Abstract: A charging system for autonomous transport vehicles including at least one charging contact disposed on each pick floor level of a storage and retrieval system, each of the at least one charging contact being located at a transfer station, at least one power supply configured to supply power to the at least one charging contact, and a controller in communication with the transfer station and being configured to communicate information relating to a transfer of items between the transfer station and a predetermined one of the autonomous transport vehicles and to apply power from the power supply to the at least one charging contact for charging the predetermined autonomous transport vehicle corresponding to the transfer and located at the transfer station, wherein the controller is configured to supply power to the charging contacts simultaneously with the predetermined autonomous transport vehicle exchanging items related to the transfer at the transfer station.

Abstract: A system and method for navigating a vehicle automatically from a current location to a destination location without a human operator is disclosed. The method includes identifying a vehicle location using global positioning system (GPS) data regarding the vehicle. Also included is identifying that the vehicle location is near or at a parking location. Then, using mapping data defined for the parking location. The mapping data at least in part is used to find a path at the parking location to avoid a collision of the vehicle with at least one physical structure when the vehicle is automatically moved at the parking location. The method includes instructing the electronics of the vehicle to proceed with controlling the vehicle to automatically move from the current location to the destination location at the parking location. The electronics use as input at least part of the mapping data and sensor data collected from around the vehicle by at least two vehicle sensors.

Abstract: A method for operating a contactor (10) is described, wherein the contactor (10) comprises at least two contacts (18, 20, 22) electrically conductively connected to one another in a closed state of the contactor (10), having the method steps of partially charging an DC link capacitance (103) in electrical contact with the contactor (10) and closing the contactor (10).

Abstract: A charging device, comprising a first power converter configured to provide a first output current, a second power converter configured to provide a second output current, a switch coupled to an output of the first power converter and an output of the second power converter, a first socket coupled to the output of the first power converter, a second socket coupled to the output of the second power converter, and a power delivery (PD) controller configured to control a turn ON of the switch in response to a coupling of the first socket to a first powered device and an absence of coupling of the second socket to a second powered device.

Abstract: A smart battery balancer is provided that monitors the voltage output levels of two battery packs and switches current into a selected one of the batteries to maintain balanced voltage output levels. In one embodiment, first and second batteries are connected in series to generate a high voltage output. Current from the batteries is stored in an inductor that is connected to first and second switches. A switch control circuit is configured to generate drive signals to control the first and second switches. The drive signals close the first switch and open the second switch when an output voltage of the first battery is greater than an output voltage of the second battery. The drive signals open the first switch and close the second switch when the output voltage of the second battery is greater than the output voltage of the first battery.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provides a method for pre-charging a power conversion device and a power conversion device. The power conversion device is configured to perform power conversion between a charging pile and a traction battery, and the method includes: receiving, by the power conversion device, a first message sent by a battery management system of the traction battery, and the first message is configured to indicate that the battery management system is ready for charging; performing, by the power conversion device, a pre-charging, and the pre-charging includes: charging a capacitor in the power conversion device; and forwarding, by the power conversion device, the first message to the charging pile after the pre-charging is completed. The technical solution of the embodiments of the present application can ensure a normal charging process.

Abstract: Described herein is a battery system that allows a battery pack to operate in different modes at different times. Each of the different modes may provide its own set of functionality that affects how the battery pack operates and/or reacts to external input signals. A mode may change how the battery pack discharges power by, for example, altering whether terminals are enabled or disabled. A mode may change how the battery pack's hardware operates by, for example, disabling or enabling portions of the battery pack's hardware. A mode may change what battery-related services are provided by the battery pack and available to an end user by, for example, enabling or disabling the sending of battery status information from the battery pack.

Abstract: Provided are a method and system for charging a battery using a fuel cell. The method includes: running the fuel cell; setting a voltage input from the fuel cell as a preset first input adapting voltage (1st IAV), when the input power from the fuel cell is lower than the output power to the battery; detecting whether an output current to the battery reaches a first low detect current (1st LDC) while the battery is being charged based on the first input adapting voltage; and resetting the first input adapting voltage based on a detection result.

Abstract: An ultracapacitor assembly is provided. The ultracapacitor assembly includes a plurality of ultracapacitors. The ultracapacitor assembly further includes a first bus bar and a second bus bar. The second bus bar is spaced apart from the first bus bar. The ultracapacitor assembly includes a discharge resistor coupled between the first bus bar and the second bus bar. The ultracapacitor assembly further includes a first plurality of switching devices and a second plurality of switching devices. Each switching device in the first plurality of switching devices is coupled between the first bus bar and a corresponding ultracapacitor of the plurality of ultracapacitors to selectively couple the corresponding ultracapacitor the discharge resistor via the first bus bar. Each switching device in the second plurality of switching devices is coupled between the second bus bar and a corresponding ultracapacitor to selectively couple the corresponding ultracapacitor the discharge resistor via the second bus bar.

Abstract: Recycling of an electrochemical energy storage device is provided. A remaining charge on the electrochemical energy storage device is determined. An impedance profile of the electrochemical energy storage device is determined for the remaining charge. The impedance profile includes an internal impedance of the electrochemical energy storage device at different charge levels from the remaining charge to a complete discharge. A variable discharge load is applied on the electrochemical energy storage device until the complete discharge. The variable discharge load varies with the internal impedance of the electrochemical energy storage device at the different charge levels.

Abstract: A charger operable to charge a battery of an electric vehicle from an electric power grid. The charger includes a first connector unit operable to connect the charger to the electric power grid, an AC/DC converter, a set of filters provided between the first connector unit and the AC/DC converter, a second connector unit operable to connect the charger to the battery, and a configurator provided between the first connector unit and the set of filters, the configurator being provided with a set of switches and/or relays operable to switch between a three-phase operation and a single-phase operation to charge the battery from the electric power grid.

Abstract: A charging apparatus includes a charging module, where the charging module is connected to a first terminal of a first selection module; a second terminal of the first selection module is connected to a first terminal of a first battery module, a third terminal of the first selection module is connected to a first terminal of a second battery module, in a case in which a first condition is satisfied, the first terminal of the first selection module is connected to the second terminal of the first selection module, and in a case in which a second condition is satisfied, the first terminal of the first selection module is connected to the third terminal of the first selection module; and a coulometer management module, connected to the first battery module and the second battery module.

Abstract: A charger includes a charger housing with at least one battery-charging space accessible from the outside for positioning of a rechargeable battery unit, a charging electronics unit in the charger housing for controlling an electrical charging operation for the battery unit positioned on the battery-charging space, and a cooling-air-guiding structure configured for guiding a cooling-air flow from an air inlet structure of the charger housing via the charging electronics unit to an air outlet structure of the charger housing. The cooling-air-guiding structure has a cooling housing arranged in the interior of the charger housing and has a cooling housing air inlet structure and a cooling housing air outlet structure, and is configured for guiding the cooling-air flow through the cooling housing from the cooling housing air inlet structure to the cooling housing air outlet structure and from the latter to the air outlet structure of the charger housing.

Abstract: An airport ground power unit for supplying electric current to a parked aircraft and a related system and method. The ground power unit includes a first electric battery, an inverter for transforming an output current of the battery to an alternating output current to be supplied to the aircraft, and one or more first electronic switches for connecting and disconnecting the first battery to and from the inverter. The first switches are connected in serial to the first battery, and together connected to the inverter. A first controller unit controls at least one of the one or more first switches. The ground power unit further includes a second electric battery and second electronic switches for connecting and disconnecting the second battery. The second switches are connected in serial to the second battery and are together connected to the inverter such that they are in parallel to the serially connected first battery and the first switches.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a voltage of the battery, detecting a current of the battery, determining a depth of discharge of the battery based on the voltage and the current of the battery, and controlling terminating charging of the battery responsive to the determined depth of discharge of the battery reaching a depth of discharge threshold. A system includes a battery gauge circuit and a processor coupled to the battery gauge circuit. The battery gauge circuit has a voltage sense input and a current sense input and is configured to determine a depth of discharge of a battery based on a battery voltage at the voltage sense input and a battery current at the current sense input. The processor is configured to control terminating charging of the battery responsive to the determined depth of discharge reaching a depth of discharge threshold.

Abstract: Battery operated one-shot (energetic firing) device having logic subsystem connected to source and operated in ultra-low power idle mode during storage to continuously draw a small amount of current from power source to reduce growth of passivation layer thereon. Power switch(es) throttle application of power to other components (e.g., environmental sensing circuit, energetic fire circuit) until device is active. Power switch(es) may be mechanical switch(es) manually operated or controlled by environmental conditions or logic-controlled switch(es). Power switch(es) can be used to sequentially provide power to other components to minimize voltage dip caused by de-passivation of power source. Logic subsystem may include current pulse generator for causing a current burst to be drawn from power supply to break down passivation layer and timer for tracking time since last current burst, both operational in ultra-low power idle mode.

Abstract: A system for modular dynamically adjustable capacity storage for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells, a negative terminal including a chassis ground connection, and a plurality of positive battery pack terminals. The negative terminal and the plurality of positive battery pack terminals are useful for connecting at least one electrical circuit through the battery pack. The system further includes a battery cell switching system, including a plurality of solid-state switches connected to each of the battery cells. The plurality of solid-state switches is operable to selectively connect a portion of the battery cells in parallel, selectively connect the portion of the battery cells in series, and selectively connect one of the plurality of battery cells to one of the plurality of positive battery pack terminals.

Abstract: A ring can include a housing. The housing can include a first power source configured to be charged by a second power source removably positioned adjacent to the housing. The housing also can include a component. The component can be configured to draw energy from the first power source. The component also can sense a physical phenomenon external to the housing. The component further can send communication signals to a communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid power system, comprising at least two power storage components, each power storage component comprising a power source having a corresponding source profile and a source charger electrically connected to the power source, and a power path controller operatively connected to the at least two power storage components, comprises a processing circuit configured to receive an input signal and selectively switch between the source profiles correspond to the power sources of the at least two power storage components based on the received input signal, thereby configuring at least one power storage component of the at least two power storage components to provide stored power to an external load.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inductive power transfer device for an inductive power transfer to a water-bound vehicle, with a power transfer part, comprising a primary conductor arrangement; and a kinematic unit for enabling a movement of the power transfer part; wherein the kinematic unit comprises a linear guide which is oriented so that, when the power transfer part is displaced along a path defined by the linear guide, a position of the power transfer part along a vertical spatial axis (Z) is altered. Further, the invention relates to a system for an inductive power transfer to a water-bound vehicle and a method for operating an inductive power transfer device.