Abstract: A gardening appliance has a traction drive system with a clutch, an electric motor drive system and a user-triggerable signalling device. The electric motor drive system effects forward rotation and backward rotation of the clutch. An operating method includes: a) in a user-triggered manner, operating the electric motor drive system in a running-down and/or braking operating mode to lower a motor rotational speed of the forward-rotating electric motor drive system; b) acquiring whether a back electromotive force caused by the electric motor drive system satisfies a standstill criterion, wherein the standstill criterion is characteristic of an attainment of a standstill state of the electric motor drive system; and c) when the standstill criterion is satisfied, operating the electric motor drive system in a backward-rotation operating mode to effect the backward rotation of the electric motor drive system for disengaging the clutch for freewheeling operation.

Abstract: A controlling device has at least a light-based energy harvesting system disposed within the controlling device housing. The light-based energy harvesting system is operative to supply power to at least one of a processing device and a transmitter of the controlling device. The light-based energy harvesting system includes s a substrate having a photovoltaic (PV) active area and a lens, separate from the substrate, disposed over the PV active area.

Abstract: A portable electronic device charger system includes (I) electrical interface electrically couplable with the at least one portable electronic device; (II) electronic control assembly for controlling electrical charging of the portable electronic device accessory with the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is electrically coupled with the electrical interface; (III) light emitting assembly configured to project amount of light when activated by the electronic control assembly; and (IV) a base assembly, wherein the light emitting assembly is positioned to project at least a majority of the amount of light in a direction onto a horizontally oriented surface when the base of the portable electronic device accessory system is positioned upon the horizontally oriented surface. Other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A carry case for an electronics-enabled eyewear device, such as smart glasses, has charging contacts that are movable relative to a storage chamber in which the eyewear device is receivable. The charging contacts are connected to a battery carried by the case for charging the eyewear device via contact coupling of the charging contacts to corresponding contact formations on an exterior of the eyewear device. The charging contacts are in some instances mounted on respective flexible walls defining opposite extremities of the storage chamber. The contact formations on the eyewear device are in some instances provided by hinge assemblies that couple respective temples to a frame of the eyewear device.

Abstract: A power supply system of the embodiment includes a fuel cell which is able to generate power, a power storage device which stores the power generated by the fuel cell, a converter which converts power from the fuel cell or the power storage device and switches between supply of power from the fuel cell to an auxiliary device and supply of power from the power storage device to the auxiliary device, and a controller which controls at least the switching of the converter.

Abstract: A method of charging an energy storage element; wherein the energy storage element comprises a plurality of energy storage units arranged for storing electrical energy; wherein the method comprises: determining a voltage of each of the plurality of energy storage units; determining a state-of-the-charge, SoC, of each of the plurality of energy storage units; determining a maximum power voltage, Vmp, of a solar power source; selecting (one or more) energy storage units of the plurality of energy storage units to form a charging set comprising a series and/or a parallel combination of the selected (one or more) energy storage units; wherein the selection is based on the determined maximum power voltage, Vmp, and on a first time period and a second time period associated with a first sun irradiance level and a second sun irradiance level respectively.

Abstract: A smart ring charging system comprises a charging source integrated into an object, the object configured to be held by a user wearing a smart ring. The smart ring may include a ring-shaped housing and a power source disposed within or at the ring-shaped housing and configured to receive energy from the charging source while the user is wearing the smart ring and holding the object. A controller may be disposed within or at the ring-shaped housing, or at the object with the charger and configured to estimate a charging rate at which the power source receives the energy from the charging source. The system may further include one or more indicators configured to indicate the charging rate.

Abstract: A charger information holding unit of a management system holds an identification information item and charging efficiencies of a plurality of chargers for charging an electric vehicle, the identification information item and the charging efficiencies being associated with each other. A communication unit of the management system receives an identification information item on a charger from an electric vehicle connected to the charger, via a network. A creating unit of the management system creates a charging plan for the electric vehicle, based on a required charging amount and a target charging termination time. The creating unit of the management system refers to the charger information holding unit and determines a charging efficiency of the charger connected to the electric vehicle, based on the received identification information item, and creates a charging plan with the charging efficiency of the charger.

Abstract: A microgrid system that supports EV charging. The microgrid system powers the load with one or more renewable energy sources (for example, solar, wind), battery storage, in combination with optional access to limited utility power and automatically-controlled generator power as a backup. The system can deliver clean uninterrupted power. The system provides flexibility to support the export of power for net metering, gross metering or peer-peer trading, as permitted by local regulations. The system includes a main storage sub-system and an optional secondary storage that may be brought online and increased or decreased as needed, and optimized based on guidance provided by the microgrid controller. The system also includes modules that decide how to optimally use the energy from the various sources, in order to maximize renewable energy usage, minimize the cost of electricity, while maximizing the life of the system.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide hands free motor control mechanisms based on the natural and inherent movements associated with an activity of interest, and can be combined with gestures or verbal communication based upon pre-defined movements by the participant.

Abstract: A portable tower including a head assembly, a pole section including a telescoping section movable between a retracted position and an extended position and mounting the head assembly, a plurality of legs mounted to the pole section and movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and a solar panel assembly mounted to one of the legs.

Abstract: Provided are a method and system for charging a battery using a fuel cell. The method includes: running the fuel cell; setting a voltage input from the fuel cell as a preset first input adapting voltage (1st IAV), when the input power from the fuel cell is lower than the output power to the battery; detecting whether an output current to the battery reaches a first low detect current (1st LDC) while the battery is being charged based on the first input adapting voltage; and resetting the first input adapting voltage based on a detection result.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power supply apparatus for supplying at least one device spaced apart from the power supply with electrical power, the power supply apparatus being connectable to a power grid, the power supply apparatus including at least one position-sensing apparatus for sensing a geometric position of the at least one device. The power supply apparatus can be directed at the at least one device in such a way that power can be wirelessly transmitted by the power supply apparatus to the device and/or the device can be supplied with electrical power by the power supply device.

Abstract: A power supply system includes: a first system having a first power supply; a second system having a second power supply; and an inter-system switch provided in a connection path connecting the first and second systems. First and second paths are provided in parallel between a connection point, at which the connection path is connected with the second system, and the second power supply. The power supply system further includes: a charging unit provided in the first path to charge, with the inter-system switch closed, a storage battery of the second power supply; a discharge restriction unit provided in the second path to restrict discharge of the storage battery; an abnormality determination unit that determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the discharge restriction unit; and a use restriction unit that restricts use of the second power supply upon determination that an abnormality has occurred in the discharge restriction unit.

Abstract: An energy control method for a hybrid bus using a hydrogen fuel cell and a power battery are disclosed. The method includes the following steps: collecting motor power data; selecting an SOC value from a certain range around an average motor power value, and performing interpolation assignment on a pile power range; adding vehicle parking determination; locking a pile variable-load frequency standard, and assessing whether requirements are satisfied; determining SOH state of the battery; and adding an operation of forced pile startup during low SOC. Based on a pile system control unit, BMS and a vehicle control unit (VCU) system, the present invention can designate and optimize an energy control strategy by means of real-time data, and determine the power state of the vehicle through VCU, and add an operation of low-power power supply by the pile during parking and an operation of forced pile startup during low SOC.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus according to an example embodiment includes an abnormal state determiner configured to determine a maximum output of a fuel cell by determining whether there is an abnormality in the fuel cell, a fuel cell controller configured to control output power of the fuel cell within the maximum output based on demand power of a load, an energy storage configured to charge with power by receiving the power from the fuel cell and supply the power to the load, a charging state determiner configured to determine a charging state of the energy storage based on a charging amount of the energy storage, and a storage controller configured to control charging and discharging of the energy storage based on a difference between the demand power of the load and the output power of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes: a rotating electric machine that has a winding; an inverter that has a series-connection body of an upper arm switch and a lower arm switch; and a capacitor that is connected in parallel to the series-connection body. The power conversion apparatus includes: a connection path that, in a first storage battery and a second storage battery that are connected in series, electrically connects the winding with both a negative-electrode side of the first storage battery and a positive-electrode side of the second storage battery; and a control unit that controls switching of the upper arm switch and the lower arm switch such that a current flows between the first storage battery and the second storage battery through the inverter, the winding, and the connection path.

Abstract: A battery pack includes an attaching portion, a battery, a voltage detection circuit, a current acquisition circuit, a next current calculation circuit, a first charging stop circuit, and a second charging stop circuit. The attaching portion is electrically and mechanically connected to the battery charger. The first charging stop circuit stops charging of the battery in response to a first condition being satisfied. The second charging stop circuit stops the charging of the battery in response to a second condition different from the first condition being satisfied.

Abstract: A method can include loading a battery with battery materials (e.g., electrolyte, cathode materials, anode materials), applying a first charge to the battery, applying a first discharge to the battery, cycling the battery (e.g., through subsequent charge and discharge cycles) where operating conditions in the subsequent charge and/or discharge cycles can be different from operating conditions in the first charge and/or first discharge.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are generally related to a battery pack having a carbon fiber battery case, the battery pack comprising a plurality of pouch cells. Further, the battery pack having a carbon fiber battery case may include a casing formed with carbon fiber, the casing having one or more carbon fiber separation sheets and, the casing configured to dissipate heat from the plurality of pouch cells in a direction along carbon fibers of the casing.

Abstract: A vehicle battery charging system includes a main battery, an auxiliary battery, an integrated converter that includes a high voltage charging device that supplies power to the main battery and a low voltage charging device that supplies power to the auxiliary battery, a solar cell that converts sunlight into electrical energy, a solar cell converter that converts an output of the solar cell into a voltage corresponding to a voltage of the auxiliary battery and outputs the converted voltage to the auxiliary battery, and a switching device that switches between the integrated converter and external power and the integrated converter and the solar cell, wherein the switching device connects the integrated converter and the solar cell in a solar cell only charging mode in which the auxiliary battery is charged by the solar cell.

Abstract: Controlling a charging current while transferring energy from a source battery to a target battery in an electric vehicle (EV) includes operating, by control circuitry, a buck converter at a fixed switching frequency to transfer power from the source battery to the target battery, in a first operational mode; in response to detecting a first trigger event, transitioning from the first operational mode to a second operational mode to operate the buck converter at a variable switching frequency; and in response to detecting a second trigger event, transitioning to a third operational mode to activate a boost converter coupled to the source battery and the target battery.

Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure provides a first power receiving device including a battery, a power management integrated circuit, an interface for receiving power from a power supply device, and a processor configured to control a charging current using the power management integrated circuit. The processor may be configured to: if charging from the power supply device through the interface is detected, set the charging current, transmit first charging information associated with the first power receiving device to the power supply device, through the interface, receive second charging information associated with a second power receiving device which is paired with the first power receiving device or associated with the power supply device from the power supply device, through the interface, and control the charging current by comparing the first charging information and the second charging information.

Abstract: An electric work machine includes a motor, a first connector, a second connector, an energizing circuit, a manual switch, and a controller. The controller electrically disconnects the first connector from the motor based on a first voltage value below a first threshold at a start of motor rotation. The controller maintains an electrical connection of the first connector to the motor based on the first voltage value below the first threshold and equal to or greater than a second threshold during discharge of the first battery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing harvested energy to a wireless sensor bundle are disclosed. The method may include: receiving, at a harvesting manager circuit, power from an energy harvesting device; transferring power from the harvesting manager circuit to an energy storage device; receiving, at a power distribution manager circuit, power from the energy storage device; transferring power from the power distribution manager circuit to a wireless sensor bundle, the wireless sensor bundle comprising at least one sensor, and the amount of power distributed to the wireless sensor bundle being based on a power demand of the at least one sensor; wherein the power from the energy harvesting device includes power generated from an AC phase harvesting device, the AC phase harvesting device includes an inductor attached to a feed wire of one phase of an electric actuator, the inductor generating an electric current by induction from the feed wire.

Abstract: A charge control system includes: a charging device having a first processor configured to store electric power to be supplied to a preset area; and a charge control device having a second processor configured to acquire brightness information in the area, calculate a charge amount of the charging device on a basis of the acquired brightness information, and perform charge control of the charging device on a basis of the calculated charge amount. Further, when calculating the charge amount, the second processor calculates the charge amount in such a manner that the charge amount decreases as brightness in the area increases.

Abstract: A system, method, and solar photovoltaic (PV) network for solar PV variability reduction with reduced time delays and battery storage optimization are described. The system includes a Moving Regression (MR) filter; a State of Charge (SoC) feedback control; and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The MR filter, SoC feedback control and BESS are configured to provide smoothing of solar PV variabilities. The MR filter is a non-parametric smoother that utilizes a machine learning concept of linear regression to smooth out solar PV variations at every time step.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a power generating asset having an energy storage device. Accordingly, a controller of the power generating asset initiates a state-change event for the energy storage device. The controller determines an actual equivalent series resistance (ESR) function for the energy storage device based on a change in a first and a second electrical condition at each of a plurality of sampling intervals of the state-change event. The controller determines a state-of-health rating for the energy storage device based on the actual ESR function and implements a control action based on the state-of-health rating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modular charging of vehicles are described. For example, a method may include connecting a vehicle to a charger using a charging plug interface that includes a first pair of conductors connected to alternating current terminals of an on-board alternating current-to-direct current converter of the vehicle and a second pair of conductors connected to terminals of a battery of the vehicle; and charging the battery of the vehicle via direct current flowing through the second pair of conductors concurrent with charging of the battery via alternating current flowing through the first pair of conductors to power the on-board alternating current to direct current converter.

Abstract: An optical wireless communication receiver includes one or more harvesting solar cells configured to transform light into electrical power; one or more communication solar cells configured to transform light into an electrical signal embedding information; a rechargeable battery configured to store the electrical power generated by the one or more harvesting solar cells; a communication module configured to decode the electrical signal generated by the one or more communication solar cells and extract the information; a first switch configured to connect the one or more harvesting solar cells to the rechargeable battery for a harvesting-first state, and to the communication module for a communication-second state; a second switch configured to connect the one or more communication solar cells to the communication module for a communication-first state, and to the rechargeable battery for a harvesting-second state; and a microprocessor configured to control the first and second switches.

Abstract: A device that runs on solar and battery power determines a current cycle energy budget by looking at a previous cycle or cycles energy accumulation and previous cycle or cycles unexpected expenses. The energy budget will then be the energy accumulation minus the unexpected expenses, normalized for cycle length. Based on the energy budget, an operating mode is chosen. The operating mode determines how often certain actions are taken. The device then runs for a cycle length based of the operating mode.

Abstract: A multi-level power cell pack switching circuitry having a plurality of first level cell circuits, and additional plurality of cell circuits of consecutively progressing levels, with switching and control configured to facilitate dynamically changing serial and/or parallel connections between cells and cell circuits.

Abstract: A vehicle having: a passenger compartment, which is designed to accommodate occupants and is provided with at least one support surface on which to place a mobile phone; and a wireless charger, which is arranged under the support surface and is designed to generate an electromagnetic field in order to charge the mobile phone placed on the support surface. The wireless charger has: at least one coil generating the electromagnetic field, a power supply circuit designed to supply power to the coil, and a heat sink emitting the heat generated by the coil and by the power supply circuit to the outside. There is at least one Peltier cell having a cool wall facing the support surface, and a hot wall facing the heat sink.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for reducing power. The reducing of power may be done to reduce a temperature related to one or more elements of a power system. The reducing of power may depend on the mode of operation of one or more power devices of the power system.

Abstract: A supply device for supplying electricity to at least one consumer includes: a primary power supply in which there is a first fuel cell device having a first performance; a voltage transformer which connects the primary power supply to a secondary power supply having a battery; and a measuring device for detecting an insulation resistance of the primary power supply and/or of the secondary power supply. A second fuel cell device having a second performance is connected in series with the first fuel cell device in the primary power supply, wherein a bridge circuit comprising a switch is connected in parallel with each of the fuel cell devices and wherein the switches of the bridge circuits can be switched in accordance with the detected insulation resistance. A fuel cell vehicle and a method for limiting voltage in a supply device are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle electrical system includes a battery, a customer connection point, a switch electrically connected in series between the battery and the customer connection point, a solar panel electrically connected to a node between the battery and the switch, and a computer communicatively coupled to the switch. The computer is programmed to instruct the switch to close upon determining that a voltage of the solar panel is greater than a voltage of the battery.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to generator systems and methods for monitoring a direct current bus and automatically operating in response to a power level of the direct current bus dropping below a desired power level or to a threshold before dropping below the power level. The automatic operation of the generator system may raise or keep the actual power level of the system above the desired power level or threshold.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for controlling an energy storage device are provided. The method includes determining an operating schedule for the energy storage device based on at least an initial cost. The initial cost is a function of at least a load profile and a power production profile of at least one renewable energy source associated with the energy storage device. The operating schedule is for a predetermined period. The method further includes determining an updated cost based on at least the operating schedule, identifying an operating mode from a plurality of operating modes for a predetermined operating period based on the updated cost and the operating schedule; and operating using the operating mode for the predetermined operating period.

Abstract: A solar power generation control device, controlling a solar power generation system configured to charge a power storage device of a vehicle with electric power generated by a plurality of solar cells provided on different surfaces of a vehicle body respectively, includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire information indicating an output of each solar cell; a determination unit configured to determine, based on the information indicating an output of the solar cell acquired by the acquisition unit, a startup solar cell that causes power generation for charging the power storage device to be performed; and a control unit configured to cause charging of the power storage device with electric power generated by the startup solar cell determined by the determination unit to perform, and cause charging of the power storage device with electric power generated by another solar cell different from the startup solar cell to stop.

Abstract: A system for utilizing renewable energy includes a rechargeable battery adapted to store energy, a solar panel device, and an inverter device. The solar panel device includes a solar panel adapted to receive sunlight and generate energy and a battery charger coupled to the solar panel. The battery charger is adapted to receive energy from the solar panel and store energy in the rechargeable battery. The inverter device includes a power outlet and is adapted to receive energy from the rechargeable battery and produce an electric current via the power outlet.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery set of an autonomous vehicle including: determining charging requirements of the battery set of the autonomous vehicle via a communication from the autonomous vehicle to a charging station, in response to the communication from the autonomous vehicle, connecting a plurality of batteries of the charging station in a first combination to match the charging requirements of the battery set of the autonomous vehicle; and charging the battery set of the autonomous vehicle using the plurality of batteries of the charging station in the first combination.

Abstract: A charging device for electric vehicles, comprising at least one docking station, at least one charging unit attachable to the docking station. The docking station has plurality of recesses. The charging unit has a plurality of bars insertable into the docking station recesses, each of which comprises at least one first locking element, at least one locking module movable between a locking position and an open position which has a plurality of second locking elements corresponding to the first locking elements. In the open position of the locking module, the bars are insertable into the recesses in such a way that the bars are movable into a snapping position, In the snapping position, the locking module is movable from the open position into the closed position such that the bars are positively fixable to the docking station by an interaction of the second locking elements with the first locking elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a Battery Management System (BMS) for the controlling of the charging and discharging of a plurality of battery cells (12). Each battery cell has an associated plurality of control circuits (32, 36) which monitor and control the charging of individual battery cells. These units are controlled by a central microcontroller (14) which shunts current around the battery cell if fully charged and stops discharge if a battery cell is fully discharged in order to prevent damage to the other cells.

Abstract: A charge port cover, sized and shaped for selective concealment of a charge port recess of a vehicle during vehicle connection via a charging cable to an external charging source. The charge port cover includes a body plate member comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material. The body plate member includes a planar front face and a planar rear face juxtaposed in opposite orientations to one another. The body plate member also includes an outer edge surface joining and defining a perimeter of the front face and the rear face, the outer edge surface having a thin profile. The body plate member also includes a charging connector aperture, located at an interior spaced-apart location from the perimeter, defining a passageway between the planar front face and the planar rear face and configured to selectively receive a charging cable therethrough.

Abstract: A battery charger includes a battery power regulator configured to set a charge signal provided to a battery based on a charge control signal and charge enable signal. The battery charger also includes a controller configured to provide the charge control signal to the battery power regulator. The controller is also configured to temporarily de-assert the charge enable signal for a predetermined amount of time in response to determining that a change is needed in the charge control signal. The controller is further configured to re-assert the charge enable signal after the predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A first battery of a battery system can include a thermoelectric component (TEC) that produces electric energy from thermal energy that the first battery generates. The TEC is used to charge a second battery of the battery system, while maintaining proper thermal conditions for the first battery. The battery system can be used to support information technology (IT) equipment by acting as backup power during a power outage, and/or to provide supplemental power under peak power conditions.

Abstract: An electronic device powered by a solar panel and a rechargeable battery. The electronic device prevents unnecessary charging and discharging of the rechargeable battery by disconnecting the rechargeable battery when the rechargeable battery is fully charged. The electronic device detects and reports a defective rechargeable battery by powering the electronic device off of the solar panel. The electronic device detects and handles brownout conditions when powered by the solar panel by re-connecting the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: An emergency lighting device includes a housing containing a high voltage connection. A light emitter is connected to the housing. A compartment in the housing having an opening is separated from the high voltage connection. A battery is positioned in the compartment and accessible through the opening.

Abstract: An electric vehicle (EV) charging station for fast charging (e.g. 5 to 15 minutes) an electric vehicle (EV). The EV charging station can be configured to charge multiple EVs and multiple conventional vehicles at the same time. The EV charging station can include a power source, an electric reservoir receiving power from the power source, an AC to DC power converter for receiving AC power from the power source and converting the AC power to DC power for supplying DC power to the electric reservoir, an EV charger receiving DC power from the electric reservoir; and a first DC to DC converter receiving DC power from the electrical reservoir and converting the DC power to DC power suitable for charging the electrical vehicle.

Abstract: A self-powered wireless keyboard by modifying the structure of a traditional membrane keyboard having a volcanic crater structure. Not damaging the original membrane keyboard structure, a micro magnet core is installed inside a cylindrical protrusion block under the key cap as a mover of the induction power generation device, and an induction coil is wound in a key slot of the keyboard base as the stator of the induction power generation device. In this way, when each key is pressed, it will produce induction current. A layer of flexible solar cell can be laid on the upper surface of the key, which can generate electricity by collecting the light energy in the surrounding environment during the time of daily illumination.