Abstract: Operation of movable members such as wing or sash parts of openable windows or facade sections forming part of a natural ventilation system is controlled by communication of operating commands from centralized and/or distributed control means to operator units for movement of said movable members. Concurrent operation of operator units of a sub-group (1, 2, 8–11) of operator units (3) associated with a single movable member is coordinated by interface means (6, 7) interconnected between the sub-group and the centralized and/or distributed control means (4, 16). The interface unit (6, 7) communicates an operating command from said central and/or distributed control means (4, 16) to the operator units (3), receives actual position and/or status information from each operator unit (3) of the sub-group and uses this information for communication of coordinated individual control commands to the operator units (3).

Abstract: In a system and method for charging a rechargeable battery having a protection circuit, the rechargeable battery operates according to a model that includes an ideal battery and an internal resistance. In the model, an electrode voltage develops across the ideal battery. An internal voltage drop equal to the difference between this electrode voltage and the battery voltage is developed across the internal resistance. The battery is charged with a charging voltage that may exceed the threshold voltage and the electrode voltage. The charging system and method ensures that (1) the voltage at the protection circuit is kept below the threshold voltage and (2) the electrode voltage is kept below the end-of-charge voltage.

Abstract: A battery charger monitors an open-circuit voltage across the battery and the rate of change of temperature of the battery to determine a time to terminate the process of charging the battery. Charging proceeds in four stages. In the first stage the open-circuit voltage of the battery is monitored until such voltage crosses a threshold value. In the second stage, the rate of change of battery temperature is monitored to determine a reference value, for example, a minimum of the monitored rate. In the third stage, the rate of change of battery temperature is again monitored to identify a time when such rate exceeds the reference value by a predetermined amount. In the fourth stage, power supplied to charge the battery is limited immediately after stage three or a predetermined time after stage three for example by reducing the charging current to a trickle-charge level or by reducing the voltage by about 100 mV.

Abstract: In a system and method for charging a rechargeable battery having a protection circuit, the rechargeable battery operates according to a model that includes an ideal battery and an internal resistance. In the model, an electrode voltage develops across the ideal battery. An internal voltage drop equal to the difference between this electrode voltage and the battery voltage is developed across the internal resistance. The battery is charged with a charging voltage that may exceed the threshold voltage and the electrode voltage. The charging system and method ensures that (1) the voltage at the protection circuit is kept below the threshold voltage and (2) the electrode voltage is kept below the end-of-charge voltage.