Abstract: Method and apparatus for high-rate charging of batteries with sealed cells, whereby through supplied charging current the efficiency the single battery cell is actively influenced such that the charging time and temperature rise of the cell is minimized such that in a first step the battery is discharged to a voltage U.sub.B slightly higher than a first reference voltage (U.sub.o) whereafter in a first recharging step the supplied charging current I.sub.B is controlled progressively increasing according to the function I.sub.B =k(U.sub.B -U.sub.o) where k is an adjusted constant, until the pole voltage has reached a second reference voltage U.sub.B -u where u is maximum batter voltage and in a second charging step the charging current I.sub.B is controlled through voltage feedback such that U.sub.B .apprxeq.u whereby the amount of the supplied charging current is determine by the charging state of the battery cells.

Abstract: In order to reliably measure the performance of a battery over a period of time, for example, to verify compliance with warranty conditions, the battery is inseparably connected in a casing with a charging and monitoring unit which monitors the condition of the battery and charges the battery according to a charging sequence selected in accordance with the conditions detected. The charging and monitoring unit also protects the battery from deep-discharges and from being short-circuited.

Abstract: The invention relates to a battery charger for battery operated equipment such as a mobile telephone. The charger has a recess into which the equipment to be charged is placed for charging, and the recess has charging contacts through which current passes from the charger to the equipment to be charged. The first two opposite sides of the recess have guide fins, while the equipment to be charged has corresponding grooves. Different equipment models having different thicknesses, but a common width dimension, can be charged in the same battery charger.

Abstract: Protection of rechargeable battery in power system by placing it in insulated chamber under temperature control of thermoelectric devices operated by the power system to pump heat out of the chamber or by the battery to pump heat into the chamber.

Abstract: A battery management system maintains a charge on at least one auxiliary battery by switching the auxiliary battery automatically into parallel with the main battery charging circuit or with the auxiliary load. The system uses the AC component of the charging signal of a vehicle or boat charging system to trigger switching circuits coupled to operate relays or similar switching means which couple the auxiliary battery to the main charging circuit. When no charging signal is present, i.e., when the vehicle or boat engine is turned off, the auxiliary battery is switched automatically out of the charging system and is charged and in condition for use. A delay circuit can be provided for providing non-shorting operation, especially for use with more than one auxiliary battery which batteries are charged in parallel and loaded in series, whereby the combined series voltage of the auxiliary batteries would exceed the vehicle or boat supply voltage.

Abstract: A mobile telephone battery power supply unit consisted of a housing covered with a slide cover to hold an electronic circuit assembly and battery case on the inside. The electronic circuit assembly includes a charging circuit controlled to recharge the rechargeable battery of a mobile telephone, a power detection circuit controlled to detect the current power level of the rechargeable battery of the mobile telephone, and a discharge circuit controlled to discharge the residual voltage out of the rechargeable battery of the mobile telephone before each recharging operation so as to eliminate possible "memory effect", which prohibits the rechargeable battery from being fully charged to the saturation state. The battery case receives alkaline batteries, which keep providing a constant voltage to the mobile telephone for normal operation as the rechargeable battery of the mobile telephone fails.

Abstract: A system for transmitting microwaves to one or more receiver assemblies comprises an array of separate microwave transmitting assemblies for emitting a plurality of microwave beams, the array being arranged to apparently fill a radiating aperture of predetermined shape and size when viewed from the direction of a receiver assembly, and a phase controlling assembly associated with the microwave transmitting assemblies for controlling the relative phase of the emitted beams to form at least one composite shaped microwave beam directed to at least one receiver assembly. The receiver assembly is located in the near field of the microwave beam. The transmitting assemblies are each associated with separate power sources comprising solar power collecting assemblies. In one arrangement the transmitting system is on the moon and the or each receiver assembly is on Earth.

Abstract: A portable, handheld power supply unit is disclosed for electrically powering a variety of interconnectable accessory devices. The unit comprises a power supply body having a battery disposed therein. The body is provided with a bracket disposed on the body side portion for engaging and supporting accessory devices. The side bracket is provided with electrical contacts formed therein for communicating power between the battery and an accessory device supported by the bracket. A recharging plug connected to the internal battery is stowable within a handle portion and extendable to connect the battery to an external charging circuit. An output socket is also disposed on the body and serves as an alternate port for communicating power from the body to external accessory devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a battery charger to an electric vehicle including a battery and a drive motor in an electrical circuit includes first and second cooperating connectors. The connectors are adapted for mating in electrical contact. A bracket is provided for mounting the first connector to the vehicle. The second connector is mounted on the distal end of cables leading from the battery charger. The apparatus also includes a switch for interrupting the electrical circuit between the battery and the drive motor prior to mating of the first and second connectors. The invention also relates to a battery charging system incorporating a battery charger, a charger receptacle mounted on the vehicle and a plug for operatively connecting the battery charger to the charger receptacle. Both the charger receptacle and the plug include cooperating electrical contacts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the operational state (C.sub.R) and stand-by (t.sub.St) of a battery averages battery currents (I.sub.B) and battery voltages (U.sub.B) and determines the operating mode (charging L.sub.A, or discharging, E.sub.n) from the direction of the battery current (I.sub.B). When discharging (E.sub.n), a discharge power (P.sub.En) is calculated form the average battery current (I.sub.Bm) and battery voltage (U.sub.Bm). The average cell voltage (U.sub.BZ) is determined by dividing the average battery voltage (U.sub.B) by the number of cells (Z.sub.Z) in the battery. The cell discharge power (P.sub.EnZ) is determined by dividing the discharge power (P.sub.En) by the number of cells (Z.sub.z) in the battery. Consequently, the cell discharge time (t.sub.p) is known since it is proportional to the cell discharge power (P.sub.EnZ). The cell discharge power (P.sub.EnZ) is then compared with stored families of curves of cell voltage versus withdrawn capacity (C.sub.

Abstract: A battery charger having an input receptacle, and different AC electrical cords pluggable therein for adapting the charger to a variety of different AC distribution systems. Portions of rectified signals are coupled by a triggerable switching device to a battery to be charged. The switching device is triggered only on a negative slope portion of the rectified signal, at a specified rectified signal amplitude, only when a battery is connected to the charger, and when the battery indeed requires charging.

Abstract: A rechargeable, electrical power storage system employing an electrical power storage medium in the form of a slurry containing active metal particles and an electrolyte solution, which system includes one or more metal-air cells, each including outer electrode apparatus including air electrode apparatus and being configured to define a liquid permeable housing; a volume of the active metal particles arranged within the housing so as to define a static bed which is saturated with the electrolyte solution; inner electrode apparatus arranged within the housing so as to be surrounded by the static bed. The system also includes apparatus for circulating an electrolyte solution through the static bed so as to dissolve discharge products that form therein as the slurry becomes electrically discharged, and apparatus for removing the dissolved discharge products from the circulating electrolyte. The electrical power storage system may be used for powering an electric vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is intended for maintaining constant the output voltage of a synchronous magnetoelectric generator without reducing the efficiency of the synchronous magnetoelectric generator regardless of load variation. A magnetoelectric generating system in accordance with the present invention comprises a synchronous magnetoelectric generator, a synchronous phase modifier connected to the output side of the synchronous magnetoelectric generator, a voltage detector for detecting the output voltage of the synchronous magnetoelectric generator, a comparator for comparing the output of the synchronous magnetoelectric generator detected by the voltage detector and a reference voltage set by means of a voltage setting device, an exciting current regulating circuit connected to the field winding of the synchronous phase modifier, and a controller. The controller controls the exciting current regulating circuit according to the output of the comparator.

Abstract: A battery charger and a charge controller therefor are disclosed, the battery charger including a supply circuit for supplying a charging current to a battery and a control circuit for controlling the supply of the charging current to the battery. The control circuit shuts the charging current when the detected voltage of the battery is smaller than the maximum peak value by a predetermined quantity. A control means shuts the charging current after a predetermined time has elapsed from a time at which the detected voltage of the battery has raised to the maximum peak value. The control means reduces the charging current when the detected voltage of the battery is made to be a switching voltage. Furthermore, the control means shuts the charging current after a predetermined time has elapsed after the charging current had been reduced.

Abstract: A battery charger that allows insertion of a battery for charging. When the battery is inserted it mechanically engages an activation mechanism and electrically couples to an energy source incorporated with the charger. The mechanical engagement of the battery with the activation mechanism causes at least one vent in the energy source to open. The energy source generates power when the at least one activating gas infiltrates into the energy source through the at least one open vent. The power generated by the energy source is coupled to the battery for charging.

Abstract: A monitoring circuit is provided to monitor batteries while they are being charged or discharged, where the batteries comprise a series of modules or cells that are connected in series. A terminal is placed between each adjacent pair of modules and at each end of the battery, so that voltage across each module may be measured at the pair of terminals that define the module. Several different determinations of module voltage may be made during charge and/or discharge of the battery including the resistance free voltage of the module, and the module voltage while current is flowing through the battery. Generally, some or all of the modules are tested periodically, where the interruption interval for internal resistance free voltage determination may be in the order of 2 to 3 ms, and the testing frequency for the battery may be in the order of 0.5 to 25 Hz.

Abstract: A housing of a battery pack contains in addition to standard power cell elements a voltage converter. The voltage converter is interposed between the power cell elements and external output contacts of the housing. The voltage converter regulates the output voltage applied to the output contacts of the battery pack, such that the supply voltage of the battery pack remains at a predetermined value which is independent of the voltage supplied by the power cell elements to the voltage converter and does not vary over the discharge cycle of the power cell elements. Excess battery voltage available particularly during the initial portion of the discharge cycle of the power cell elements is efficiently converted to the predetermined output voltage value which reduces the overall current delivered by the power cells to extend the useful life of the battery pack between charges.

Abstract: A latching automatic dual battery switch employs a first comparator to determine that a condition requiring engagement of a secondary battery exists. For example, a primary battery voltage is below a predetermined threshold, current drawn from the primary battery exceeds a predetermined threshold or ambient temperature is below a predetermined threshold. Engagement of an ignition switch is detected and used to clock the output of the comparator to a trigger circuit. The trigger circuit activates the triggerable switch on the leading edge of a signal generated by the detector circuit to connect a secondary battery or power source in parallel with the primary power source. The trigger circuit is leading edge activated so that conditions immediately prior to engagement of the ignition switch determine if the secondary battery is engaged. This avoids engaging the secondary battery as a result of a load surge dragging down the voltage after activation of an ignition switch.

Abstract: A charging station for electric vehicles which have rechargeable batteries is provided. The charging station comprises a power section controlled by a fast acting power controller, a power connector and associated power cables for connecting to the vehicle, an interface with signal cables to carry status and/or control signals between the vehicle and the power controller, and a lockout which precludes delivery of power to the vehicle except when the power connector is in place. High charging currents are delivered to the battery of the vehicle as a consequence of signals at any instant in time to the power controller, so as to be able to turn delivery of the charging current on and off in less than a few milliseconds. The resistance free voltage of the vehicle battery is measured during intervals when the charging current is off, and the operation of the power controller is a function of the battery resistance free voltage at any instant in time.

Abstract: A battery charge controller and fuel gauge which accurately monitors the voltage, temperature, and charge and discharge current of a rechargeable battery, and calculates the battery's charge capacity and charge level. Each time the battery is fully discharged, any calculated charge level remaining is divided by subtracted from the previously calculated charge capacity. When the battery is fully charged, the charge level is set equal to the charge capacity. During subsequent charge and discharge, the current is converted to a coulomb count and added or subtracted from the charge level to maintain an accurate charge level. Fast charge inefficiency due to temperature is considered by subtracting a temperature proportional factor before the charge level of the battery is updated. The charge level, voltage and temperature are used to determine the optimal fast charge termination point to achieve full charge and prevent temperature abuse and overcharge.