Abstract: A device balancing overall levels of electrical charge in plural blocks of cells in a battery. The blocks can be connected in a circuit during a charging phase of the cells accumulating charge, and during a discharging phase of the cells giving back charge. The device includes one series switch and one parallel switch. The series switch can, when closed and the parallel switch is open, connect a block to the circuit, in series with the other blocks, so that the block is connected during the charging and discharging phases. The parallel switch can, when closed and the series switch is open, disconnect the block from the circuit, so that the block is disconnected if discharging disconnection conditions are met during the discharging phase or if charging disconnection conditions are met during the charging phase. The block includes a mechanism locally balancing charge levels of its cells when disconnected.

Abstract: A switch including: first and second electrically conductive electrodes; an electrically conductive element; an electrically insulating medium separating the first and second electrodes and separating the electrically conductive element from the second electrode; and a pyrotechnic element including an explosive, explosion of the explosive causing the electrically conductive element to be driven into contact with the second electrode and the conductive element to be welded to the second electrode to form an electrically conductive link between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Method for detecting an electric are in a photovoltaic device by ultrasound, comprising measuring at least one parameter among the amplitude, the duration and the central frequency, of an electrical signal received by an ultrasound sensor; and comparing the measurement of this at least one parameter of the electrical signal with predefined values in order to determine whether the measurement corresponds to that of an electric arc.

Abstract: A system and method regulate the temperature of an electrochemical battery. The system can be incorporated in a hybrid or electric motor vehicle including at least two electrical-energy-accumulating elements, each element including at least one electrochemical cell. The system increases the intensity of the value of the current flowing through the battery up to a first threshold value and includes a module for disconnecting and connecting an electrical-energy-accumulating element.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method, including a battery including a plurality of battery modules arranged in series, each module including a switch and a diode arranged in series and connected in parallel to the module. The system further includes a capacitor connected directly by an electrical connection to a point situated between the diode and the switch of each module, and directly to the negative terminal of the battery, and a load connected in parallel to the capacitor, a mechanism controlling each module switch using a pulse width modulation signal having a duty cycle that varies between 0% and 100%.

Abstract: The assembly has a central block that includes a first main face, a second main face and side faces. The second main face is opposite to the first main face, and the side faces connect the first main face to the second main face. The assembly also includes a first cover arranged on the first main face. The first main face and a first external surface of the first cover form a first groove for housing a first wire element, and the first groove extends along an entire length of the first main face. The assembly further includes a second cover arranged on the second main face. The second main face and a second external surface of the second cover form a second groove for housing a second wire element, and the second groove extends along an entire length of the second main face.

Abstract: The method for charging an electrochemical nickel-based battery having a predetermined nominal capacity, including at least one measurement of the voltage of the battery and one measurement of the temperature representative of the battery. The battery is connected to an intermittent source of energy. The charging of the battery is stopped when the voltage measured at the terminals of the battery reaches a voltage threshold, depending on the measured temperature and representative of a capacity charged in the battery corresponding to a charging efficiency equal to or higher than 90% of the maximum charging efficiency.

Abstract: A device balancing overall levels of electrical charge in plural blocks of cells in a battery. The blocks can be connected in a circuit during a charging phase of the cells accumulating charge, and during a discharging phase of the cells giving back charge. The device includes one series switch and one parallel switch. The series switch can, when closed and the parallel switch is open, connect a block to the circuit, in series with the other blocks, so that the block is connected during the charging and discharging phases. The parallel switch can, when closed and the series switch is open, disconnect the block from the circuit, so that the block is disconnected if discharging disconnection conditions are met during the discharging phase or if charging disconnection conditions are met during the charging phase. The block includes a mechanism locally balancing charge levels of its cells when disconnected.

Abstract: The photovoltaic cell has a block that includes at least one semiconductor substrate in which is formed at least one photovoltaic junction that is connected to a first electrical contact element of a first pole and to a second electrical contact element of a second pole. The cell includes a first transparent cover that is placed on a first surface of the block and defines with the block of the cell a first recess groove of a first electrically conductive wire element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical system comprising a plurality of modules that can be powered independently withy current, characterised in that it further comprises: a module configured to apply to each of the modules a current which is modulated by a signal specific to the module, an acoustic sensor enabling the measurement of an acoustic signal that accompanies an electrical arc generated by a defective module, a treatment unit configured to identify a signature of one of the specific signals in the acoustic signal measured by the acoustic sensor in order to identify the defective module. The invention also relates to a method for locating faults in such an electrical system.

Abstract: The dynamic system is part of a dynamic apparatus having at least one photovoltaic generator, at least one battery and at least one device for controlling the dynamic apparatus. The method for controlling the dynamic system on the basis of sunlight involves electrically isolating the photovoltaic generator from the battery, reading the short circuit current of the isolated photovoltaic generator, determining a numerical value based on the short circuit current, said numerical value corresponding to the reading of the short circuit current, and comparing the numerical value determined with at least one reference threshold value. When the numerical value determined corresponds to a value range limited by at least one such reference threshold value, the dynamic system is controlled so as to thereon confer a configuration corresponding to the value range.

Abstract: A system and method estimates the state of charge of a battery comprising at least two modules each provided with at least one cell. A sensor senses a series current flowing through all cells of the modules connected in series. A switching device selectively disconnects one of the modules, the other modules remaining connected in series. A calculator calculates the state of charge of the cells through which the series current flows from the integration of the series current and calculates the state of charge of each of the cells of the disconnected module from an open circuit voltage thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a DC electrical power supply source including a protective housing and electrical energy storage devices disposed in the protective housing. The storage devices are connected electrically in series by way of interconnection elements. There is an acoustic sensor configured to measure ultrasounds and a filling medium disposed in the housing. The filling medium exhibits a homogeneous acoustic impedance and forms a continuous acoustic link between the interconnection elements and the acoustic sensor.

Abstract: An electrochemical accumulator, including a casing, at least two electrodes and an electrolyte contained in the casing. There is a ferromagnetic material contained in the casing and having remanent magnetization. There is also a magnetic sensor arranged outside the casing and capable of measuring a remanent magnetic field of said ferromagnetic material. There is further included a circuit configured to determine the temperature inside the casing as a function of the measured remanent magnetic field.

Abstract: A method for using a stand-alone system, provided with an actuator connected to a battery, comprises during a discharging phase of the battery at a predetermined current the measurement of a temperature representative of the battery temperature and the determination of a first voltage threshold depending upon the measured temperature. Then, a voltage is measured at the battery terminals. An operating mode, selected at least between a normal and deteriorated mode, is determined, said stand-alone system being in the normal operating mode when the measured voltage is higher than the first voltage threshold, and in the deteriorated operating mode when the measured voltage is lower that the first voltage threshold, the current provided by the battery during an actuation being reduced when going from the normal mode to the deteriorated mode.

Abstract: The dynamic system is part of a dynamic apparatus having at least one photovoltaic generator, at least one battery and at least one device for controlling the dynamic apparatus. The method for controlling the dynamic system on the basis of sunlight involves electrically isolating the photovoltaic generator from the battery, reading the no-load voltage of the photovoltaic generator, determining a numerical value on the basis of the no load voltage, corresponding to the no-load voltage reading, and comparing the predetermined numerical value with at least one reference threshold value. When the predetermined numerical value corresponds to a value range limited by at least one such reference threshold value the dynamic system is controlled so as to thereon confer a configuration corresponding to the value range.

Abstract: The dynamic system is part of a dynamic apparatus having at least one photovoltaic generator, at least one battery and at least one device for controlling the dynamic apparatus. The method for controlling the dynamic system on the basis of sunlight involves electrically isolating the photovoltaic generator from the battery, reading the short circuit current of the isolated photovoltaic generator, determining a numerical value based on the short circuit current, said numerical value corresponding to the reading of the short circuit current, and comparing the numerical value determined with at least one reference threshold value. When the numerical value determined corresponds to a value range limited by at least one such reference threshold value, the dynamic system is controlled so as to thereon confer a configuration corresponding to the value range.

Abstract: A voltage limiter device of an assembly of photovoltaic modules, including: (a) means (Z1) forming an electronic switch for a current of said assembly; (b) comparison means (Comp, R1, R2, C2) for comparing a voltage at the output of the limiter with a reference voltage value (Vref); and (c) means for controlling the means forming an electronic switch, depending on the result of the comparison carried out by the comparison means.

Abstract: The photovoltaic cell has a block that includes at least one semiconductor substrate in which is formed at least one photovoltaic junction that is connected to a first electrical contact element of a first pole and to a second electrical contact element of a second pole. The cell includes a first transparent cover that is placed on a first surface of the block and defines with the block of the cell a first recess groove of a first electrically conductive wire element.

Abstract: A method for using a stand-alone system, provided with an actuator connected to a battery, comprises during a discharging phase of the battery at a predetermined current the measurement of a temperature representative of the battery temperature and the determination of a first voltage threshold depending upon the measured temperature. Then, a voltage is measured at the battery terminals. An operating mode, selected at least between a normal and deteriorated mode, is determined, said stand-alone system being in the normal operating mode when the measured voltage is higher than the first voltage threshold, and in the deteriorated operating mode when the measured voltage is lower that the first voltage threshold, the current provided by the battery during an actuation being reduced when going from the normal mode to the deteriorated mode.