Abstract: A portable terminal is provided having an external module that is capable of easily charging a battery of the external module, such as a bluetooth, and of easily checking the charged status thereof. The charged status of a second battery of the external module may be displayed through a terminal body as well as the charged status of a first battery, thereby being capable of easily recognizing when the external module is required to be charged.

Abstract: A battery charging controlling apparatus for balancing voltages of the charged batteries is provided. The battery charging controlling includes a battery reference voltage generating unit, a voltage balancing unit, and a balance judging unit. The battery charging controlling apparatus determines whether a battery voltage difference between any two adjacent battery units of a battery module is too large or not by using a reference voltage provided from the battery reference voltage generating unit. The battery charging controlling apparatus further detects the voltage of the battery module and a charging current thereto to determine a suitable time for balancing the charged batteries. Then, the voltage balancing unit controlled by the balance judging unit allows the charging current of the lower-voltage battery unit greater than the charging current of the higher-voltage battery, unit so as to lower the battery voltage difference of the battery units.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a battery charging controller for balancing the charged batteries. The battery charging controller comprises a battery reference voltage generator, a voltage balancing module and a balance judging circuit. The battery charging controller determines which one has the lower voltage between battery units of a battery module according to reference voltages generated by the battery reference voltage generator. The voltage balancing module controlled by the balance judging circuit allows the charging current of the lower-voltage battery larger than the charging current of the higher-voltage battery in such that the final voltages of the battery units are substantially equaled when they are completely saturated.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a rechargeable battery having a number of electrically connected cells includes at least one current interruption switch for interrupting current flowing through at least one associated cell and a plurality of monitoring units for detecting cell voltage. Each monitoring unit is associated with a single cell and includes a reference voltage unit for producing a defined reference threshold voltage and a voltage comparison unit for comparing the reference threshold voltage with a partial cell voltage of the associated cell. The reference voltage unit is electrically supplied from the cell voltage of the associated cell. The voltage comparison unit is coupled to the at least one current interruption switch for interrupting the current of at least the current flowing through the associated cell, with a defined minimum difference between the reference threshold voltage and the partial cell voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for measuring cell voltages of accumulator cells in a plurality of series-connected accumulator cells in a battery pack or cell pack including an Li-Ion cell pack. The method and the device are characterized in that no unbalancing of the battery pack is caused by the measurements of the cell voltages on the individual accumulator cells.

Abstract: A battery management system for a battery pack comprising multiple battery modules is disclosed. Each of the battery modules includes multiple battery cells. The battery management system includes multiple first balancing units, multiple first controllers, a second balancing unit including multiple second balancing circuits, and a second controller coupled to the battery modules and the second balancing circuits. The first controllers are operable for controlling the first balancing units to adjust voltages of battery cells in the battery module if an unbalance occurs between the battery cells. The second controller is operable for controlling said second balancing circuits to adjust voltages of said battery modules if an unbalance occurs between battery modules.

Abstract: The invention provides a battery management system which can reliably and easily manage a power unit of an electric vehicle. The power unit includes a plurality of battery modules. The battery management system includes: a power source for a motor, the power source being constituted by a plurality of battery modules having battery cells; battery module status sensors mounted on the battery modules on the one to one basis, detecting voltages and temperatures of the battery modules; and a control unit judging statuses of the battery modules on the basis of data detected by the battery module status sensors. The battery module status sensors are mutually connected in series by a communication line for transmitting numbering data, and each battery module status sensor assigning itself with an ID code on the basis of ID information received from an upstream battery module status sensor, and transmitting the ID information as well as the ID code to a downstream battery module status sensor.

Abstract: A battery assembly having batteries connected in series to form rows and columns of battery cells into packs that combine the energy of multiple batteries. The battery cells are joined together to form columns of cells connected mechanically together by an exterior connection sleeve, and mechanically and electrically connected together by a conductive epoxy joining the end of one cell to the end of an adjacent cell in series. The columns of cells are mounted and held in place by racks, with bolts passing through the racks to form a sandwich structure that secures the position and orientation of the cells and columns, and that maintains the electrical connection between joined cells. Perpendicularly disposed to the direction of the columns are a series of conductive bands that join adjacent cells together along rows of cells.

Abstract: A battery system utilizes a plurality of transformers interconnected with the battery cells. The transformers each have at least one transformer core operable for magnetization in at least a first magnetic state with a magnetic flux in a first direction and a second magnetic state with a magnetic flux in a second direction. The transformer cores retain the first magnetic state and the second magnetic state without current flow through said plurality of transformers. Circuitry is utilized for switching a selected transformer core between the first and second magnetic states to sense voltage and/or balance particular cells or particular banks of cells.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring voltage of individual cells connected in series includes a single flying capacitor. The capacitor stores the charge of one of the cells such that a primary analog-to-digital converter (ADC) connected to the capacitor may process a representation of the voltage of the cell being measured. A secondary ADC is connected directly to the cell being measured. The measurements of the primary and secondary ADCs are then compared to verify the accuracy of the flying capacitor.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting battery cell abnormalities in a multi-cell series battery for effectively and quickly detecting abnormalities with a simple, small circuit that provides improved reliability, safety and service life of the multi-cell series battery. In the voltage monitoring device 12, immediately after the start of the monitoring cycle of any battery cell BTi, cell voltage abnormality detector 14 checks whether cell voltage Vi is outside of the normal operating range. The cell voltage abnormality detector 14 has: a group of selection switches 18 for selecting any battery cell BT of multi-cell series battery 10 and retrieving its voltage to first and second monitoring terminals A, B; cell voltage/monitoring current converter 20; monitoring current/monitoring voltage converter 22; comparison/evaluation circuit 24; evaluation signal output circuit 26 and abnormality detection controller 28.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a battery charging controller for achieving a balanced battery charge. The battery charging controller includes a voltage divider, a switch module and a balance circuit. A reference voltage generated by the voltage divide is used to determine which battery unit in a battery module has an insufficient voltage lower than the others, so that the balance circuit controls the switch module to allow a larger current to charge a lower-voltage battery than a higher-voltage battery, so as to result in substantially the same voltage for each fully charged battery of the battery module.

Abstract: A portable device includes a controller that is responsive to a remaining power capacity of the battery, and a power consumption level of the portable device and based on user prioritized functional processing capability features, dynamically controls functional processing capability features of the device. The controller provides power for a higher priority feature at the expense of a lower priority functional processing capability feature consistent with the user prioritized functional processing capability features. A wireless portable device is also disclosed that includes a wireless signal strength determinator that determines a received signal strength of the wireless device and a controller that adjusts the functional processing capability feature of the wireless device based on the determined received signal strength and based on battery capacity information.

Abstract: A set battery control circuit includes: a voltage detection portion that detects a terminal voltage across each secondary battery in a set battery formed by connecting a plurality of secondary batteries in series; a discharge portion that discharges the plurality of secondary batteries; and an imbalance reduction processing portion that performs imbalance reduction processing at set timing preset as timing at which terminal voltages across the plurality of secondary batteries become voltages at or below a cut-off voltage of discharge preset as a voltage at which discharge is to end in such a manner that a secondary battery having a terminal voltage higher than a lowest voltage, which is a lowest terminal voltage among the terminal voltages across the plurality of secondary batteries detected by the voltage detection portion, is discharged by means of the discharge portion so that a difference among the terminal voltages across the respective secondary batteries is lessened.

Abstract: A voltage sensing device with which high-precision voltage sensing is possible without the need to obtain a unique correction constant for each device. A pair of voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 is selected from voltage input nodes NC0-NCn in switch part 10, and they are connected to sensing input nodes NA and NB in two types of patterns with different polarity (forward connection, reverse connection). Sensing input nodes NA and NB are held at reference potential Vm by voltage sensing part 20, and current Ina and Inb corresponding to the voltage at voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 flows to input resistors RIk and RIk-1. Currents Ina and Inb are synthesized at different ratios in voltage sensing part 20, and sensed voltage signal S20 is generated according to the synthesized current Ic. Sensed voltage data S40 with low error is generated according to the difference between the two sensed voltage signals S20 generated in the two connection patterns.

Abstract: A battery charger containing circuitry including integrated cell balancing and automatic cell configuration determination is presented. The charger automatically adapts output current to different battery configurations. The charger also ensures that all the cells within a battery configuration are at roughly the same voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing battery voltage misreporting is described. According to various embodiments, battery voltage may be monitored with respect to a state of charge and/or time. Based on this monitored information, battery charge state data may be generated by computing time derivatives of the monitored battery voltage across a voltage range. This battery charge state data may be compared with an expected set of charge state data if substantial differences exist, an error may be generated. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A rechargeable aircraft battery assembly includes at least one lithium-ion cell having a positive cell terminal and a negative cell terminal and a battery management circuit operable to control charging and/or discharging of the lithium-ion cell. The battery management circuit is constantly off when the aircraft circuit is not engaged with the battery connector and is constantly on when the aircraft circuit is engaged with the battery connector.

Abstract: The present invention provides an actively rapid battery voltage balancing system which includes a power converter, a switch, a voltage balancing multiplexer, a voltage measurement multiplexer, a voltage sensor, a microprocessor, and a series connected battery pack. By the application of the above components, the balancing voltage conditions of each battery cell in a series connected battery pack can be actively monitored and estimated. While in the charge or discharge period, if a battery cell in the series connected battery pack is determined to be an unbalanced cell, the voltage balancing process can be carried out promptly. Less component is required to fulfill the purpose of the cell voltage balance in the present invention.

Abstract: Voltage translator circuitry may include a path including a first resistor, a current controlling device, and a second resistor coupled in series. The voltage translator circuitry may further include an operational amplifier having a positive supply terminal to accept a positive supply voltage and a negative supply terminal to accept a negative supply voltage, neither the positive or negative supply voltage at ground voltage. The first resistor may further be coupled to a positive terminal of the battery cell to be monitored. The operational amplifier may have an input coupled to a negative terminal of the battery cell to be monitored. The voltage translator circuitry may further include an output terminal coupled to a node of the path between the current controlling device and the second resistor. The output terminal may be configured to provide the ground referenced cell voltage for the battery cell.

Abstract: A high voltage power supply device has a plurality of battery modules connected to each other in series by coupling a safety plug unit to a safety plug unit connecting base to output a series voltage from a power supply output coupler. The safety plug unit connects/disconnects electrode terminals of all the battery modules to each other. Female electrode bodies electrically connected to power supply terminals of the respective battery modules are collectively positioned in a limited area and are arranged at equal intervals on the safety plug unit connecting base. An output voltage of each battery module is set to be lower than 50V to reduce the risk of injury during use, inspection or maintenance of the high voltage power supply device and to downsize the device.

Abstract: Battery charge management systems for charging a battery bank including a plurality of batteries connected in series are disclosed that include: a power source having a charging port, the power source capable of providing power to each battery in the battery bank; a multiplexer connected to the battery bank, the multiplexer capable of connecting the charging port to a single battery at a time and capable of switching the connection of the charging port to each battery in the battery bank; and a microcontroller connected to the multiplexer and operatively coupled to each battery in the battery bank, the microcontroller capable of receiving discharge data and charge data for each battery in the battery bank, the microcontroller capable of instructing the multiplexer to switch the connection of the charging port with each battery in dependence upon the discharge data and the charge data for that battery.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack includes a housing, a cell supported by the housing, a circuit supported by a flexible circuit board. The circuit is operable to control a function of the battery pack.

Abstract: A type of protection and cell conditioning circuit is proposed that partly uses the typically existing hardware present in traditional cell-protection circuits and that can achieve an optimum state of charge for the individual cell independently from the actions of the external battery charger. For minimum cost, the proposed circuit and system can solve the battery-cell-balancing problem, while optimizing the performance of the battery pack and while simultaneously enhancing the safety of the battery pack. Multiple battery cells can be communicatively combined to form large batteries. Information from and commands to each of the individual battery cells can be relayed through a low-power serial bus in order to form “intelligent” and optimally managed battery systems.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a rechargeable, or secondary, battery including a series string of battery cells, a topology of charging sources that selectively provides charging current to battery cells that need to be charged, but avoids overcharging battery cells that are already charged above a predetermined voltage threshold. Based on individual cell voltage measurements, the charging current is controlled in a manner to direct charging current to the battery cell(s) needing charge until these cells are fully charged, and bypasses battery cells that are fully charged or become fully charged.

Abstract: A circuit to supply power to a load incorporates a first power source, a second power source that may be detachable, a power converter and at least one capacitor (capacitive element), where the first power source is capable of powering the load when charged, where the second power source is not capable of powering the load, but the second power source is capable of trickle-charging the first power source at a time when the first power source is not powering the load, where the power converter may impose a limit on a flow of current through the power converter, and where the at least one capacitor may cooperate to temporarily support a flow of additional current that circumvents the power converter at a time when the load attempts to draw a relatively greater amount of current.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a battery charger and a method for charging a plurality of batteries. The battery charger includes: a current source for supplying a source current which has a charge current portion and a diverted current portion; bypass sections; voltage clamp sections; sense sections; a feedback section for processing information from the sense sections; and a controller for modifying the source current based on the information from the feedback section. Each bypass section is connected to a battery for diverting the diverted current. Each voltage clamp section is connected to the bypass section for clamping a voltage across the battery when the voltage increases to a predetermined level. Each sense section is connected to the bypass section for determining the diverted current and/or the charge current.

Abstract: A fuel cell detection device according to the present invention includes: a cell block formed with a plurality of cells serially connected to each other; a voltage detection element for detecting voltages of the cells within the cell block; and another voltage detection element for detecting a voltage of the operating power source of the voltage detection element, where the operating power source of the voltage detection element is supplied from a voltage of the inside or both ends of the cell block, and the operating power source of another voltage detection element is supplied from a voltage of the outside of the cell block, the operating power source of another voltage detection element being less variable than the operating power source of the voltage detection element.

Abstract: A battery monitor for monitoring the performance of at least one battery within an array of batteries, comprising: a data acquisition device for measuring at least one parameter of the at least one battery associated with the battery monitor, a first data interface operable to exchange data with a first device, and a second data interface operable to exchange data with a second device.

Abstract: Upon detecting a disconnection, a current detection circuit supplies a detection current to connection lines between each cell and the corresponding voltage monitoring circuit. The detection current is larger than a consumption current flowing via each voltage monitoring circuit in a normal state. When the disconnection occurs, a diode changes a route in which the detection current flows so as to reverse an electric potential relation between a positive-side power line and a negative-side power line of the corresponding cell and a reverse detection circuit detects the reverse of the electric potential relation to output a disconnection detection signal.

Abstract: In a power supply device of the invention, when the state of charge SOC1 of a low-voltage battery is lower than a discharging reference value Shi1 below a full charge level and when the state of charge SOC2 of a high-voltage battery is not lower than a discharging reference value Slow2 at a system-off time, the low-voltage battery is charged close to its full charge level with the electric power supplied from the high-voltage battery. The lead acid battery used for the low-voltage battery has the high potential for deterioration in the continuously low state of charge SOC. The lithium secondary battery used for the high-voltage battery has the high potential for deterioration in the continuously high state of charge SOC. The charge of the low-voltage battery in combination with the discharge of the high-voltage battery enables both the low-voltage battery and the high-voltage battery to have respective favorable states of charge with little potentials for deterioration.

Abstract: A battery pack which is detachably connected to a charger and charged by connecting thereto, includes a battery assembly including a plurality of secondary batteries serially connected; a pair of power terminals connected to a negative and a positive electrode of the battery assembly, respectively; a control circuit adapted to individually detect voltages across respective secondary batteries and output a charge control signal to the charger when the detected voltages exceed a predetermined value; a signal terminal adapted to output the charge control signal to the charger; and a temperature measurement element for detecting a temperature of the battery assembly. Further, the control circuit changes the predetermined value to be compared with the detected voltages based on the detected temperature of the temperature measurement element.

Abstract: A charge-balancing system includes N circuits and a control module, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Each of the N circuits includes first and second switches connected in series and an inductance having a first end connected between the first and second switches. The control module outputs control signals to control the first and second switches. A second end of the inductance of a first one of the N circuits is connected between two cells of a first pair of 2N series-connected cells of a battery stack. The first and second switches of the first one of the N circuits are connected in parallel to the first pair of 2N series-connected cells.

Abstract: A vehicular electrical system includes an electrical energy storage device, a charge receptacle shaped to mate with a charge plug, at least one fuse connected to the charge receptacle, and a plurality of conductors electrically interconnecting the electrical energy storage device and the at least one fuse. Substantially all of the plurality of conductors are electrically connected between the electrical storage device and the at least one fuse.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack includes a housing, a cell supported by the housing, a circuit supported by the housing and operable to control a function of the battery pack, and a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the circuit and operable to dissipate heat from the circuit.

Abstract: A power supply for a medical device having one or more power consuming components. The power supply system comprises first and second battery cells electrically connected in series to supply a first level of power to the components, and at least one additional battery cell. The power supply also comprises a control system configured to electrically connect the at least one additional battery in parallel with one or both of the first or second batteries upon a detection of a power demand at the components that is greater than said first level.

Abstract: A two-stage charge equalization apparatus for a series-connected battery string comprises a battery module having a plurality of batteries connected in series; a battery string having M (M?2) battery modules connected in series; M charge control switch modules connected in parallel to each of the M battery modules; M second DC/DC converters connected to each of the M charge control switch modules; a single first DC/DC converter connected to the M second DC/DC converter; and a microprocessor controlling the charge control switch module, wherein the first DC/DC converter is inputted with an overall potential of the battery string and outputs a potential lower than the potential inputted and each of batteries composing the battery module shares the second DC/DC converter using the charge control switch module.

Abstract: The power supply system of the present invention includes: a cell assembly in which a first assembled battery, formed from a plurality of first cells connected in series, and a second assembled battery, formed from a plurality of second cells connected in series, are connected in parallel; and a generator for charging the cell assembly. The cell assembly is configured such that an average charging voltage V1 as a terminal voltage when the first assembled battery reaches a charging capacity that is half of a full charge capacity is set to be a voltage that is smaller than an average charging voltage V2 as a terminal voltage when the second assembled battery reaches a charging capacity that is half of a full charge capacity.

Abstract: A nonaqueous secondary battery includes a negative electrode plate 303 containing a negative electrode active material 324 capable of reversely inserting and extracting lithium, a positive electrode plate 301 containing lithium as a positive electrode active material 322, an electrolyte, a porous protective membrane 325 provided between the negative electrode plate 303 and the positive electrode plate 301 and permeable to lithium ions while having heat resistance, and a concave portion 352 in which growth of deposited metal, which is formed according to a set voltage Vs, is controlled in such a manner that the deposited metal is bridged between the negative electrode plate 303 and the positive electrode plate 301 when the set voltage Vs is applied between the negative electrode plate 303 and the positive electrode plate 301.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a battery charging controller for balancing the charged batteries. The battery charging controller comprises a battery reference voltage generator, a voltage balancing module and a balance judging circuit. The battery charging controller determines which one has the lower voltage between battery units of a battery module according to reference voltages generated by the battery reference voltage generator. The voltage balancing module controlled by the balance judging circuit allows the charging current of the lower-voltage battery larger than the charging current of the higher-voltage battery in such that the final voltages of the battery units are substantially equaled when they are completely saturated.

Abstract: An impulse generator including first and second differentiators coupled in parallel to each other, for generating impulses by differentiating a clock signal, and first and second switches for transiting on and off the first and second differentiators respectively to selectively output the impulses generated by the first and second differentiators, and varying polarity of the impulses by changing a direction of a current flowing through load. Accordingly, the negative and positive impulses are selectively output according to the circuit state, reliability of the impulses is improved, and power consumption is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for supplying at least one load consumer during a mains failure. According to said method, a plurality of batteries acts as an emergency voltage source during the failure of a mains voltage source in order to supply the load consumer(s). The plurality of batteries is connected to the mains voltage source. The batteries are interconnected in series in order to form the emergency supply for the load consumer. To permit a simple, cost-effective emergency supply with a reliable charging of the batteries, the plurality of series-connected batteries is sub-divided into at least two battery groups using a splitter circuit and each of said battery groups is connected to the mains voltage source for charging purposes by means of a corresponding connection circuit.

Abstract: A charge balancing circuit implemented within a charge storage device (cell) in a series connected charge storage unit (battery) made up of a plurality of cells. The charge balancing circuit may utilize a controller to sense the voltage in the cell it is implemented therein and the cells adjacent thereto. If the voltage of the current cell exceeds a threshold voltage and is greater than at least one adjacent cell the current cell can transfer charge to the adjacent cell having the lowest voltage. The transfer of the charge is done with a switching network that extracts current from the current cell and then transfers the current to the adjacent cell having the lowest voltage. The switching network may utilize switches and a current storage device (inductor) to transfer the charge. The controller may activate different switches based on which adjacent cell has the lowest voltage.

Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack includes a housing, a cell supported by the housing, a circuit supported by the housing and operable to control a function of the battery pack, and a heat sink in heat transfer relationship with the circuit and operable to dissipate heat from the circuit.

Abstract: In a charging device, a driving power supply circuit for driving a control circuit is formed as a separate system from a first power supply circuit, regardless of whether the first power supply circuit is in a driving state or a non-driving state. A microcomputer alternately and intermittently controls the first power supply circuit in the driving state or the non-driving state when the battery pack is not mounted in the charging device in order to reduce the potential difference between the battery pack and the output voltage of the first power supply circuit, thereby avoiding an excessive discharge current from the battery pack when the battery pack is mounted in the charging device.

Abstract: A system for balancing a plurality of battery pack system modules connected in series comprising: a plurality of battery pack system modules, wherein a high charge module of the plurality of battery pack system modules has a charge greater than a that of other modules. At least one zener diode connected in series with a current limiting resistor is connected in parallel to the plurality of battery pack system modules. A power source is in communication with a disconnect circuit of at least one of the battery pack system modules. The disconnect circuit is actuated when the battery pack system module reaches a predetermined state of charge. The zener diode enables current from the power source to bypass charged battery pack system modules to charge other battery pack system modules.

Abstract: This present invention provides a bridge battery voltage equalizer to equalize the voltages of the serially connected battery strings, comprising at least one battery crossing over an energy-transferring circuit. A plurality of the energy-transferring circuits are interconnected in a bridge architecture. Each energy-transferring circuit having four nodes comprises a first semiconductor switch, a first diode, a second semiconductor switch, a second diode, and an inductor. One end of the first element switch is connected to a negative pole of the first diode thereto. A positive pole of the second diode is connected to one end of the second element switch thereto. The inductor is an energy storing element that crosses over between the negative pole of the first diode and the positive pole of the second diode.

Abstract: A control device for a motor-driven vehicle, the control device includes: a zone determining unit that determines at least a normal use zone, a discharge zone, an over-discharge zone, a charge zone, and an over-charge zone; and a control unit controlling the motor by stipulating the charge and discharge power of the storage unit for each zone that is determined by the zone determining unit, setting the normal use zone to be in a predetermined range that includes a remaining capacity at which the discharge output according to the remaining capacity of the storage unit and the charge input according to the remaining capacity of the storage unit are equivalent, and making the discharge output and the charge input in the normal use zone to be a predetermined value regardless of the remaining capacity of the storage unit in the zone.

Abstract: A battery pack control module for balancing a plurality of lithium secondary cells or groups of lithium secondary cells connected in series and method of use.

Abstract: A serial battery charger including a number of serially connected battery charging sections in which the battery charging section is characterized by a first and second parallelly connected branches. The first branch includes terminals for connecting to the battery to be charged and a current blocking device and the second branch includes a by-passing switch which shunts across the terminals of the first branch when activated. The blocking device in the first branch prevents adverse reverse current flow from the battery to the charger when there is no power supply and also functions as a current block to prevent adverse flow of current from the battery into the shunting by-passing switch when the power supply to the charging section is in operation. This invention provides a simple solution to fulfil the conflicting requirements of an intelligent serial battery charger.