Abstract: A battery ECU reduces temperature variations and voltage variations, which would otherwise be caused at the time of heating of a secondary battery. The battery ECU activates a heater, to thus perform heating, when the temperature of the secondary battery is lower than a predetermined lower-limit temperature. The battery ECU calculates temperature variations ?T or open circuit voltage variations ?V achieved after heating operation, and compares the variations with a predetermined allowable threshold value. When the temperature variations ?T or the voltage variations ?V exceed a predetermined allowable threshold value, the battery ECU stops heating operation of the heater or commands so as to diminish the amount of heat to be generated, thereby attempting to render the temperature uniform.

Abstract: In a charging/discharging control system for controlling an allowable power level of a secondary battery at the time of charging/discharging operations, excessive discharging or recharging of the secondary battery is prevented, and excessive suppression of the charging/discharging of the secondary battery is prevented. A vehicle ECU controls charging/discharging of the secondary battery in accordance with a predetermined allowable power level. A battery ECU detects an actual loading power level of a secondary battery; calculates a differential power level between the detected actual loading power level and an allowable power level; measures the number of times the calculated differential power level has become equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value; and downwardly revises the allowable power level when the count has become equal to or greater than a predetermined upper-limit level.

Abstract: A controller and method for controlling output of a rechargeable battery that prevents the life span of the rechargeable battery from being shortened while ensuring starting of the engine. The rechargeable battery controller is mounted on a vehicle including an engine functioning as a power source. The controller includes a control unit for instructing a vehicle ECU, which is installed in the vehicle, to stop discharging the rechargeable battery when an index indicating the charged state of the rechargeable battery satisfies a discharge suspension condition. The control unit includes a monitor unit for changing the discharge suspension condition so as to continue discharging the rechargeable battery continues when the rechargeable battery is expected to supply power to the starter motor of the engine.

Abstract: A controller for a rechargeable vehicle battery that prevents drivability from being lowered. The controller includes a voltage measurement unit for measuring terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery and a control unit for setting a plurality of output maximum voltages, each indicating an upper limit for discharge power allowed to be output from the rechargeable battery during a predetermined time. The control unit compares the measured terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery with a plurality of reference voltages respectively corresponding to the plurality of output maximum values. The control unit simultaneously lowers each of the output maximum values or sequentially lowers the output maximum values from the highest one of the output maximum values based on the comparison result.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery controller for controlling output of a rechargeable battery mounted on a vehicle having a power source including an internal combustion engine, a starter motor for starting the internal combustion engine, and a vehicle controller. The rechargeable battery controller includes a control circuit for setting an upper limit for discharge power output by the rechargeable battery in a set period of time and providing the upper limit to the vehicle controller. The control circuit is programmed to reset the upper limit to a value greater than or equal to a power value required to drive the starter motor when a first requirement in which power supply from the rechargeable battery to the starter motor is scheduled and a second requirement in which the upper limit is less than the power value required to drive the starter motor are both satisfied.

Abstract: Disclosed are a battery package and a method for charging and discharging secondary batteries including nickel hydrogen batteries by refreshing and suppressing inactivity of the batteries.

Abstract: Disclosed are a battery package and a method for charging and discharging secondary batteries including nickel hydrogen batteries by refreshing and suppressing inactivity of the batteries.

Abstract: A prismatic battery having advantages of both a rectangular battery and a cylindrical battery and having excellent properties is provided. Furthermore, a method of manufacturing the prismatic battery, suppressing the occurrence of defects in manufacturing the prismatic batteries and having an excellent productivity is provided. A prismatic battery including: an electrode plate group, an electrolyte and a battery case for accommodating the electrode plate group and the electrolyte; wherein the side face of the battery case includes a cylindrical head portion; a prismatic body potion for accommodating the electrode plate group and the electrolyte; and a transition portion located between the body portion and the head portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement of an alkaline storage battery and provides an alkaline storage battery excellent in high-rate discharge characteristic at low temperatures particularly by suppressing the increase of electrode resistance. The alkaline storage battery includes a positive electrode which includes a metal oxide as the main constituent material, a negative electrode which includes a hydrogen absorbing alloy, a separator, and an alkaline electrolyte, wherein the negative electrode has a capacity per unit area of 10-40 mAh/cm2.