Abstract: A climatic test chamber system has a cooling unit, with refrigerating means for cooling a circulatory secondary refrigerant to be stored in a tank unit, and a chamber unit. The chamber unit has a plurality of isolated test chambers. Each test chamber has regulator means for regulating the supply of secondary refrigerant from the tank unit for individually regulating the test temperature in each test chamber according to a set, desired temperature.

Abstract: A climatic test chamber system has a cooling unit, with refrigerating means for refrigerating a circulatory secondary refrigerant to be stored in a tank unit, and a chamber unit. The chamber unit has a plurality of isolated test chambers. Each test chamber has regulator means for regulating the supply of secondary refrigerant from the tank unit so as to individually regulate the test temperature in each test chamber according to a set, desired temperature.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery for a portable electric apparatus has at least one battery cell and a fuse device connected in series with the battery cell. Furthermore, the battery has a voltage-controlled active device, which is connected in parallel to the battery cell and which is arranged to assume a substantially non-conductive state and a conductive state, respectively, in response to the voltage at a control input, and a reference voltage device, which is connected to the control input of the active device. The active device is arranged to switch from the non-conductive state to the conductive state, when the voltage across the battery cell deviates, by a predetermined value, from a reference voltage supplied by the reference voltage device, thereby establishing a short circuit across the battery cell and release of the fuse device. The voltage-controlled active device, the reference voltage device and the fuse device form an integrated electronic component.

Abstract: A battery pack for a portable electric apparatus has one or more than one battery cells and terminals for electric connection to the apparatus. The battery pack has a first terminal for receiving charging current from the apparatus, a second terminal for feeding supply current to the apparatus, and a third terminal for establishing a zero or ground line common to the apparatus and the battery pack. Furthermore, the battery pack has a first voltage converter arranged between the first terminal and the battery cell(s), and a second voltage converter arranged between the second terminal and the battery cell(s).

Abstract: Terminal voltage differences are controlled between individual battery cells in a battery during charging. The terminal voltage for each cell is measured, differences between the terminal voltages are determined, and a portion of the charging current is shunted in parallel to any of the cells in response thereto. A shunt device is connected in parallel to the respective battery cell and is arranged to shunt an electric current of a certain magnitude in response to the input signal value on a control input. A controller, with inputs connected to each battery cell and with outputs connected to the control input on the respective shunt device, measures voltage differences between individual cells and controls, in response thereto, the shunt devices for reducing or eliminating the voltage differences. The controller has a charging information history unit and storage means for storing, during an on-going charging cycle, terminal voltage data continuously read for each cell.

Abstract: A safety device for a portable battery-powered electric apparatus having a battery unit with one or more battery cells for supplying power to electric circuitry in the apparatus. The apparatus is connectable to a charging device for charging the battery unit while maintaining the supply of power to the apparatus. The safety device has a first fuse device connected between the battery unit and a first terminal of the apparatus for receiving charging current from the charging device, and a second fuse device connected between the battery unit and a second terminal of the apparatus for supplying power to electric circuitry in the apparatus. The fuse devices are operatively independent of each other, particularly in that the second fuse device maintains the electric connection between the battery unit and the electric circuitry in the apparatus, even when or if the first fuse device releases or opens in response to an undesired condition in the charging device.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling the charging of batteries and portable electronic devices are described. In order to avoid inclusion of a temperature sensing element within a battery pack, various techniques are described that control charging of the battery with respect to its temperature. For example, when the portable electronic device is powered on, a timer may begin counting which, after a predetermined time period, will allow an external charging device to charge the battery. Alternatively, if a temperature sensing element is provided within the device for monitoring the temperature of some other element, its monitored temperature may also be taken into account in determining when the battery is within a safe temperature range for charging. A temperature gradient measured by the temperature sensing element within the device may also be considered to counteract the impact of drastic temperature differences between the battery and the device itself.