Abstract: An apparatus includes a charger and a plurality of connectors such that a connector includes a switch and a connection between the charger and the connector. The charger is configured to direct a switch associated with one of the plurality of connectors to connect the connector with which it is associated to the charger. The charger is also configured to charge a device connected to the connector according to a type of battery detected in the device. A plurality of devices is charged using a prioritized charging scheme.

Abstract: Charging at least one rechargeable battery includes regulating a voltage applied to the at least one rechargeable battery by coupling a circuit between an output of a rectifier circuit and the at least one rechargeable battery, limiting the charging current to be within a first predetermined range and when a predetermined battery charging voltage is reached, dropping the charging current to be within a second predetermined range.

Abstract: A system for wireless energy transfer includes a circuit for wireless transmission of energy, including a first, tunable resonator circuit including a transmitter coil and a variable capacitance device connected in shunt across the transmitter coil. Also disclosed is a circuit for wireless reception of energy including a tunable second resonator circuit including a receiver coil inductively coupled to the transmitter coil and a variable capacitance device connected in shunt across the receiver coil. Also disclosed is an arrangement for wireless energy transmission and reception that foregoes the necessity for separate circuits for DC rectification at the reception end of the arrangement. Also disclosed a system for wireless energy transfer where the system includes a tunable resonator circuit embedded in a surface such as piece of furniture, counter, etc., e.g., a table.

Abstract: A system for wireless energy transfer includes a circuit for wireless transmission of energy, including a first, tunable resonator circuit including a transmitter coil and a variable capacitance device connected in shunt across the transmitter coil. Also disclosed is a circuit for wireless reception of energy including a tunable second resonator circuit including a receiver coil inductively coupled to the transmitter coil and a variable capacitance device connected in shunt across the receiver coil. Also disclosed is an arrangement for wireless energy transmission and reception that foregoes the necessity for separate circuits for DC rectification at the reception end of the arrangement. Also disclosed a system for wireless energy transfer where the system includes a tunable resonator circuit embedded in a surface such as piece of furniture, counter, etc., e.g., a table.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit arrangement. The circuit arrangement includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries each having at least one rechargeable electrochemical cell, and current-carrying members connecting the plurality of batteries such that when the plurality of batteries are charging the plurality of batteries are in a series electrical circuit arrangement and when the plurality of batteries are discharging the plurality of batteries are in a parallel electrical circuit arrangement.

Abstract: An inductive charger adapter element includes a housing, a coil comprising electrically conductive material, the coil contained within the housing, the coil configured to inductively couple to an external primary coil; and a connector supported on the housing, the connector coupled to the coil and configured to couple the inductive charger adapter element to a port provided on a device, the connector including a first pair of conductors for providing power and charging current to a battery in the device.

Abstract: An inductive charger adapter element includes a housing, a coil comprising electrically conductive material, the coil contained within the housing, the coil configured to inductively couple to an external primary coil; and a connector supported on the housing, the connector coupled to the coil and configured to couple the inductive charger adapter element to a port provided on a device, the connector including a first pair of conductors for providing power and charging current to a battery in the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dual use apparatus including a base device having a port for delivering charging current to an battery to be charged, and a charging circuit, disposed in the base device and in communication with the port to determine a charge capacity of the battery using battery identifying information received from the battery, and applying the charging current to the battery based on the determined charge capacity.

Abstract: A battery includes a battery housing containing a rechargeable cell for providing an output voltage and a charging circuit. The charging circuit is coupled to the rechargeable cell and includes a voltage converter to convert an input voltage to the charging circuit to a charging voltage to charge the rechargeable cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charger device. The charger device includes a housing, defining a volume, that includes a power conversion module to provide output power of between 3-300 W, and a controller configured to determine a current level to direct to one or more rechargeable batteries, and cause the output power to be directed to the one or more rechargeable batteries at a charging current substantially equal to the determined current level. A ratio of the output power directed to the one or more rechargeable batteries and the volume is equal to at least 10 W/in3.

Abstract: A hybrid power supply includes a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from a fuel cell and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell, set to provide a fixed output voltage that is less than the full charge voltage of the rechargeable cell. The hybrid power supply includes a circuit including a fuel cell current control that senses fuel cell current, and controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge on the fuel cell side of the hybrid power supply.

Abstract: A hybrid power supply includes a fuel cell and an interface between the fuel cell and a fuel cartridge or external battery and a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from the fuel cell or external battery and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell. The hybrid power supply also includes a fuel cell current sensor/comparator, included in a feedback control loop disposed about the DC/DC converter, which controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge on the fuel battery side of the hybrid power supply. An adapter that couples a source of AC power such as a charger to the interconnect is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a charger and a plurality of connectors such that a connector includes a switch and a connection between the charger and the connector. The charger is configured to direct a switch associated with one of the plurality of connectors to connect the connector with which it is associated to the charger. The charger is also configured to charge a device connected to the connector according to a type of battery detected in the device. A plurality of devices is charged using a prioritized charging scheme.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery is provided comprising a battery housing (e.g., a can), a rechargeable battery cell within the housing, and a charger circuit comprising one or more solar cell(s) disposed on the battery housing and in electrical communication with the rechargeable battery cell. Methods of recharging batteries using solar energy are also provided.

Abstract: A electronic device includes an electrical component powered by a battery and a compartment to receive the battery. A low voltage cutoff circuit is configured to couple to the battery. The low voltage cutoff circuit includes a switching device having a control terminal, a current sourcing terminal and current sinking terminal and a resistor coupled between the control terminal and a first terminal of a battery. The circuit has first and second output terminals. The first output terminal is coupled to the first terminal of the battery and the second output terminal is coupled to the current sourcing terminal of the transistor. The first and second output terminals are configured to accept connections to positive and negative terminals of the electrical component.

Abstract: A hybrid power supply includes a fuel cell and an interface between the fuel cell and a fuel cartridge or external battery and a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from the fuel cell or external battery and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell. The hybrid power supply also includes a fuel cell current sensor/comparator, included in a feedback control loop disposed about the DC/DC converter, which controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge on the fuel battery side of the hybrid power supply. An adapter that couples a source of AC power such as a charger to the interconnect is also disclosed.

Abstract: Charging at least one rechargeable battery includes regulating a voltage applied to the at least one rechargeable battery by coupling a circuit between an output of a rectifier circuit and the at least one rechargeable battery, limiting the charging current to be within a first predetermined range and when a predetermined battery charging voltage is reached, dropping the charging current to be within a second predetermined range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit arrangement. The circuit arrangement includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries each having at least one rechargeable electrochemical cell, and current-carrying members connecting the plurality of batteries such that when the plurality of batteries are charging the plurality of batteries are in a series electrical circuit arrangement and when the plurality of batteries are discharging the plurality of batteries are in a parallel electrical circuit arrangement.

Abstract: A hybrid power supply includes a fuel cell and an interface between the fuel cell and a fuel cartridge or external battery and a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from the fuel cell or external battery and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell. The hybrid power supply also includes a fuel cell current sensor/comparator, included in a feedback control loop disposed about the DC/DC converter, which controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge on the fuel battery side of the hybrid power supply. An adapter that couples a source of AC power such as a charger to the interconnect is also disclosed.

Abstract: Charging a rechargeable battery having one or more rechargeable cells includes determining a current level to apply to the battery such that the battery has a pre-determined charge that is reached within a specified period of time that is less than about 15 minutes and applying a charging current having substantially about the determined current level to the battery.