Abstract: The electrical vehicle energy storage system permits the electric refueling of the electric vehicle just like an automobile would be refueled with gasoline at a gas station. Circuitry on board the vehicle accessible by the electric refueling station enables the determination of the energy content of the battery module or modules returned to the electric refueling station and the owner of the vehicle is given credit for the energy remaining in the battery module or modules which have been exchanged. Selective refueling may take place for given battery modules by removing them from the battery system and charging them at home, office or factory. A process for operating an electric vehicle is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A cordless power supply comprising a battery, a power conversion unit, a first standard coupling half permanently affixed to the power conversion unit and a second standard coupling half which reciprocally mates with the first standard coupling half is disclosed and claimed. The second standard coupling half includes a first interengaging half and a second interengaging half. The first interengaging half being standardly engageable with the first standard coupling half permanently affixed to the power conversion unit. The second interengaging half is interengageable with a specific battery. The battery may be a dual use cordless tool battery or an original equipment battery. Alternatively, a cordless power supply comprising an interchangeable adapter may be mounted on the power conversion unit for interconnection with a plurality of batteries. Alternatively, a cordless power supply comprising an adapter integral with the power conversion unit may be used with a specific battery type.

Abstract: A method for conducting an operation including a power tool battery pack. The battery pack can include a housing, a first cell supported by the housing and having a voltage, and a second cell supported by the housing and having a voltage. The battery pack also can be connectable to a power tool and be operable to supply power to operate the power tool. The method can include discharging one of the first cell and the second cell until the voltage of the one of the first cell and the second cell is substantially equal to the voltage of the other of the first cell and the second cell.

Abstract: A method and system for charging multi-cell lithium-based batteries. In some aspects, a battery charger includes a housing, at least one terminal to electrically connect to a battery pack supported by the housing, and a controller operable to provide a charging current to the battery pack through the at least one terminal. The battery pack includes a plurality of lithium-based battery cells, with each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells having an individual state of charge. The controller is operable to control the charging current being supplied to the battery pack at least in part based on the individual state of charge of at least one battery cell.

Abstract: A scalable intelligent power-supply system and method capable of powering a defined load for a specified period of time is disclosed and claimed. Multiple external AC and DC inputs supply power to the system if available and required. An internal DC input from a back-up energy source is on board. The back-up energy source is scalable by adding additional energy cartridges such as batteries in racks mounted within frames of the system. The AC and DC inputs (including the internal DC input) are controlled, measured, sensed, and converted by circuitry controlled by the microprocessor into multiple AC and/or DC outputs. A microprocessor manages power input to, within, and output from the system. The performance of a Lithium-ion batteries used to power an automobile can be determined on the basis individual battery packs or individual battery cells within the packs.

Abstract: A scalable intelligent power-supply system and method capable of powering a defined load for a specified period of time is disclosed and claimed. Multiple external AC and DC inputs supply power to the system if available and required. An internal DC input from a back-up energy source is on board. The back-up energy source is scalable by adding additional energy cartridges such as batteries in racks mounted within frames of the system. The AC and DC inputs (including the internal DC input) are controlled, measured, sensed, and converted by circuitry controlled by the microprocessor into multiple AC and/or DC outputs. A microprocessor manages power input to, within, and output from the system. The performance of a Lithium-ion batteries used to power an automobile can be determined on the basis individual battery packs or individual battery cells within the packs.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack includes a housing, a cell supported by the housing, a circuit supported by the housing and operable to control a function of the battery pack, and a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the circuit and operable to dissipate heat from the circuit.

Abstract: A method and system for battery charging. In some aspects, a battery charger includes a controller and a charging circuit that is operable to charge Lithium-based batteries of varying nominal voltages and/or number of battery cells.

Abstract: A method and system for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack configured to be interfaced with a power tool includes a housing, a cell, a controller, and a circuit. The circuit is operable to enable the controller to operate when the voltage supplied by the cell to the controller is below an operating voltage threshold off the controller.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a power tool battery pack operable to supply power to a power tool includes a controller. The controller is operable to sample a battery pack condition in at least a first sampling mode and a second sampling mode to produce a plurality of measurements. The controller is further operable to average the plurality of measurements to produce an averaged measurement, and operable to modify operation of the battery pack when the averaged measurement is outside a specified range.

Abstract: A method and system for battery charging. In some aspects, an electrical combination including a battery charger operable to supply a charging current to a battery to charge the battery and a battery including a switch having an interrupt condition, in which the switch is operable to interrupt a discharge current from the battery. The battery is electrically connectable to the battery charger and the supply of the charging current from the battery charger to the battery is enabled when the switch is in the interrupt condition.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a method of a method for operating a battery pack. The battery pack having a battery pack condition, and the battery pack condition having a range. The method including the acts of conducting an operation including the battery pack, measuring a first measurement of the battery pack condition, measuring a second measurement of the battery pack condition, averaging the first measurement and the second measurement to provide an average measurement and if the average measurement is within the range, continuing the operation including the battery pack. At least one of the first measurement and the second measurement being outside of the range.

Abstract: A method and system for battery charging. In some aspects, a battery charger including at least one terminal to electrically connect to a lithium-based chemistry battery pack and a controller operable to provide a charging current to the battery pack through the at least one terminal. The controller is operable to select a threshold for a charging function according to a nominal voltage of the battery pack.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack including a housing, a cell supported by the housing and power being transferable between the cell and an electrical device, a circuit supported by the housing and operable to control a function of the battery pack, and a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the circuit and operable to dissipate heat from the circuit.

Abstract: A method of conducting an operation including a battery. The battery includes a cell having a voltage. Power is transferable between the cell and the electrical device. A controller is operable to control a function of the battery pack. The controller is also operable with a voltage at least one of equal to and greater than an operating voltage threshold. The cell is operable to selectively supply voltage to the controller. The method includes the act of enabling the controller to operate when the voltage supplied by the cell is below the operating voltage threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a method of conducting an operation including a battery pack, includes the acts of monitoring a first battery pack condition at a first monitoring rate, determining when a second battery pack condition reaches a threshold, after the second battery pack condition reaches the threshold, monitoring the first battery pack condition at a second monitoring rate, the second monitoring rate being different than the first monitoring rate.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a method of conducting an operation including a battery pack, includes the acts of monitoring a first battery pack condition at a first monitoring rate, determining when a second battery pack condition reaches a threshold, after the second battery pack condition reaches the threshold, monitoring the first battery pack condition at a second monitoring rate, the second monitoring rate being different than the first monitoring rate.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for electrolytically removing material from a workpiece includes a plurality of electrodes which are movable relative to each other through working strokes. In order to coordinate the movement of the electrodes, they are stopped at one or more predetermined intermediate positions during their working strokes. When all of the electrodes have arrived at intermediate positions, the electrodes are simultaneously moved away from their intermediate positions toward their end of stroke positions. In order to accommodate variations in the rate at which material is electrolytically removed from a workpiece, the speed of movement of the electrodes and/or the electrical potential established between the electrodes and the workpiece can be varied. Relatively large diameter rams connected with the electrodes are supplied with fluid from relatively small diameter piston and cylinder type pumps.