Abstract: In a battery system, a battery module includes a plurality of cells. A management unit manages charging-discharging of the battery module and a temperature inside the battery module. The management unit estimates a maximum temperature of an inside of a cell in the battery module based on a measured temperature in the battery module, and controls, during charging-discharging of the battery module, a charging-discharging current of the battery module and/or cooling of the battery module in such a way that the estimated maximum temperature does not exceed an upper limit temperature.

Abstract: In a battery system, a battery module includes a plurality of cells. A management unit manages charging-discharging of the battery module and a temperature inside the battery module. The management unit estimates a maximum temperature of an inside of a cell in the battery module based on a measured temperature in the battery module, and controls, during charging-discharging of the battery module, a charging-discharging current of the battery module and/or cooling of the battery module in such a way that the estimated maximum temperature does not exceed an upper limit temperature.

Abstract: A voltage detection unit detects voltage between both ends of a power storage unit. A current detection unit detects current flowing through the power storage unit. A control unit estimates a state of charge (SOC) of the power storage unit using an open circuit voltage (OCV) method based on the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit and estimates the SOC of the power storage unit using a current integration method based on the current detected by the current detection unit. The control unit compares the SOC estimated using the OCV method with the SOC estimated using the current integration method to determine whether micro short circuit occurs in the power storage unit.

Abstract: A voltage detection unit detects voltage between both ends of a power storage unit. A current detection unit detects current flowing through the power storage unit. A control unit estimates a state of charge (SOC) of the power storage unit using an open circuit voltage (OCV) method based on the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit and estimates the SOC of the power storage unit using a current integration method based on the current detected by the current detection unit. The control unit compares the SOC estimated using the OCV method with the SOC estimated using the current integration method to determine whether micro short circuit occurs in the power storage unit.

Abstract: A battery status estimation device includes an SOC determination unit for determining whether a charge rate of a battery should be estimated based on a full charge capacity or a dischargeable capacity of the battery, a full charge capacity estimation unit for estimating the full charge capacity, a discharge capacity estimation unit for estimating the dischargeable capacity, and a current integrated estimation unit for estimating the charge rate of the battery based on the full charge capacity or the dischargeable capacity.

Abstract: There are provided a positive electrode active material for an alkaline storage battery, a positive electrode for an alkaline storage battery, and an alkaline storage battery each of which has an excellent output characteristics and also has an excellent self-discharge characteristic and an excellent cycle lifetime characteristic. The positive electrode active material for an alkaline storage battery according to the present invention has nickel hydroxide particles each containing at least magnesium in a solid solution state and a cobalt compound layer coating the surface of each of the nickel hydroxide particles. Among them, the cobalt compound layer contains cobalt having an average valence of not less than 2.6 and not more than 3.0 and also contains sodium at a proportion of less than 0.10 wt % to the total weight of the cobalt compound layer. The positive electrode active material for an alkaline storage battery according to the present invention has a conductivity smaller than 1.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hydrogen-absorption alloy electrode which comprises particles of a hydrogen-absorption alloy that comprises a rare earth element, Ni, Co and Al. The method comprises subjecting the hydrogen-absorption alloy particles to an alkaline treatment in a 10 to 50 weight % NaOH solution at 60 to 140° C. for 0.5 to 5 hours such that on the surface of the particles (amount of Al on surface/amount of Al in alloy)<(amount of Co on surface/amount of Co in alloy).

Abstract: There are provided a positive electrode active material for an alkaline storage battery, a positive electrode for an alkaline storage battery, and an alkaline storage battery each of which has an excellent output characteristics and also has an excellent self-discharge characteristic and an excellent cycle lifetime characteristic. The positive electrode active material for an alkaline storage battery according to the present invention has nickel hydroxide particles each containing at least magnesium in a solid solution state and a cobalt compound layer coating the surface of each of the nickel hydroxide particles. Among them, the cobalt compound layer contains cobalt having an average valence of not less than 2.6 and not more than 3.0 and also contains sodium at a proportion of less than 0.10 wt % to the total weight of the cobalt compound layer. The positive electrode active material for an alkaline storage battery according to the present invention has a conductivity smaller than 1.

Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy powder includes an intermetallic compound having an AB5 type crystal structure and containing La for an A site element and Ni for a B site element. The powder contains La by 20 wt % or more and metallic Ni by from 2.0 wt % to 10 wt %, and acicular or grain shape precipitates containing La(OH)3 are deposited on a surface thereof. The powder has an intensity ratio P2/P1 satisfying a relation: P2/P1?0.02, where P1 is a peak intensity appearing in the vicinity of: diffraction angle 2?=42.5 deg and showing (111) face of LaNi5 and P2 is a peak intensity appearing in the vicinity of: diffraction angle 2?=15.8 deg and showing (100) face of La(OH)3 in the X-ray diffractometry using CuK? rays.

Abstract: A sealed battery includes a metal case which functions as a connection terminal of one polarity and an electrode post which is mounted to the case in an insulated manner and functions as a connection terminal of the other polarity. A sealing section with electrical insulation properties is disposed between the electrode post formed from a hollow cylinder with one closed end and an electrode post through-hole provided in the case. A compression deformation section is produced by deforming the closed end of the electrode post radially outward, for compressing and sealing the sealing section, and for securing the electrode post to the case.

Abstract: There are provided a positive electrode active material for an alkaline storage battery, a positive electrode for an alkaline storage battery, and an alkaline storage battery each of which has an excellent output characteristics and also has an excellent self-discharge characteristic and an excellent cycle lifetime characteristic. The positive electrode active material for an alkaline storage battery according to the present invention has nickel hydroxide particles each containing at least magnesium in a solid solution state and a cobalt compound layer coating the surface of each of the nickel hydroxide particles. Among them, the cobalt compound layer contains cobalt having an average valence of not less than 2.6 and not more than 3.0 and also contains sodium at a proportion of less than 0.10 wt % to the total weight of the cobalt compound layer. The positive electrode active material for an alkaline storage battery according to the present invention has a conductivity smaller than 1.

Abstract: A sealed battery includes a metal case which functions as a connection terminal of one polarity and an electrode post which is mounted to the case in an insulated manner and functions as a connection terminal of the other polarity. A sealing section with electrical insulation properties is disposed between the electrode post formed from a hollow cylinder with one closed end and an electrode post through-hole provided in the case. A compression deformation section is produced by deforming the closed end of the electrode post radially outward, for compressing and sealing the sealing section, and for securing the electrode post to the case.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hydrogen-absorption alloy electrode which comprises particles of a hydrogen-absorption alloy that comprises a rare earth element, Ni, Co and Al. The method comprises subjecting the hydrogen-absorption alloy particles to an alkaline treatment in a 10 to 50 weight % NaOH solution at 60 to 140 ° C. for 0.5 to 5 hours such that on the surface of the particles (amount of Al on surface/amount of Al in alloy)<(amount of Co on surface/amount of Co in alloy).

Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy powder includes an intermetallic compound having an AB5 type crystal structure and containing La for an A site element and Ni for a B site element. The powder contains La by 20 wt % or more and metallic Ni by from 2.0 wt % to 10 wt %, and acicular or grain shape precipitates containing La(OH)3 are deposited on a surface thereof. The powder has an intensity ratio P2/P1 satisfying a relation: P2/P1?0.02, where P1 is a peak intensity appearing in the vicinity of: diffraction angle 2?=42.5 deg and showing (111) face of LaNi5 and P2 is a peak intensity appearing in the vicinity of: diffraction angle 2?=15.8 deg and showing (100) face of La(OH)3 in the X-ray diffractometry using CuK? rays.

Abstract: A negative electrode of a battery, chiefly includes hydrogen absorption alloy particles each having a surface layer. The alloy particles satisfy R2/R1?0.004 and 5 ?m?R1?20 ?m, or preferably 5 ?m?R1?12.5 ?m, where R1 is a half of a median diameter of the particles and R2 is thickness of the surface layers.

Abstract: A sealed battery includes a metal case which functions as a connection terminal of one polarity and an electrode post which is mounted to the case in an insulated manner and functions as a connection terminal of the other polarity. A sealing section with electrical insulation properties is disposed between the electrode post formed from a hollow cylinder with one closed end and an electrode post through-hole provided in the case. A compression deformation section is produced by deforming the closed end of the electrode post radially outward, for compressing and sealing the sealing section, and for securing the electrode post to the case.

Abstract: A negative electrode of a battery, chiefly includes hydrogen absorption alloy particles each having a surface layer. The alloy particles satisfy R2/R1≧0.004 and 5 &mgr;m≦R1≦20 &mgr;m, or preferably 5 &mgr;m≦R1≦12.5 &mgr;m, where R1 is a half of a median diameter of the particles and R2 is thickness of the surface layers.

Abstract: A negative electrode of a battery, chiefly includes hydrogen absorption alloy particles each having a surface layer. The alloy particles satisfy R2/R1≧0.004 and 5 &mgr;m≦R1≦20 &mgr;m, or preferably 5 &mgr;m≦R1≦12.5 &mgr;m, where R1 is a half of a median diameter of the particles and R2 is thickness of the surface layers.

Abstract: A square shaped battery includes: an electrode plate group including a belt-like positive electrode plate, a belt-like negative electrode plate, and a belt-like separator, the belt-like positive electrode plate, the belt-like negative electrode plate, and the belt-like separator being laminated and rolled up to form the electrode plate group; and a pair of power collectors disposed on sides of the electrode plate group for collecting electric power from the electrode plate group.

Abstract: A positive electrode for an alkaline storage battery having a high capacity and facilitating the manufacturing thereof and an alkaline storage battery using the same are provided. The positive electrode utilized includes active material powder containing nickel hydroxide and powder made of cobalt compounds, where a ratio of a cobalt compound with a valence of cobalt being 2.6 or more to the whole of cobalt compounds is 30 weight % or more.