Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for compensating for temperature effects in a pulsed battery-charging scheme with an average charging current less than the root-mean-square (rms) current. The method comprises varying the ratio of the average charging current to rms current as a function of the battery ambient temperature. The method may also comprise varying an upper threshold charging voltage as a function of the battery ambient temperature. The invention also relates to a battery charger.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a rate of charge/discharge, C rate, or state of charge, SOC, of a battery having unknown characteristics comprises a circuit for applying at least a two-pulse current load to said battery. A change in voltage, ?V, resulting from the application of the second or a subsequent pulse is used to determine the C rate of the battery as a function of ?V. An Open Circuit Voltage, OCV, of the battery a time interval after the completion of the application of the second or subsequent pulse is used to determine the SOC of the battery as a function of OCV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for compensating for temperature effects in a pulsed battery-charging scheme with an average charging current less than the root-mean-square (rms) current. The method comprises varying the ratio of the average charging current to rms current as a function of the battery ambient temperature. The method may also comprise varying an upper threshold charging voltage as a function of the battery ambient temperature. The invention also relates to a battery charger.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a rate of charge/discharge, C rate, or state of charge, SOC, of a battery having unknown characteristics comprises a circuit for applying at least a two-pulse current load to said battery. A change in voltage, ?V, resulting from the application of the second or a subsequent pulse is used to determine the C rate of the battery as a function of ?V. An Open Circuit Voltage, OCV, of the battery a time interval after the completion of the application of the second or subsequent pulse is used to determine the SOC of the battery as a function of OCV.

Abstract: A fluxgate excitation circuit comprises an excitation inductor having a resistance Rsat and an inductance Lsat. Vin is provided by a half bridge converter of MOSFET switches (S1, S2). The excitation inductor is driven so that it enters saturation at the transition as the excitation cycle passes from positive to negative. Thus, a high input rms current value of the excitation circuit can be achieved. Because the excitation inductor is saturated for part of the cycle it may be much smaller than heretofore and have a smaller power supply. Thus, the circuit finds application in small devices.

Abstract: A fluxgate excitation circuit comprises an excitation inductor having a resistance Rsat and an inductance Lsat. Vin is provided by a half bridge converter of MOSFET switches (S1, S2). The excitation inductor is driven so that it enters saturation at the transition as the excitation cycle passes from positive to negative. Thus, a high input rms current value of the excitation circuit can be achieved. Because the excitation inductor is saturated for part of the cycle it may be much smaller than heretofore and have a smaller power supply. Thus, the circuit finds application in small devices.