With Thermal Condition Detection Patents (Class 320/150)
  • Publication number: 20130162197
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material layer containing lithium iron phosphate, a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material layer containing graphite, and an electrolyte including a lithium salt and a solvent including ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. When the battery temperature of the lithium ion secondary battery or the temperature of an environment in which the lithium ion secondary battery is used is T and given temperatures are T1 and T2 (T1<T2), in the case where T<T1, constant current charge is performed until voltage reaches a given value and then constant voltage charge is performed; in the case where T1?T<T2, only constant current charge is performed; and in the case where T2?T, charge is not performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO.
  • Patent number: 8471532
    Abstract: A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a battery pack includes a housing, a cell supported by the housing, a circuit supported by a flexible circuit board. The circuit is operable to control a function of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Todd W. Johnson, Dennis J. Grzybowski, Mark A. Kubale, Jay J. Rosenbecker, Karl F. Scheucher, Gary D. Meyer, Jeffrey M. Zeiler, Kevin L. Glasgow
  • Patent number: 8472176
    Abstract: An integrated power adapter system for a portable computer may include a power adapter for providing power to the portable computer, extractable elements for connection to an external socket, and a dissipation grid for reducing the temperature of the cover screen. The power adapter system may be a slim power adapter system being removable from and integrated with the cover screen of the portable computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Cristiano Gianluca Stella, Giuseppe Consentino
  • Patent number: 8463565
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a light powered by a battery, and a circuit having: a memory for storing a battery life information and voltage output information versus time for the battery to power the light, a controller operating a count down timer to accumulate an amount of time that the battery powers the light, a voltage measure circuit for monitoring the voltage output by the battery while the battery powers the light and supply the voltage output to the controller. The controller determines: a first remaining battery life by comparing the accumulated time to the battery life, a second remaining battery life by comparing the voltage output to the voltage output information, and the lesser of the first and second remaining battery lives. The flashlight includes a display for receiving a command from the controller to display the lesser of the first remaining battery life and the second remaining battery life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Osterhout Design Group
    Inventors: Ralph Osterhout, Michael J. Keating, Antony Van der Mude
  • Patent number: 8461825
    Abstract: A current measurement apparatus includes a shunt resistor (1) located between two terminal members (5, 6), each connected electrically to a respective end (4, 3) of the shunt resistor, and each extending over substantially the whole of an adjacent side face of the shunt resistor. Electrically insulating, thermally conductive material (8, 9) is provided between each side face of the shunt resistor (1) and the terminal members (5, 6), and serves to provide a thermal path for heat exchange between the shunt resistor and the terminals. The shunt resistor (1) is engineered to have the desired electrical properties, and the terminal members are connected by mechanical fasteners (13, 14) to ensure the required electrical properties without calibration. Measuring circuitry (15) is incorporated between the shunt resistor (1) and terminal members (5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Ultra Electronics Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Stephen Andrew Biggadike
  • Patent number: 8456136
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for battery gauging in a portable terminal are provided. In the battery gauging method, it is determined in a low-power mode whether a listening interval occurs for detecting the presence of a received signal. The remaining battery capacity is detected if the listening interval occurs. An interrupt signal is transmitted to the second processor, operating in a low-power mode, if the remaining battery capacity is less than or equal to a threshold. Upon receipt of the interrupt signal, the second processor wakes up to interrupt the power of the portable terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Kyu Kim, Dong-Yoon Oh
  • Patent number: 8450982
    Abstract: A charge control circuit equipped with a function of controlling a charging current to be supplied to a secondary battery, comprises: a detecting unit for monitoring a temperature; and a charge control unit for controlling so as to break the charging current when the monitored temperature rises to a temperature equal to or more than a predetermined set temperature, decrease the charging current as the monitored temperature becomes higher when the monitored temperature is in a predetermined temperature range lower than the set temperature, flow the charging current having a predetermined current value in a state where the monitored temperature is lower than a lower limit temperature of the temperature range, or flow the charging current having a current value smaller than the current value when the monitored temperature is within a range of from an upper limit temperature of the temperature range to the set temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsuda, Junji Takeshita, Yuji Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 8450966
    Abstract: A method of charging a rechargeable battery pack installed in an electric vehicle is provided in which the charging system includes a switching circuit that is operable in at least a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode the switching circuit couples the power supply and an external power source to both a heater and the charging circuit, the heater providing a voltage divider circuit within the charging circuit. In the second mode the switching circuit couples the power supply and the external power source only to the charging circuit, bypassing the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Krauer, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Troy Adam Nergaard, Ian Craven, Arthur Joseph Hebert
  • Patent number: 8433938
    Abstract: A computer system includes a device which operates depending on a clock frequency; a battery unit which comprises a plurality of battery cells and supplies power to the device; a temperature sensor which senses temperature of the battery cells; and a controller which decreases the clock frequency if the sensed temperature is beyond a first preset critical point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-deok Cha, Jong-tae Chun
  • Publication number: 20130099757
    Abstract: A method for controlling charging in an electronic device for managing the electronic device, to stably charge a battery is provided. The method includes setting alarm such that a wake up signal is generated after a time elapses when entry into a suspend mode is requested during charging a battery or in a charging stop state, entering the suspend mode, waking-up and determining a state of the battery wake up, and turning-on or -off the battery charging according to the determined state of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myungjoo HAM
  • Patent number: 8427105
    Abstract: A system and method for equalizing a battery pack during a battery pack charging process in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The method includes receiving total capacity estimates for all battery cells in the battery pack, and receiving state-of-charge estimates for all battery cells in the battery pack. The method further includes computing an equalization metric for all battery cells in the battery pack. The method further includes determining an equalization action for all battery cells in the battery pack, and initiating that equalization action. The method further includes executing a battery pack charging step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Gregory L. Plett
  • Publication number: 20130093399
    Abstract: Method and charging device for charging a battery comprising the steps of introducing a charging current into the battery using a charging device, monitoring a cell temperature of the battery by means of a sensing device, detecting that the cell temperature has reached a given temperature range by comparing the temperature detected to a predefined cell temperature for the battery in a processing unit and instructing a control unit to successively reduce the charging current until the cell temperature reaches a predefined lower limit of the given temperature range. Thereafter, the charging current is maintained at the level at which the predefined lower cell temperature level has been reached. Alternatively, the charging device may use a predefined optimum cell temperature interval to which the current temperature of the cell battery is regulated by regulated the charging current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
    Inventor: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
  • Publication number: 20130093385
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a power pack charging circuit. While a device is connected to an electrical charging source, a determination is made that an operating condition of a device satisfies a condition for halting charging of a power pack of the device. While the operating condition of the device satisfies the condition for halting charging of the power pack, a power pack output value is determined. While the operating condition of the device satisfies the condition for halting charging of the power pack, a power pack charging circuit output characteristic is set to an output value that is determined based upon the power pack output value to preclude charging of the power pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Joseph PATINO, Roberto RODRIGUEZ
  • Patent number: 8410760
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling temperature in an electric vehicle battery pack which preserves battery pack performance and longevity while maximizing vehicle driving range. A controller prescribes a minimum allowable operating temperature in the battery pack, where the minimum operating temperature increases as battery pack state of charge and remaining useful life decrease. During vehicle driving operations, the minimum allowable temperature is computed, and a thermal management system is used to warm the battery pack only if necessary to raise its temperature above the calculated minimum level. By minimizing use of the thermal management system to warm the battery pack, energy consumption is reduced and vehicle driving range is increased, while not adversely affecting battery pack performance or durability. The same strategy is employed during charging, which reduces the amount of energy consumed from the grid for warming the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Volker Formanski, Marc Reischmann
  • Publication number: 20130076313
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery charging technique which prevents a battery from being deteriorated by controlling charging of the battery to a current rate appropriate for the current temperature environment in which the battery is currently charging at the time of charging the battery mounted in the vehicle to improve durability of the battery while at the same time allowing the battery to charge as rapidly as possible to improve the convenience of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Woo Sung Kim, Il Cho
  • Patent number: 8405363
    Abstract: A mobile electronic device having a contact module and a method of preventing a rechargeable battery from exploding using a contact module. The contact module includes a contact module body disposed inside a mobile electronic device; a plurality of contact terminals elastically fitted to the contact module body to be electrically connected to contact terminals of the rechargeable battery; and a temperature sensor module disposed on one side of the contact module to detect a temperature of the rechargeable battery. The contact module is embodied by setting contact terminals and a temperature sensor module into one unitary module, and can correctly measure the temperature of the rechargeable battery to effectively prevent the rechargeable battery from exploding when the battery is being charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Se-Yeon Lee
  • Patent number: 8395357
    Abstract: A method for managing electric quantity of a battery is disclosed. The method includes charging a battery normally with a 4.2V voltage when a temperature of the battery is lower than a first threshold temperature; charging the battery continuously when the temperature of the battery is higher than the first threshold temperature and lower than a second threshold temperature and the electric quantity of the battery is lower than a first threshold voltage. On the contrary, the battery is not charged any more when the temperature of the battery is between the first threshold temperature and the second threshold temperature and the electric quantity of the battery is higher than the first threshold voltage or a first capacity. If the temperature of the battery is higher than a second threshold temperature, the battery is not charged any more regardless of the battery voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: AUSUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Yueh-Nu Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8395355
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a charging unit receiving electric power from an external power source and externally charging a power storage unit. When a connector unit is coupled to the vehicle and a state ready for charging by the external power source is attained, a controller predicts degradation ratio of the power storage unit at the time point of completion of external charging based on degradation characteristic of the power storage unit in connection with SOC and battery temperature obtained in advance, and sets target state of charge of each power storage unit based on the battery temperatures so that the predicted degradation ratio does not exceed tolerable degradation ratio at the time point of completion of external charging. Then, the controller controls corresponding converters such that SOCs of power storage units attain the target states of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Kaita, Junta Izumi
  • Patent number: 8395358
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing the heat in an electric battery including a plurality of elements for generating electric power, the method including, when recharging said battery from an external power source, preconditioning said battery at an average temperature T0 and, when using said battery, determining the absolute value ?T2 of the difference between the temperature T0 and the average temperature T of said battery, wherein said method includes activating a heat-conditioning device of the battery when the difference ?T2 is higher than a setpoint C2, said setpoint being established on the basis of the state of charge (SOC) of said battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Kokam France SAS
    Inventors: Fabien Gaben, Alain Douarre
  • Publication number: 20130049702
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages use of a battery corresponding to a high-voltage lithium-polymer battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system monitors a cycle number of the battery during use of the battery with the portable electronic device, wherein the cycle number corresponds to a number of charge-discharge cycles of the battery. If the cycle number exceeds one or more cycle number thresholds, the system modifies a charging technique for the battery to manage swelling in the battery and use of the battery with the portable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Hongli Dai, Richard M. Mank
  • Publication number: 20130049686
    Abstract: A control circuit for indirectly limiting a load current which flows through a controllable semiconductor component. The control circuit controls the controllable semiconductor component based upon a measured and/or a calculated load-current-dependent power loss of the semiconductor component. The control circuit can also control the controllable semiconductor component based upon a measured and/or a calculated load-current-dependent component temperature of the controllable semiconductor component. A charging circuit includes a controllable semiconductor component for limiting a load current and has a control circuit in accordance with the invention. A motor vehicle includes an on-board electrical power supply system having a charging circuit in accordance with the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: MAGNA E-Car Systems GmbH & Co. OG
    Inventor: Michael ERHART
  • Patent number: 8384353
    Abstract: A battery pack which is detachably connected to a charger and charged by connecting thereto, includes a battery assembly including a plurality of secondary batteries serially connected; a pair of power terminals connected to a negative and a positive electrode of the battery assembly, respectively; a control circuit adapted to individually detect voltages across respective secondary batteries and output a charge control signal to the charger when the detected voltages exceed a predetermined value; a signal terminal adapted to output the charge control signal to the charger; and a temperature measurement element for detecting a temperature of the battery assembly. Further, the control circuit changes the predetermined value to be compared with the detected voltages based on the detected temperature of the temperature measurement element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Power Tools Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Miyazaki, Masaaki Sakaue
  • Patent number: 8384357
    Abstract: A computer system include: a system unit; a charging unit which outputs a charging current to a battery unit for supplying electric power to the system unit; and a first temperature compensating unit which selectively adjusts the level of the charging current so that the temperature of the charging unit is substantially maintained within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong-gyu Park
  • Patent number: 8368345
    Abstract: A battery charging system (15) and method for state controlled charging of a battery (12). The battery charging system comprises two parallel paths (16, 17) for supplying charging current to the battery (12) from two parallel sources of charging current, an energy source (13) and a controlled charging device (14). A control unit (18) is adapted to control the supply of charging current along the two paths in response to a detected state of the battery (12). If a state above a predetermined threshold is detected, the control unit (18) controls the supply of charging current such that the battery (12) receives charging current from the controlled charging device (14), but not directly from the energy source (13). The detected state of the battery may e.g. be a temperature state. The present invention allows for balancing the demands of high charging rate and long expected lifetime of the battery (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: CTEK Sweden AB
    Inventors: Bengt Wahlqvist, Borje Maleus
  • Publication number: 20130026998
    Abstract: A method for recharging an electric vehicle having an electric battery for powering a vehicle drive system is provided. The method includes recharging the electric vehicle during a first period at a first electrical power and recharging the electric vehicle during a second period shorter than the first period at a second electrical power higher than the first electrical power. The recharging includes delivering coolant to the electric vehicle to cool the electric battery during the second period. Other methods of recharging an electric vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. DYER, Michael L. Epstein, Duncan Culver
  • Patent number: 8350531
    Abstract: A secondary battery charge control method includes: a charge control step of executing charging by supplying a charge current to a secondary battery; a charge information acquisition step of acquiring information relating to the charging executed in the charge control step; a storage step of storing the information acquired in the charge information acquisition step as charge data; and a charge inhibition determination step of determining whether to inhibit the charging in the charge control step on the basis of the charge data of a previous cycle that have been stored in the storage step when charging in the charge control step is started again after charging in the charge control step has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naohisa Morimoto, Toshihiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 8350533
    Abstract: A controller detects the temperature of a portable electronic device as being below a battery charging threshold, and in response signals one or more of the electronic circuit components that make up the device to enter an increased power consumption state so as to generate more heat in the device for warming up the battery. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ching Yu John Tam, Parin Patel
  • Patent number: 8344696
    Abstract: A charging signal Vi responding to a charging current is inputted to one input terminal (?) of an operational amplifier 95 forming a comparator and a setting signal Vr corresponding to a setting current value is inputted to the other input terminal (+) of the operational amplifier 95. When the charging signal Vi is not higher than the setting signal Vr, a charging stop signal is generated from the output terminal of the operational amplifier 95 to interrupt a switch unit 4. A starting signal Vcc larger than the setting signal Vr applied to the other input terminal (+) is applied to the one input terminal (?) of the operational amplifier 95 through a condenser 94 till a prescribed time elapses from the start of a charging operation to generate a charging start signal from the output terminal of the operational amplifier 95 and electrically conduct the switch unit 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Koko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Aradachi, Kazuhiko Funabashi
  • Patent number: 8344697
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling temperature in an electric vehicle battery pack such that battery pack longevity is preserved, while vehicle driving range is maximized. A controller prescribes a maximum allowable temperature in the battery pack as a function of state of charge, reflecting evidence that lithium-ion battery pack temperatures can be allowed to increase as state of charge decreases, without having a detrimental effect on battery pack life. During vehicle driving, battery pack temperature is allowed to increase with decreasing state of charge, and a cooling system is only used as necessary to maintain temperature beneath the increasing maximum level. The decreased usage of the cooling system reduces energy consumption and increases vehicle driving range. During charging operations, the cooling system must remove enough heat from the battery pack to maintain temperatures below a decreasing maximum, but this has no impact on driving range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technlogy Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sebastian Lienkamp, Remy Fontaine, Marc Becker, Peter Kilian
  • Patent number: 8344698
    Abstract: Disclosed is a charging control method including: a full charging step of charging a lead storage battery until the battery is fully charged; a refresh charging step of performing refresh charging of charging the lead storage battery with a predetermined refresh charging quantity of electricity after the lead storage battery has been fully charged; and a refresh charging quantity setting step of setting the refresh charging quantity of electricity in the refresh charging step for the lead storage battery which has been fully charged at a present time, depending on a temperature of the lead storage battery throughout a deficient charging period, the deficient charging period being a period from a time when the lead storage battery has been fully charged at a previous time to a time when the lead storage battery has been fully charged at the present time in the full charging step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoya Kikuchi, Harumi Murochi, Yasuyuki Yoshihara, Kazuyuki Shimada
  • Patent number: 8342103
    Abstract: Designs for a battery-powered, all-electric locomotive and related locomotive and train configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a locomotive may be driven by a plurality of traction motors powered exclusively by a battery assembly which preferably comprises rechargeable batteries or other energy storage devices. The locomotive carries no internal combustion engine on board and receives no power during operation from any power source external to the locomotive. A battery management system monitors and equalizes the batteries to maintain a desired state of charge (SOC) and depth of discharge (DOD) for each battery. A brake system may be configured to prioritize a regenerative braking mechanism over an air braking mechanism so that substantial brake energy can be recovered to recharge the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Norfolk Southern Corporation
    Inventors: Gibson V Barbee, Gerhard A Thelen, Robert S Runyon, Derick Vander Klippe
  • Patent number: 8338012
    Abstract: Methods for managing the heat in an electric battery, including, when recharging said battery, preconditioning at an average temperature T0 and, when using said battery, determining the difference ?T1 between the temperatures of the hottest element and of the coolest element and as the absolute value ?T2 of the difference between the temperature T0 and the average temperature T of said battery. The method includes, when the difference ?T1 is lower than a first setpoint C1, deactivating the circulating device and as the heat-conditioning devices and, when the difference ?T1 is higher than a first setpoint C1 or when the difference ?T2 is higher than a second setpoint C2, activating the fluid-circulating device while keeping the heat-conditioning devices deactivated if the difference ?T2 is lower than the second setpoint C2, or while activating a heat-conditioning device if the difference ?T2 is higher than the second setpoint C2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Kokam France SAS
    Inventors: Fabien Gaben, Alain Douarre
  • Patent number: 8339107
    Abstract: A portable device is disclosed that includes a charge control circuit configured to control charging of a secondary battery included in a battery pack, the secondary battery being configured to supply power to the portable device; a temperature detection terminal at which the temperature of the secondary battery is detected from a temperature detection part of the battery pack; positive and negative power terminals to be connected to the battery pack; a control circuit configured to control the operation of the portable device; and an interface circuit connected between the temperature detection terminal and each of an input terminal of the charge control circuit and an input terminal of the control circuit, in which a signal detected at the temperature detection terminal is fed to each of the charge control circuit and the control circuit through the interface circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd., Sony Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Ikeuchi, Itsuki Nakano, Kenichi Kasai, Katsuya Suzuki, Kuniharu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8338011
    Abstract: A battery temperature control apparatus capable of controlling the temperature of a battery to reach a suitable condition is provided. Thermal capacity determining unit 61, based on the temperature of battery 1 detected by battery temperature detector 2 and a target temperature stored in storage unit 5, determines the thermal capacity necessary for setting the temperature of battery 1 to the target temperature. Temperature regulating ability determining unit 62, based on the temperature of battery 1 detected by battery temperature detector 2 and the temperature of the temperature regulating medium detected by medium temperature detector 4, determines the temperature regulating ability of fan 3. Flow rate controller 63, based on the thermal capacity determined by thermal capacity determining unit 61 and the temperature regulating ability determined by temperature regulating ability determining unit 62, controls the flow rate of the temperature regulating medium sent by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: NEC Corporation, Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunari Tezuka, Mitsunori Ishii
  • Publication number: 20120306433
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission and charging system, and a power control method of the wireless power transmission and charging system are provided. The power control method may include generating charging power using the power amplifier. The charging power may be used to charge a target device. The charging power may be transmitted to the target device. The voltage supplied to the power amplifier may be adjusted based on a detected change in the current input to the power amplifier, a detected change in the temperature of the source device, a detected change in the amount of the power received to the target device, or a detected change in the temperature of the target device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Nam Yun Kim, Sang Wook Kwon, Yun Kwon Park, Eun Seok Park, Young Tack Hong, Ki Young Kim, Young Ho Ryu, Dong Zo Kim, Jin Sung Choi, Chang Wook Yoon
  • Patent number: 8324868
    Abstract: A modular and scalable power source can be used to supplement and/or replace existing sources of power. In some embodiments, a DC source can be used to charge a battery in a host system, provide power as a back-up system, or be a primary source of power. The power source includes a set of battery units and one or more circuits that provide an alternative signal path around the battery units if the battery units are at a particular charge level. Temperature sensors are used to turn off or otherwise adjust the alternative signal paths if the temperatures of the alternative signal paths become too high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Choi, Sunny Chan, Kwun Kin
  • Patent number: 8324867
    Abstract: A protection structure includes a temperature sensing module, a processing module, and a charging control module. The temperature sensing module senses the temperature of a battery and outputs electronic signals. The processing module receives the electronic signals and outputs a first control signal group. The charging control module receives the electronic signals and the first control signal group, compares the electronic signals with a first reference range, and outputs a second control signal group according to the comparison results. When the second control signal group and the first control signal group both include a charging signal or a stop-charging signal, the executing module controls the battery to charge or stop the battery from charging according to the first control signal group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Heng Chen, Chung-Hsin Huang
  • Publication number: 20120299537
    Abstract: The disclosed device for controlling charging of a secondary battery includes a step for calculating an amount of heat generated by a secondary battery on the basis of an inter-electrode-plate voltage, internal resistance, a current value, and charging efficiency; a step for calculating an amount of allowable generated heat of the secondary battery on the basis of a temperature of the secondary battery and the cooling ability of a cooling means that cools the secondary battery; and a step for limiting the charging power of the secondary battery when the aforementioned amount of heat generated is greater than the aforementioned amount of allowable heat generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8319476
    Abstract: Provided are a battery state monitoring circuit and a battery device which can be readily adapted to variation in number of batteries, and has low withstand voltage and a simple circuit configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sakurai, Kazuaki Sano
  • Patent number: 8319479
    Abstract: A smart battery device includes an adapter, a switch electrically connected to the adapter, a battery pack electrically connected the switch, a sense resistor electrically connected to the battery pack and the adapter, an analog preprocessing circuit electrically connected to the battery pack and the sense resistor for digitizing analog signals measured at the battery pack and the sense resistor to form digital signals, and an adaptive control circuit electrically connected to the analog preprocessing circuit for receiving the digital signals, and electrically connected to the switch for selectively turning the switch on or off according to the digital signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: eMemory Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Hsing Kao, Chun-Ming Chen, Tien-Chung Tso
  • Patent number: 8315746
    Abstract: A thermal manager has a digital filter whose input is to receive raw temperature values from a sensor and whose output is to provide processed or filtered temperature values according to a filter function that correlates temperature at the sensor with temperature at another location in the device. The thermal manager has a look-up table that further correlates temperature at the sensor with temperature at the other location. The look-up table contains a list of processed temperature sensor values, and/or a list of temperatures representing the temperature at the other location, and their respective power consumption change commands. The thermal manager accesses the look-up table using selected, filtered temperature values, to identify their respective power consumption change commands. The latter are then evaluated and may be applied, to mitigate a thermal at the other location. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Cox, Andrew Bradley Just, Matthew G. Watson, Eric Albert, David Powers, Daniel Ariel West, Donald J. Novotney, Michael F. Culbert
  • Publication number: 20120286736
    Abstract: A battery module for a portable electronic device is disclosed. The battery module is connected with the portable electronic device with at least three contacts. The battery module includes a battery, a recognition circuit, and a thermal sensing circuit. The recognition circuit has an energy storage element and a current limiting element, and the thermal sensing circuit has a switch and a thermal sensing element. The thermal sensing element varies its electric parameter in accordance with the temperature of the battery module. With the charging curve of charging the energy storage element by way of the current limiting element, the portable electronic device can determine a battery type, and the thermal sensing circuit is then initiated to acquire the thermal information of the battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Lieh Shen, Chih-Chung Teng, Chung-Yi Pan
  • Patent number: 8310206
    Abstract: An apparatus includes battery gauge circuitry implemented on an integrated circuit. The battery gauge circuitry includes a plurality of switches that individually open in response to a voltage reduction on a battery cell associated with a respective one of the switches. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a logic device that determines if at least one of the switches is open. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a register that stores data that indicates if at least one switch is open. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a controller that initiates halting power delivery to a load if at least one of the switches is open. The controller also identifies the open switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: O2Micro International Limited
    Inventor: Constantin Bucur
  • Patent number: 8305043
    Abstract: In a voltage detecting apparatus, a voltage controlled oscillator, when an input voltage is applied thereto, outputs a signal with a logical value that is periodically inverted. A detector counts a number of logical inversion of the output signal from the voltage controlled oscillator over an interval between edges of pulses of a pulse signal to thereby generate, based on the counted number of logical inversion, digital data as a detected result of the input voltage. A determiner determines whether a reduction of a time required to detect the input voltage is higher in priority than an increase of a resolution of detection of the input voltage. A variably setting unit variably sets a frequency of the pulse signal based on a result of the determination of whether the reduction of the time required to detect the input voltage is higher in priority than the increase of the resolution of detection of the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Yamamoto, Hiroshi Tamura
  • Publication number: 20120274269
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, including: a rechargeable battery that includes a temperature detecting terminal from which temperature status of the rechargeable battery is obtained; a connector that supplies electric power to charge the rechargeable battery; a battery charge unit that controls the electric power and charges the rechargeable battery via the connector; a control unit that controls the battery charge unit and operation of the image processing apparatus; and a switch unit that switches a connection of the temperature detecting terminal among the battery charge unit and the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Takafumi OHKUMA
  • Publication number: 20120274286
    Abstract: A method for improving the performance of a traction battery during a driving start phase of an electric vehicle. A driving start point in time at which the driving start phase begins is provided. A temperature of the traction battery is detected. This temperature is compared with a minimum operating temperature, and the traction battery is heated if the comparison reveals that the temperature of the traction battery is below the minimum operating temperature. The heating takes place with a temperature increase which provides a temperature of the traction battery at the driving start point in time, which is no lower than the minimum operating temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Aumayer, Jan Lichtermann
  • Patent number: 8299760
    Abstract: A battery charger includes: a circuit board including terminal portions provided to be exposed to the outside from an insertion portion, in which a secondary battery is inserted, and electrically connected to the secondary battery; a power circuit portion obtaining a voltage from an external power source and supplying a charging current to the secondary battery; a temperature detection unit detecting a battery temperature of the secondary battery; a charging control switch turning on/off the charging current; and a controller controlling the power circuit portion or the charging control switch based on a voltage and a current of the power circuit portion and the battery temperature, wherein the temperature detection unit is provided in a part of the circuit board opposed to the insertion portion at a distance from electronic components constituting the power circuit portion and the controller based on a heat generation temperature of the electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsugu Sato
  • Patent number: 8289003
    Abstract: A discharge apparatus includes a discharge device having a temperature characteristic in which the impedance of the discharge device in a discharging state decreases as the ambient temperature increases, a capacitor that stores charge for causing the discharge device to discharge, a discharge control device that controls electrical connection and disconnection between the capacitor and the discharge device, and a current limiting device that limits a current flowing in the discharge control device to a predetermined value or less when the discharge control device electrically connects the capacitor to the discharge device. The current limiting device is serially connected to the discharge device, the capacitor, and the discharge control device. The current limiting device is a thermistor having a temperature characteristic in which the resistance of the thermistor increases as the temperature of the thermistor increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeki Motoyama
  • Patent number: 8287185
    Abstract: A printed circuit board supported over the top surface of a multi-cell battery module for battery cell voltage and temperature monitoring has an array of openings in alignment with selected battery cells for receiving temperature-sensing units that electrically couple with contacts formed on the printed circuit board and resiliently engage the cases of the selected battery cells. Each such temperature-sensing unit includes a printed circuit board mountable lamp socket and a lamp socket insert including a thermistor and a compressible element that maintains the thermistor in thermal proximity to the battery cell case when the temperature-sensing unit is installed in a respective printed circuit board opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy N. Pulliam, Kevin J. Hawes, Robert C. Beer
  • Patent number: RE44038
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a non-contact charging system. The non-contact charging system detects a portable terminal, a battery pack or a foreign object that is placed on the pad of a non-contact charger, and effectively monitors and controls its charging state through the detection, thus preventing such a foreign object placed on the pad from being heated by induction heating, and further causes anions to be generated during the charging of the portable terminal or the battery pack, thus sterilizing bacteria on a terminal and keeping ambient air thereof fresh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hanrim Postech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki-Young Cho