Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming a balancing circuit for a plurality of battery cells includes configuring the balancing circuit to selectively pre-charge a transfer element from a power source, and to subsequently selectively couple the transfer element to one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells to transfer energy from the transfer element to the one battery cell.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for communicating with a charging system comprising a plurality of charging stations configured to charge an electric vehicle. At least one first signal is transmitted to the charging system via a first communication link while the electric vehicle is a first distance from at least one charging station of the plurality of charging stations. The at least one first signal is indicative of a vehicle identifier of the electric vehicle. At least one second signal is received from the at least one charging station of the plurality of charging stations via a second communication link while the electric vehicle is a second distance from the at least one charging station, the second distance less than the first distance. The at least one second signal is indicative of a charging station identifier of the at least one charging station.

Abstract: A method for charge balancing of battery cells to be connected in parallel of a battery module includes making contact with terminals of the battery cells and measuring quiescent voltages of the battery cells; determining capacitances and internal resistances of the battery cells for determining a required duration for the charge balancing; and short-circuiting the battery cells in pairs at a low resistance and implementing the charge balancing via the internal resistances of the battery cells short-circuited in pairs. The method further includes ending the contact-making after the required duration; and producing a parallel circuit between the battery cells by fastening connecting lugs on respective terminals of the battery cells.

Abstract: A system and method for fast charging of a lithium-ion battery, including: continuously monitoring a state of charge (SOC) of the lithium-ion battery; during a normal mode of operation and upon detecting that the battery is at the predetermined low charge level, discontinuing the discharge; upon detecting that the battery is connected to a charger, providing charging rate of at least 4 C for at least part of charging; and upon detecting that the battery, while connected to the charger is at the predetermined high charge level, discontinue the charging, wherein the predetermined low charge level and the predetermined high charge level define a consumable capacity of the battery, wherein the consumable capacity is below 50% of the full capacity of the battery.

Abstract: Installation (100; 100?) comprising two batteries joined in parallel with the aid of a first device (1; 1?) for protection of a voltage source (10; 20), comprising: a parallel assembly comprising a controlled breaker (5; 52, 53) and a resistive element (4; 42, 43), a coil (3) arranged in series with the said assembly between, the two batteries, a means (6) of control of the breaker of the said assembly controlled as a function of the voltage difference (V_AB) between the two batteries so that the controlled breaker is closed when the voltage difference becomes less than a first threshold (threshold 1) and that the controlled breaker is open when the voltage difference becomes greater than a second threshold (threshold 2).

Abstract: A connector includes a housing configured to accommodate a plurality of contact pins, the housing including a plurality of contact pin locations, wherein the plurality of contact pin locations include a first set of contact pin locations designated for a first channel and a second set of contact pin locations designated for a second channel, a first set of contact pins disposed at the first set of contact pin locations, the first set of contact pins configured to carry a first signal associated with the first channel, and a second set of contact pins disposed at the second set of contact pin locations, the second set of contact pins configured to carry a second signal associated with the second channel.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a plurality of power storage modules that are connected in parallel and a backup power storage module that is connected in parallel with the plurality of power storage modules. When charging or discharging of at least one of the power storage modules is disabled, charging of the other power storage modules is inhibited, discharging of the backup power storage module is permitted, states of charge of the backup power storage module and the other power storage modules are detected, and charging of the backup power storage module and the other power storage modules is permitted in accordance with the detected states of charge.

Abstract: To satisfactorily carry out balancing even when balancing control is suspended. It is selected according to a condition which of battery cell information (old state information) by the last balancing stored in a storage device and battery cell information (new state information) acquired during a start of this time is used, and the balancing control is performed.

Abstract: A non-contiguous group of cells in a battery of cells is selected for charging or discharging the battery.

Abstract: A storage battery comprises a first branch and a second branch, each of which has a first cell and a second cell, the first and second cells being connected in series, and a first switch for connecting the first cell from the first branch and the first cell from the second branch in parallel and connecting the second cell from the first branch and the second cell from the second branch in parallel. The first switch has a cutoff threshold selected to conduct current when one of the cells forms an open circuit.

Abstract: A balancing circuit for balancing battery units includes a control unit, an inductor unit and an energy transfer unit. The control unit is coupled to at least one battery unit of the battery units. The control unit includes at least one switch device. The inductor unit is coupled between the switch device and the battery unit, and is arranged for taking away an excess energy of the battery unit according to a switch state of the switch device, and accordingly generating an inductive energy corresponding to the excess energy. The energy transfer unit is coupled to the inductor unit, and is arranged for providing the inductive energy to the battery units and storing the inductive energy.

Abstract: A system and method for discharging a vehicle battery following a vehicle damaging event. The method includes determining that the vehicle has been involved in the vehicle damaging event and then discharging cells in the battery to a predetermined cell voltage based on the severity of the vehicle damaging event. The battery cells can be discharged by resistors that are already existing in the vehicle battery for cell balancing purposes, or by resistors that have been added for the cell discharge purposes. The voltage of the cells are monitored when they are being dissipated, and once the particular voltage of a cell has reached the desired voltage, then a switch is opened to disconnect the resistor from the cell.

Abstract: A battery control device that controls a battery module in which a plurality of cell groups, in each of which a plurality of cells are connected in series, are connected in series or series-parallel, includes: a plurality of cell controller ICs that control each of the plurality of cell groups; and one or more connectors that are provided for connecting the plurality of cell controller ICs to the battery module; wherein: the plurality of cell controller ICs include first and second cell controller ICs that are provided in sequence, so as to control two or more of the cell groups that are connected in series; and an auxiliary connection member (a pin) is provided for connecting GND terminal side wiring of the first cell controller IC and VCC terminal side wiring of the second cell controller IC together, externally to the battery control device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for in-vehicle charging of pallet jack batteries are provided. An example system allows using a power source of a host vehicle configured to provide power at voltage levels lower than the operating voltage of the pallet jack battery stack. The system may allow, for example, charging a 24 volts pallet jack battery stack from a 12 volts power source of the host vehicle. The system may further comprise an interconnecting circuit having a plurality of contactors electrically coupling the batteries in parallel for charging and serially for discharging. The system may further comprise a voltage monitoring circuit to detect whether the pallet jack is connected to the host vehicle power source for charging. Based on the detection, the voltage monitoring circuit may reconfigure the interconnecting circuit to electrically couple the pallet jack batteries in parallel.

Abstract: A power control system includes a rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery including a first battery unit and including a second battery unit connected to a first terminal of the first battery unit at a first node, a switching unit, the switching unit including a first switch connected to a second terminal of the first battery unit and including a second switch connected to the first node, and a control unit, the control unit being configured to generate and transmit switch control signals respectively corresponding to the first switch and the second switch, and being configured to control a voltage of the rechargeable battery such that the voltage is maintained in a threshold range of a predetermined rated voltage.

Abstract: An electric leakage detecting apparatus includes: a first voltage-dividing circuit; a second voltage-dividing circuit; a first switch which is inserted in a line connecting the first voltage-dividing circuit and the ground connection resistance; a second switch which is inserted in a line connecting the second voltage-dividing circuit and the ground connection resistance; a first voltage detecting circuit which detects an output voltage of the first voltage-dividing circuit; a second voltage detecting circuit which detects an output voltage of the second voltage-dividing circuit; and a judging circuit which judges whether the electric leakage of the high voltage battery occurs or not on the basis of the output voltage of the first voltage-dividing circuit in a case that the first switch is in ON state and the output voltage of the second voltage-dividing circuit in a case that the second switch is in ON state.

Abstract: A power source apparatus includes first equalizing circuits to control remaining charge capacity variation among a plurality of battery units, and second equalizing circuits to control remaining charge capacity variation among all the series-connected battery packs that make up each battery unit. A first equalizing circuit connects each battery unit with an output line OL through a first series circuit made up of a first limiting resistor and first equalizing switch. Remaining charge capacity variation is equalized among all the battery units by the first equalizing circuits, and remaining charge capacity variation between battery packs in each battery unit is controlled by the second equalizing circuits.

Abstract: A first line includes a switching element and is electrically coupled to a branch point and an external load which is electrically connectable to a battery parallel-operation circuit. A second line includes a resistive element, and is electrically coupled to the external load and the branch point. The first line and the second line are each provided in a plurality. The plural first lines are connected in parallel to one another, and the plural second lines are connected in parallel to one another. The branch points are electrically coupled respectively to plural external, connectable battery units.

Abstract: The battery pack that recognizes operation voltage of a corresponding device according to a unique resistance of the connected device and sensed through a third external terminal of the battery pack, the battery pack having a plurality of cells that can be coupled in series or in parallel to be suitable for an operation voltage of the corresponding device. The battery pack can be sold to a consumer to enable the consumer to power a variety of different electrical appliances. Alternatively, the battery pack can be incorporated into a chassis of an electrical apparatus so that the battery pack can be sold to many different manufacturers of electrical appliances.

Abstract: The present system and method manage a rechargeable battery comprising two or more battery cells or series stacks of cells. The system includes a set of switches, each of which connects a cell or stack of cells between positive and negative nodes when actuated, or connects one cell in a stack of cells to another cell in the stack when actuated, such that when all the switches in a given stack are actuated, it is connected between the positive and negative nodes. An electrical load is directly connected to the positive and negative nodes. A controller determines the state of each cell or stack of cells by measuring and/or calculating one or more predetermined characteristics, and selectively actuates the switches based on the states of the cells or stacks of cells so as to enhance the life of the battery.

Abstract: An integrated multiple voltage battery system includes a first pair of output terminals, a second pair of output terminals, a plurality of first battery cells connected in series with each other and operatively connected to the first pair of output terminals, at least one second battery cell operatively connected to the second pair of outlet terminals, and a plurality of switches, the plurality of switches arranged such that each first battery cell in the plurality of first battery cells can be selectively placed in parallel with the at least one second battery cell while electrically isolating the other of the plurality of first battery cells from the at least one second battery cell, wherein each of the plurality of first battery cells has a nominal open cell voltage which is about the same as a nominal open cell voltage of the at least one second battery cell.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes two or more series-connected lithium-ion cells, a balancing lithium-ion cell, controllable switches with the same number as the lithium-ion cells, a drive module for the controllable switches, a voltage detection module for detecting a voltage at two ends of the lithium-ion cells, and a controller. The balancing lithium-ion cell is connected in parallel to the lithium-ion cells. The controllable switches control the turn on/off of the connection in parallel between the balancing lithium-ion cell and each of the lithium-ion cells independently. The drive module for the controllable switches and the voltage detection module are connected to the controller. A battery pack including the lithium-ion battery and a method for real-time charge/discharge equalizing of the lithium-ion battery are also provided.

Abstract: A charging apparatus that enables power line communication to be performed even via a charging apparatus. This charging apparatus is provided in a vehicle having an electrical storage apparatus that stores power supplied to a power supply inlet, a wheel driving section that rotates a wheel by means of power stored in the electrical storage apparatus, and an in-vehicle device that is connected to the storage apparatus via a power line; and has an AC/DC conversion section that converts power supplied from the power supply inlet from alternating-current to direct-current and outputs this to the electrical storage apparatus, and a capacitor that causes a power line communication signal input from the power supply inlet to bypass the AC/DC conversion section.

Abstract: The present application describes, among other things, a battery management system. The battery management system includes a computing device and first and second battery unit monitoring modules. The computing device includes an output data request port and an input data port. Each battery unit monitoring module is connected in parallel to the input data port of the computing device. In response to a data request from the output data request port of the computing device, the first battery unit monitoring module transmits data of the first battery unit to the input data port of the computing device, and transmits a data request to the second battery unit monitoring module. In response to the data request from the first battery unit monitoring module, the second battery unit monitoring module transmits data of the second battery unit to the input data port of the computing device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adapting a voltage of a battery pack is provided through a switch control logic coupled to the cells of the pack. The switch control logic determines the output voltage generated by the cells and an operating state of the battery pack. The switch control logic is configured to selectively switch the plurality of cells between a series cell configuration and a parallel cell configuration based upon the determined current output voltage and the operating state of the battery pack.

Abstract: A control device of an electric power supply apparatus controls a voltage applied to an inverter to fall within a voltage range between a first voltage that is the voltage of one of a first electric power supply and a second electric power supply and a second voltage that is the sum of the voltage of the first electric power supply and the voltage of the second electric power supply, by alternately switching between a series state in which a current loop that connects the first electric power supply, the second electric power supply, and a reactor in series with the inverter is formed, and a parallel state in which the first electric power supply and the second electric power supply are connected in parallel with the inverter as an electric load.

Abstract: Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods are described. According to one aspect, a rechargeable battery system includes a plurality of rechargeable battery cells coupled between a plurality of terminals and charge shuttling circuitry configured to couple with and shuttle electrical energy between individual ones of the rechargeable battery cells, and wherein the charge shuttling circuitry is configured to receive the electrical energy from one of the rechargeable battery cells at a first voltage and to provide the electrical energy to another of the rechargeable battery cells at a second voltage greater than the first voltage.

Abstract: A solar powered hybrid power system including a solar charge collector; a charge storage system comprising at least a first charge storage device adapted to receive and store charge from said solar charge collector; wherein said charge storage system further comprises a power electronic circuit selectively connectable to at least a second charge storage device, said power electronic circuit adapted to transfer said stored charge to said at least a second charge storage device at a selectable voltage level.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling the connection of a plurality of battery packs including a switching unit provided on a charge/discharge path of each battery pack to selectively open and close the charge/discharge path, a first control unit provided for each battery pack to determine the state of charge (SOC) of each battery pack and control the opening/closing of the switching unit, and a second control unit to receive the determined SOC of each battery pack from the first control unit, group battery packs having a predetermined range of SOCs, select a group containing a largest number of battery packs, connect the battery packs of the selected group in parallel, charge or discharge the parallel-connected battery packs so that a difference in SOC between the parallel-connected battery packs and the non-connected battery pack falls within a predetermined range, and connect the non-connected battery pack thereto in parallel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a traction battery having at least two serially connected battery modules, each of which has a first battery module pole, a second battery module pole, and at least one inserted series circuit and/or parallel circuit of battery cells. A first terminal of the series circuit of battery modules is connected to a first battery pole, while a second terminal of the series circuit of battery modules is connected to a second battery pole. According to the invention, at least one battery module of the at least two serially connected battery modules is a first battery module which has at least one disconnecting device and a bridging device. When triggered accordingly, the at least one disconnecting device interrupts the connection between the series circuit and/or parallel circuit of battery cells and the first battery module pole and/or the second battery module pole and/or interrupts the series circuit and/or parallel circuit of battery cells.

Abstract: A battery cell balancing system is operable to utilize a relatively small number of transformers interconnected with a battery having a plurality of battery cells to selectively charge the battery cells. Windings of the transformers are simultaneously driven with a plurality of waveforms whereupon selected battery cells or groups of cells are selected and charged. A transformer drive circuit is operable to selectively vary the waveforms to thereby vary a weighted voltage associated with each of the battery cells.

Abstract: A universal charging device, the device comprising: a charging pack including at least one of an AC terminal for inputting an AC power, an AC/DC converter for rectifying the AC power to a DC power, a DC terminal for outputting a DC power of a first power value, and a charging pack switch for turning on/off an output of the DC power.

Abstract: An energy storage system includes a battery management system that has a plurality of loads connected in electrical series with one another, and a controller operatively connected to the plurality of loads. A first battery pack has battery cells connected in electrical series with respect to one another to establish a system voltage. The first battery pack is connected in electrical parallel to the plurality of loads. The controller is operable to balance charges of the battery cells by activating selected ones of the loads. The battery management system and the first battery pack are configured such that an additional battery pack with additional battery cells connected in electrical series with respect to one another or an additional load pack with additional loads connected in electrical series with respect to one another is connectable to the battery management system. A method of managing battery capacity is also provided.

Abstract: A battery voltage monitoring circuit includes a first power supply terminal to be connected to the positive terminal of a battery pack having rechargeable cells connected in series; a first supply voltage sensing terminal to be connected to the positive terminal of the battery pack; a first resistor connected between the first power supply terminal and the first supply voltage sensing terminal; a second supply voltage sensing terminal to be connected to the negative terminal of a first rechargeable cell of the rechargeable cells, the first rechargeable cell being on the positive terminal side of the battery pack and connected to the positive terminal of the battery pack; a second resistor connected between the second supply voltage sensing terminal and the first power supply terminal; and a first comparator configured to compare a voltage at the first power supply terminal and a voltage at the first supply voltage sensing terminal.

Abstract: An energy storage device for a power compensator including a battery stack including a plurality of battery units connected in series, each of the battery units including one or more parallel-connected battery modules including a plurality of battery cells, where each battery unit further includes a bypass switch connected in parallel with the battery modules and the energy storage device comprises a control unit which is operatively connected to the bypass switches and adapted to receive information on a failure in any of the battery modules and to close the bypass switch in order to bypass the battery unit in case of a failure in any of the battery modules of the battery unit.

Abstract: A charge/discharge control circuit for controlling charging and discharging of multiple secondary batteries includes a series-connection switch part that connects the multiple secondary batteries in series during the charging and connects the multiple secondary batteries in parallel during the discharging.

Abstract: A load system includes a power supply input unit for load test of an external power supply, a charging circuit or a charger to which electric power from the power supply is supplied via the power supply input unit, a plurality of loads to which the electric power from the charging circuit or the charger is supplied, and a control circuit that switches selectively and connects the plurality of loads to the charging circuit or the charger. The plurality of loads is a plurality of storage batteries as a load resistance. The control circuit is configured to switch selectively and connect the plurality of storage batteries to the charging circuit or the charger such that the storage battery connected to the charging circuit or the charger among the plurality of storage batteries is charged by the charging circuit or the charger.

Abstract: A basic unit of lithium-ion battery, including: at least two series-connected lithium-ion cells; at least one lithium-ion cell for balance; controllable switches with the same number as the lithium-ion cells; a drive module for the controllable switches; a voltage detection module for detecting a voltage at two ends of the lithium-ion cells; and a controller. The lithium-ion cell for balance is connected in parallel to the lithium-ion cells. The controllable switches control the turn on/off of the connection in parallel between the lithium-ion cell for balance and each of the lithium-ion cells independently. The drive module for the controllable switches and the voltage detection module are connected to the controller. A battery pack including the basic unit of lithium-ion battery and a method for real-time charge/discharge equalizing of the basic unit of lithium-ion battery are also provided.

Abstract: Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods are described. According to one aspect, a rechargeable battery system includes a plurality of rechargeable battery modules coupled between a plurality of terminals, wherein the rechargeable battery modules individually comprise a plurality of rechargeable battery cells and charge balancing circuitry configured to implement, for individual ones of the rechargeable battery modules, first charge balancing operations to increase the balancing of states of charge of the rechargeable battery cells of individual ones of the rechargeable battery modules, and to implement second charge balancing operations to increase the balancing of states of charge of the rechargeable battery modules with respect to one another.

Abstract: A system including a first cell, a second cell, a first switch, a second switch, an inductance, and a control module. The first cell and the second cell are connected in series to each other and respectively output a first voltage and a second voltage. The first switch and the second switch are connected in series to each other and are connected across the first cell and the second cell. The inductance is connected between the first switch and the second switch, and between the first cell and the second cell. The control module generates control signals to control the first switch and the second switch, and to transfer charge between the first cell and the second cell via the inductance until a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is not equal to zero.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention, relating to the field of communications, provide a power supply method, a power supply device, and a base station, which, while satisfying use requirements of a backup power source, prolong the life cycle of a lead acid battery, reduce the set capacity of the original lead acid battery, and thereby reduce investment costs. The method includes: receiving currents supplied by a power generation apparatus, distributing the currents supplied by the power generation apparatus to a load and a lithium ion battery to ensure normal running of the load and enable the lithium ion battery to be charged, and after the lithium ion battery is fully charge, distributing the currents supplied by the power generation apparatus to the lead acid battery so that the lead acid battery is charged.

Abstract: Charging is started with charge voltage set to a first voltage value (lower than a normal charge voltage) by a charge voltage change means, the first voltage value being predetermined to ensure that secondary batteries constituting a parallel-arrangement battery pack are charged up to and maintained at a predetermined SOC lower than full charge (between 80 and 90% of full charge). When a charge current detection means detects that charge current has decreased to a predetermined value A1, the charge voltage is set to a second voltage value (normal charge voltage) higher than the first voltage value by the charge voltage change means, the second voltage value being predetermined to enable the secondary batteries to be charged up to full charge. When a battery SOC detection means detects that at least one of the secondary batteries has reached full charge, charging is terminated.

Abstract: Method for managing a battery comprising several accumulators that can be linked in series or in parallel, comprising a charging or discharging phase during which the accumulators are disposed in series, characterized in that it thereafter comprises a balancing phase comprising the placing of the accumulators in parallel, during which an electrical quantity Gmin representing the balancing of the accumulator that has attained the maximum voltage during the charging phase or minimum voltage during the discharging phase is measured or estimated, and during which an electrical quantity Gi representing the balancing of another accumulator i of the battery is also measured or estimated, and in that the state of health SOHi of this other accumulator i is computed on the basis of the two electrical quantities Gmin and Gi and on the basis of the knowledge of the performance of the accumulator i at the start of life.

Abstract: Plural batteries installed in an information handling system are simultaneously charged in a constant current mode to a predetermined charge and then in a constant voltage mode to a full charge to provide a reduced charge time and improved battery life. A current regulator integrated in a battery casing monitors current applied at the battery to maintain constant voltage charging. Voltage to ground of the other batteries is monitored to adjust current at those batteries where voltages in all of the battery cells are maintained substantially equal during charging.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for diagnosing an abnormality in a cell balancing circuit. The apparatus may include a floating capacitor charged with voltage of a battery cell, a cell balancing circuit for discharging the floating capacitor, a voltage measuring unit for measuring the battery cell voltage of the charged floating capacitor and a residual voltage of the discharged floating capacitor, and a control unit for determining an abnormality in the cell balancing circuit based on the residual voltage of the discharged floating capacitor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery balancing circuit for balancing the voltages of a reference battery module and a detachable battery apparatus, which has a load channel, a charging-discharging channel, a MCU and a charging-discharging control circuit. The reference battery module and detachable battery apparatus are connected in parallel. The load channel is connected to the reference battery module. The charging-discharging channel is disconnected from the reference battery module. The load and charging-discharging channels are connected to the detachable battery apparatus respectively through a first and a second switches. When the voltage of the detachable battery apparatus is higher or lower than a threshold value, the MCU controls the first and second switches, such that the detachable battery apparatus is connected to the charging-discharging control circuit through the charging-discharging channel and disconnected from the load channel.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided which comprises a DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter comprises at least one solid-state rechargeable battery (B1, B2) for storing energy for the DC-DC conversion and an output capacitor (C2).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adapting a voltage of a battery pack is provided through a switch control logic coupled to the cells of the pack. The switch control logic determines the output voltage generated by the cells and an operating state of the battery pack. The switch control logic is configured to selectively switch the plurality of cells between a series cell configuration and a parallel cell configuration based upon the determined current output voltage and the operating state of the battery pack.

Abstract: A switching circuit capable of efficiently practically using power generated in a plurality of photovoltaic power generation modules is provided. The switching circuit is employed for a power generation system capable of switching a connection state between the plurality of power generation modules, for switching a first connection state where at least a part of the plurality of power generation modules are connected in series with each other, and a second connection state where at least a part of the plurality of power generation modules are connected in parallel with each other, or, the generated power output portion is connected to a storage portion so that generated power is supplied from one of the power generation module to the storage portion.

Abstract: A battery pack that has a configuration in which a plurality of secondary battery cells are connected in series at time of discharge and are connected in parallel at time of charge, and that has a configuration and a structure with which the charge and the discharge are allowed to be performed without any trouble even if an abnormal-state secondary battery cell exists is provided. A battery pack 10 includes a plurality of secondary battery cells 21 and a control circuit 11. Under control of the control circuit 11, the plurality of secondary battery cells 21 are connected in series at time of discharge, and are connected in parallel at time of charge.