Abstract: A device for determining the charge condition of a battery (10) comprises a current-frequency converter (50) which generates pulses of a frequency is dependent on the battery charge or discharge current. These pulses are counted and are used for computing the battery charge condition. In order to indicate a correct relative charge condition, especially in the case of a battery capacity which has changed due to, for example, ageing, the device comprises detection means (53) which detects an actual battery charge condition and correction means (52) for correcting the charge condition computed by a computing means (51). In one embodiment the correction means are integrated with the current-frequency converter and the frequency of the generated pulses is adapted to the present capacity of the battery.

Abstract: To prevent over charging of a battery the battery voltage is detected during charging and when a decrease in voltage, which occurs just after full charge, is detected the charger is switched off. The battery voltage may be monitored by a dual slope integrator 30 and a central processor 10 indicates the status of the battery on a display 50. During discharge the voltage drop across a resistor R connected between the battery and load is monitored by integrators 30, 40 and processor 10.

Abstract: In a method of charging secondary battery, the charging control is performed when it is detected that the secondary differential value of the detected voltage curve changes from positive value to a negative value at the point C or its near portion.

Abstract: A discharge detector circuit is provided for detecting a discharging state of a battery of a motor vehicle. A lower limit voltage of the battery which is a lower limit voltage for starting an engine of the vouching is detected. Power supply to a car stereo is cut off when the discharge of the battery is detected and the battery voltage decreases to the lower limit voltage.

Abstract: The holder releasably receives and holds a rechargeable tool portion and is associated with a cable electrically connecting the tool portion for line-powered operation or battery-powered operation with a current source. The holder has a shell-like rest enclosing a lower portion of the tool portion and is structured to be changeable from a first configuration, in which the tool portion is supported by the holder and is removable for battery-powered operation, to a second configuration, in which the tool portion with the holder attached can be used for line-powered operation. The holder has a first leg extending longitudinally along a larger part of one side of the tool portion when the tool portion is in the holder, a second leg pivotally connected to one end of the first leg and acting as a supporting limb and a spreading spring connected to the second leg to urge the second leg from the first leg into a spread position so the tool portion and holder can stand together on a surface during battery charging.

Abstract: An engine starter and electric generator system transmits rotative power to a crankshaft to start an engine and generates electric power based on rotative power from the crankshaft after the engine has started. The engine starter and electric generator system includes a starter/generator operable selectively as a starter motor to produce the rotative power and a generator for generating the electric power, and an electric power supply device for supplying electric power to the starter motor. A power transmitting mechanism operatively interconnects the crankshaft and the starter/generator, for bidirectionally transmitting the rotative power between the crankshaft and the starter/generator. A transmission mechanism is disposed in the power transmitting mechanism, for changing the speed of rotation transmitted between the crankshaft and the starter/generator.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a load, such as lamp for a camera, so that the lamp can be turned ON and OFF in response to a low-power signal without requiring a relay, includes a detector for preventing the lamp from being powered when the DC voltage, as supplied by a battery, falls below an acceptable reference level. A completely transistorized circuit replaces the relay and includes a self-holding circuit. Low voltage detection is accomplished using a Zener diode to set the reference voltage.

Abstract: A battery charger for a portable wireless telephone set comprising a rapidly charging circuit for rapidly charging the battery by a first charging current of a high level at a start of the charging operation, a tricklingly charging circuit for tricklingly charging the battery by a second charging current of a considerably low level, and a charge controller for making the tricklingly charging circuit take over the rapidly charging circuit after a charge detecting circuit detects that the battery is rapidly charged to its normal voltage. In order to avoid that the battery is insufficiently charged by the tricklingly charging circuit when the telephone set is left in a power-on condition, the battery charger further comprises another charging circuit for supplying a third charging current which is lower thn the first charging current but higher than the second charging current.

Abstract: An indication device for a vehicle charging and generating system capable of informing the operator of the relation between the amount of power generation available and the amount of electric load applied, thereby enabling the operator to turn off unnecessary electrical loads to prevent the overdischarging of a battery. The indication device includes an AC generator having a field coil and driven by a vehicle engine, and a storage battery connected to an electric load and to the generator. A voltage regulator detects the output voltage of the generator or the voltage of the battery and has a power transistor 305 electrically connected in series with the field coil 102 of the generator to regulate the output voltage of the generator at a prescribed level.

Abstract: A capacity computing apparatus for computing the capacity of a chargeable secondary battery by a microcomputer, wherein a resistance is connected to the secondary battery and a drop voltage because of charging and discharging current in the resistance is amplified by an amplifier, whereby the capacity of the secondary battery is computed on the basis of the amplified value. The capacity of the secondary battery is computed with good accuracy even with a small drop of the voltage in the resistance. Moreover, an influence of an offset voltage in the amplifier is removed by applying a constant voltage to the amplifier at all times. The stored value of the microcomputer is periodically updated, thereby avoiding an influence when the amplification degree of the amplifier is changed due to the temperature change.

Abstract: A charging control apparatus for a vehicle has a charging control unit. A voltage detecting terminal receives a control voltage that controls the output of a battery charging generator. This unit can use a Type I system, which directly detects the battery voltage and which maintains the battery voltage at its usual level of 14.5 volts by comparing the battery voltage with a threshold, or a Type II system which monitors the battery voltage using a microprocessor, and therefore the output signal indicative of battery voltage can never reach 14.5 volts. The Type II system maintains a normal voltage of 5 volts. The system operates to maintain the voltage between 5 volts and 14.5 volts so that the same system can operate with either Type I and Type II systems. Any voltages between these two limits causes the output of the generator to be increased.

Abstract: A battery charging system for a multi-cell battery charger operative to apply a charging current to one or more battery packs, each comprised of one or more battery cells. Initiation of application of a fast charging current is permitted only when the voltage levels taken across output terminals of a battery pack positioned at the battery charger, and the ambient temperature of such battery pack, is within desired ranges. After initiation of application of the fast charging current, the ranges of voltage and ambient temperature levels within which application the fast charging current is permitted are expanded to prevent termination of application of the fast charging current responsive to transient changes of the temperature and voltage levels.

Abstract: A Lithium battery includes a switch to operatively activate the discharging circuit so that Lithium may be inactivated for safe disposal of the battery.

Abstract: A battery charging apparatus, which charges a secondary battery such as an Ni-Cd battery being used for a battery-driven equipment such as a VTR camera, is provided with a first loading unit for only charging a loaded battery and a second loading unit for charging a loaded battery, for discharging the charged battery, for measuring the capacity of the discharged battery, and for displaying the measured capacity by four steps of its percentage, and which is capable of using either of the both loading units according to the qualities of the battery characteristics of the battery. In this battery charging apparatus, a new battery or a battery with good battery characteristics substantially similar to the new one are charged in the first loading unit and an old battery or a battery with inferior battery characteristics are charged in the second loading unit.

Abstract: A method for measuring and storing the state of charge of batteries, such as used in electric vehicles. The stored charge value is initially derived from the value of battery terminal voltage measured prior to connection of the battery to the load, e.g. the traction motor. While the battery is connected to the load, approximated state of charge values are periodically derived by adding a correction voltage, comprising the product of measured load current and of a predetermined value of internal resistance, to the measured terminal voltage of the battery. The stored and approximated state of charge values are periodically compared and the stored state of charge value is decremented by a predetermined increment in response to the stored charge value having exceeded the approximated state of charge value during each of a predetermined plurality consecutive comparisons.

Abstract: A battery charging controller which can be integrated within a battery powered device having a rechargeable battery includes a circuit for monitoring the energy consumption of the device from the battery, and for accumulating a measure of the energy consumed since the battery was previously charged. Energy consumption is determined based on the number of device functions being active during predetermined sampling time intervals. When the battery powered device is coupled to an external charging source, the charging of the battery, including the charging rate, is controlled by the energy monitoring circuit within the battery powered device. Rapid charging, slow charging, and discharging of the battery before charging are all readily controlled using an external charging source which requires no circuits for monitoring the battery charging process.

Abstract: A battery charger of the driven blocking oscillator type includes a three-winding transformer. The primary winding is connected in series with the collector-emitter path of a switching transistor. The secondary winding is connected in series with the collector-emitter path of a sense transistor which responds to the current flowing through the switching transistor. The tertiary winding is connected in series with the battery, series-connected batteries or series-connected battery packs sought to be recharged, via a diode, which may be connected in parallel with a capacitor. No smoothing capacitor is provided across the battery or batteries. The battery or batteries are charged by current pulses and discharge through the tertiary winding to repolarize the diode (and capacitor if present). The secondary winding is poled, with respect to the tertiary winding so that the blocking oscillator is driven by energy from the battery or batteries.

Abstract: A portable power supply having a rechargeable battery in a housing mounted on a portable frame. An inverter/converter unit, attached to the frame, is hardwired to the battery for conversion of DC power to AC power and for recharging the battery from an external AC source. Power distribution means are provided for distributing DC and AC Power. Photovoltaic panels are mounted to the frame for recharging the battery.

Abstract: The invention provides a self-contained cordless electric pool and spa vacuum cleaner which is easily maneuverable over both flat and highly contoured underwater surfaces. A pump impeller, powered by an electric motor, is used to draw water through a compact filter cartridge. The efficiency of the filter cartridge allows for the use of a small motor and small battery which, in turn, result in the small size of the vacuum cleaner. All electrical components are enclosed in a watertight chamber so as to allow the entire cleaner to be submerged under water.

Abstract: A safety device for an automobile battery has a light for indicating when jumper cables are properly attached to the battery, and a switch for electrically connecting a jumper cable attached to the device with a battery terminal. The device has a non-conductive housing supporting a fixed contact in electrical connection with one terminal of the battery by means of an integral clamp. A movable contact is formed by two metal plates on opposite sides of a head of the fixed contact, the plates being adapted to receive and be gripped between the jaws of a jumper cable clamp. The jumper cable clamp biases the plates toward the fixed contact. The device normally is in a non-conductive mode, in which the plates are prevented from moving together by one end of a lever disposed between the plates. The other end of the lever extends outside of the housing and has a handle. The lever is biased into the non-conductive position by a spring.