Abstract: The present invention provides a battery charging system that includes: an assembled battery, in which a plurality of secondary batteries are connected in parallel using valve-regulated lead-acid batteries in which separators impregnated with electrolyte are arranged between mutually opposed plate-like positive electrodes and negative electrodes; and a plurality of charging units that are provided corresponding to the respective secondary batteries and that charge the corresponding secondary battery, respectively, wherein each of the charging units executes multistage constant-current charging in which constant-current charging is repeated a preset plurality of times for supplying current of a prescribed set current value to each corresponding secondary battery until the terminal voltage of the each corresponding secondary battery reaches a prescribed charging cutoff voltage, and also the set current value is reduced each time the constant-current charging is repeated.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a first battery and a second battery connected electrically in parallel and performing charge and discharge, and a heater generating heat. The first battery can perform charge and discharge with a current larger than that of the second battery. The second battery has an electric storage capacity larger than that of the first battery. The heater is placed at a position closer to the first battery than the second battery.

Abstract: Systems and methods to minimize signal loss and distortions with connections of audio sources and speakers are disclosed. Fiber optic cables are used instead of conventional cables. The audio signals are kept always in the analog domain, no matter if they are in optical or electric format. The strength of the audio signals can be controlled by a volume control unit. A small amplifier unit can either directly plugged to speakers are connected to the speakers via a short speaker cable. A preamplifier is no more necessary in the system.

Abstract: A circuit and a method for connecting a first electrical storage device and a second electrical storage device in parallel is disclosed. The first electrical storage device and the second electrical storage device have in each case a no-load voltage UBat1, UBat2 and an impedance R1 and R2, respectively, and have connecting terminals for charge withdrawal or charge supply. The no-load voltage UBat1 of the first storage device is greater than the no-load voltage UBat2 of the second storage device. In the case of a charge withdrawal, a charge is initially only withdrawn from the first storage device and the second storage device is connected in parallel with the first storage device when the difference of the voltage dropped across the connecting terminals of the first storage device and the no-load voltage UBat2 of the second storage device is less than a predetermined differential add-on voltage.

Abstract: Provided is a power management system capable of controlling charge and discharge of storage batteries according to power requirement of load even when handling electric power of large scale. A system controller receives load-related information data including the power requirement of load and storage battery-related information data including a state of a storage battery assembly including multiple storage batteries and creates an overall charge-discharge control instruction for the entire power management system based on the load-related information data and the storage battery-related information data. A hierarchical charge-discharge control apparatus receives the overall charge-discharge control instruction from the system controller and performs charge-discharge control of the multiple storage batteries, classified into hierarchical levels, on a hierarchical level basis.

Abstract: A circuit for connecting a first accumulator line to a second accumulator line from an accumulator is described. The accumulator is provided for charging and discharging electrical energy via the accumulator lines. Each accumulator line has a positive pole and a negative pole for charging and discharging electrical energy. The circuit has at least one first switch which is provided for disconnecting and connecting two similar poles of the two accumulator lines.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a modular battery system having at least one subsystem comprising a plurality of battery modules connected in series or parallel, wherein each subsystem preferably having a first endplate and a second endplate. The battery modules may be bound between the first and second endplates. A plurality of band members couple the first and second endplates to each other and bind the battery module between the endplates. Further, a data collection panel is in electrical communication with each of the battery modules and the data collection panel transmits status information of the modules to a master control module, which converts the electrical into a data transmission through a controller area network (CAN) bus. Status information may include module temperature, module pressure and module voltage, essentially any measurable parameter that may be conducted via an electrical signal. Depending on the needs of a given application, the battery modules may be connected in series or parallel.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery system capable of suppressing the increase in the internal resistance of a lithium ion rechargeable battery and having long life is provided. A rechargeable battery system comprising rechargeable battery modules each having a plurality of lithium ion rechargeable batteries, and a charge/discharge control means for controlling assembled batteries having the rechargeable battery modules connected in parallel, in which the charge/discharge control means controls discharge, upon discharge of the lithium ion rechargeable batteries, on every lithium ion rechargeable battery modules connected in parallel is adopted.

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: A power system for connecting a variable voltage power source, such as a power controller, with a plurality of energy storage devices, at least two of which have a different initial voltage than the output voltage of the variable voltage power source. The power system includes a controller that increases the output voltage of the variable voltage power source. When such output voltage is substantially equal to the initial voltage of a first one of the energy storage devices, the controller sends a signal that causes a switch to connect the variable voltage power source with the first one of the energy storage devices. The controller then causes the output voltage of the variable voltage power source to continue increasing. When the output voltage is substantially equal to the initial voltage of a second one of the energy storage devices, the controller sends a signal that causes a switch to connect the variable voltage power source with the second one of the energy storage devices.

Abstract: A battery pack topology wherein the battery pack has multiple battery sub-stacks electrically connected in parallel such that the capacity of each battery sub-stack may be utilized but one is reduced unequally as to the others. As a result, one battery sub-stack will reach a point of failure before the other, which causes a drastic, observable change in the output voltage of the battery pack, but provides sufficient reserve capacity to permit a user of a device, such as an AED, having the battery pack to be notified in a timely fashion of the need to replace the battery pack.

Abstract: A system for energizing an energy storage device includes an electric power source, an energy system in communication with the electric power source, and a switching time control multiplexer. The energy storage system includes at least two parallel energy storage devices. The switching time control multiplexer is configured to supply total charging current from the electric power source to the energy storage system such that each storage device is charged in an alternating manner with the total charging current being less than a total charging current required for parallel charging.

Abstract: A battery charge control device for a marine vessel is arranged to control charging of a plurality of batteries, which include a main battery arranged to supply power for operating an engine of a propulsion device, and an accessory battery which is arranged to supply power for devices other than the engine. The main battery and the accessory battery are connected in parallel to a power generator attached to the engine. The charge control device includes a switching element arranged to short-circuit the power generator, a first control unit arranged to execute first control to short-circuit the power generator by driving the switching element when a voltage of the main battery exceeds a first upper limit, in a first control period, and a second control unit arranged to execute second control to short-circuit the power generator by driving the switching element when a voltage of the accessory battery exceeds a second upper limit, in a second control period which is longer than the first control period.

Abstract: In a storage system provided with a plurality of storage modules, the rated power consumption can be reduced. The storage system is provided with a charge control unit. The charge control unit stops, when detecting that a predetermined number of a plurality of battery modules are during battery charging, the battery charging in the remaining battery modules.

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 lithium oxyhalide cell electrically connected in parallel with a lithium ion cell is described. Importantly, the open circuit voltage of the freshly built primary lithium oxyhalide cell is equal to or less that the open circuit voltage of the lithium ion cell in a fully charged state. This provides a power system that combines the high capacity of the primary cell with the high pulse power of the secondary cell. This hybrid power system exhibits increased rate capability, higher capacity and improved safety in addition to elimination of voltage delay in comparison to a comparable lithium oxyhalide cell discharge alone.

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: The battery system includes a battery pack having a plurality of power sources arranged in parallel groups that are connected in series. Each parallel group includes a plurality of power sources connected in parallel. Each power source includes a battery. The system also includes electronics configured to repeatedly charge the battery pack according to a charging protocol. The charging protocol is configured such that the voltage of any one battery in the battery pack does not exceed its maximum operational voltage after failure of a battery in the battery pack.

Abstract: A voltage equalization device of a power storage device provided with battery packs in which a plurality of secondary cells are connected, power converters provided in association with the battery packs, and controllers that control the power converters, and in which the battery packs are connected in parallel via the individual power converters includes a decision portion and a voltage-adjusting portion. The decision portion obtains battery-pack information regarding the states of charge/discharge of the individual battery packs and decides, for each battery pack, whether or not to perform voltage adjustment on the basis of the battery-pack information. When the decision portion decides that the voltage adjustment is to be performed, the voltage-adjusting portion generates offset instructions for adjusting the states of charge/discharge and outputs the offset instructions to the controllers of the power converters associated with the battery packs.

Abstract: A battery module is provided. The battery module includes a battery body having a plurality of unit cells arranged in series and having a respective barrier disposed between adjacent unit cells. End plates are disposed on opposite outermost sides of the battery body. A fixing unit fixes together the end plates and the battery body by enclosing an outer circumference of an assembly of the end plates and the battery body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a discharge method for a hybrid battery pack to thereby extend its usage life. The discharge method determines which one of the battery sets installed in a hybrid battery pack should be held active to discharge electricity according to their parameters of battery state of health (SOH), wherein at least two of the battery sets are different in cell type. Accordingly, the method can optimize the discharging efficiency of the hybrid battery pack and then extend its usage life.

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: Systems and methods for simultaneously charging two or more cell strings of a hybrid battery system from a shared input current path to the battery system. An input common charging current may be limited to the smallest maximum allowable charging current value of multiple battery cell strings of a hybrid battery system, or may be provided as the greater of the maximum allowable charging currents of multiple battery cell strings of a hybrid battery system with current supplied to individual cell strings that require less than the maximum current being individually controlled so as not to exceed the maximum allowable current for each of the individual cell strings of the hybrid battery system.

Abstract: Provided is an electric energy storage device capable of improving a charging efficiency when electric power supplied with an input current having a current value repeatedly exhibiting peaks and valleys is to be storaged by using a secondary battery and an electric double-layer capacitor. The electric energy storage device includes: an electric double-layer capacitor; and a battery unit including at least one secondary battery, the battery unit being connected in parallel to the electric double-layer capacitor, in which: a ratio of an internal resistance of the electric double-layer capacitor to an internal resistance of the battery unit is determined according to parameters relating to the input current.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery module including a plurality of parallel-connected battery core sets is provided. In the present method, a constant charging current is provided for charging the battery module first. Then, the voltage of each parallel-connected battery core set in the battery module is determined whether reaches a nominal voltage. If it reaches the nominal voltage, the charging current or charging voltage applied to the battery module is adjusted for charging the parallel-connected battery core set having the maximum voltage with a constant voltage. Finally, it is determined whether the electric power of the battery module is fulfilled. If not yet fulfilled, a constant voltage is continuously supplied to the battery module for charging until the electric power of the battery module is full. Accordingly, the present invention can charge the battery more quickly with taking the safety of the battery into account.

Abstract: A power source system (1) includes a fuel cell (40) and a battery (20) connected in parallel. A DC-DC converter (30) is connected to the battery (20) side. A maximum output ratio of the fuel cell (40) and the battery (20) is set in a range in which the output of the fuel cell falls within 65 to 80% of the total output. Accordingly, electric power loss due to the DC-DC converter (30) is controlled, whereby a high energy efficiency can be achieved.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an apparatus that includes a battery system, which includes at least one cell and a charge enable device to couple the at least one cell to a charging voltage. The apparatus also includes an excessive voltage detector to output a signal to control the charge enable device. The signal prevents charging of the at least one cell if an excessive charging voltage is detected based on an activation of a clamping component.

Abstract: Provided is a multiple series/multiple parallel battery pack which is capable of operating at a proper timing, and which, even if lead wires for voltage measurement extending from secondary batteries are short-circuited, gives no damage to the secondary batteries or lead wires. Thus, the multiple series/multiple parallel battery pack according to the present invention comprises a plurality of units which are connected in series and a control circuit for performing control by means of a charge stop signal and a discharge stop signal output from each of the units.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a modular battery system having at least one subsystem comprising a plurality of battery modules connected in series or parallel, wherein each subsystem preferably having a first endplate and a second endplate. The battery modules may be bound between the first and second endplates. A plurality of band members couple the first and second endplates to each other and bind the battery module between the endplates. Further, a data collection panel is in electrical communication with each of the battery modules and the data collection panel transmits status information of the modules to a master control module, which converts the electrical into a data transmission through a controller area network (CAN) bus. Status information may include module temperature, module pressure and module voltage, essentially any measurable parameter that may be conducted via an electrical signal. Depending on the needs of a given application, the battery modules may be connected in series or parallel.

Abstract: A method to detect component removal while operating in a battery backup mode, comprising providing power from a battery backup unit (BBU) to a control card memory device, and measuring the current drawn by the control card memory device. If the current drawn by the control card memory device is less than or equals a pre-determined disconnect current, the method determines if a BBU release pin has been asserted. If the BBU release pin has been asserted, the method encodes in an event log a battery backup removal event. If the BBU release pin has not been asserted, the method encodes in the event log a control card removal event.

Abstract: A system and method interconnects battery packs using a flexible bus bar to prevent vibration from breaking or damaging the connections therebetween.

Abstract: There is provided a power supply capable of reducing switching elements. In a power supply, an AC/DC adapter 121 supplies electric power to a load 125 and a battery charger 122. The battery charger comprises a high side FET 102 and a low side FET 103 which operate according to a synchronous rectification method, and charges batteries 108 and 109. When a commercial power supply fails, a power outage detection circuit provided in the battery charger detects the power outage, and outputs a power outage signal. The battery charger which has received the power outage signal sets the high side FET to be ON KEEP. A discharge current from the battery flows via a discharge path 119. This enables a reduction in the number of FETs in comparison with other power supplies.

Abstract: A multi-battery system comprises a circuit having a circuit positive terminal and a circuit negative terminal. At least two batteries are provided to combine to deliver required system power. The batteries are connected to a protection circuit, an energy storage device, a system output voltage sensor and a logic gate. The protection circuit generates a protection signal and the voltage sensor generates an enabling signal that are fed into the logic gate as true signals to generate a true control signal. The true control signal causes the energy storage device to discharge. The digital enabling signal for each of the circuits is time-shifted by a time “t” so that at any time one of the circuits is discharging and one of the at least two circuits is charging during said time “t”.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device arrangement for feeding power to a wrist device, such as for example a mobile phone, a GPS device, heart rate monitor or the like. With the help of different embodiments of the invention also wrist devices with relatively high power consumption can be implemented, which devices nevertheless have small external dimensions and are light weighted. Method and device according to the invention for connecting the battery cells to each other enable a more flexible and advantageous structure of the wrist band both on the point of view of usability and manufacture. A varying number of battery cells can be connected and they can vary in size according to needs. Small number of conductors enables a moving and reliable contact surface between battery cells. Depending on the application, two or three contacts are needed, depending on whether the charging voltage is lead to the battery cells separately.

Abstract: To provide additional charge storage for an electric vehicle, an additional battery (100) is connected in parallel with a regenerative braking direct charged battery (22) through a current limiting or clamping circuit (104 or 120). The additional battery (100) is charged by an external charger such as a plug-in charger or a solar panel that supply minimal current to prevent generation of battery heat. Current flows from the additional battery (100) to the regenerative braking charged batteries (22) so that both batteries can be charged. However, when excessive charge is drawn to drive the vehicle electric motor (20), the current limiting or clamping circuit (104 or 120) serves to prevent the discharge of additional battery (100) from creating excessive heat in the additional battery (100).

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a power source, and which includes a power source unit including a plurality of power cells connected in parallel, a balancing unit coupled to the plurality of power cells of the power source unit, and a controller configured to control the balancing unit to balance operational characteristics of the plurality of power cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery charging system that includes: an assembled battery, in which a plurality of secondary batteries are connected in parallel using valve-regulated lead-acid batteries in which separators impregnated with electrolyte are arranged between mutually opposed plate-like positive electrodes and negative electrodes; and a plurality of charging units that are provided corresponding to the respective secondary batteries and that charge the corresponding secondary battery, respectively, wherein each of the charging units executes multistage constant-current charging in which constant-current charging is repeated a preset plurality of times for supplying current of a prescribed set current value to each corresponding secondary battery until the terminal voltage of the each corresponding secondary battery reaches a prescribed charging cutoff voltage, and also the set current value is reduced each time the constant-current charging is repeated.

Abstract: Rechargeable batteries are used as a power supply in the most varied electrical devices. Parallel to this, connections with other energy sources are frequently available, at least for part of the time, in order to charge the rechargeable batteries during this time. Particularly efficient lithium ion batteries have the problem that short charging/discharging cycles cause them to age just as much as long cycles, during which the user can derive greater benefit from them. It is the task of the invention to ensure particularly effective use of rechargeable batteries during charging/discharging cycles of the most varied duration. This is achieved in that the rechargeable battery is divided into cells, of which only one is charged, in each instance, and the others stand ready to provide energy. If the network voltage stops, charging of the cell just being charged is completed from the other cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a modular battery system having at least one subsystem comprising a plurality of battery modules connected in series or parallel, wherein each subsystem preferably having a first endplate and a second endplate. The battery modules may be bound between the first and second endplates. A plurality of band members couple the first and second endplates to each other and bind the battery module between the endplates. Further, a data collection panel is in electrical communication with each of the battery modules and the data collection panel transmits status information of the modules to a master control module, which converts the electrical into a data transmission through a controller area network (CAN) bus. Status information may include module temperature, module pressure and module voltage, essentially any measurable parameter that may be conducted via an electrical signal. Depending on the needs of a given application, the battery modules may be connected in series or parallel.

Abstract: A method of controlling a multiple battery system in a vehicle electrical system is provided. The method steps include polling an at least one sensor in the multiple battery system monitoring the multiple battery system for an at least one reading and detecting an abnormal reading from said at least one sensor. And then communicating the results of said detection step to an operator or a Network Operations Center switching, upon a command from the operator, the Network Operations Center or a controller switching an at least one switch from a first of an at least two operating positions engaging a main battery to a second of an at least two operating positions engaging an at least one auxiliary battery. The system then confirms the operation of the vehicle electrical system and engages either the main battery or the auxiliary battery, but not both, to operate the vehicle electrical system.

Abstract: A remotely controllable multiple battery system for reliably supplying electrical energy to an electrical system, the remotely controllable multiple battery system receiving control signals from a remote control device, the remotely controllable multiple battery system having a remotely controlled controller. An at least one sensor that senses the condition of a main battery and an at least one controlled switching device coupled remotely to the controller and responding to a signal from the remote control device to the controller thereby switching from the main battery to an at least one auxiliary battery.

Abstract: When detecting an abnormality in some storage batteries, the hybrid vehicle control system separates the faulty storage batteries and leads the sound storage batteries to a high SOC.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery, battery set or battery pack having a circuit or a plurality of circuits for providing self-discharging thereof electrically connected in parallel are used to form rechargeable battery assemblies and electric power supply systems for use in electric and hybrid vehicles and the like.

Abstract: A battery cell assembly includes a plurality of battery cells. Each battery cell comprises a first end that is positively charged and a second end that is negatively charged. One or more flexible conductors are adapted to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells. A plurality of bands secures the one or more flexible conductors to the plurality of battery cells. The flexible conductors are configured to withstand a current on the order of 300 amps and a minimum temperature of 170° F.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage system for maximizing the utilization of renewable energy. In the system an inverter connected to at least one battery module is integrated with a grid power source and home or office electrical devices. Additionally, a renewable energy source can be included in the system. A controller is used to control the components for reducing demands on the grid power source during peak demand periods and for maximizing the utilization of the renewable energy source connected to the system.

Abstract: A system for energizing an energy storage device includes an electric power source, an energy system in communication with the electric power source, and a switching time control multiplexer. The energy storage system includes at least two parallel energy storage devices. The switching time control multiplexer is configured to supply total charging current from the electric power source to the energy storage system such that each storage device is charged in an alternating manner with the total charging current being less than a total charging current required for parallel charging.

Abstract: An electronic device which is capable of performing high-accuracy remaining battery capacity management. The electronic device has a plurality of battery pack compartments assigned specific addresses, respectively. A remaining capacity-detecting unit detects the remaining battery capacity of a battery pack mounted in a battery pack compartment. A control microcomputer receives information indicative of a remaining battery capacity sent from a battery pack accommodated in one of the battery pack compartments and address information on the battery pack compartment, and sends correction information concerning the remaining battery capacity to the battery pack.

Abstract: A battery cell converter (BCC) unit including one or more energy-storing battery cells coupled to one or more DC/DC converters is disclosed. A management unit can monitor and control the charging and discharging of each battery cells; including monitoring of voltages & State-of-Charge of each cell as well as controlling the switching of the DC/DC converters. The combined power and cell switching algorithms optimizes the charging and discharging process of the battery cells. A compound battery cell converter system comprising a series stack of BCCs to achieve high effective converter output voltage is also disclosed. The new proposed Battery Cell Converter architecture will enable improvements in battery pack usage efficiencies, will increase battery pack useable time per charge, will extend battery pack life-time and will lower battery pack manufacturing cost.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery pack including a module assembly consisting of two or more unit modules having different outputs and capacities, a detection unit for detecting the current and/or the voltage of the battery pack and transmitting the detected current signal and/or the detected voltage signal to a control unit, the control unit for selecting an optimal unit module from the module assembly based on the current signal and/or the voltage signal received from the detection unit, and a switching unit for electrically connecting a specific unit module of the module assembly to an external input and output terminal under the control of the control unit. In the battery pack according to the present invention, an appropriate unit module is selected and operated depending upon the operating conditions of a device in which the battery pack is mounted, whereby the operating efficiency of the battery pack is improved.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery, battery set or battery pack having a circuit or a plurality of circuits for providing self-discharging thereof electrically connected in parallel are used to form rechargeable battery assemblies and electric power supply systems for use in electric and hybrid vehicles and the like.