Abstract: A circuit (M) to monitor and protect individual cells (12-1 . . . 12-n) of a multi-cell battery (10) from over-charge and acquire data to be used to determine various characteristics of the cell state-of-health is connected to each individual cell (12) of a multi-cell battery as the battery is being charged. The circuit includes a portion (Q1-R5) to bypass charging current from the cell, this portion being variably pre-settable to bypass current above a desired high voltage (V-By) limit for the cell. As the battery is being charged, the bypass circuit will shunt current around a cell when the preset high voltage level is exceeded, thus preventing any damage to the cell. The circuit (Q2) can be operated to produce a pulse of current and the change in voltage of the monitored cell in response to the change in current, dV/dI, can be used to determine the cell internal resistance. The cell polarization resistance also can be determined.

Abstract: A system and method for accurate and in real time determination of factors relating to the state of health of a storage battery. The system measures the values of battery temperature, voltage and current flow into and out of the battery. This data is multiplexed into a computer and the battery's internal resistance (IR), polarization resistance (PR), state of charge (SOC) and its cold cranking amp (CCA) capability are computed and displayed. The presence of shorted and mismatched cells also can be determined and displayed. The state of health of the battery is related to these displayed measured values and calculated factors which are made known to the user of the battery.

Abstract: A circuit (M) to monitor and protect individual cells (12-1 . . . 12-n) of a multi-cell battery (10) from over-charge and acquire data to be used to determine various characteristics of the cell state-of-health is connected to each individual cell (12) of a multi-cell battery as the battery is being charged. The circuit includes a portion (Q1-R5) to bypass charging current from the cell, this portion being variably pre-settable to bypass current above a desired high voltage (V-By) limit for the cell. As the battery is being charged, the bypass circuit will shunt current around a cell when the preset high voltage level is exceeded, thus preventing any damage to the cell. The circuit (Q2) can be operated to produce a pulse of current and the change in voltage of the monitored cell in response to the change in current, dV/dl, can be used to determine the cell internal resistance. The cell polarization resistance also can be determined.

Abstract: A system and method for accurate and in real time determination of factors relating to the state of health of a storage battery. The system measures the values of battery temperature, voltage and current flow into and out of the battery. This data is multiplexed into a computer and the battery's internal resistance (IR), polarization resistance (PR), state of charge (SOC) and its cold cranking amp (CCA) capability are computed and displayed. The presence of shorted and mismatched cells also can be determined and displayed. The state of health of the battery is related to these displayed measured values and calculated factors which are made known to the user of the battery.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling an alternator (605) by turning it ON or OFF depending upon the battery conditions and the operating conditions of the automobile monitored by various sensors (606, 609 and 611). By allowing the batteries of the automobile (610), controlled by a battery control unit (608), to charge and discharge based on its state of charge (SOC), the load imposed by the alternator (605) can be reduced such that the fuel efficiency of the automobile is optimized. By setting SOC limits, the alternator (605) can be turned ON or OFF, using an alternator control unit (604), depending on whether the SOC of the batteries is within the SOC limits. In addition, power loading limits can be preset so that the alternator (605) can be turned ON or OFF depending on the power loading conditions. The alternator (605) may be turned ON or OFF, using an alternator control unit (604), based on other conditions as well.

Abstract: A pulse width modulated (PWM) power supply combines the advantages of pulse width modulator circuitry with linear circuitry to provide power supply operation over an extended input range with no dropout of power supply output and no adverse effect on a load. The PWM circuitry includes input voltage scalers, control logic, mode detectors, an inductor, a diode switch and a capacitor and the linear circuitry includes a transistor, transistor voltage scaling and gate driver logic.

Abstract: Apparatus responsive to digital video data features a video amplitude digital to analog converter for controlling the full scale outputs of other digital to analog converters for generating multi-level analog composite video signals. The digital to analog converter outputs are controlled and fine tuned to meet particular requirements. The implementation is based on a consistent ratio between the white, sync and black video levels of the composite signals, irrespective of the differences between the required white video levels.

Abstract: An automatic bias-controlled power switching system including a bipolar power transistor driven by means of first and second VMOS transistors which are sequentially triggered to initially turn the power transistor on to at least an unsaturated conduction state and thereafter to drive the power transistor into saturation. The VMOS transistors are turned off in sequence so that when turned off the power transistor is initially brought into an unsaturated conduction state after which it is completely turned off. An automatic gain control system monitors the bipolar power transistor and varies the base current thereto so that the operating point of the power transistor remains fixed. A fault detection system is provided to turn off the bipolar power transistor when excessive current is demanded by the load on the transistor.

Abstract: A common mode rejection coupler having a pair of optical isolator circuits for receiving input signals which are the complement of one another. The optical isolator circuits generate output signals which are the complement of one another and which are normally isolated from a common mode voltage existing between the input and output of the isolators. The complementary outputs of the optical isolator circuits are shaped and one output is inverted so that both signals are in-phase with one another. The signals are coupled to a voltage divider circuit the output of which is coupled to a Schmitt Trigger. The output of the Schmitt Trigger is in a first state when both signals are high and in a second state when both signals are low. Should a spurious voltage spike be generated at the output of one of the isolator circuits due to a changing common mode voltage, the resulting input signal to the Schmitt Trigger will not change a sufficient amount to cause a change in state of the output of the Schmitt Trigger.