Abstract: A dummy load for automotive LED lights is revealed. The dummy load includes an automotive battery and a control module which is electrically connected both a body computer and a LED light module and provided with a LED control circuit and a charge control circuit. The charge control circuit includes a signal mixer circuit receiving signals from the body computer and discharge signals of the automotive battery, a charger integrated circuit (IC) and a feedback control circuit for battery both electrically connected to the signal mixer circuit, and a battery charging circuit electrically connected to the charger IC and transmitting charge signals to the feedback control circuit for battery and the automotive battery. Thereby a conventional dummy load resistor is replaced by the automotive battery for protecting the automotive LED light from overheating, increasing product stability and recycling a part of electricity for recharge of the automotive battery.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a battery. The apparatus may provide a fuel gauge circuit that operates in conjunction with a charger to perform a pre-charging operation of the battery in the event the battery has experienced an over-discharge. The pre-charging operation is defined by a period of time selected according to a measured state of charge and/or an internal resistance of the battery.

Abstract: A battery pack charging system includes a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells; a charging device connected to both electrodes of the battery pack to supply a charging current to the battery pack; a switch connected between the battery pack and the charging device to allow or block a flow of the charging current; and a current blocking member mechanically connected to the switch and configured to turn off the switch by causing a bending deformation when a potential difference formed between both electrodes of the battery pack is equal to or greater than a reference value.

Abstract: A method for power management of a multi-cell battery includes identifying a desired power value and voltage value, determining a battery voltage value and a battery current value for a battery, determining a number of battery banks from a plurality of battery banks to use for the battery, where each battery bank includes one or more battery cells (or battery modules), checking availability of each of the one or more battery cells (or battery modules), selecting one or more battery banks from the plurality of battery banks, where the selection of a battery bank is based on the availability of the battery cells (or battery modules) included in the battery pack, and a quantity of the selected battery banks is equal to the determined number of battery banks, and connecting the available battery cells (or battery modules) in the selected one or more battery banks to form the battery.

Abstract: A temperature correction circuit and method for maintaining a transistor of a power amplifier in a linear operating region of the transistor. The temperature correction circuit includes a first current source circuit operable to provide a first correction current proportional to an absolute temperature of a semiconductor die including the transistor. The temperature correction circuit also includes a second current source circuit operable to provide a second correction current proportional to a change in temperature of a part of the semiconductor die in which the transistor is located during operation of the transistor. The temperature correction circuit further includes a third current source circuit operable to provide a gain selection current. The temperature correction circuit also includes circuitry for producing a reference current from the first and second correction currents and the gain current.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting water flowing into a battery system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a detection circuit unit to output different voltage values based on a level of water flowing into the battery system, and a water inflow determining unit to measure a voltage value output from the detection circuit unit and to determine a water inflow state of the battery system based on the measured voltage value.

Abstract: A keyless entry device and method for powering the keyless entry system, such as a key fob, are disclosed. The keyless entry device has a charging battery, a rechargeable battery, at least one long range function button for a long range function, and at least one short range function button for a short range function. The method includes charging the rechargeable battery using the charging battery, wherein the rechargeable battery has a larger burst current delivery capacity than the charging battery. The method further includes sending a short range transmission from the keyless entry device using at least one of: the charging battery, and the rechargeable battery, when the at least one short range function button is actuated, sending a long range transmission from the keyless entry device at least one of: the charging battery, and the rechargeable battery, when the at least one long range function button is actuated.

Abstract: An integrated circuit IC package with one or more pins protruding from the IC package for electrically connecting the IC package with a printed circuit board PCB is presented. The IC package has a first die with a first electronic component, a second die with a second electronic component, and a conductive plate having a plane surface. The first electronic component may be a semiconductor power device and the second electronic component may be a control circuit. The plane surface of the conductive plate is electrically connected to both a plane surface of the first die and one or more pins such that an electrical connection is established between the first die and the one or more pins. The second die may be arranged on top of the conductive plate. Alternatively, a third die with a third electronic component may be arranged on top of the conductive plate.

Abstract: An integrated circuit IC package with one or more pins protruding from the IC package for electrically connecting the IC package with a printed circuit board PCB is presented. The IC package has a first die with a first electronic component, a second die with a second electronic component, and a conductive plate having a plane surface. The first electronic component may be a semiconductor power device and the second electronic component may be a control circuit. The plane surface of the conductive plate is electrically connected to both a plane surface of the first die and one or more pins such that an electrical connection is established between the first die and the one or more pins. The second die may be arranged on top of the conductive plate. Alternatively, a third die with a third electronic component may be arranged on top of the conductive plate.

Abstract: A temperature compensation circuit comprises a temperature coefficient circuit that generates a temperature coefficient that is temperature dependent and a compensation circuit that generates a compensation signal based on an indication of temperature of an amplifier and the temperature coefficient, and based on the compensation signal, a gain of the amplifier is adjusted to improve amplifier linearity during data bursts.

Abstract: An automatic battery fluid level monitoring system is provided. The automatic monitoring system includes a fluid consumption algorithm, programmed into a microprocessor based motor controller, connected through a communications link to a microprocessor based battery charger. The battery charger is electrically connected to a flooded type battery as well as a power connection such as being plugged into an outlet, the electrical connection from an alternator, or the like. Once the fluid consumption algorithm indicates that the fluid level is too low, a battery fluid indicator is activated utilizing a visual and/or audio display. After the battery is refilled, a fluid added reset is triggered, which deactivates the battery fluid indicator.

Abstract: A DC voltage source, for example an AC/DC converter, has an output producing a controllable DC voltage for a DC charging station to charge the battery of an electric vehicle. A voltage balancing unit is connected between the output of the converter and the output terminal of the DC charging station. The voltage balancing unit has a controllable switch by which the connection between voltage source or converter and battery can be made or broken as desired. The switch is controlled as a function of the voltage on the input and output side of the voltage balancing unit to the effect that the switch breaks the connection before and while the battery is being connected to the DC output terminal, and makes a connection only when the voltage on the input side of the voltage balancing unit corresponds substantially to the voltage on the output side of the voltage balancing unit.

Abstract: A charging method to charge a lithium ion battery in a short amount of time at low cost without degradation of the lithium ion battery is provided. A lithium ion battery includes a lithium compound containing iron as a positive electrode active material. The lithium ion battery is charged through a quasi-constant voltage charging procedure. The lithium ion battery includes a lithium compound as a positive electrode active material used for a positive electrode material. With the lithium compound, a voltage in a flat voltage section of a charging characteristic curve is higher than a voltage of a battery including the lithium compound containing iron as the positive electrode active material. The lithium ion battery may be an assembled battery including a plurality of electric cells connected in series.

Abstract: A battery pack, a method of charging the same, and a vehicle including the same. The battery pack includes: a battery cell for storing electric power; and a Battery Management System (BMS) for controlling charging or discharging the battery cell, wherein, in order to charge the battery cell, the BMS increases a charge current in a first period of time, decreases the charge current in a second period of time, and increases the charge current again in a third period of time.

Abstract: A system and method for charging batteries in a system wherein the output of the batteries is converted to alternating current utilizing inverters. The alternating current from the inverters is modified by transformers and variable speed drives to contain properties which enable the alternating current to be used in a power grid to operate conventional electrical appliances. At least two banks of batteries are employed in the system. A unique battery charging device is employed to maintain the two banks batteries in constant substantially full charge. The battery charging device switches between a charge mode for one bank of batteries and a rest mode for the other bank of batteries. The battery charging device constantly and rapidly switches the different banks of batteries between these two modes. A timer controls the amount of time that each mode is applied to each bank of batteries. A solar panel supplies electric power to the charging device to charge the batteries.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solar cell pack and a method for balancing currents of solar cell modules. The solar cell pack includes a first solar cell module, a second solar cell module, a first balancer, a sampler and a controller. A negative pole of the first solar cell module is electrically connected to a positive pole of the second solar cell module. The first balancer is electrically connected to the first and the second solar cell modules in order to balance the current flowing through the both solar cell modules. An input terminal of the sampler is electrically connected to the first and the second solar cell modules. An output terminal of the sampler is electrically connected to an input terminal of the control unit. An output terminal of the control unit is electrically connected to an input terminal of the first balancer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a battery detector are provided. In one aspect, a battery detector of a portable electronic device is applied to a battery module without an identification (ID) terminal. When the portable electronic device receives a direct current (DC) voltage provided by an external transformer to conduct a startup procedure, the battery detector detects whether the battery module is connected to the portable electronic device or not, and prevents the portable electronic device from conducting erroneous operations.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a rechargeable battery module including a battery bank having serial connected battery units, a charging transistor providing a charging current to the battery bank, a balancing circuit for detecting and balancing voltage values of battery units and battery bank and a control chip. When a first voltage value of a first battery unit reaches a charge-off voltage, the control chip estimates a first unbalanced voltage difference between the first voltage and the minimal voltage among battery units. The control chip disables the charging transistor and estimates a second unbalanced voltage difference between voltages of the first battery unit and the battery unit having a minimal voltage. The control chip enables the balancing circuit to balance the first battery unit. When the voltage of the first battery is dropped by a calibration target, the charging transistor is enabled.

Abstract: A method for controlling battery recharging process is provided for an electronic device equipped with a battery. The method comprises entering a recharging smart mode. In the recharging smart mode, an actual capacity rate of the battery is determined. In the recharging smart mode, according to the actual capacity rate of the battery, a rechargeable capacity rate of the battery is changed. When the actual capacity rate is larger than a first capacity threshold value for a first predetermined time interval, the rechargeable capacity rate of the battery is decreased.

Abstract: A method is provided for current-based detection of an electrical fault in an electrical network of a motor vehicle, the network having at least: one battery, one pulse-controlled inverter, one d.c. voltage converter, and an intermediate circuit associated with the pulse-controlled inverter. The method includes: detecting magnitudes of each a battery current, a d.c. voltage converter current, and an intermediate circuit current; comparing current magnitudes according to provided equations; and checking based on the comparison of whether a specifiable deviation has been exceeded. An alternative method for voltage-based detection of an electrical fault in an electrical network of a motor vehicle includes: detecting magnitudes of each a battery voltage, a d.c. voltage converter voltage, and an intermediate circuit voltage; comparing voltage magnitudes according to provided equations; and checking based on the comparison of whether a specifiable deviation has been exceeded.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the temperature of cells in a battery pack, without using temperature sensors, by measuring the impedance of the cells and using the impedance to determine the temperature. An AC voltage signal is applied to the battery pack, and a time sample of voltage and current data is obtained. The voltage and current data is narrowed down to a simultaneous time window of interest, and a fast fourier transformation is performed on the windowed voltage and current data to identify voltage and current magnitudes at one or more specific frequencies. The voltage and current magnitudes are used to determine the impedance at the one or more frequencies. Finally, the impedance is used to determine the temperature of the cell or cells using a look-up table, where the impedance, the frequency, and a state of charge are used as input parameters for the look-up.

Abstract: The method for charging or discharging a battery comprises measurement of the voltage at the terminals of the battery and comparison of the measured voltage with an end of charging or discharging voltage threshold. The method also comprises measurement of a temperature representative of the temperature of the battery and measurement of the current flowing in the battery to form a pair of measurements. The voltage threshold is then determined according to the pair of measurements. Charging or discharging of the battery is stopped when the voltage threshold is reached.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a switch for turning on/off the connection between a first terminal and a second terminal. The switch includes a first transistor circuit configured from two transistors connected in series between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a second transistor circuit having a gate terminal connected to source terminals of the two transistors and a source terminal connected to gate terminals of the two transistors. The connection between the first terminal and the second terminal is changed over between on and off states by changing over a potential to the source terminal of the second transistor circuit between high and low levels.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic device including a secondary battery, a charging section which charges the secondary battery with power supplied from an external power supply section with a set charging current, a measurement section which measures an amount of charge accumulated in the secondary battery, a time information acquisition section which acquires time information, a storage section which stores charging history information indicating a time period in which a user performs charging, and a control section which has a chargeable time estimation section that estimates chargeable time based on the charging history information and the time information, and a charging current setting section that calculates a restricted charging current which enables the secondary battery to be charged up to a charging capacity within the chargeable time, based on the amount of charge acquired from the measurement section, and sets the restricted charging current in the charging section.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus and method for estimating state of health (SOH) of a battery. The apparatus for estimating state of health of a battery includes a sensing unit for measuring a battery voltage and current within a predetermined charging voltage range; a memory unit storing the battery voltage and current values measured by the sensing unit and SOH-based ampere counting values, obtained by an ampere counting experiment of a battery whose actual degradation degree is known; and a control unit for calculating an ampere counting value by counting the measured current values stored in the memory unit within the charging voltage range, and estimating a SOH value by mapping the SOH value corresponding to the calculated ampere counting value from the SOH-based ampere counting values stored in the memory unit.

Abstract: A charger calibrating device and a calibrating method thereof. The device comprises a control module and a processing module. The control module controls a charger to be calibrated to perform a first stage charging and a second stage charging on an electronic device. The processing module performs an adjusting process according to the second stage charging time for adjusting the high level period of the PWM signal in the charging circuit of the charger. In the adjusting process, generating an updated high level period by adding or decreasing a preset adjusting amplitude, and decrease the preset adjusting amplitude by half to generate an updated adjusting amplitude. The processing module terminates the calibrating process after repeating the aforementioned calibrating loop a preset number of times.

Abstract: The present invention provides a battery management device and a portable computer, the battery management device is for managing the rechargeable battery provided in a portable computer, the portable computer is provided with a charge circuit for charging a battery, the battery management device comprises: a discharge circuit for discharge the battery; a acquiring module for acquire the mode determining parameter; a first determining module for judging whether the battery storage mode is entered according to the mode determining parameter; a first control module for controlling the charge circuit or the discharge circuit to control the amount of electrical charge of the battery so that the amount of electrical charge of the battery is lower than the second amount of electrical charge threshold in the battery storage mode; the performance of the battery when deposited with the amount of electrical charge lower than the second amount of electrical charge threshold is better than the performance when deposited

Abstract: A battery voltage monitoring circuit includes a first power supply terminal to be connected to the positive terminal of a battery pack having rechargeable cells connected in series; a first supply voltage sensing terminal to be connected to the positive terminal of the battery pack; a first resistor connected between the first power supply terminal and the first supply voltage sensing terminal; a second supply voltage sensing terminal to be connected to the negative terminal of a first rechargeable cell of the rechargeable cells, the first rechargeable cell being on the positive terminal side of the battery pack and connected to the positive terminal of the battery pack; a second resistor connected between the second supply voltage sensing terminal and the first power supply terminal; and a first comparator configured to compare a voltage at the first power supply terminal and a voltage at the first supply voltage sensing terminal.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises at least one solar cell, and voltage-detection means operable to detect an output voltage of the at least one solar cell to obtain a detected output voltage. The electronic device also comprises control means operable to detect an operation of the at least one solar cell based on the detected output voltage, and to perform a predefined control depending on the operation.

Abstract: There is provided a charge controller capable of charging a capacitor while suppressing the progress of deterioration of the capacitor without unnecessary charge/discharge of the capacitor. The charge controller includes a voltage sensor 133 that detects the voltage of a capacitor 101, a current sensor 135 that detects the charge/discharge current of the capacitor 101, a battery ECU 123 that estimates the SOC of the capacitor 101 based on the detected voltage, and a management ECU 117. The management ECU 117 calculates the charge/discharge amount from the start of charging of the capacitor 101 by integrating the charge/discharge currents detected by the current sensor 135 and controls the charging of the capacitor 101 based on the estimated SOC and the calculated charge/discharge amount. The management ECU 117 updates and sets the estimated SOC to an actual use upper limit SOC based on the state characteristics of the capacitor 101.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing battery optimization and protection in a low power energy environment is presented. A current configuration of a battery module including a plurality of a particular type of battery is determined. A voltage level of the battery module is detected. A determination is made whether the current configuration of the battery module is a preferred configuration for the particular type of batteries of the battery module. When the determination is that the current configuration of the battery module is not the preferred configuration for the particular type of batteries of the battery module, then the battery module is reconfigured to a preferred configuration for the particular type of batteries of the battery module.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for easily detecting an abnormal status of power generation of a solar cell panel in a solar cell power generation system having the power generation of 1 MW or higher. The present invention provides an abnormality detecting apparatus for a solar cell power generation system including a plurality of solar cell strings each having a plurality of solar cell modules connected to each other in series and a backflow preventing diode connected to a power output terminal of each of the solar cell strings, characterized in that the abnormality detecting apparatus further includes measuring means for measuring a current flowing in the backflow preventing diode; and that the measuring means is supplied with electric power from both terminals of the backflow preventing diode.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the status of a system of battery strings is described. The system includes a current sensor for each of the battery strings, and a controller configured to compute the average current from the measured currents. The state of the battery system is determined as being fully charged, discharging or charging, and the individual battery string currents are compared with the average measured current to determine if the currents are within a threshold value. An alarm indication is provided when one or more of the currents exceeds a threshold difference. The system may provide a local indication of status and may also interface with a communications network to provide for remote monitoring.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit comprising: a semiconductor switch having an output connected to a rechargeable battery; a battery charge controller for receiving power from an external source, and supplying output power to a portable device and the input of the semiconductor switch, the current output of the battery charge controller being controllable; and a voltage sensing circuit for: measuring the voltage drop across the battery charge controller; and responding to the voltage drop across the battery charge controller by modulating the semiconductor switch to reduce the quantity of current supplied to the rechargeable battery when the voltage drop is too great; whereby the total power dissipated by the battery charge controller is controlled, the portable device receiving the power it needs to operate and the rechargeable battery receiving any additional available power.

Abstract: A method of dynamic power management of a mobile device. The method includes monitoring at least one load to determine when at least one of the loads will become active or inactive, determining a minimum required output voltage level to be provided by a single voltage converter based on voltage level requirements of the at least one load that will become active or inactive, converting an input voltage level via the voltage converter to provide the minimum required output voltage level to the output power port in advance of the at least one load becoming active or after the at least one load becomes inactive, monitoring the input voltage level, determining whether the input voltage level is below a first threshold, and when the input voltage level is below the first threshold, reducing the output voltage level provided by the single voltage converter.

Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with operation of an energy storage system (ESS) connectable to an electric power system. The charging-discharging schedule of the ESS can be determined through application of a time-dependent forecast of ESS and power system states based on historical data. Exemplary embodiments can include ESSs which have been historically activated with a certain periodicity, for example, for power system load leveling, frequency regulation, arbitrage, peak load shaving and/or integration of renewable power generation.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for determining the start of a charging process for an energy storage device in a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to determining at least one first parameter that indicates that a passenger is about to exit the electric vehicle. In addition, a first time t1 at which the charging process concludes at the earliest is determined, and a second time t2 at which the charging process is to have concluded at the latest is set, where t2?t1. Further, a determination is made as to whether a third time t3 at which a lowered second energy rate relative to the first energy rate is present before the second time t2 has been reached, and the start of the charging process is set in such a way that the at least one third time t3 lies within the charging process, and the charging process concludes by the second time t2 at the latest.

Abstract: A current sensor includes a magnetic balance sensor and a switching circuit. The magnetic balance sensor includes a feedback coil which is disposed near a magnetic sensor element varying in characteristics due to application of an induction field caused by measurement current and which produces a canceling magnetic field canceling the induction field. The switching circuit switches between magnetic proportional detection and magnetic balance detection. The magnetic proportional detection is configured to output a voltage difference as a sensor output. The magnetic balance detection is configured to output, as a sensor output, a value corresponding to current flowing through the feedback coil when a balanced state in which the induction field and the canceling magnetic field cancel each other out is reached after the feedback coil is energized by the voltage difference.

Abstract: A charging circuit for charging a battery includes a processor, a switching circuit, a voltage converter, and a power voltage detecting circuit. A first terminal of the switching circuit is connected to a power source. A second terminal of the switching circuit is connected to a first output of the processor. A first terminal of the voltage converter is connected to a third terminal of the switching circuit. A second terminal of the voltage converter is connected to the battery. The power voltage detecting circuit is connected to the power source, and a first input and a second output of the processor.

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.

Abstract: A battery charger and method for a rechargeable battery pack which includes various elements in series with the cells to be charged, including but not limited to current control FETs, a fuse, current sense resistor, and internal series impedance of the series connected cells to be charged. The charging current Ichg flowing through these series elements reduces the voltage applied to the cells, thus lengthening charging time. A compensation voltage Vcomp, which when added to the nominal charging voltage for the series connected cells overcomes these voltage drops, facilitates more efficient charging while avoiding over-voltage damage to the cells. Three voltages representing substantially all of the voltage drops reducing the charging voltage on the cells, are summed, and the result is a compensation voltage which is utilized to change the nominal charge voltage for the battery to overcome these voltage drops.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a portable device incorporating a battery and a battery charger. In the portable device, there are a plurality of system components configured to facilitate a plurality of functions that the portable device is designed to perform. The battery in the portable device is configured for providing an internal power supply to the plurality of system components in the absence of an external input power supply. The battery charger is configured for charging the battery when the external input power supply is available. The battery charger disclosed herein is capable of supplying system power to the system components when voltage of the battery that is being charged is below a limit, thereby allowing the portable device to operate when voltage of the battery drops below the limit.

Abstract: A voltage comparison circuit makes a comparison between a first voltage and a second voltage. A resistor and a constant current source are provided in series between the first voltage and the ground voltage. A comparator receives the second voltage via one input terminal (non-inverting input terminal), and the voltage at a connection node between the aforementioned resistor and the constant current source via the other input terminal (inverting terminal). The first voltage is preferably used as the power supply voltage for the comparator.

Abstract: A charging circuit includes a pulse generator and a controller coupled to the pulse generator. The pulse generator is used to generate a plurality of pulses to control a charging switch. The controller is used to control a pulse density of the plurality of pulses. A charging current flowing through the charging switch can be adjusted according to the pulse density.

Abstract: The present relates to a system and method for dynamic power management of a mobile device. The mobile device has a plurality of loads and a battery charger electrically connected to a voltage rail. The method comprises monitoring the plurality of loads to determine when at least one of the loads will become active or inactive, determining a minimum required output voltage level to be provided by the voltage converter based on active loads and the at least one load that will become active or inactive and device operation; and adjusting an input voltage level via the voltage converter to provide the minimum required output voltage level on the voltage rail in advance of the at least one load becoming active or after the at least one load becomes inactive. The method further monitors the input voltage level, and determines whether the input voltage level is below a first predetermine threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the status of a vehicle battery to determine whether the battery may not have enough charge to start the vehicle. The method includes collecting data relating to the battery on the vehicle and collecting data relating to the battery at a remote back-office. Both the vehicle and the remote data center determine battery characteristics based on the collected data and the likelihood of a vehicle no-start condition, where the algorithm used at the remote back-office may be more sophisticated. The data collected at the remote back-office may include vehicle battery information transmitted wirelessly from the vehicle, and other information, such as temperature, battery reliability, miles that the vehicle has driven per day, ambient temperature, high content vehicle, etc. Both the vehicle and the remote back-office may determine the battery open circuit voltage.

Abstract: The present invention aims to quickly charge a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a heat-resistant layer between a negative electrode and a positive electrode. A method according to the present invention for charging a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a heat-resistant layer between a negative electrode and a positive electrode is provided with a step of performing pulse charge on the secondary battery, a step of detecting a change amount of a cell voltage associated with a change in the concentration polarization of the non-aqueous electrolyte as a polarization voltage, and a step of terminating the pulse charge when the polarization voltage increases to or above a predetermined threshold value. According to the present invention, it is possible to quickly charge the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including the heat-resistant layer between the negative electrode and the positive electrode at such a borderline level as not to cause overcharge.

Abstract: The E-Grid Sub-Network Load Manager operates to regulate the demands presented by the vehicles to the associated Sub-Network thereby to spread the load presented to the service disconnect over time to enable the controllable charging of a large number of vehicles. The load management can be implemented by a number of methodologies, including: queuing requests and serving each request in sequence until satisfaction; queuing requests and cycling through them, partially serving each request, then proceeding to the next until the cyclic partial charging service has satisfied all requests; ordering requests pursuant to a percentage of recharge required measurement; ordering requests on an estimated connection time metric; ordering requests on a predetermined level of service basis; and the like. It is evident that a number of these methods can be concurrently employed thereby to serve all of the vehicles in the most efficient manner that can be determined.

Abstract: A dual-energy storage system is described, having two energy sources: (a) a fast-energy storage device (FES) such as an ultracapacitor, and (b) a long duration or steady power device, such as a fuel-cell or battery. A power converter or controller executes an energy management algorithm to determine when to provide bursts of additional power/current from the fast-energy storage device, and when to recharge the fast-energy storage device.

Abstract: The batteries of at least one battery subset are partially and preferably simultaneously charged; during this partial charging, electrical parameters representative of a coup de fouet effect on charging are measured to enable the extent of discharge of each of the batteries of the subset to be analyzed; the batteries are then charged sequentially with an order of priority that depends on the extent of discharge of the different batteries; priority is preferably given to charging the most extensively discharged batteries.