Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Abstract: A light detector which includes a housing having front and rear walls, a light receiving section disposed on the front wall, and displays disposed on the front and rear walls for showing the location of received light relative on the light receiving section. Also disclosed is a laser level including a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, a housing fixedly disposed on the shaft, the housing having a bore therein, a barrel pivotally connected to the housing, a laser diode module disposed within the barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contacting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.

Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Abstract: The charging method includes providing a current to the battery pack, sensing first and second battery temperatures, determining a first temperature change rate between the first and second battery temperatures, sensing a third battery temperature, determining a second temperature change between the second and third battery temperatures, and disabling termination of the charging method based on a temperature-based scheme if the first temperature change rate is equal to or exceeds a first predetermined threshold and the second temperature change rate is equal to or exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The charging method includes providing a current to the battery pack, sensing first and second battery temperatures, determining a first temperature change rate between the first and second battery temperatures, sensing a third battery temperature, determining a second temperature change between the second and third battery temperatures, and disabling termination of the charging method based on a temperature-based scheme if the first temperature change rate is equal to or exceeds a first predetermined threshold and the second temperature change rate is equal to or exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A light detector which includes a housing having front and rear walls, a light receiving section disposed on the front wall, and displays disposed on the front and rear walls for showing the location of received light relative on the light receiving section. Also disclosed is a laser level including a motor, a shaft driven by the motor, a housing fixedly disposed on the shaft, the housing having a bore therein, a barrel pivotally connected to the housing, a laser diode module disposed within the barrel, and a screw disposed on the housing and contacting the barrel for adjusting the pivotal position of the barrel.

Abstract: An adapter for electrically connecting a battery pack with An electrical apparatus such as a cordless power tool or a charger. The adapter includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion provides releasable attachment to the electrical apparatus. The second portion physically receives at least a portion of the battery pack. A method of converting an electrical apparatus for use with a battery pack not directly attachable to the electrical apparatus includes the steps of providing an adapter for electrically connecting the battery pack to an electrical apparatus, releasably attaching the adapter to the electrical apparatus and physically receiving at least a portion of the battery pack by the adapter so as to establish an electrical circuit between the electrical apparatus and the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery charger (14) with low heat generation for charging exothermic batteries (12) such as NiMH batteries, as well as endothermic batteries. Energy from a power source is chopped and filtered to provide a controlled charging current. The circuit (14) includes a series switch (34), bootstrap network (56), energy storage circuit (61), and an output inductor (40) having an auxiliary winding (38). The energy storage circuit (61) supplies power to the series switch (34). The bootstrap network (56) provides a path for energy from the power source to the energy storage circuit (61). Power dissipation in the bootstrap network (56) is minimized by supplementing local energy storage with energy coupled from the auxiliary winding (38) of the inductor (40). Both variable frequency or fixed frequency modulation techniques can be employed to drive the series switch (34).

Abstract: An isolated battery charger suitable for charging lead-acid batteries includes a high-frequency power conditioner that rectifies source current to a DC value and chops the current at a comparatively high frequency, e.g., 25 KHz, using a pair of MOSFET switches (138 and 140) to provide power pulses to the primary of a step-down transformer (T.sub.1). The output of the step-down transformer (T.sub.1) is presented to an enhancement mode MOSFET (206) in series circuit with the battery (B) to be charged with the gate bias of the MOSFET controlled in response to the sensed voltage of the battery to provide current to the battery as a function of its charge. Control circuitry is provided to limit charging to a small `trickle` level in the event the battery (B) is fully discharged to increase its charge level prior to initiating the full charge current. The provision of a voltage converter (100) operating at a relatively high frequency allows use of a lightweight and compact transformer (T.sub.

Abstract: Signals for controlling any of a wide variety of field devices such as circuit breakers, generators, transformer connections and the like are produced from a common function module. The particular device or devices to be operated are selected on an exclusive basis by a control module dedicated for that purpose. The control module cooperates with the common function module to produce the desired control and/or monitoring of the associated field devices and prevents any other control module from operating when it is selected. Exclusive operation is effected by an interruptible serial connection of a power line between control modules. A multiplexing arrangement switches the pertinent measurement data associated with a selected operation into a display panel. The combined modules provide direct control of all field devices at a remote location but can also be controlled by a distant supervisory equipment.