Abstract: This provides a power supply apparatus, which detects a battery deterioration without any drop in an output to a load side, at a time of a voltage drop in a usual power supply or a service interruption of a commercial alternating power supply. The power supply apparatus according to the present invention is the power supply apparatus connected to a load circuit 2, and it is provided with: a battery charge controller 52 that is connected to a battery 28 and charges the battery 28 at a first voltage; and a voltage controller 51 that is connected to the load circuit 2 and generates a second voltage and controls the second voltage so as to make a voltage supplied to the load circuit 2 constant. An electric power is supplied to the load circuit 2 from at least one of the battery 28, the battery charge controller 52 and the voltage controller 51. Moreover, it includes a diagnosing circuit 18 for diagnosing the deterioration of the battery 28, in accordance with a battery voltage.

Abstract: A power system comprising: a primary power source in electrical communication with a bridging power source, wherein the bridging power source is in electrical communication with a bus; a secondary power source in electrical communication with the bus, wherein the secondary power source comprises an electrochemical system including a fuel cell. The system further includes: a controller electrically disposed between and in operable communication with the bus and the bridging power source, and electrically disposed between and in communication with the bus and the secondary power source. The controller monitors the primary power source, initiates powering by the bridge power source when the primary power source exhibits selected characteristics, initiates the secondary power source when the bridging power source is depleted exceeding a first selected threshold, and initiates interruption of powering by the secondary power source.

Abstract: A method for producing a nickel metal-hydride storage battery includes: (i) assembling a battery by enclosing the positive electrodes, the negative electrodes, separators, and an electrolyte in a case; (ii) charging the battery with electric current in a range of 0.05 C (ampere) to 0.2 C (ampere) until a state of charge rises to a range of 10% to 30%; (iii) overcharging the battery that has been subjected to the charging, with electric current in a range of 0.2 C (ampere) to 1 C (ampere), and thereafter discharging the same until the state of charge lowers to 10% or below; and (iv) subjecting the battery after overcharging to a plurality of charging-discharging cycles, each charging-discharging cycle being composed of charging the battery that has been subjected to the overcharging, with electric current in a range of 0.2 C (ampere) to 5 C (ampere) until the state of charge rises to a range of 60% to 95%, and discharging the same until a battery voltage lowers to a range of 0.70 V to 1.05 V.

Abstract: A battery charger, a method for charging a battery, and a software program for operating the battery charger. The battery charger is capable of charging different types of batteries and capable of operating on alternate sources of AC power or alternate sources of DC power. Also, the battery charging circuit will not operate if one of the power source, the battery, the power switch means and the control means (including the microcontroller) malfunctions. In addition, in the battery charging circuit, the battery under charge enables the operation of the battery charging circuit.

Abstract: A power charging device is provided in which different power sources 12 are used, and if the generating capacity of each of the power sources varies without correlation, the voltage thereof is constantly controlled to be a voltage determined by a charging unit 48, whereby the charging unit 48 can receive uniform voltages. Also, the uniform voltage value is determined based on the difference between the present charging state and the full-charge. Accordingly, charging with an overcurrent and charging beyond capacity can be prevented, thus realizing steady charging.

Abstract: A method of detecting the type of a battery pack in a mobile electronic device is provided, which detects the type of a battery pack connected in a mobile electronic device even if no dedicated terminals are provided to a battery pack. (a) A first battery pack connectable to the body is provided. (b) A second battery pack connectable to the body and different in characteristic from the first pack is provided. Each of the first and second packs has a battery cell, first and second terminals respectively connected to high- and low-potential side terminals of the cell, a third terminal, and a temperature detection element connected across the first and second terminals. (c) The body is provided with fourth, fifth, and sixth terminals connectable respectively to the first, second, and third terminals of the first or second battery pack. The body has a resistive voltage divider circuit connected among the fourth, fifth, and sixth terminals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided that blocks reverse currents. A PMOS device prevents reverse currents from draining the battery. The PMOS device is activated when a light load is detected on the cell. The light load detected may occur when the device is connected to the charger but the charger remains disconnected from a power source. A sense circuit is used to determine the voltage across a switch circuit. The reverse blocking function is activated when the cell voltage is a few millivolts above the charging signal. The reverse blocking function apparatus removes an external component from a conventional charger and integrates the function of the component onto the battery charging IC. The apparatus uses a lower compliance “on” voltage as compared to a conventional battery charger circuit that is intended to block reverse currents. The reverse blocking function apparatus integrated onto the battery charging IC requires less operating headroom as compared to a Schottky diode.

Abstract: A battery charge control circuit, a battery charging device, and a battery charge control method for controlling the charging of a battery are provided. A power source supplies a current to a load, and a battery also supplies a current to the load. If the current supply capacity of the power source is restricted when the power source charges the battery, the charging of the battery is not stopped. Thus, a wrong operation can be avoided, and more reliable battery charging can be performed.

Abstract: A tradesworker's radio has a weather and impact resistant features to enable a tradesworker to use the radio under adverse working conditions, such as construction or other work sites. Louvered grills covering moisture resistant loudspeakers are angled downward to protect the speakers from direct splash in case the radio is left outdoors in a heavy downpour. A layer of felt-like material is interspersed between the louvered grills and the loudspeaker cones to offer improved moisture resistance. A non-telescoping antenna of the rubber covered spring type material folds neatly into recess when not in use. The controls include waterproof pushbuttons for on/off, volume adjustment, a weather channel, AM/FM selection and tuning. Elastomeric blocks are bonded to the interior of the housing and the blocks have bonded threaded studs, which are used to shock mount the radio circuit board to the inside of the housing. This circuit board is treated with a conformal coating to improve its moisture resistance.

Abstract: A method in charging a battery powered device (10) having a built-in charge control circuit (13) controlled by the device, and an apparatus for working the method, including said device. The device including the battery (11) is connected to a battery charger (17), and initially when the battery voltage is too low to initiate normal charging of the battery over the charge control circuit, the battery is connected to the battery charger via a current generator (25) which is switched off when the battery voltage has increased to a level which is high enough to support normal charging of the battery over the charge control circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling battery charging current selectively receive electrical power from either a first external power source or a second external power source and outputs part of the power source to a charger for charging a battery. A reference value supplying apparatus gives a first reference value equivalent to the output current capability of the first external power source when a charging-current controller is connected to the first external power source and gives a second reference value equivalent to the current capability of the second external power source when the charging-current controller is connected to the second external power source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a mobile battery charging arrangement (100, 104, 114) utilizes a controllable power switch (306) to selectively switch power from a vehicular power source (114), such as a vehicle battery, to a battery charging circuit (101) to provide a charge to a rechargeable portable battery (104) for a portable battery operated device such as a portable communication radio (106). A battery present detector (102) controls the controllable power switch (306) to switch in the power from the vehicular battery power source (114) to the battery charging circuit (101) only while the rechargeable portable battery (104) is electrically coupled to the battery charging circuit (101) for receiving a charge therefrom.

Abstract: A battery charging system for charging a battery of an electric vehicle that is coupled to a charge probe by way of a diode bridge and a fourth element capacitor. The system includes a voltage source and a plurality of battery chargers connected in parallel across the voltage source that each includes a series tank circuit and an isolation transformer. The charge probe is coupled to the isolation transformers of the parallel plurality of battery chargers. A distributed fourth element capacitor is coupled across the isolation transformers of each of the parallel plurality of battery chargers.

Abstract: An energy management system for optimizing low power and short term high power states of a power supply system. A significant feature of the present invention relates to a design of a power supply apparatus based on internal resistances of the power supply components. In an exemplary embodiment, the power supply supplies power for driving a load. The power supply includes a power source having a first internal resistance and includes a capacitor connected in parallel with the power supply and having a second internal resistance. The first internal resistance and the second internal resistance have a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery powered computer system which comprises a switch circuit and a battery charging circuit. In the switch circuit, a field-effect transistor (FET) is provided which is connected in parallel with a diode for preventing a current back flow from a battery to an alternating current (AC) adaptor. When the alternating current adaptor is supplying power, the field-effect transistor is turned on so that most of a current from the alternating current adaptor is delivered to a power supply line through the transistor instead of the diode. Similarly, in the battery charging circuit, a field-effect transistor is implemented which is connected in parallel with a diode for preventing a current back flow from the battery to the alternating current adaptor. When the battery is charged, the field-effect transistor is turned on so that most of a charging current is transferred to the battery through the transistor instead of the diode.

Abstract: A power-source-switching device automatically capable of directing power from a battery or an external power source to an all-time circuit. When the external power source is connected, a switching circuit directs the external power source to the all-time circuit. On the other hand, when the external power source is disconnected, the switching circuit is able to direct power from the battery to the all-time circuit. Since the conventional diode connection is replaced by a switching circuit, a voltage drop across the diode due to forward bias is avoided. Consequently, the battery can work at a lower voltage level, thereby extending the working life of a battery.

Abstract: A data server having a plurality of hot replaceable processing unit modules. Each module includes a motherboard having plugged therein: a CPU; a main memory; an I/O adapter card, and an interconnect printed board, electrically connected to the motherboard. A backplane has a first connector adapted for coupling to a DC power supply. The interconnect printed circuit board has a DC to DC converter connected to a second connector adapted to mate with the first connector to enable the processing unit module to be hot plugged into, or removed from, the backplane. The backplane has formed thereon a strip transmission line adapted to provide an Ethernet bus for interconnecting a plurality of the modules. A cable management system for a cabinet used to house the module includes at least one vertically extending channel disposed in the cabinet and a fastener adapted to open and enable the a cable to be inserted into the channel and close to retain such cable within the channel.

Abstract: A flexible circuit board includes a plurality of discrete circuits for use with different types of rechargeable battery packs. Conductive traces formed on the circuit board include gaps which cause certain portions of the circuitry to be disconnected from the circuit rendering that portion of the circuit inactive. The process of bridging the gaps by attaching one or more components over the gaps causes the corresponding inactive portion of the circuit to be activated. By selectively activating certain portions of the circuit, a desired result is obtained.

Abstract: A system is provided to effectively use the electric charge of a capacitor provided for an inverter in an electric vehicle when the capacitor discharges and to decrease the time required for discharge. An inverter for converting the DC electric power of a main battery into AC electric power to drive a traveling motor is provided with a smoothing capacitor to be charged through a precharge contactor. A DC/DC converter is used to charge a sub-battery using the electric power from the main battery when an electric vehicle runs. When the capacitor discharges, the electric charge of the capacitor is used to charge the sub-battery through the DC/DC converter. Because no discharge circuit is used when the capacitor discharges, it is possible to complete discharge in a short time and without the generation of heat by the discharge circuit.

Abstract: A battery monitor and cycle status indicator is disclosed. The battery monitor includes a voltage sensor capable of sensing the voltage between two nodes, for example, the positive and negative terminals of a battery. The voltage sensor is connected to an analog-to-digital converter which converts the analog voltage level sensed by the voltage sensor to a digital form. In turn, the analog-to-digital converter is coupled to a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines battery state-of-charge and historical values that relate to battery condition based upon the voltage levels provided by the analog-to-digital converter. The microprocessor is also coupled to a memory which stores battery history values computed by the microprocessor and program instructions for operation of the microprocessor. The battery monitor also includes a display that is capable of displaying battery state-of-charge and the historical values determined by the microprocessor.

Abstract: In a case where an AC power is supplied from an AC power source to an AC circuit unit, the AC circuit unit and an DC circuit are connected to each other, a DC power is supplied from the AC circuit unit to the DC circuit unit, the DC power is converted to a required working voltage, and on the other hand, in a case where a DC power is supplied from a DC power source to the DC circuit unit, the DC power is converted to a required working voltage, and the DC power obtained as described above is used as a charging power for charging the secondary battery.

Abstract: A charging apparatus for charging a rechargeable battery, such as a Lithium-ion type battery. The charging apparatus is provided with a first current stabilized unit and a second current stabilized unit for stabilizing two different levels of electric current. The first current stabilized unit provides a relatively large electric current for charging the battery package. The second current stabilized unit provides a relatively small electric current for charging the battery package. A switching unit is provided for switching a connection of the first and second current stabilized units to provide current to the rechargeable battery. A detection unit is provided for detecting an electric voltage at terminals of the rechargeable battery. The detection unit controls the switching unit so as to switch connection of the first and second current stabilized units to provide current to the rechargeable battery based on the detected voltage.

Abstract: A dual power battery charger for charging a rechargeable battery having power input terminals.

Abstract: A drive assembly for an electric vehicle comprises a D.C. electric motor and an integrated charger controller for controlling the D.C. electric motor in a drive mode of operation and for charging a battery in a charge mode of operation. The integrated charger/controller includes a power module, (ii) a step-down module, and (iii) a control circuit. During the charge mode of operation, the input of the power module is connected to an electric power source and the power module provides a D.C. current output. Selected switches of the control circuit connect the output of the power module to the input of a step-down module, and connect the output of the step-down module to the terminals of the battery to charge it during the drive mode of operation, selected switches of the control circuit connect the terminals of the battery to the input of the power module, and connect the output of the power module to the D.C. motor to control the D.C. motor.