Abstract: A power storage system is provided with a battery and a battery charger which charges a battery pack having a battery voltage and current detection circuit. A charge circuit is structured such as to acquire terminal voltage information of the battery from a battery voltage detection circuit of the battery pack in a charging process, carry out a constant current charge control in a state in which the terminal voltage of the battery is equal to or lower than a previously determined reference voltage value of the battery, and switch to a constant voltage charge control maintaining the output voltage of the charge circuit in the case that the terminal voltage of the battery goes beyond the reference voltage value, thereby carrying on the charge until the battery is fully charged. Therefore, the power storage system can accurately charge the battery to a prescribed amount safely.

Abstract: A battery system includes a first battery and a second battery connected in parallel and performing charge and discharge. A first relay is switched between an ON state in which the charge and discharge of the first battery are allowed and an OFF state in which the charge and discharge of the first battery are prohibited. A second relay is switched between an ON state in which the charge and discharge of the second battery are allowed and an OFF state in which the charge and discharge of the second battery are prohibited. A controller controls the ON state and the OFF state of each of the first relay and the second relay. The controller also changes the order in which the first relay and the second relay are switched to the ON state, in performing the charge and discharge of the first battery and the second battery.

Abstract: A control system for a battery assembly that consists of a plurality of batteries determines whether the battery assembly can be reused, by using detected values of the open voltage, internal resistance and full charge capacity of each of the batteries, as evaluation parameters.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a low-voltage DC/DC converter for an electric vehicle that include a battery sensor that senses information regarding a low-voltage battery during a stop of the electric vehicle for each first period when the electric vehicle stops and a controller that operates a low-voltage DC/DC converter to charge the low-voltage battery for a predefined time when an error occurs in the battery sensor. In addition, the controller determines a charge time of the low-voltage battery based on first SOC values of the information regarding the low-voltage battery sensed for each first period when no error in the battery sensor is detected and operates the low-voltage DC/DC converter for the determined charge time to charge the low-voltage battery.

Abstract: A battery pack including a battery including a battery cell, a first switching unit at a main current path between the battery and a terminal, a second switching unit at the main current path between the battery and the terminal, and serially coupled to the first switching unit, a third switching unit at a bypass current path coupled in parallel to at least a part of the main current path, and configured to block or to allow an electric current on the bypass current path, and a controller for dividing a charging section of the battery, and for controlling at least one of the first switching unit, the second switching unit, or the third switching unit according to divided charging sections to charge the battery.

Abstract: A reversible buck or boost converter is operable in a buck mode and in a boost mode. In the buck mode, the converter receives a supply voltage via an input terminal and generates a charging current that is supplied to a battery, thereby charging the battery. The supply voltage is also supplied through the converter to an output terminal. In a boost mode, the converter receives power from the battery and generates a supply current and voltage that is output onto the output terminal. The same single current sense resistor is used both to control the charging current in the buck mode and to control a constant current supplied to the output terminal in the boost mode. The output current is controlled to be constant, regardless of changes in the in the battery voltage and changes in the output voltage.

Abstract: An electrical power diagnostic device and methods are disclosed. A power-supply-side connector is operable to couple to a power supply, and a load-side connector is operable to couple to a load. At least one conductive path for electricity to flow between the power-supply-side connector and the load-side connector, and a diagnostic monitor is operable to monitor and change electrical properties of the power-supply-side connector and the load-side connector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing operation of analog digital converters (ADCs) of a battery pack supplying power to a vehicle are disclosed. One example system comprises, a first ADC for determining a voltage of at least one battery cell; a second ADC for determining a voltage of a plurality of battery cells; and a controller performing an action in response to comparing an output of said first ADC to an output of said second ADC.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrical storage apparatus includes an electrical storage unit configured to output direct-current power, a switch element configured to block positive-side wiring connecting the electrical storage unit to an outside, a diode connected in parallel with the switch element in a direction of a current flowing from the outside to the electrical storage unit, a voltage detection unit configured to detect voltages at both ends of the switch element, and a switch control unit configured to open the switch element when the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit is a predetermined value or greater.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a circuit for passively managing power between a fuel cell stack and a battery in a hybrid system. The circuit includes a buck-boost converter circuit, a direct charge circuit; and a network which interconnects them. The network is configured so that in response to a voltage level in the network being lower than or equal to a maximum battery charge voltage, the battery is charged via the direct charge circuit; and in response to another voltage level in the network which is higher than the maximum battery charge voltage, the battery is charged via the buck-boost converter circuit. Also disclosed is a device incorporating the circuit and a method of passively managing power.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for repeatedly charging a rechargeable battery during a single charging session to a steady state voltage to attain a higher charge capacity of the rechargeable battery than a charge capacity of the rechargeable battery existing prior to the rechargeable battery being charged to the steady state voltage. The higher charge capacity is attained without exceeding a maximum allowable charge threshold of the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A method and a device for charging an electric vehicle in a power system are provided. The method includes: obtaining a first electric vehicle connected to the power system, and obtaining a rated charging power and a first charging requirement; determining a first charging period corresponding to the first electric vehicle; determining a forecast period, and obtaining a second electric vehicle to be connected to the power system; revising the first charging period to obtain a second charging period, and obtaining a second charging requirement and a maximum charging power; establishing a charging model, establishing a first constraint of the charging model, and establishing a second constraint of the charging model; and solving the charging model under the first constraint and the second constraint to obtain an optimal charging power so as to charge each first electric vehicle under the optimal charging power.

Abstract: A method and a device for charging an electric vehicle in a power system are provided. The method includes: obtaining a plurality of electric vehicles connected to the power system at a dispatching time, and obtaining a rated charging power and a charging requirement at the dispatching time; determining a charging period corresponding to the plurality of electric vehicles; determining a forecast period, and obtaining a charging requirement, a remaining charging energy capacity and a maximum charging power; establishing a charging model of the plurality of electric vehicles, establishing a first constraint of the charging model, and establishing a second constraint of the charging model; and solving the charging model under the first constraint and the second constraint to obtain an optimal charging power of each electric vehicle at each charging time in the charging period so as to charge each electric vehicle under the optimal charging power.

Abstract: A system for protecting a power consuming circuit, the system comprising two terminals for receiving power and two terminals for providing received power. Between one of the receiving terminals and a providing terminal, a transistor is provided which is controlled by a Zener diode and to break the connection between one of the receiving terminals and a providing terminal, if a voltage over the providing terminals or the receiving terminals exceeds the breakdown voltage of the Zener diode.

Abstract: There is provided a battery controller including a storing unit which stores an upper limit voltage and a lower limit voltage, each defining a first voltage range in which a battery is charged/discharged, and a second upper limit voltage and a second lower limit voltage, each defining a second voltage range which is wider than the first voltage range, and a charge/discharge regulation unit which temporarily changes, when charge/discharge is performed in the first voltage range and permission for charge/discharge in the second voltage is received, setting of the battery such that charge/discharge is performed in the second voltage range.

Abstract: In the charging process of a power device of a portable device, a control unit or firmware of the power device dynamically acquires the status of the charging current and the charging voltage, and by incrementing the charging current, the power device correctly obtains maximum charging current affordable by a charger without overly drawing the current from the charger that causes overly low charging voltage. Such current-adaptive charging process optimizes the charging process.

Abstract: A power connector for use in charging a battery of a device is provided. The power connector has an electromagnetic switch having terminals used to supply power from an external power source to a power adapter which is connected to the battery of the device. A power sensing circuit is coupled between the terminals of the electromagnetic switch and the power adapter, wherein the electromagnetic switch is configured to shut off power supplied to the power adapter when the power sensing circuit detects that the battery is fully charged. A reset mechanism is configured to mechanically activate the electromagnetic switch to start supplying power to the power adapter.

Abstract: A charging device with a battery management system which remains a rechargeable battery in full capacity during standby after being fully charged is disclosed. The charging device includes a charging module, electrically connected to a power source, for charging the rechargeable battery; a voltage detecting module, for detecting a voltage of the rechargeable battery; and a determination module, for instructing the charging module to charge the rechargeable battery with a supplementary current, when the voltage of the rechargeable battery detected by the voltage detecting module reduces to a first predetermined voltage, until the voltage of the rechargeable battery reaches a second predetermined voltage. A reduction of the voltage of the rechargeable battery is due to self-discharge of the rechargeable battery during standby after being fully charged.

Abstract: A charger for wirelessly charging an electronic device by electromagnetic induction includes a coil assembly and a control unit. The control unit includes an identification module, a detection module, a comparing module, and an allocating module. The identification module identifies the electronic device. The detection module detects power rating and required electric power of the electronic device. The comparing module compares residual electric power of the wireless charger with the required electric power of the electronic device. The allocating module selects a portion of the residual electric power of the wireless charger. The coil assembly converts the portion of the residual electric power of the wireless charger into electromagnetic waves, and directs the electromagnetic waves to the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of charging battery power that can be selectively controlled by the overall voltage of a battery pack and specified voltages of battery cells within the battery pack, and that can selectively perform current-controlled and voltage-controlled battery charging (referred to herein as “adaptive battery cell charging”). The systems and methods employ a digital core for managing the charging of battery power provided by the battery pack. By using the overall voltage of the battery pack and specified voltages of battery cells to selectively control the charging of battery power, battery charging times can be reduced. By employing current/voltage sense amplifiers to monitor the battery pack voltage, the battery cell voltage(s), and a battery charging current, the effect of cable resistance to/from the battery pack can be reduced. By performing adaptive battery cell charging, battery charging times and battery stress can be reduced, while increasing battery charge/discharge life cycles.

Abstract: A method for protecting batteries with consideration for the influence of a load coupled to a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a terminal to be coupled to a capacitor of the load, and a battery management system for controlling a protection operation according to a voltage of the terminal, counting a number of protection operation executions after the load is coupled to the battery pack, and differently controlling a deactivation time of the protection operations depending on whether or not the number of executions is greater than or equal to a reference count.

Abstract: A battery charging apparatus and charging method thereof are disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a battery including a battery pack including at least one battery cell, a battery management system (BMS) configured to control the generation of a terminal voltage based on a type of the battery pack, and a terminal unit including electrodes configured to receive the terminal voltage. The apparatus further includes a charger including a controller configured to determine the type of the battery pack based on the terminal voltage and control the generation of a charging voltage corresponding to the type of the battery pack.

Abstract: In a method and a device for controlling hybrid functions in a motor vehicle, including at least one control unit, hybrid functions of a motor vehicle are controlled by the control unit, the control unit switching off at least one hybrid function above a predetermined battery temperature.

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: Provided is a power system 1 including a distal distributor 5, an electric actuator 15a which receives a supply of power from the distal distributor 5, and a relay device 43. Regenerative power generated by the electric actuator 15a is output to a storage battery 27.

Abstract: There is disclosed in an embodiment, a charger having a PCB that enable input AC power to flow into the system. A first high frequency switchmode converter converts AC input power into DC power and to provide active power factor correction. The converter comprising a high frequency isolation transformer providing electrical isolation between primary and secondary system circuitry. A second high frequency switchmode converter connected to DC output from the first converter regulates output voltage and limits system output current. DC output is connected to a battery and/or other electrical storage device to be charged and/or to a parallel-connected DC load to be powered. An optional accessory PCB is electrically connected to the power board, housed in a same chassis or enclosure. The accessory board provides optional features including an LCD, alarm output relay(s), and/or a CANbus interface. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An example electric vehicle charging method includes charging a battery of a vehicle using an external power source, and adjusting the charging based on a predicted amount of charging generated when driving the vehicle from the external power source to a destination. The external power source is at a higher elevation than some point along the route to the at least one destination.

Abstract: A power management system and method are disclosed. The system can be a high availability power delivery system. The system can be GPS tracked. The system can have multiple batteries, multiple input power sources, and multiple loads. The system can switch between the multiple batteries and the power source to deliver power to the load. The system can ensure there will always be an input power source to power the load.

Abstract: Power management techniques are disclosed. For instance, an apparatus may include a bidirectional voltage converter circuit, and a control module that selectively operates the bidirectional voltage converter circuit in a charging mode and a delivery mode. The charging mode converts a voltage provided by an interface (e.g., a USB interface) into a charging voltage employed by an energy storage module (e.g., a rechargeable battery). Conversely, the delivery mode converts a voltage provided by the energy storage module into a voltage employed by the interface. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: In the case that an auxiliary such as the air conditioner is operated with electric power from the commercial power supply by controlling the charger prior to the system startup and the inter-terminal voltage of the battery is more than or equal to the threshold value Vref that is a voltage where there is a possibility of overcharging the battery when the battery is charged, the supply voltage of the electric power supplied from the charger is set to the voltage that is a little smaller than the threshold value, and the auxiliary is operated with the electric power from the battery and the electric power from the charger. This arrangement enables to prevent overcharging the battery and to operate the auxiliary in the case that an auxiliary such as the air conditioner is operated with electric power from the commercial power supply by controlling the charger prior to the system startup.

Abstract: A charge control circuit supplies power from an external power source to a first common node and charges a second common node. A regulator circuit is coupled between the external power source and the first common node, and a transistor is coupled between the first common node and the second common node. A current sensing and control device senses the current from the first common node to the second common node and generates a first control signal. A first voltage sensing and control device senses a voltage at the first common node, and generates a conduction control signal to control the transistor. A second voltage sensing and control device senses a voltage at the second common node, and generates a second control signal. The regulator circuit provides system power to the first common node according to the first control signal and the second control signal.

Abstract: A battery condition estimating apparatus for a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells connected in series includes an analog channel switching circuit and a battery gas gauge circuit. The analog channel switching circuit has a plurality of input ports and an output port, wherein the input ports are coupled to the battery cells via a plurality of analog channels, respectively, and the analog channel switching circuit is arranged to couple the output port to a selected input port of the input ports for allowing the output port N5 to be coupled to a selected battery via a selected analog channel. The battery gas gauge circuit is coupled to the output port of the analog channel switching circuit, and used for estimating a battery condition of the battery pack by monitoring the selected battery cell via the selected analog channel.

Abstract: An electric power generation control system for a vehicle, which enables generation of electric power by a generator as much as possible while preventing an electrical component from being overheated by power generation by the generator. The electric power generation control system selectively switches a mode of the generator between first and second modes in which an instruction voltage is higher and not higher than an allowable voltage of a wire harness, respectively. A counter value is counted up in the first mode and down in the second mode. When the counter value has reached a higher limit value, the first mode is inhibited and the power generation mode is set to the second mode. This increase the proportion of an execution time period of the first, and accordingly, when a possibility of overheating the wire harness becomes high, the instruction voltage is lowered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (2) for charging a motor-driven device battery (5). Said charging device (2) includes: a first conversion module (3); a second conversion module (4); and a means (6) for controlling the first conversion module (3). The first conversion module (3) is suitable for converting an input AC current into an intermediate current and supplying said intermediate current to the second conversion module (4). The second conversion module (4) is suitable for converting the intermediate current into an output current and supplying said output current to the battery (5). The intermediate current is direct current, and the output current is also direct current. The controlling means (6) is suitable for adjusting the voltage of the intermediate current on the basis of operating parameters of the second conversion module (3).

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for managing a battery pack by reflecting a degradation degree of secondary cells, selecting the secondary cell having a maximum disparate voltage value among calculated disparate voltage values as a degraded cell in the current charging cycle, and updating the information on the degraded cell.

Abstract: Methods and systems may provide for detecting a location of an adjacent ultrasonic receiver of a battery powered device relative to a charging surface of a contactless charger. The charging surface may include an ultrasonic array of transmitter sub arrays, wherein one or more of the transmitter sub arrays may be selectively activated based on the location to focus an ultrasonic beam on the adjacent ultrasonic receiver. In one example, a movement of the adjacent ultrasonic receiver may be detected and the focus of the ultrasonic beam is adjusted in response to the movement.

Abstract: A charging station transfers energy to an electrically powered vehicle which is wirelessly power-coupled to the charging station. The station has terminal for an electrical energy source, an inverter and an electronic coil connected to the inverter for providing energy for the wireless energy-transferring coupling by way of an alternating magnetic field. For that purpose the inverter is configured to apply an alternating electric voltage to the electronic coil in a resonance mode. The charging station has a detection unit and a control unit, the detection unit detects a malfunction relating to the transfer of energy during the wireless energy-transferring coupling of the electrically powered vehicle and to provide a fault signal. The control unit terminates the transfer of energy by way of the alternating magnetic field on the basis of the malfunction signal.

Abstract: A charging circuit includes a power path control unit which switches a first switch connected between a system connection terminal and a battery connection terminal on while not charging, and switches the first switch on and a second switch connected between an external power supply input terminal and the system connection terminal on while charging so as to supply power to a system and charge a battery. A voltage difference between the external power supply input terminal and the battery connection terminal is detected, a current flowing between the external power supply input terminal and the system connection terminal is detected, and it is determined that an external power supply is disconnected based on the detection results of the voltage differences and the current.

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: A battery charging circuit comprises: a first voltage regulator, wherein the first voltage regulator has a control input designed for reception of a signal generated by a current metering circuit; the current metering circuit; and a terminal for connecting a battery. An electronic device, in particular a mobile device, comprises a battery charging circuit as defined above.

Abstract: A method and system for wirelessly charging a plurality of electronic devices includes a charging station operable to wirelessly charge the plurality of electronic devices. A server is operable to assign a charging priority to each electronic device based on usage information. A controller is coupled to the charging station and including a transceiver for communicative coupling to the server. The controller is operable to receive the charging priority of each electronic device from the server via the transceiver and wirelessly charge the plurality of electronic devices in accordance with the charging priority of each electronic device.

Abstract: An improved electrolyte including a strontium additive suitable for lithium-sulfur batteries, a battery including the electrolyte, and a battery including a separator containing a strontium additive are disclosed. The presence of the strontium additive reduces sulfur-containing deposits on the battery anode, thereby providing a battery with relatively high energy density and good partial discharge performance.

Abstract: An improved lithium-sulfur battery containing a surface-functionalized carbonaceous material. The presence of the surface-functionalized carbonaceous material generates weak chemical bonds between the functional groups of the surface-functionalized carbonaceous material and the functional groups of the polysulfides, which prevents the polysulfide migration to the battery anode, thereby providing a battery with relatively high energy density and good partial discharge efficiency.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for state of charge compensation of a battery having a plurality of battery units. The method comprises the steps of calculating a depth of discharge of each battery unit after the battery units have been charged, calculating an available charge of each battery unit before the battery units are charged, calculating a state of charge compensation requirement value on the basis of the calculated depth of discharge and the calculated available charge for each battery unit, and discharging each battery unit on the basis of the calculated state of charge compensation requirement value. The disclosure also relates to a method for charging a battery which has a plurality of battery units. Also specified are a computer program and a battery management system set up to perform the method, and a battery and a motor vehicle having a drive system connected to such a battery.

Abstract: Methods and a system for the recharging of battery-operated devices, whereby the recharging process is made less burdensome and inconvenient to the users of the devices. Embodiments provide for incorporating recharging into the normal usage patterns for the devices using activities consistent with predetermined intended usage of the devices, thereby causing the user to perceive less inconvenience. Other embodiments provide for systematically detecting and wirelessly recharging devices, whereby the burden to the users may be reduced or entirely eliminated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a single power source, multi-output battery charger configured to transition individual batteries coupled to its output from the absorption stage to the float stage independent of other batteries also coupled to its output. The power source may be any suitable power source, such as an AC/DC converter, solar panels, wind generators, alternators, etc. A programmable controller with suitable circuitry is utilized to control a voltage drop across a variable voltage drop blocking device coupled between the output of the power source and a terminal of a rechargeable battery to selectively transition individual batteries coupled to the power source output from the absorption stage to the float stage once they have reached full charge. Using the battery chargers disclosed herein, auxiliary batteries are not subjected to the full absorption voltage for an extended duration after they are charged, thereby reducing the likelihood of undesirable overcharging.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a controller configured to receive sensor feedback from a high voltage storage device and from a low voltage storage device, compare the sensor feedback to operating limits of the respective high and low voltage storage device, determine, based on the comparison a total charging current to the high voltage storage device and to the low voltage storage device and a power split factor of the total charging current to the high voltage device and to the low voltage device, and regulate the total power to the low voltage storage device and the high voltage storage device based on the determination.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a system and method of charging a battery using a switching regulator. In one embodiment, a switching regulator receives an input voltage and input current. The output of the switching regulator is coupled to a battery to be charged. The switching regulator provides a current into the battery that is larger than the current into the switching regulator. As the voltage on the battery increases, the current provided by the switching regulator is reduced. The present invention may be implemented using either analog or digital techniques for reducing the current into the battery as the battery voltage increases.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a charging apparatus using a pad type electrode contact point, the charging apparatus including: a charging plate having a plate shape; and an attaching plate installed on a portable terminal to provide the power to a charging circuit of the portable terminal.

Abstract: A charger and a charger controlling method for a battery rod having a small battery capacity are provided, which are used to charge a battery rod comprising a charging management circuit, and the battery capacity C of the battery rod is less than 100 mAh. The method comprises: defining a preset constant charging current I based on the battery capacity C of the battery rod in order to charge the battery rod with a current of KC, wherein, the value of K is less than 1, and the value of I and the value of C conform to the following relationship: I=K*C; detecting a real-time charging current Itemp of the battery rod in real time; comparing Itemp with I, and adjusting the output charging voltage according to the comparison result to charge the battery rod with a current of KC.