Abstract: Embodiments of an electronic circuit for monitoring a battery stack enable cell balancing while conserving pin-count of the circuit package. The illustrative electronic circuit comprises a battery monitoring integrated circuit configured for monitoring a plurality of cells in the battery stack. The battery monitoring integrated circuit is arranged to share a common node pin between two adjacent battery cells in the battery stack for the purpose of cell balancing.

Abstract: A semiconductor circuit is provided including a comparator section that compares discharge sections, each including a first signal line connected to a high potential side of each of a plurality of battery cells that are connected in series, a second signal line connected to a low potential side of each of the plurality of battery cells, a resistance element provided between the first signal line and the second signal line, and a discharge switching element connected in series to the resistance element, wherein the comparator section compares a threshold voltage, set according to a potential difference between a potential of the first signal line and a potential of the second signal line, with a voltage according to a potential between the resistance element and the discharge switching element.

Abstract: A system for balancing a plurality of battery pack system modules connected in series may include in each battery pack system module a controller configured to detect that the first system module has reached a first state of charge; activate the first charge switch to physically disconnect and to prevent further charging of the first system module after detecting the first state of charge; discharge the plurality of cells after activating the first charge switch to balance the first system module with a second system module coupled to the first system module; de-activate the first charge switch after discharging the plurality of battery cells; and charge the plurality of cells after de-activating the first charge switch.

Abstract: A battery pack features a housing with a battery cell positioned within the housing. A pair of terminals attached to the battery cell and are adapted to provide power to a cap lamp and/or other device(s). Charging circuitry is positioned within the housing and attached to the battery cell. The charging circuitry provides a charging current to the battery cell when the battery pack is connected to a charger. A microprocessor is positioned within the housing and operatively connected to the charging circuitry.

Abstract: A mobile energy storage apparatus comprised of: a. at least one variable energy control device which converts DC to DC, AC to DC and DC to AC and b. at least one energy storage device (such as a battery) and c. a means to adjust said at least one variable energy control device to various electrical output powers and d. a means to connect said mobile energy storage apparatus to an EV (electric vehicle) or other device electrically and mechanically to enable transferring energy even when in motion and e. optionally a means for attaching various covers to said mobile energy storage apparatus to suit various applications. The mobile energy storage apparatus allows the transfer of energy to or from: an EV, a building or any other electrical facility or device and can be configured with built-in or attached to various power sources.

Abstract: A drive control device that is capable of ensuring user convenience. The drive control device (100) is a device that controls the drive of an electronic device driven by means of the power of a battery, and comprises a battery information management section (280) and a battery state assessment section (300). Said battery information management section (280) manages the remaining power of a rechargeable battery, replaceable battery or other type of reserve battery for the electronic device, and/or whether a reserve battery exists. On the basis of the remaining power of the reserve battery and/or whether a reserve battery exists, said battery state assessment section (300) determines whether to drive the electronic device in a power-saving mode when the remaining power of a battery mounted in the electronic device has decreased to no more than a preset battery capacity.

Abstract: A safety guardian operable to facilitate notifying an Electronic Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) system whether a vehicle charging system is ready to accept energy. The safety guardian may be configured to facilitate control of a vehicle interface used to provide a reference voltage to the EVSE reflective of whether the charging system is ready to accept energy. The guardian may control the vehicle interface in the absence of a suitable control signal from the vehicle charging system in order to ensure the EVSE is notified when the vehicle charging system is not ready to accept energy.

Abstract: A control system includes a background unit, a control module, a power supply module, and a battery. The background unit includes a procedure subunit, an operation subunit, and a transceiving subunit. The control module includes an information read-write unit and a processing unit. The processing unit includes a detecting subunit, a control subunit, and a switch subunit. The transceiving subunit sends an operating request to the detecting subunit. The detecting subunit detects a dump energy value of the battery and determines whether the dump energy value is less than a predetermined charge level value. When the dump energy value is greater than the predetermined charge level value, the switch subunit is switched on, and the information read-write unit sends powering information to the transceiving subunit, and the operating subunit operates the procedure subunit. The disclosure further offers a control method.

Abstract: A power reserve apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the power reserve apparatus comprises a first module including a first set of battery cells and a first inter-cell balance adjustment unit configured to use passive balancing to reduce voltage variance among the first set of battery cells. The power reserve apparatus also comprises a second module including a second set of battery cells and a second inter-cell balance adjustment unit configured to use passive balancing to reduce voltage variance among the second set of battery cells. The power reserve apparatus further comprises an inter-module balance adjustment unit configured to use active balancing to reduce voltage variance among the first and second modules.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method for monitoring a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a plurality of modules and a pack controller, and each module includes a corresponding module controller. For each module, the method includes measuring a module current and measuring a module voltage. The measured module current and the measured module voltage are compared to state of health (SOH) data in at least one dynamic look-up table. A state of charge for the module is determined based on the comparison of the measured module current and the measured module voltage to the SOH data in the dynamic look-up table. For a particular embodiment, the dynamic look-up table is initially configured based on a type of battery chemistry for the battery pack, and after each charge cycle for the module, the dynamic look-up table is updated based on empirical data for the module.

Abstract: A device for controlling communication with a vehicle, which is embedded inside an electric vehicle, collects battery information with respect to a battery of the electric vehicle, and receives power policy information from a power supply facility. The device for controlling communication decides available options for charging the battery of the electric vehicle on the basis of the battery information and the power policy information. The device for controlling communication controls the charging of the battery of the electric vehicle according to the available options.

Abstract: A discharging apparatus for an electric vehicle and an electric vehicle are provided. The discharging apparatus comprises: an AC charging interface, connected with a charging pile and configured to transmit an AC to a power grid via the charging pile; an instrument, configured to send a discharging preparation instruction; a controller, configured to detect whether the AC charging interface is connected with the charging pile after receiving the discharging preparation instruction, and to detect whether there is a PWM wave with a predetermined voltage in the controller, and if there is a PWM wave with a predetermined voltage in the controller, to switch to an external discharging mode; a battery manager, configured to control an external discharging circuit in a high-voltage distribution box of the electric vehicle to be connected after the controller switches to the external discharging mode; a power battery, connected with the high-voltage distribution box.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for identifying an amount of time associated with a user based activity with respect to a battery powered device, and determining a battery drain rate of the battery powered device. An indicator of whether the user based activity can be completed in the amount of time may be generated based on the battery drain rate.

Abstract: A battery management method and apparatus. In one embodiment of the method, a source current is divided into Ic and Icr. Ic is transmitted to and charges a battery. A first voltage is generated that is related to Icr. The first voltage is converted into a first digital signal. A processing unit receives and processes the first digital signal in accordance with instructions stored in a memory. The transmission of Ic to the battery is interrupted in response to the processing unit processing the first digital signal. Current provided by the battery is divided into Idc and Idcr. Idc is transmitted to a device. A second voltage is generated that is related to Idcr. The second voltage is converted into a second digital signal. The processing unit receives and processes the second digital signal in accordance with instructions stored in the memory. The transmission of Idc to the battery is interrupted in response to the processing unit processing the second digital signal.

Abstract: It is an object to effectively output electrical energy of a storage battery to an electrical power system serving as a whole distributed power supply system by effectively utilizing the electrical energy within a charging ratio range that does not cause overcharging or overdischarging of the storage battery. In a hybrid distributed power supply system, the target supply electrical power is set based on the electrical power generation output of the electrical power generator and the charging state of the storage battery, and the target supply electrical power is restricted within a predetermined permissible supply electrical power range when the target supply electrical power deviates from the predetermined permissible supply electrical power range.

Abstract: A discharge control apparatus includes: two or more battery packs equipped with a secondary battery; and a main control unit controlling discharge from the battery packs, in which the two or more battery packs are controlled such that at least one of the battery packs selected by the main control unit discharges, and when switching the battery packs so that only the selected battery pack discharges, the main control unit controls switching such that the battery pack after switching discharges and then the battery pack before switching stops discharge.

Abstract: A method for controlling an energy storage system. The same battery system shall support multiple services at the same time. During a planning phase, the multiple services to be provided are determined, based on the market situation and the capabilities of the energy storage system, and prioritized according to predefined criteria. During an operation phase, the power and energy status of the energy storage system is periodically monitored, and compared against the power and energy demands of the multiple services, in order to determine whether at each time instance, the multiple services can indeed be supported at the same time. In case power and/or energy limits are exceeded by the multiple services, at least one service is interrupted to allow the operation of the energy storage system to be within power/energy limits again. The interrupted service(s) is resumed when the power/energy limits are met.

Abstract: A power supply avoiding over-discharge of battery modules includes a main power supply system and a redundant power supply system. The invention uses a battery protection module to detect the status of a battery module in the redundant power supply system in normal conditions. The battery protection module includes an activation path connected to the main power supply system to receive standby power, a battery detection path connected to the battery module to receive a micro current and generate a protection activation signal when the battery module is in a charge-waiting state, and a protection activation path connected to a switch unit in the redundant power supply system to receive the protection activation signal to make the switch unit enter an OFF state.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a regulator including an output terminal; a switch connected to the output terminal of the regulator; a pull-down resistor connected to the switch; and a leak detection circuit configured to detect a leak current generated in the semiconductor integrated circuit, and turn on the switch when the leak current is detected so that the pull-down resistor is connected via the switch to the output terminal of the regulator and a voltage output from the output terminal of the regulator is pulled down by the pull-down resistor.

Abstract: A method for protecting a battery cell from high-temperature swelling, the method includes: sensing a temperature and a voltage of the battery cell; determining whether the sensed temperature of the battery cell exceeds a reference temperature; determining whether the sensed voltage of the battery cell exceeds a reference voltage, when the sensed temperature of the battery cell exceeds the reference temperature; and self-discharging the battery cell in a charge/discharge/standby mode when the sensed voltage of the battery cell exceeds the reference voltage.

Abstract: A protection monitoring circuit 101 includes a protection circuit 130 which detects at least one of overcharge, overdischarge, and overcurrent of a chargeable and dischargeable secondary battery 110 and protects the secondary battery 110 by performing an ON/OFF control of transistors M11 and M12, and a secondary battery monitoring circuit 120 which detects a state of the secondary battery 110. The protection circuit 130 supplies a power supply voltage to the secondary battery monitoring circuit 120. If overdischarge of the secondary battery is detected, the protection circuit 130 inhibits the supply of the power supply voltage to the secondary battery monitoring circuit 120 after a predetermined time has elapsed or after a control signal for inhibiting the supply of power supply voltage is received from the secondary battery monitoring circuit 120.

Abstract: A battery management system is provided for one or more batteries. The system includes a display unit, and a controller coupled to the display unit and programmed to determine when a healthcare delivery system is coupled to the one or more batteries, to control the display unit to display an initial number corresponding to a time remaining on battery (TROB) when the healthcare delivery system is coupled to the one or more batteries, to determine if the TROB is within a reserve range extending up to a reserve range maximum, the reserve range maximum being less than a maximum TROB, to change the TROB according to an operational state of the healthcare delivery system if the TROB is greater than the reserve range maximum, and to decrease the TROB without regard for the operational state of the healthcare delivery system if the TROB is less than the reserve range maximum.

Abstract: A charging device installed in a motor vehicle is connected via a connection device to an AC mains. The connection device includes a residual current circuit breaker incapable of detecting at least one residual current type, in particular a DC residual current. A communication signal is transmitted between a control unit on the side of the charging device and a control unit on the side of the connection device. A residual current detector in the charging device detects a residual current of the undetected residual current type and transmits a residual current signal indicating the residual current to the charging-device-side control unit, which then modifies and/or interrupts the communication signal based the residual current signal so as to cause the charging device to be disconnected from the AC mains.

Abstract: A battery warming circuit is a circuit installed in a vehicle provided with an inverter circuit, which is supplied with direct current electrical power from a secondary battery, and a 3-phase alternating current motor, and this circuit includes: a switch control unit, which has first and second terminals connected to control terminals of first and second switching elements, and controls turning the first and second switching elements on and off; an accumulation unit which has a third terminal connected to the other end of a specific coil, and accumulates back electromotive force generated in the specific coil by turning the second switching element on and off, with the first switching element being turned on; and a charging control unit which is provided between the positive electrode of the secondary battery and the accumulation unit, and supplies electrical power accumulated in the accumulation unit to the secondary battery.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for overriding battery discharge protection in a mobile communication device in the presence of an emergency communication. The method of overriding battery discharge protection in a mobile communication device comprises determining a measured battery voltage; determining an excess battery discharge condition, wherein further battery discharge will result in an impaired ability to recharge a battery; detecting an emergency communication state; disabling battery discharge protection in response to the emergency communication state; and continuing discharge of the battery.

Abstract: A method for protecting a thin-layer battery, including the steps of: periodically operating the battery at a forced discharge current, which is a function of temperature; and disconnecting the battery as soon as the voltage across it reaches a threshold, said threshold being greater than its critical voltage for a maximum discharge current under a maximum temperature.

Abstract: An electric storage device protection apparatus includes switches arranged between an electric device and an electric storage device and connected in parallel to each other, a rectifier component connected in series to one of the switches between a pair of common connection points of the switches, and a controller. The controller is configured to make the switch connected to the rectifier component to be in the open state when determining that a voltage of the electric storage device is within a reference range, and make the switch that is connected to the rectifier component to be in the closed state and make another one of the switches to be in the open state when determining that a voltage of the electric storage device becomes outside the reference range due to a current flowing in a reverse direction of the rectifier component.

Abstract: Battery management systems and methods related to predicting power-delivery performance are provided. In one embodiment, a method for predicting power-delivery performance for a battery includes retrieving a plurality of battery operating parameters for a selected discharge cycle, calculating an offset indicative of a difference between a modeled internal resistance of the battery and an observed internal resistance generated from a calibration discharge cycle of the battery prior to the selected discharge cycle, and outputting a battery power-delivery performance prediction based on an offset-corrected internal resistance indicative of a difference between a modeled internal resistance based on the plurality of battery operating parameters for the selected discharge cycle and the offset.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charging system is disclosed. More particularly, the system encompasses a load center having one or more electrical loads coupled thereto, electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) to charge an electric vehicle (EV), and a monitoring and limiting device (MLD) to monitor power or current usage of at least the one or more loads coupled to the load center, and adjust a charging level setting of the EVSE based upon the level of the usage. MLD apparatus and methods of charging a vehicle with electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A battery pack is disclosed. The battery pack has an analog front end which senses if a failure occurs in a microcontroller, and interrupts charging and discharging of the battery in response to the failure.

Abstract: An end-of-discharge voltage correction section subtracts, from an end-of-discharge open voltage, the product I×RO of a discharge current I of a block and an ohmic resistance RO of the block and the product ITD×RP of a discharge current ITD obtained by performing a time delay process on the discharge current and a polarization resistance RP of the block. Then, a resulting value is set as an end-of-discharge voltage VL. The ohmic resistance RO is increased as an equivalent cycle count CY increases, and is increased as a healthy parallel number NPH decreases. An increment ?CY of the equivalent cycle count CY in each charge/discharge cycle becomes greater as a discharge depth DD increases. The healthy parallel number NPH is derived by multiplying a healthy parallel number NPHR of a reference block by the ratio of a capacity CPR of the reference block to a capacity CPS of a target block.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery system for a secondary battery including a blended cathode material, and an apparatus and method for managing a secondary battery having a blended cathode material. The blended cathode material includes at least a first cathode material and a second cathode material. The first and second cathode materials have different operating voltage ranges. When the secondary battery comes to an idle state or a no-load state, the battery system detects a voltage relaxation occurring by the transfer of operating ions between the first and second cathode materials.

Abstract: A mobile terminal apparatus including a battery, a temperature detection section that detects a temperature of the battery, a voltage detection section that detects a battery voltage of the battery, a discharge section discharges the battery, an illuminance detection section that detects an illuminance on the mobile terminal apparatus, and a control section. The control section determines whether to gradually discharge the battery in accordance with the detected illuminance or to rapidly discharge the battery, and the determination is made on the basis of the temperature detected from the temperature detection section and the battery voltage detected from the voltage detection section.

Abstract: A control apparatus controlling discharge of a secondary battery such that a discharge power of the secondary battery does not exceed an upper limit value has a current sensor and a controller. The current sensor detects a current value during charge and discharge of the secondary battery. The controller calculates an evaluation value for determining a first deterioration component depending on nonuniformity of an ion concentration in an electrolyte of the secondary battery by using the detection result of the current sensor, and reduces the upper limit value when the integral value of the evaluation values exceeding a target value exceeds a threshold value. The controller estimates a second deterioration component depending on the material of the secondary battery and changes the threshold value such that deterioration due to the first deterioration component is permitted in association with the second deterioration component.

Abstract: Discharging a battery is accomplished by: applying an electrical stimulus to the battery; measuring a response to the electrical stimulus, the measured response providing an indication of discharge efficiency of the battery; determining a target frequency corresponding to a maximum discharge efficiency; and then discharging the battery with a discharge current profile comprising current pulses having a frequency component selected based on the determined target frequency.

Abstract: A battery management system for managing the voltage of a battery cell, such as a lithium ion battery, is disclosed. The battery management system comprises a semiconductor switch coupled to the battery cell, wherein the semiconductor switch is in an on condition when the voltage across the battery cell exceeds a first threshold voltage, and a microprocessor coupled to the semiconductor switch, wherein the microprocessor monitors the voltage across the battery cell when the semiconductor switch is on, and turns itself off when the when the monitored voltage is less than a second threshold voltage, thereby preventing further current drain from the battery cell.

Abstract: A battery cell unit includes a battery cell and a monitoring and actuation unit for monitoring the function state of the battery cell. A coupling unit is provided in the battery cell unit, in which coupling unit two half-bridges forming a full-bridge are arranged, which half-bridges each comprise a first power semiconductor coupled to a positive pole of the battery cell, a second power semiconductor coupled to a negative pole of the battery cell and a central connection and are connected to a respective other output terminal of the battery cell unit via the respective central connection. The battery cell is configured to operate, in the normal operating mode, the power semiconductors of the half-bridges in such a way that a battery cell voltage of the battery cell is present at the output terminals of the battery cell unit optionally with a positive or negative orientation.

Abstract: A battery cell balancing and measuring apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of terminals having a portion of the terminals grouped as terminal pairs, each terminal of the plurality of terminals operable to couple to a node in a battery stack. Each terminal pair having a capacitor and a switch coupled in parallel with each other, the capacitor and the switch coupled across respective terminal pair. The apparatus includes a plurality of resistors, each resistor of the plurality of resistors coupled to a terminal of the plurality of terminals. Each resistor of the plurality of resistors provides a discharge path for a respective battery cell coupled to a terminal pair via the switch and wherein each resistor of the plurality of resistors provides a low pass filter path for the respective battery cell via the capacitor.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a high voltage traction battery for providing propulsion energy to the vehicle. A battery control module controls the operation of the battery, and also commands cell balancing out of or between cells of the battery to maintain a relative equilibrium of charge across a plurality of the cells. The battery control module is in communication with an interactive display in the vehicle or a communication device outside of the vehicle. A user can define a time period in which the vehicle is to enter a hibernation mode. During the hibernation mode, the battery control module inhibits cell balancing in the battery. Upon expiration of the user-defined time period, the battery control module enables cell balancing.

Abstract: Circuit and method for heating a battery. The heating circuit includes a switch unit, a switching control module, a one-way semiconductor component, a damping component and a transformer. The switching control module is electrically connected with the switch unit. The battery, the damping component, a first winding of the transformer, and the switch unit are connected in a first loop with each other to constitute a battery discharging circuit. The battery, the damping component, a second winding of the transformer, and the one-way semiconductor component are connected in a second loop with each other to constitute a battery charging circuit.

Abstract: A monitoring circuit for accurately monitoring a voltage level from each of a plurality of battery cells of a battery pack includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) and a processor. The ADC is configured to accept an analog voltage signal from each of the plurality of battery cells and convert each analog voltage signal to a digital signal representative of an accurate voltage level of each battery cell. The processor receives such signals and provides a safety alert signal based on at least one of the signals. The ADC resolution may be adjustable. A balancing circuit provides a balancing signal if at least two of the digital signals indicate a voltage difference between two cells is greater than a battery cell balance threshold. An electronic device including such monitoring and balancing circuits is also provided. Various methods are also provided.

Abstract: Generally, a system and a method for controlling a battery to power a load determine a battery temperature and control current flow from the battery based on the battery temperature. If the battery temperature is less than a low temperature, load current is disabled and current is enabled through a resistive load to discharge the battery, at least until the battery temperature is about equal to or greater than the low temperature.

Abstract: Generally, a system and a method for controlling a battery to power a load disable battery discharge if a battery voltage is less than a low voltage. Disabling battery discharge inhibits current flow from the battery to the load. Battery discharge is enabled after receipt of a reserve enable signal even if the battery voltage is less than the low voltage.

Abstract: A controller 50 for estimating a maximum internal temperature of a battery pack 14 processes battery pack input/output limitations. The controller 50 estimates: a difference between a surface temperature and an internal temperature of the battery pack 14; a temperature difference that is dependent on different internal resistances of unit cells 12; a temperature difference that is dependent on contact states of a plurality of temperature sensors 32 with the battery pack 14; and a temperature difference that is dependent on different detection characteristics between the temperature sensors 32. The controller 50 further limits the input/output electric power of the battery pack 14 based on the estimated maximum internal temperature.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for discharging an energy storage of a vehicle, in particular an electrical battery of an electric vehicle, having a predetermined discharge limit threshold, in particular below a maximum capacity of said energy storage, wherein said method comprises the steps of performing a test (402) to determine whether a predetermined condition is met, and initiating (404, 405?) the discharging of said energy storage below said predetermined discharge limit threshold depending on the result of said test.

Abstract: A battery management method of an electrical device, including an internal power source and a battery management unit, includes the following steps. The battery management unit detects whether the electrical device is electrically connected with an external power source. If the electrical device is electrically connected with the external power source, the battery management unit utilizes a timer to determine whether the electrical device has been electrically connected with the external power source for a predetermined time. If the electrical device has been electrically connected with the external power source for the predetermined time, the battery management unit resets the timer and controls the internal power source to discharge fast.

Abstract: A tool battery pack can include a current detection element for detecting a discharge current or a charge current, a monitoring section for inputting a current signal of the discharge current or the charge current through the current detection element and for inputting voltage signals of each cell battery, and a control microcomputer for performing discharge control or charge control based on the signals from the monitoring section. Further, the tool battery pack is constructed such that the current signal through the current detection element is input to both the monitoring section and the control microcomputer.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to devices for discharging batteries. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a battery discharge device including a positive battery contact for forming an electrical contact with a positive battery terminal of a battery, a negative battery contact for forming an electrical contact with a negative battery terminal of the battery, and a battery discharge indicator including a resistive heating material in electrical communication with the positive battery contact and with the negative battery contact, and also including a reversible thermochromic indicator in thermal communication with the resistive heating material.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates the use of an electronic device. The electronic device may be a keyboard, a mouse, a trackpad, a remote control, a mobile phone, a wireless phone, a toy, a portable media player, a game controller, and/or a camera. During operation, the system monitors a state-of-charge of a battery used to power the electronic device. Next, the system calculates a charge threshold associated with a low-battery warning for the battery based on the monitored state-of-charge. If the state-of-charge of the battery reaches the charge threshold, the system generates the low-battery warning.

Abstract: A voltage monitoring apparatus of an assembled battery has a voltage monitoring section that monitors each voltage of the assembled battery formed by a plurality of cells, and a power supply circuit that acquires a voltage from the assembled battery to generate a power supply voltage of low voltage, and supplies the power supply voltage to a load. The assembled battery is configured by a series circuit of a first block, which includes a plurality of cells or a singular cell, and a second block, which is configured by a plurality of cells or a singular cell. The power supply circuit acquires a voltage from both ends of the second block. The voltage monitoring apparatus further has a power transmission circuit that acquires a voltage from both ends of the first block and supplies a power corresponding to the acquired voltage to at least the second block.