtain the absolute or relative charge capacity of the cell or cells. An estimation model for predicting the absolute or relative capacity of a battery includes input for a variable battery parameter and one or more battery operating conditions and/or battery condition, reference information, compensation means determining a correction factor for the variable battery parameter, and calculation means relating corrected variable battery parameter to absolute or relative battery capacity.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2000Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Invensys Energy Systems (NZ) LimitedInventors: Adnan H. Anbuky, Phillip E. Pascoe
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Patent number: 6924625Abstract: The battery pack is provided with a rechargeable battery that can be charged, and a protection device to protect the rechargeable battery when an abnormality occurs. The protection device is provided with an externally exposed first output terminal connected to the first electrode of the rechargeable battery, an externally exposed second output terminal connected to the second electrode of the rechargeable battery, and an externally exposed third output terminal for signal detection as output terminals, and a contact switching section that can switch contact when a rechargeable battery abnormality is detected. The protection device is formed as a single piece with the output terminals and contact switching section. The contact switching section has one end connected to the second electrode of the rechargeable battery, the other end is connected to allow switching between a contact connected to the second output terminal and a contact connected to the third output terminal.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroki Teraoka, Takamasa Yamazoe, Masatsugu Naka, Atsushi Watanabe
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Patent number: 6922039Abstract: The present invention comprises a circuit and method for controlling current to a load. In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit makes the maximum charge time (“MCT”) of a battery charging circuit (100) a function of the charging current. The MCT changes as the battery charging current changes. For low current the MCT would increase and for high current the MCT would decrease. The result is that MCT will always occur a short time after the battery is fully charged. In operation, the charging current can also be made a function of the temperature of devices within the charging circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2003Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Ken Richard King
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Patent number: 6919706Abstract: A voltage detecting circuit for a cell combination including one or more cell blocks having a plurality of cell modules connected to each other in series, including voltage detecting lines extending, respectively, from a plurality of voltage detecting points of the cell combination, of the lines is connected to the ground, and nongrounding voltage detecting lines are each interconnected through voltage branch lines to the grounding voltage detecting line. A voltage dividing resistor is interposed on each of the nongrounding voltage detecting lines and each of the voltage branch lines. Each of the nongrounding voltage detecting line is connected to a computing circuit via an analogue-digital converter. The computing circuit calculates voltage of each of cell modules based on voltage detecting data input from each of the nongrounding voltage detecting lines. Accordingly, the number of parts is reduced, voltage detecting accuracy is improved, and disconnection is reliably detected.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2002Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kimihiko Furukawa
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Patent number: 6919708Abstract: Circuits, apparatuses, electrochemical device charging methods, and lithium-mixed metal electrode cell charging methods are provided. According to one aspect, a circuit includes charging circuitry adapted to apply electrical energy to an electrochemical device to charge the electrochemical device, and the electrochemical device being configured to assume an open-circuit condition in a substantially charged state; shunting circuitry electrically coupled with the charging circuitry and configured to shunt the electrical energy around the electrochemical device responsive to the electrochemical device reaching the substantially charged state; and indication circuitry configured to output a signal responsive to the shunting of the electrical energy to indicate a charge status of the electrochemical device.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2004Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.Inventor: John Cummings
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Patent number: 6917182Abstract: A battery charging system (250) for use with an induction charger (210). The battery charging system can include a secondary coil (252) having a plurality of turns for receiving magnetic flux produced by a primary coil (220) of the induction charger, and a control circuit (254) for controlling a number of turns of the secondary coil that are used in generating an output voltage for charging a cell (264). For example, the secondary coil can include a plurality of taps (291, 292, 293, 294), each of the taps providing an electrical connection to the coil at a different point, and thus providing a variety of selectable output voltages.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2003Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Andrew F. Burton, Joseph Patino, Russell L. Simpson
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Patent number: 6917124Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply is disclosed that includes a digital controller comprising a plurality of microprocessors. These microprocessors are programmed and arranged to provide various control features heretofore unavailable using analog controllers of the prior art.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Liebert CorporationInventors: Russell Edward Shetler, Jr., Brian Paul Heber, Kevin Kim Eschhofen, Ramesh Subramanian, Nelson John Norris, Ronald Richard Rautenstrauch, Jon Ross Funk, Kevin Jay Bell, Suratkal Padmanabha Shenoy, Terry Dwane Bush, Farzin Kafaipour, Mohammad Nanda Rahmana Marwali, Andy Margraff
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Patent number: 6917184Abstract: A battery charger controller is coupled to 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2004Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventors: Zheren Lai, Edward Bordeaux, Zen Wu
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Patent number: 6917181Abstract: A power supply unit with improved charge/discharge operation for use in distributed power supply system or electric vehicles. The power supply unit includes a storage battery comprising a plurality of circuits connected in series. Each of the plurality of circuits includes a first cell group and a second cell group connected in parallel. The first cell group includes lithium secondary cells or electrical double layer capacitors. The second cell group utilizes an electrolyzable electrolytic solution, or is capable of generating recombinable gas. The second cell group may include lead cells, nickel hydrogen cells, nickel cadmium cells and/or fuel cells. A charger/discharger is provided for controlling charge/discharge of the storage battery adapted to charge the storage battery up to a voltage at which the electrolytic solution of the second cell group is electrolyzed, or to a voltage at which the generated gas is recombined.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2004Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Akihiko Emori, Takuya Kinoshita, Hideki Miyazaki
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Patent number: 6911804Abstract: A schedule recording section (4) records a user's schedule. A SOC (state-of-charge) optimization planning section (5) plans the SOC of a rechargeable battery (21) based on the user's schedule. The planned control target SOC is optimized through a comparison between the continuous charging characteristic of the rechargeable battery (21) and the length of an operable period or the amount of electric power to be secured at the time of battery-powered operation. For example, a control target SOC is set at a full charge in the proximity of the period during which a battery-powered operation time is expected to be long. A control target SOC is set lower enough than a full charge in the period during which a connection to an external power supply (A) by the AC adapter (11) is expected to continue for a long time. A power-supply control section (3) controls the charge and discharge of the rechargeable battery (21) according to a plan for the optimization of the SOC.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2003Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Iichiro Mori
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Patent number: 6911802Abstract: An object of the present invention is to secure a space in a battery case to house battery cells or minimum gaps to allow swelling of battery cells, so that the battery cells can be held in the battery case without play.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Toshio Takeshita, Hisashi Aoki, Kei Tashiro
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Patent number: 6909260Abstract: A recharger device for the battery includes a device with a first slot for a first device, such as a flashlight for recharging. A second slot in relationship to the first slot is provided for receiving a second device for recharging. Locking means with each slot such is moveable to permit release one or other device after moving the locking member between a closed position to an open position. The flashlight includes a battery pack to act as a closure of an opening to a battery housing. The closure is in the tailpiece and is mounted in the battery housing. The closure is connected integral with a rechargeable battery such that when the batteries are located in position in the battery housing the battery housing is closed.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2004Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Pelican Products, Inc.Inventor: David H. Parker
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Patent number: 6906498Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for the detection of a charging voltage of at least one rechargeable battery comprising a voltage converter for converting the charging voltage of the at least one rechargeable battery into a voltage signal, an analog/digital converter for converting the voltage signal of the voltage converter into a digital signal, and an evaluation and control device for evaluating the digital signal of the analog/digital converter as well as for controlling the charging process of the at least one rechargeable battery on the basis of the evaluation of the digital signal of the analog/digital converter. The voltage converter comprises an amplifier circuit with a variable gain controlled by at least one control output terminal of the evaluation and control device such that the gain applied for the generation of the voltage signal is adjusted to the input voltage range of the analog/digital converter according to a transfer function.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Friwo Geraetebau GmbHInventors: Georg Breuch, Zbigniew Kubacki
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Patent number: 6906523Abstract: A “three-point” measurement technique effectively removes system effects to determine impedance, admittance, resistance, or conductance of an individual cell, battery, or interconnecting conductor embedded in a series or series-parallel electrochemical battery or fuel cell system. Three electrical contact points are defined. Two of these points bound the subject element. The third point is separated from the other two by a conducting path that may include one or more cells or batteries. By measuring dynamic parameters between alternate pairs of contact points, three dynamic parameter measurements are acquired. A mathematical computation combines the measurements and determines the dynamic parameter of a subject element as if it were alone—thus effectively “de-embedding” the subject element from the remainder of the system. A “four-point” extension of this technique permits measuring a dynamic parameter of a cell/battery disposed in a multiple-unit string of parallel-connected cells/batteries.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Keith S. Champlin
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Patent number: 6903533Abstract: A battery protection circuit is provided that includes a safety circuit and an overpower circuit. The safety circuit monitors the voltage and current of at least one rechargeable cell within the battery pack, and disconnects the cell(s) from the external terminals of the battery pack when either the voltage becomes too high or low, or when excessive current is being drawn from the battery pack. The overpower circuit monitors the power being delivered to or sourced from the battery pack to the load. The overpower circuit actuates when the power exceeds a predetermined threshold, thereby simulating an overcurrent condition in the safety circuit. The overcurrent condition causes a disconnect means, like a transistor, to open, thereby disconnecting the cell(s) from the external terminals. The battery protection circuit then latches in this disconnected state until a load is removed from the terminals of the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2003Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Geren, Roger L. Boyer, John E. Herrmann, Jenny Collier
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Patent number: 6894404Abstract: A method and a device are for overvoltage protection in dual-voltage vehicle electrical systems that have a different level of voltage. A switching element is positioned in at least one branch of the vehicle electrical system on the higher voltage level, and a voltmeter unit is located in the vehicle electrical system on the lower voltage level. The switching element is controlled by the voltmeter.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2000Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Volkswagen AGInventors: Frank Ertzsaenger, Torsten Zawade, Peter Konrad, Klaus Revermann
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Patent number: 6891350Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2004Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Terry A. George, John V Caputo
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Patent number: 6891354Abstract: Apparatus for detecting slow and small changes of electrical signals including the sign of the changes, which has: a controlled switch (2) connected in the path of the signal to be detected; a capacitor (3) connected with a first terminal to the switch and charged to the voltage of the signal; an amplifier (5) with an input connected to second terminal of the capacitor (3) and generating a pulse signal corresponding to the charge or discharge current of the capacitor having corresponding proper sign; a window comparator (7) having first and second reference voltages (+UK, ?UK) determining a window, and a signal input connected to output of the amplifier (5) for indicating whether the output signal of the amplifier lies in the range defined by the window or it has been crossed in negative or positive directions; storage and logical units each having first and second storage means (8, 11); and a pulse generator (9) connected to control input of the controlled switch (2) to make it closed for periodically reType: GrantFiled: September 19, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Inventor: András Fazakas
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Patent number: 6891352Abstract: Lower order control devices control plural battery cells configuring plural battery modules. An input terminal of the low order control device in the highest potential, an output terminal of the low order control device in the lowest potential, and a high order control device are connected by isolating units, photocouplers. Diodes which prevent a discharge current of the battery cells in the battery modules are disposed between the output terminal of the low order control device and the battery cells in the battery module on the low potential side. Terminals related to input/output of a signal are electrically connected without isolating among the plural low order control devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideki Miyazaki, Akihiko Emori, Akihiko Kudo, Tsuyoshi Kai