Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a state of charge of a battery exhibiting a transient response are provided. At least one property of the battery is measured. The state of charge of the battery is determined based on the at least one measured property and a transient response of the battery.

Abstract: A method for supplying power from batteries includes: detecting a power supply state of a cycling battery in a system, where the system firstly uses the cycling battery to supply power to a load; and when a voltage of the cycling battery drops to a voltage threshold, activating a standby battery to supply power to the load.

Abstract: An energy storage unit has several storage elements (2, 2?) which are switched in series and a charge redistribution circuit (6, 6?). The latter is installed in such a manner that the voltage of the storage element (UELn, UEln?) is measured and compared with a voltage threshold value (UTHRn, UTHR, UTHRn?, UTHR?). When the threshold value is exceeded by a storage element, it removes charge from said storage element, thus reducing its voltage. According to one aspect, a storage-related temperature determination is conducted, and the threshold value is set variably in dependence on the determined temperature (Tn, T) in such a manner that it is reduced as the temperature increases. According to a further aspect, the threshold value is set variably in dependence on the current vehicle operating state, in such a manner that it is set higher for relatively brief periods of time when the storage or removal requirement is relatively high.

Abstract: A vehicle charging and selection system for kiosk operated electrical vehicles. The system includes a utility connected AC charging source, a battery-to-battery DC charging source, a number of vehicle charging stations, a local power bus connectable to both charging sources and each of the charging stations and a system controller connected to each of the charging stations. The system controller evaluates the vehicle battery condition of each electric vehicle connected to one of the charging stations and determines the most efficient method for charging the largest number of vehicle batteries based on current condition of the individual batteries, weather conditions, time of day, status of the utility electrical grid, etc. The system controller also selects one of the connected electric vehicles for customer use by using the battery charging information and additional information about the desired trip provided by the customer and other external data sources monitored by the system controller.

Abstract: A disclosed battery charger comprises multiple interfaces provided corresponding to multiple mobile devices, the interfaces being connected to the mobile devices in wired or wireless connection; a charge parameter setting unit setting one or more charge parameters for the mobile devices; a switching control unit switching timing of charging the multiple mobile devices based on the charge parameters set by the charge parameter setting unit; and a charging unit charging one of the mobile devices selected by the switching control unit.

Abstract: For laptops or other mobile devices, a battery charging arrangement wherein fast-charging and/or slow-charging is governed by something other than a fixed, immovable battery level threshold. Particularly, a variable threshold is broadly contemplated herein which may be governed by any of a very wide variety of conceivable factors, including (but by no means limited to) information relating to a user's schedule or calendar, especially as regards “free” time when a user is not using a computer. Accordingly, if there is a long uninterrupted period of computer “downtime” (i.e., when a user is not using the computer), the battery level threshold below which fast-charging takes place can be lower. By the same token, for short periods of computer downtime, this threshold can be higher. In this manner, fast-charging is reserved only for the most compelling, time-based circumstances.

Abstract: The state monitoring apparatus includes a high-voltage side monitoring section having monitoring units assigned to respective unit batteries and a low-voltage side monitoring section having a control device. The monitoring units measures the voltages of the unit batteries upon reception of a voltage measurement command transmitted from the control device, and determines whether or not the measured voltages are within a predetermined range. This determination is transmitted to the control device. If this determination is negative, the control device limits a charge/discharge current of the assembled battery, and then causes the monitoring units to transmit the measured voltages.

Abstract: A hysteresis characteristic unit switches between outputs of selection instructions in accordance with a status characteristic depending on a present selection state (history). Specifically, the hysteresis characteristic unit makes determination of switching in accordance with the status characteristic if the selection instruction has been selected, and makes determination of switching in accordance with the status characteristic if the selection instruction has been selected. If a charge/discharge voltage is lower than a charge/discharge voltage by an amount exceeding a switching threshold voltage, switching from the selection instruction to the selection instruction is made.

Abstract: A method, circuit, and topology are provided for utilization of this circuit in Li-Ion or any other battery that benefits from balancing between individual cells. The whole system is characterized as having high efficiency (and thus low heat losses) compared to previous art implementations. The actions of the circuit are continuous and bi-directional in respect to each cell.

Abstract: A function extending apparatus for receiving a portable computer is disclosed. The function extending apparatus includes an AC/DC adapter, a second charging system and a controller. The AC/DC adapter is capable of supplying power to the portable computer equipped with a system load and a first charging system having a first charger and a first battery. The second charging system of the function extending apparatus includes a second charger and a second battery. The controller reduces power consumption of the second charging system when the output power of the AC/DC adapter reaches a first threshold value. The controller reduces power consumption of the first charging system when the output power of the AC/DC adapter reaches a second threshold value, wherein the second threshold value is higher than the first threshold value.

Abstract: A method for controlling a charging system having multiple loads is disclosed. Power is supplied from an AC/DC adapter to a first charger, a second charger, and system loads. The first charger is operated at a setting value having smaller power consumption than a setting value necessary for a first battery pack when output power of a power source reaches a first threshold value during a time when the first battery pack is required to be charged in a standard charging mode. The first charger is operated at a setting value according to a specific charging mode even when the output power of the power source reaches the first threshold value during a time when the first battery pack is required to be charged in the specific charging mode. A second charger is operated at a setting value having smaller power consumption than a setting value necessary for a second battery pack when the output power of the power source reaches a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value.

Abstract: An over voltage transient controller to protect a rechargeable battery from an over voltage transient condition. The over voltage transient controller may comprise a comparator to compare a first signal with a second signal representative of a reference voltage level and to provide an output signal representative of an over voltage transient condition to a switch if the first signal is greater than or equal to the second signal. The switch is responsive to the output signal to protect the rechargeable battery from the over voltage transient condition. The over voltage transient controller may further comprise a DAC, wherein the second signal is based, at least in part, on an output of the DAC. An apparatus comprising a charge switch and such an over voltage transient controller is also provided.

Abstract: A supercapacitors voltage balancing device (2) to be connected to a supercapacitor module (1) having N individual supercapacitors (10) connected in series, for optimizing the voltage of the individual supercapacitors in the module.

Abstract: A hybrid battery pack and methods of charging and discharging the same make it possible to manage at least two power sources by one circuit. The hybrid battery pack includes a first power source having a first switching circuit, a second power source connected to the first power source in parallel and having a second switching circuit, a current sensor serially connected to the first and second power sources to sense the currents of the first and second power sources, and a controller to obtain the voltages of the first and second power sources so that the first and second power sources are not over-charged or over-discharged and to calculate the entire capacity of the first and second power sources using the amount of currents obtained by the current sensor.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processor has: an input/output module configured to input/output a data signal through a data signal line; a first voltage supply module configured to supply a first differential signal pair; a second voltage supply module configured to supply a second differential signal pair; a first switching module configured to select and output, in response to a first control signal, one of the first differential signal pair supplied from the first voltage supply module and the second differential signal pair supplied from the second voltage supply module; and a second switching module configured to receive one of the first differential signal pair and the second differential signal pair output from the first switching module, and output one of the first differential signal pair and the second differential signal pair to the electronic device through the data signal line, in response to a second control signal.

Abstract: An electronic system for a battery designed to supply electrical power to an application, such as in an aircraft, that includes a main power supply, comprises a charging circuit (30) with a charger (K3C), a first battery discharging circuit (20) in parallel with the charging circuit, a component ensuring continuity of discharge (D3) and an electronic control unit adapted to control opening and closing of the discharge switch (K2) and adapted to control said charger (K3C). The control unit keeps the battery charged as long as it is not being called on to discharge and interrupts battery charging and sets the discharge switch (K2) to the closed position when a call for power is detected from the application, the component ensuring continuity of discharge (D3) allowing passage of a discharge current during a transitional phase of closing of the discharge switch (K2).

Abstract: System and method for estimating a time to recharge a rechargeable power source of an implantable medical device. A plurality of measured parameters relating to the implantable medical device and an external charging device are applied to a model of recharging performance and an estimate is provided to a patient, perhaps in advance of charging. Once charging has begun, updated estimates can be provided until charging is complete. Once charging is complete, the model may be updated to reflect any differences in the estimated time to complete charging and the actual time required to complete charging. The model may be based on limitations to the rate at which charge may be transferred to the rechargeable power source over a plurality of intervals.

Abstract: For laptops or other mobile devices, a battery charging arrangement wherein fast-charging and/or slow-charging is governed by something other than a fixed, immovable battery level threshold. Particularly, a variable threshold is broadly contemplated herein which may be governed by any of a very wide variety of conceivable factors, including (but by no means limited to) information relating to a user's schedule or calendar, especially as regards “free” time when a user is not using a computer. Accordingly, if there is a long uninterrupted period of computer “downtime” (i.e., when a user is not using the computer), the battery level threshold below which fast-charging takes place can be lower. By the same token, for short periods of computer downtime, this threshold can be higher. In this manner, fast-charging is reserved only for the most compelling, time-based circumstances.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a homopolar generator charger with an integral rechargeable battery. A method is provided for converting rotational kinetic energy to electrical energy for charging one or more battery cells. The method can include rotating, by a shaft, a rotor in a magnetic flux field to generate current, wherein the rotor comprises an electrically conductive portion having an inner diameter conductive connection surface and an outer diameter conductive connection surface, and wherein a voltage potential is induced between the inner and outer diameter connection surfaces upon rotation in the magnetic flux field. The method can also include selectively coupling the generated current from the rotating rotor to terminals of the one or more battery cells.

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: In a power converter, a primary winding receives an input power. In addition, multiple secondary windings transform the input power into multiple charging currents to charge a set of cells via a set of paths. The multiple secondary windings further balance the set of cells based on the charging currents. A ratio between a first turn number of a first secondary winding of the secondary windings and a second turn number of a second secondary winding of the secondary windings is determined by a nominal voltage ratio between two corresponding cells of the set of cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of adjusting a battery pack capable of reducing a difference in charge level between a plurality of secondary batteries constituting the battery pack and capable of restraining an increase in battery voltage difference between the secondary batteries of the battery pack in association with the adjustment of the charge level. A method of adjusting a battery pack includes a first adjusting process for discharging all secondary batteries of a first battery group so that charge levels of the secondary batteries of the first battery group fall within a charge level range determined based on a charge level of a secondary battery of a second battery group and further a second adjusting process for discharging all the secondary batteries of the first and second battery groups by the same electric quantity respectively.

Abstract: A battery system is split into first and second battery subsystems. When the first battery subsystem reaches a first discharge level, the first battery system is decoupled from output terminals of the battery system and the second battery subsystem is coupled to the output terminals of the battery system.

Abstract: A device for balancing a plurality of at least two batteries or cells of a multicell battery comprises a multicell battery and a battery management system with a balancing circuit. Thereby all individual battery cells are connected to the battery monitoring system, wherein the battery monitoring system measures single cell voltage as well as the battery temperature and the current. The battery monitoring system is able to discern the lowest cell voltage and to discern a number of cells having a voltage higher than a determined maximum allowable voltage, which will be balanced until the charge imbalance decreases to an acceptable amount. The battery management system is active during charging and discharging of the multicell battery and the thresholds vary with the state of the battery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing system energy flow. The apparatus includes an energy storage unit to store energy to be used by a system and a power conversion unit configured to be coupled between the energy storage unit and a utility grid. The apparatus also includes a controller to selectively control the power conversion unit to transfer energy between the utility grid and the energy storage unit based at least in part on an anticipated use of the system.

Abstract: A capacitor charging apparatus includes a transformer and an output capacitor charged with current flowing through a secondary coil of the transformer, and charges the output capacitor by performing a switching control of a switching transistor provided on a path leading to a primary coil of the transformer. A switching control unit controls on and off of the switching transistor. A voltage detector monitors a voltage at a tap provided in the secondary coil of the transformer. The switching control unit regards the voltage detected by the voltage detector as an output voltage of the capacitor charging apparatus, and controls the on and off of the switching transistor.

Abstract: A system may include a switchover element configurable to source or sink power from or to an electronic device electrically coupled to the switchover element and a controller in communication with the switchover element. The controller may be configured to determine if the electronic device is healthy. When the electronic device is healthy, the controller may configure the switchover element to deliver power from the electronic device to the system and configure the switchover element to provide the power to any unhealthy electronic device electrically coupled to the system.

Abstract: A battery pack which includes a battery pack electronic control circuit adapted to control an attached power tool and/or an attached charger. The battery pack includes additional protection circuits, methodologies and devices to protect against fault conditions within the pack, as the pack is operatively attached to and providing power to the power tool, and/or as the pack is operatively attached to and being charged by the charger.

Abstract: A lighting system is provided that includes at least one lighting device, at least one connector, and a plurality of external power sources. The external power sources are adapted to be electrically connected to the lighting device by the connector. One of the external power sources is an energy storage system having a plurality of battery cells. A first charging method is utilized when a voltage potential of first and second battery cells is less than a voltage potential threshold, a second charging method is utilized when the voltage potential of the first and second battery cells is equal to or greater than the voltage potential threshold, and the first charging method is utilized to charge the first battery cell prior to charging the second battery cell when the first battery cell voltage potential is below the voltage potential threshold and greater than the second battery cell voltage potential.

Abstract: A battery charger includes a power source for supplying a primary charge current to a first battery, and a charge manager for charging a second battery. The charge manager is coupled to the power source and is configured to charge the second battery with a secondary charge current in accordance with a continuous comparison between a predefined maximum current limit and a total current drawn from the power source.

Abstract: An apparatus for balancing charge capacity of battery cell includes a voltage sensing/discharging circuit having a battery with cell group, a switching unit for selectively connecting both terminals of each battery cell to conductive lines, capacitor connected to the conductive lines, a voltage amplifying unit connected to both terminals of capacitor via a first switch, and a discharge resistance connected to both terminals of capacitor via a second switch; and a voltage balancing unit for controlling the switching unit in ON state of first switch to connect both terminals of each battery cell to the conductive lines and then sense voltage of each battery cell through the voltage amplifying unit, and controlling the switching unit in OFF state of first switch to charge voltage of balancing-requiring cell to the capacitor and then turning on the second switch to discharge charged voltage of capacitor through the discharge resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and battery including a state-of-charge indicator (SOCI) to monitor and display the amount of charge within the battery. The SOCI is capable of operating in a hibernate mode, an active mode, and/or a sleep mode. The battery may be manufactured, shipped and/or stored with the SOCI operating in a power-saving hibernate mode. The SOCI may exit the hibernate mode and begin operating in active mode if a physical key connected to the battery is removed. In addition, the SOCI may operate in a sleep mode while the battery is not being used to conserve power. Furthermore, the invention provides a method of making a battery including a SOCI to monitor and display the state of charge of the battery.

Abstract: A multi-output voltage battery module including a main body, a plurality of battery cells and a power-managing unit is provided. The battery cells are disposed within the main body and respectively provide different supply voltages for a plurality of electronic elements disposed in an electronic device. The power-managing unit is electrically connected to the battery cells for converting an external voltage into a plurality of charging voltages and further correspondingly outputting the charging voltages to charge the battery cells. The magnitude of each charging voltage is equal to that of the corresponding supply voltage.

Abstract: A bidirectional power converting device coupled between first and second power storage units includes: a coupling circuit including a first winding coupled to the first power storage unit, and a second winding coupled in series to the first winding; first and second switches coupled to the first winding; a capacitor coupled between the first and second switches; a third switch coupled between the second winding and the capacitor; and a fourth switch between the second winding and the second power storage unit. The first, second, third and fourth switches are operable so that an input voltage supplied by one of the first and second power storage units is converted into an output voltage that is to be supplied to the other one of the first and second power storage units.

Abstract: A multi battery pack system is composed of a plurality of battery packs. The master battery pack receives a total voltage from each slave battery pack and calculates a target total voltage using its total voltage and total voltages of all slave battery pack whenever a predetermined time period passes, sends the calculated target total voltage to each slave battery pack, compares the target total voltage with its total voltage, and then connects or disconnects its cell group and output terminals according to the comparison result. The slave battery packs include at least one slave battery pack, which sends its total voltage according to a request of the master battery pack, receives a target total voltage from the master battery pack, compares the target total voltage with its total voltage, and then connects or disconnects its cell group and output terminals according to the comparison result.

Abstract: A battery model unit includes an electrode reaction model unit based on the Butler_Volmer equation, an electrolyte lithium concentration distribution model unit analyzing a lithium ion concentration distribution in an electrolyte solution by a diffusion equation, an active material lithium concentration distribution model unit analyzing an ion concentration distribution in a solid state of an active material by a diffusion equation, a current/potential distribution model unit for obtaining a potential distribution according to the charge conservation law, a thermal diffusion model unit and a boundary condition setting unit.

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 battery charger includes an attachment portion capable of being connected to a plurality of battery packs; a connection unit for connecting one of the battery packs connected to the attachment portion to a charging path; a state detection unit for detecting a state of each of the battery packs; a remaining capacity detection unit; and a charging control unit. The remaining capacity detection unit detects a remaining capacity based on the state of the battery pack detected by the state detection unit after each of the battery pack is charged for a specified period of time. Further, the charging control unit assigns priorities to the battery packs such that one whose remaining capacity detected by the remaining capacity detection unit is closer to a fully charged state thereof has a higher priority, and controls the connection unit to charge the battery packs according to the assigned priorities.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage device is monitored by cyclically applying an electrical load thereto and monitoring voltage and current at transient portions of the cyclically applied electrical load.

Abstract: A method for managing power of a power source and a system is disclosed. The method includes determining (404) a power source capacity value for the power source having a plurality of cells. Further, the method includes determining (406) a cell-capacity value for each cell of the plurality of cells. Furthermore, the method includes determining (408) a duty-cycle ratio value for each cell of the plurality of cells according to the determined cell-capacity value of the cell and the power source capacity value. Moreover, the method includes drawing (410) power from each cell of the plurality of cells according to the determined duty-cycle ratio value of the cell to achieve the power source capacity value for the power source.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processor has: an input/output module configured to input/output a data signal through a data signal line; a first voltage supply module configured to supply a first differential signal pair; a second voltage supply module configured to supply a second differential signal pair; a first switching module configured to select and output, in response to a first control signal, one of the first differential signal pair supplied from the first voltage supply module and the second differential signal pair supplied from the second voltage supply module; and a second switching module configured to receive one of the first differential signal pair and the second differential signal pair output from the first switching module, and output one of the first differential signal pair and the second differential signal pair to the electronic device through the data signal line, in response to a second control signal.

Abstract: It is made possible to keep a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery in a charged state for a long period of time and minimize the degradation of the battery. A method for charging a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a cathode, an anode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, includes: a first charging step of charging the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery at a first current value which increases the voltage of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery; and a second charging step of charging the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery at a second current value which decreases the voltage of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery. These two charging steps are repeated alternately.

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 control apparatus for controlling a rotational electric machine and a driving apparatus for a vehicle that includes an AC motor that rotates wheels and is driven by a power supplied from a battery, an instant variation detecting unit provided in a motor controller that detects a instantaneous variation of a current or voltage of the battery, and a current command operating unit that changes a current command signal for current to be sent to the AC motor, such that an internal loss of the AC motor is increased, by using an internal-loss-increase-use Id·Iq table.

Abstract: A multi-battery charging system comprises a computing device having a controller configured to control a plurality of power regulators, each of the plurality of power regulators for regulating charging power to a respective battery, at least one of the power regulators disposed external to the computing device.

Abstract: A charging device has an electric accumulator (20) formed by a plurality of series-connected electric accumulator cells (E1, E2, . . . , En), one electrode of any one of the electric accumulator cells being used as a reference potential of the electric accumulator (20); at least one capacitor (C1) having one end fixed to the potential of one electrode of each of the electric accumulator cells (E1, E2, . . . , En) or fixed to the potential of the other electrode of any one of the electric accumulator cells (E1, E2, . . . , En) through a rectifying means (D11, D12); and a periodical power source (30) connected between the capacitor (C1) and the reference potential of the electric accumulator to generate repetitive signals.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery (16) from a direct-current source liable to significant fluctuations, which includes the steps of: progressively charging a storage capacitor (14) at a voltage that is higher than the nominal voltage of the battery (16), detecting a predetermined voltage threshold over the terminals of the storage capacitor (14), and discharging the storage capacitor (14) into the battery (16), the discharging being controlled by the threshold detection.

Abstract: A battery pack which includes a battery pack electronic control circuit adapted to control an attached power tool and/or an attached charger. The battery pack includes additional protection circuits, methodologies and devices to protect against fault conditions within the pack, as the pack is operatively attached to and providing power to the power tool, and/or as they pack is operatively attached to and being charged by the charger.

Abstract: A charging/discharging apparatus for simultaneously charging or discharging multiple battery blocks forming a battery pack individually or at one time is provided at low cost.

Abstract: A battery takes in a charge current value or a discharge current value from a current detection device at predetermined sampling intervals. Then, based upon the current value, a power consumption quantity representing the extent to which power has been consumed during a sampling interval is calculated and a total power consumption quantity is determined by sequentially adding the power consumption quantity corresponding to each sampling interval. Based upon the total power consumption quantity calculated at each sampling interval, a determination device determines as to whether or not the battery needs to be refreshed, and the determination results are transmitted to the camera. The camera informs the user that the battery needs to be refreshed if the determination device judges that a refresh operation is necessary. The sampling interval may be set longer when the power to the camera is in an OFF state compared to when the power to the camera is in an ON state.