Abstract: A combined battery charger and battery equalizer for equalizing a first battery bank and charging a second battery bank, respectively includes a buck-boost power converting circuit configured to convert a received electrical voltage into, either a battery equalization voltage, or a battery charging voltage. The buck-boost power converting circuit is connected to an output switch configured to enable output of either the equalization voltage level to a battery equalizer output connector, or the battery charging voltage to a battery charging output connector. A combined battery charging and battery equalization system includes a voltage source connected to a combined battery equalizer and battery charger configured to convert an electrical voltage received from the voltage source into either a battery equalization voltage or a battery charging voltage, and connected to either a positive pole of a starter battery bank or to a voltage reference point of a service battery bank.

Abstract: A battery charging system (15) and method for state controlled charging of a battery (12). The battery charging system comprises two parallel paths (16, 17) for supplying charging current to the battery (12) from two parallel sources of charging current, an energy source (13) and a controlled charging device (14). A control unit (18) is adapted to control the supply of charging current along the two paths in response to a detected state of the battery (12). If a state above a predetermined threshold is detected, the control unit (18) controls the supply of charging current such that the battery (12) receives charging current from the controlled charging device (14), but not directly from the energy source (13). The detected state of the battery may e.g. be a temperature state. The present invention allows for balancing the demands of high charging rate and long expected lifetime of the battery (12).

Abstract: A battery charging and electrical energy delivery system (25) that allows for separation of charging of a battery (23) and delivery of electrical energy to a first set of consumers (24). The battery may be charged via a first path (29) for connecting the battery with an energy source (22), while electrical energy may be supplied via a second path (30) (separate from the first path) from the energy source to the first set of consumers. The first set of consumers may also be powered by the battery via third path (31) e.g. if the energy source is off. A control unit (32) is adapted to control the supply of electrical energy along the first, second and third paths in response to a detected state of the energy source. A battery operated system (21a) including the battery charging and electrical energy delivery system (25) is also provided.

Abstract: A combined battery charger and battery equalizer for equalizing a first battery bank and charging a second battery bank, respectively includes a buck-boost power converting circuit configured to convert a received electrical voltage into, either a battery equalization voltage, or a battery charging voltage. The buck-boost power converting circuit is connected to an output switch configured to enable output of either the equalization voltage level to a battery equalizer output connector, or the battery charging voltage to a battery charging output connector. A combined battery charging and battery equalization system includes a voltage source connected to a combined battery equalizer and battery charger. The combined battery equalizer and battery charger is configured to convert an electrical voltage received from the voltage source into either a battery equalization voltage or a battery charging voltage.

Abstract: A battery charging system (15) and method for state controlled charging of a battery (12). The battery charging system comprises two parallel paths (16, 17) for supplying charging current to the battery (12) from two parallel sources of charging current, an energy source (13) and a controlled charging device (14). A control unit (18) is adapted to control the supply of charging current along the two paths in response to a detected state of the battery (12). If a state above a predetermined threshold is detected, the control unit (18) controls the supply of charging current such that the battery (12) receives charging current from the controlled charging device (14), but not directly from the energy source (13). The detected state of the battery may e.g. be a temperature state. The present invention allows for balancing the demands of high charging rate and long expected lifetime of the battery (12).

Abstract: A battery charging and electrical energy delivery system (25) that allows for separation of charging of a battery (23) and delivery of electrical energy to a first set of consumers (24). The battery may be charged via a first path (29) for connecting the battery with an energy source (22), while electrical energy may be supplied via a second path (30) (separate from the first path) from the energy source to the first set of consumers. The first set of consumers may also be powered by the battery via third path (31) e.g. if the energy source is off. A control unit (32) is adapted to control the supply of electrical energy along the first, second and third paths in response to a detected state of the energy source. A battery operated system (21a) including the battery charging and electrical energy delivery system (25) is also provided.

Abstract: Method for managing a battery system including a number of serially coupled batteries in a flexible, reliable, and cost effective way and that can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as tools, for example, hand tools, cars, boats, back-up systems, buses, trucks, golf carts, wheel chairs, electric cars and fork-lift trucks. The method includes the steps of detecting the battery voltage over each individual battery of the battery system; and utilizing a voltage imbalance between different batteries of the system during operation of the battery system. Furthermore, the method controls the voltage distribution of the batteries to create a voltage imbalance between different batteries of the battery system.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery at a battery charger comprising connection means for connection to the terminals of a battery to be charged, means for detecting a voltage over the terminals of a connected battery, and control means. The method comprises the steps of initiating a burst cycle, wherein a plurality of consecutive voltage burst are applied to a connected battery to be charged, each burst successively lowering the internal resistance of the battery and initiating a charging cycle to charge the connected battery when said burst cycle has been terminated. Furthermore, a method for maintenance charging a battery at a battery charger including detecting a voltage over the connected battery; maintaining the voltage over the battery at a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time; monitoring a battery capacity parameter when said predetermined period of time has elapsed; and applying at least one voltage pulse if said parameter falls below a predetermined threshold level.

Abstract: A battery charging device comprising a first DC/DC converter being adapted to increase a voltage of a battery; a first connection means coupled in parallel with the first DC/DC converter; wherein current delivered from the generator is supplied to the battery via the first connection means at a current level above a current level and wherein current delivered from the generator is supplied to the battery via the DC/DC converter at a current level below the current level; and a second DC/DC converter adapted to increase a voltage of a second battery, wherein the current delivered from the generator is supplied to the second battery via the second DC/DC converter.

Abstract: Method for managing a battery system including a number of serially coupled batteries in a flexible, reliable, and cost effective way and that can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as tools, for example, hand tools, cars, boats, back-up systems, buses, trucks, golf carts, wheel chairs, electric cars and fork-lift trucks. The method includes the steps of detecting the battery voltage over each individual battery of the battery system; and utilizing a voltage imbalance between different batteries of the system during operation of the battery system. Furthermore, the method controls the voltage distribution of the batteries to create a voltage imbalance between different batteries of the battery system.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery at a battery charger comprising connection means for connection to the terminals of a battery to be charged, means for detecting a voltage over the terminals of a connected battery, and control means. The method comprises the steps of initiating a burst cycle, wherein a plurality of consecutive voltage burst are applied to a connected battery to be charged, each burst successively lowering the internal resistance of the battery and initiating a charging cycle to charge the connected battery when said burst cycle has been terminated. Furthermore, a method for maintenance charging a battery at a battery charger including detecting a voltage over the connected battery; maintaining the voltage over the battery at a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time; monitoring a battery capacity parameter when said predetermined period of time has elapsed; and applying at least one voltage pulse if said parameter falls below a predetermined threshold level.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fuse comprising a fuse element (10), in the form of a single wire, which is formed together with at least one terminal (11,11a,11b), in the form of a number of twisted wires. The fuse element and the conductor(s) are formed from the same wire, whereby part of the wire is moved back and forth a number of times to form at least one ring (21) or loop. The ring or loop is twisted into a conductor (11,11a,11b) in the form of a number of twisted strands, whereby one of the twisted strands is formed to be included, in part, in the terminal (11,11a,11b) twisted together with an additional number of wires and to constitute, in part, a fuse element (10).