Abstract: A battery pack and a method of operating a battery system. The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery and a processor for monitoring the battery during charging and discharging. The processor receives data values representing the battery voltage, temperature and current, and the processor performs a series of calculations using those data values. The processor is part of a hybrid integrated circuit, which also incluses an analog-to-digital converter, a ROM and a RAM. Preferably, the integrated circuit comprises a multitude of layers, upper layers of the circuit form the ROM, and lower layers of the circuit form the RAM.

Abstract: A battery pack and a method of operating a battery system. The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery, an analog-to digital converter, and a processor. The analog-to digital converter is able to convert both positive and negative analog signals to digital signals; and, in use, the converter receives analog signals representing battery voltage, battery temperature, and battery current, and converts those signals to digital signals. The processor receives those digital signals from the converter and uses those digital signals to perform a series of calculations.

Abstract: A battery pack and a method of operating a battery system. The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery and a processor for monitoring the battery during charging and discharging. The processor receives data values representing the battery voltage, temperature and current, and the processor performs a series of calculations using those data values. The processor is part of a hybrid integrated circuit, which also includes an analog-to-digital converter, a ROM and a RAM. Preferably, the integrated circuit comprises a multitude of layers, upper layers of the circuit form the ROM, and lower layers of the circuit form the RAM.

Abstract: A battery pack and a method of operating a battery system. The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery and a processor for monitoring the battery during charging and discharging. The processor receives data values representing the battery voltage, temperature and current, and the processor performs a series of calculations using those data values. In one of these calculations, the processor determines the actual full capacity of the battery. Preferably, the processor also keeps track of an uncertainty value that represents an uncertainty in the capacity of the battery; and the processor calculates the actual full capacity of the battery at the end of each discharge cycle if, at that time, the uncertainty value is less than a given percentage of a nominal full capacity of the battery.

Abstract: A smart battery device which provides electrical power and which reports predefined battery parameters to an external device having a power management system, includes: at least one rechargeable cell connected to a pair of terminals to provide electrical power to an external device during a discharge mode and to receive electrical power during a charge mode, as provided or determined by the remote device; a data bus for reporting predefined battery identification and charge parameters to the external device; analog devices for generating analog signals representative of battery voltage and current at said terminals, and an analog signal representative of battery temperature at said cell; a hybrid integrated circuit (IC) having a microprocessor for receiving the analog signals and converting them to digital signals representative of battery voltage, current and temperature, and calculating actual charge parameters over time from the digital signals, the calculations including one calculation according to the f

Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack and a method of operating a rechargeable battery system. The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery, a processor for monitoring operation and performance of the battery, and a memory area for storing data values used by the processor. The memory area is normally powered by the battery, and a capacitor is provided to supply back-up power to the memory area in case of an interruption in the supply of electrical power to the memory area from the battery. The battery pack further includes a delatching circuit for electronically decoupling the memory area and the back-up capacitor from the battery under predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A battery pack and a method of operating a battery system. The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery and a processor for monitoring the battery during charging and discharging. The processor receives data values representing the battery voltage, temperature and current, and the processor performs a series of calculations using those data values. The processor has normal, standby and sleep modes. In the normal mode, the processor performs the series of calculations at first regular cycles, and in the standby mode, the processor performs the series of calculations at second regular cycles, which are longer than the first cycles. Preferably, the processor enters the standby mode when the battery current falls below a predetermined current level, and the processor enters the sleep mode when the battery voltage falls below a first predetermined voltage level.

Abstract: A high speed knife sharpening apparatus where the surface of a first rotating abrasive element is that of a truncated cone and forms a first facet with microgrooves and a microburr. A second stage is a novel composite cone shaped honing wheel made up of a micro abrasive imbedded in an epoxy matrix. The honing wheel refines the edge developed in the first stage, into an erect triangular shape with a radius of curvature, at the apex (edge), of typically several microns or less depending on the hardness of the knife steel. A unique blade holding system constrains the blade to a precisely defined angle relative to each of the grinding (first) and honing (second) stages. Proportionately larger grinding forces are developed for thicker knife blades, thus sharpening times are approximately the same over the common range of knives from small paring knives (6"), large chef's knives (10") up to kitchen cleavers.

Abstract: A smart battery which provides electrical power and which reports predefined battery parameters to an external device having a power management system, includes: at least one rechargeable cell connected to a pair of terminals to provide electrical power to an external device during a discharge mode and to receive electrical power during a charge mode, as provided or determined by the remote device; a data bus for reporting predefined battery identification and charge parameters to the external device; analog devices for generating analog signals representative of battery voltage and current at said terminals, and an analog signal representative of battery temperature at said cell; a hybrid integrated circuit (IC) having a microprocessor for receiving the analog signals and converting them to digital signals representative of battery voltage, current and temperature, and calculating actual charge parameters over time from the digital signals, the calculations including one calculation according to the followin

Abstract: An apparatus for sharpening the edge of an elongated object includes a housing having an exposed sharpening section with a sharpening element in the sharpening section. The sharpening element is formed from a single abrasive coated sharpening element having a pair of abrasive coated planar comb-like structures formed along opposing sides of the sharpening element. The sharpening element is bent into an X configuration wherein the alternating teeth and slots interdigitate to form the X-shaped configuration and form a sharpening angle between the interdigitating teeth. The sharpening angle has a bisection line with an elongated interrupted sharpening surface.

Abstract: A portable manual sharpener for cutting tools such as knives, scissors and the like includes a base having a first stage sharpening station which includes a stationary non-rotatable support member with an abrasive coated planar surface on opposite sides of the support member. A pair of symmetrical slots are disposed adjacent to the planar faces with a guide surface located in each slot at a predetermined angle to the planar surface. A hold down device maintains the cutting blade in contact with the guide surface as the blade is moved through the sharpening station with the cutting edge facet of the blade in sliding contact with the abrasive particles on the planar face. The base includes an area which can be conveniently hand held.

Abstract: A portable manual sharpener for cutting tools such as knives, scissors and the like includes a base having a first stage sharpening station which includes a stationary non-rotatable support member with an abrasive coated planar surface on opposite sides of the support member. A pair of symmetrical slots are disposed adjacent to the planar faces with a guide surface located in each slot at a predetermined angle to the planar surface. A hold down device maintains the cutting blade in contact with the guide surface as the blade is moved through the sharpening station with the cutting edge facet of the blade in sliding contact with the abrasive particles on the planar face. The base includes an area which can be conveniently hand held.

Abstract: Both facets of a double faceted blade are simultaneously sharpened as the facets are moved across a first pair of planar abrasive coated surfaces crossing to form a vertex and positioned to establish a total included angle at the vertex nominally equal to the intended total included angle of the edge facet. A guide structure contacts and aligns the blade so that the centerline of the blade is positioned at or near the bisection of the included angle of the abrasive surfaces. The guide structure is one or more rotatable members.

Abstract: A tool for filing or abrading surfaces or for sharpening instruments such as knives, chisels and the like includes two spaced thin ferromagnetic rails having co-planar upper edges. A magnet is located between the rails with a ferromagnetic plate magnetically held to the rail. The plate has an exposed abrasive coated surface. A first magnetic pole of the magnet concentrates and conducts magnetic flux to the plate through the rails with sufficient force to hold the plate in position against the upper edges of the rails without the need for a retaining cavity to further restrain the plate from moving during use.

Abstract: A scissors sharpening apparatus includes a motor driven sharpening member having an abrasive surface. A magnetic guide is arranged to position the scissors blade at a fixed angle relative to the principle plane of the abrasive surface in such a manner that the magnet of the guide has the axis of its poles oriented nominally perpendicular to the flat face of the blade and nominally parallel to the principle plane of the abrasive surface.