Abstract: A battery delivers its rated capacity when the battery is below a temperature when the available battery capacity is limited. The battery includes a heating element, a temperature sensor, and a switch operatively connected to the heating element and temperature sensor and responsive to the temperature sensor for switching on the heating element and raising the temperature of the battery to allow the battery to deliver its rated capacity when a sensed temperature of the battery is below a temperature where available battery capacity is limited.

Abstract: A state of charge indicator includes a current sensing circuit for sensing and converting charge or discharge current of a battery into a bipolar voltage. A counter circuit counts battery charge. A charge/discharge circuit is operatively connected to the current sensing and counter circuits and detects the voltage polarity from the current sensing circuit and sets the counter circuit to a count mode with an up or down count for a respective charge or discharge. A reset circuit is operative with the current sensing circuit, counter circuit and charge/discharge circuit for resetting the counter circuit to an actual state-of-charge of the battery after delay when the battery is idle representative of a battery open circuit voltage.

Abstract: A self-heating battery includes a battery, heating element operatively connected to the battery for heating the battery and a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the battery. A switch is operatively connected to the heating element and temperature sensor and responsive to the temperature sensor for switching on the heating element and raising the temperature of the battery to allow the battery to deliver its rated capacity when a sensed temperature of the battery is below a temperature where available battery capacity is limited. A load sensing circuit is operative with the switch for sensing load demand and activating low or high heat modes.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a reversed battery cell within a battery pack includes battery cells connected together and forming a battery pack and battery output. A transistor circuit is operatively connected to the battery cells and operative for determining when a voltage condition occurs indicative of a reversed battery cell within the battery pack. An indication circuit is operatively connected to the transistor circuit for indicating a reversed battery cell in the battery pack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for discharging a battery includes a battery discharge circuit contained within the battery that, when actuated, discharges the battery. A light sensing circuit is operatively connected to the battery discharge circuit and actuates the battery discharge circuit after exposing to light the light sensing circuit.

Abstract: A battery delivers its rated capacity when the battery is below a temperature when the available battery capacity is limited. The battery includes a heating element, a temperature sensor, and a switch operatively connected to the heating element and temperature sensor and responsive to the temperature sensor for switching on the heating element and raising the temperature of the battery to allow the battery to deliver its rated capacity when a sensed temperature of the battery is below a temperature where available battery capacity is limited.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for discharging a battery includes a battery discharge circuit contained within the battery that, when actuated, discharges the battery. A light sensing circuit is operatively connected to the battery discharge circuit and actuates the battery discharge circuit after exposing to light the light sensing circuit.

Abstract: A detection system for determining the level of a liquid in a containment tank includes a containment tank and a reference standard of known weight mounted to the vehicle and movable along the yaw axis of the vehicle. Load cells are placed intermediate the tank and reference standard to provide analog voltage outputs in proportion to the load on each cell. The load cell outputs, when amplified, summed and then divided by the output of the reference weight load cell, provide an electronic signal that is proportional to the gross weight of the tank. A pre-set signal, representative of the empty weight of the tank, is subtracted from the gross weight signal, resulting in a signal which is proportional to the net weight, or the contents of the tank.