Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes: a plurality of power supply units; a positive polarity coupling portion; and a negative polarity coupling portion; each of the power supply units is provided with: battery units; first relays connected in series to the battery units, capable of disconnecting electrical connection between the battery units and any one of the positive polarity coupling portion and the negative polarity coupling portion; resistor elements having one ends which are connected to the battery units between the battery units and the first relay; a resistor coupling portion; and a second relay connected to the resistor coupling portion, capable of disconnecting electrical connection between the resistor coupling portion and any one of the positive polarity coupling portion and the negative polarity coupling portion which is connected to the first relays, the second relay having fewer in number than the number of the power supply units.

Abstract: Reduction of wasteful power consumption is envisaged. A power supply function-equipped electronic apparatus (10) is configured to be capable of supplying power to a battery device (20) incorporating a battery (21) by use of a cable (30) connecting the apparatus (10) with the device (20). A detection section (13) detects whether charging of the battery (21) incorporated in the battery device (20) is complete through the cable (30). When charging of the battery (21) is detected to be complete, a power control section (12) turns off power of the power supply function-equipped electronic apparatus (10). This invention can be applied illustratively to gaming machines and the like each composed of a gaming machine body and its controller.

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: An apparatus may comprise first circuitry arranged to draw current from a charging source at multiple current levels and second circuitry arranged to determine a charging current capacity of the charging source using the first circuitry.

Abstract: A battery charger is disclosed that is configured to be connected to an external battery by way of external battery cables. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the battery charger is configured with automatic voltage detection which automatically determines the nominal voltage of the battery connected to its battery charger terminals and charges the battery as a function of the detected nominal voltage irrespective of the nominal voltage selected by a user. Various safeguards are built into the battery charger to avoid overcharging a battery. For battery chargers with user selectable nominal battery voltage charging modes, battery charger is configured to over-ride a user selected battery voltage mode if it detects that the battery connected to the battery charger terminals is different than the user selected charging mode.

Abstract: A charging device for a high-voltage battery of a motor vehicle, in particular a charging device installed in a motor vehicle, can be connected to an alternating current network via a connection device, which includes a residual current circuit breaker that does not detect a residual current of at least one residual current type, in particular a DC residual current. The charging device further includes a controllable component and a residual current detector for detecting a residual current of the residual current type, wherein the residual current detector controls the component to change the characteristic of the residual current in such a way that the residual current can be detected with the residual current circuit breaker.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery charging apparatus. The battery charging apparatus includes a charging plug receiving an AC power supplied from an outside, a plurality of charging units individually converting the AC power received through the charging plug into a DC power, a battery storing the DC power output through at least one of the charging units, and a charging control unit comparing a specification of the battery with specifications of the charging units, determining at least one of the charging units to be used for charging of the battery, and controlling the charging of the battery by the at least one charging unit that is determined.

Abstract: A battery management system includes one or more lithium ion cells in electrical connection, each said cell comprising: first and second working electrodes and one or more reference electrodes, each reference electrode electronically isolated from the working electrodes and having a separate tab or current collector exiting the cell and providing an additional terminal for electrical measurement; and a battery management system comprising a battery state-of-charge monitor, said monitor being operable for receiving information relating to the potential difference of the working electrodes and the potential of one or more of the working electrodes versus the reference electrode.

Abstract: Improved techniques to manage operation of a portable electronic device having a substantially depleted battery when power is available from an external, power-limited source are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the substantially depleted battery can be initially charged while a power-intensive operation is delayed. Once the battery has adequate charge to assist the external, power-limited source in powering the portable electronic device, the power-intensive operation can be performed. In this manner, power consumption of a portable electronic device can be managed so that reliable operation is achieved without exceeding limits on power being drawn from an external, power-limited source.

Abstract: A battery pack and a method of charging the same are disclosed. The battery pack is chargeable by a variety of chargers which have different output voltages.

Abstract: A device (20) for charging a portable element (10) having a receiving antenna (Ar) for charging by induction, the charging device (20) includes: a charging surface (Sc); a plurality of emitting antennas (A1, A3); a layer of ferromagnetic material (30) placed beneath the plurality of emitting antennas (A1, A3); an electronic circuit; a plurality of resonators (R1, R2 . . . Ri): having a resonance frequency substantially equal to the emission frequency of the antennas, placed between the plurality of antennas and the charging surface, and suitable, when they are activated, for reflecting the magnetic field (B) emitted by the antennas, and connected to the electronic circuit in order to be deactivated individually, according to a criterion of positioning of the receiving antenna relative to the resonators.

Abstract: A charging device has an AC power supply input part that rectifies an AC voltage, a power factor correction part that converts a rectified voltage outputted from the AC power supply input part into a DC intermediate voltage, a power conversion part that converts the intermediate voltage outputted from the power factor correction part into a charge voltage, and supplies the charge voltage to a secondary battery, an input voltage acquisition unit that acquires the rectified voltage outputted from the AC power supply input part, an output voltage acquisition unit that acquires the charge voltage outputted from the power conversion part, and a storage part in which the rectified voltage, the charge voltage, and a target intermediate voltage correlated with the rectified voltage and charge voltage are stored.

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 method can include receiving a potential value of a negative electrode of a lithium-ion cell and, for a cell charging process for the lithium-ion cell, adjusting a constant voltage phase voltage based at least in part on the potential value of the negative electrode. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for controlling charging and discharging of a battery pack for an electric or hybrid vehicle to prevent overheating damage. Current flowing into or out of the battery pack is monitored, and root mean square (RMS) current is integrated over a time window and compared to a threshold to determine if power needs to be regulated in order to prevent damage to the cells in the battery pack. If the time-integrated RMS current exceeds the threshold, a closed-loop proportional-integral (PI) controller is activated to regulate power input or output. The controller will continue to regulate power until the time-integrated RMS current drops below the threshold. Various thresholds can be defined for different time windows. The gains used in the PI controller can also be adjusted to scale the amount of power regulation.

Abstract: An electricity supply apparatus includes a control device configured to calculate an amplitude of a control signal and to generate the control signal; an energy station configured to draw a current from a mains, to provide part of the drawn current to the load, to receive the control signal from the control device, and to vary the drawn current according to the amplitude; and a battery configured to recharge by drawing part of the drawn current and to discharge by supplying the load. The apparatus is characterized in that the control device is further configured to calculate the amplitude of the control signal also according to battery information relating to a recharge and/or a discharge condition of the battery.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrochemical battery system performs optimized charging of a battery. The electrochemical battery system includes at least one electrochemical cell, a memory storing command instructions, and a controller operably connected to the memory and a current source. The controller executes the command instructions to generate a first prediction of at least one state parameter corresponding to an internal state of the at least one electrochemical cell in the event that a first input current is applied to the at least one electrochemical cell for a predetermined time based upon a present state of the at least one state parameter in the electrochemical cell, determine a second input current based on the first prediction and at least one predetermined state parameter constraint, and control the current source to apply the second input current to the at least one electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An overvoltage battery protection circuit includes a voltage comparator configured to compare a scaled version of a voltage with a voltage reference and indicate an overvoltage condition when the scaled voltage exceeds the voltage reference. The voltage comparator is powered by a first voltage domain. The circuit further includes a first transistor coupled to an output of the voltage comparator and configured to turn on when the voltage comparator indicates the overvoltage condition and generate an overvoltage signal for at least one external device. The circuit further includes a second transistor coupled to the overvoltage signal and configured to turn on when the overvoltage signal is asserted and force the overvoltage signal to remain asserted independent of the first voltage domain. The first and second transistors are powered by a second voltage domain.

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 battery control apparatus includes an emergency charging unit including an external charging terminal for applying power to a main battery pack, a first voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage of the external charging terminal, and an emergency charging switch for switching the connection between the external charging terminal and the main battery pack; an auxiliary battery connection unit including an auxiliary battery connection terminal for applying power to the vehicle through a contactor, a second voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage of the auxiliary battery connection terminal, and an auxiliary battery switch for switching the connection between the auxiliary battery connection terminal and the contactor; and an emergency control unit for switching to an emergency charging mode or an auxiliary connection mode by turning on the emergency charging switch or the auxiliary battery switch during the voltage measurement of the first or second voltage measurement unit.

Abstract: A switch of a connecting circuit is connected between a signal line branched from an input terminal for a pilot signal in a charging inlet and a ground line connected to a vehicle earth, and is turned on/off in response to a control signal from a CPU. The CPU causes the switch to be turned on when a connector is not connected to the charging inlet, and detects a break in a control pilot line based on whether or not a change in the potential of the pilot signal occurs at that time.

Abstract: Disclosed is an add-on communication apparatus attached to an in-cable charging control device integrated with a cable assembly to charge an electric vehicle. The add-on communication apparatus includes a first communication module to make wireless communication with a terminal, a second communication module to make wireless communication with the in-cable charging control device, and a control module. The control module receives a command from the terminal through the first communication module, generates a first control command based on the command, and transmits the first control command to the in-cable charging control device through the second communication module.

Abstract: A method and system for applying a multi-rate charge to a battery are included herein. The method includes detecting a plurality of predetermined electrical measurements and a plurality of predetermined charge currents. The method also includes detecting an electrical measurement of the battery. Additionally, the method includes selecting a charge current from the plurality of predetermined charge currents to be applied to the battery based on the electrical measurement of the battery and the plurality of predetermined electrical measurements. Furthermore, the method includes applying the charge current to the battery. The method also includes detecting a plurality of subsequent electrical measurements of the battery. In addition, the method includes applying a plurality of subsequent charge currents to the battery based on the plurality of subsequent electrical measurements of the battery and the plurality of predetermined charge currents.

Abstract: A charging device with 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. Reduce of the voltage of the rechargeable battery is due to self-discharge of the rechargeable battery during standby after being fully charged.

Abstract: A power management unit accurately measures and controls charging current. The power management unit may be implemented more efficiently than prior designs, leading to cost savings in the implementation of the power management unit as well as in the implementation of the device that incorporates the power management unit. The power management unit incorporates a model of an external charge control device (e.g., a transistor) and uses that model in a way that allows the power management unit to eliminate external device pins and other circuitry.

Abstract: A balance charging detector is configured to detect a balance charging condition for a battery. The balance charging detector includes a controller and a comparing module. The controller is configured to monitor a status of the battery, access battery parameters for the battery that correspond to the status, and generate a group of balance charging parameters based on the battery parameters. The comparing module is configured to set a balance charging flag based on a comparison of the group of balance charging parameters and a set of thresholds. A balance charging signal can be generated if the balance charging flag is set to indicate presence of a condition to perform a balance charging of the battery.

Abstract: A device and a method are provided. In a terminal capable of at least one of a wireless charging function and a near field communication (NFC) function, the device displays operation states of the functions via an e-skin unit. Wireless charging efficiency, a charging state, and a communication state may be selectively or totally displayed to a user.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for charging or maintaining a battery that includes power conversion circuitry configured to provide output power for charging or maintaining the battery. The system also includes electrical conductors coupled to the power conversion circuitry and configured to be coupled to the battery for charging or maintaining the battery. Additionally, the system includes control circuitry coupled to the power conversion circuitry and configured to monitor charging or maintaining of the battery. The control circuitry is further configured to determine whether the battery may be defective or failing based upon the output power and a time threshold.

Abstract: In a charging control device, a determining unit individually determines whether a charging path and a vehicle are in a connected state or non-connected state based on a current value detected by a current detecting means. The state of connection with the vehicle is detected not by an exclusive sensor as it is done in the prior art but by using a current detection result by the current detecting means. Hence the cost for detecting the state of connection with the vehicle can be reduced.

Abstract: An electronic device receives a voltage from a power source. The electronic device comprises a voltage converting module, an energy storing module, a switching module, and an illuminating module. The voltage converting module converts the voltage provided by the power source into a working voltage. The energy storing module is capable of being charged by the working voltage. The switching module is connected between the voltage converting module and the illuminating module. The illuminating module is capable of emitting light for indicating the voltage of the energy storing module. When the working voltage is suddenly changed, the switching module turns off and cuts off an electrical connection between the voltage converting module and the illuminating module. The illuminating module stops emitting light.

Abstract: A charging device for use with an electric vehicle including a power storage device. The charging device includes a power conduit configured to electrically couple the power storage device to the charging device. The charging device includes a first protection device configured to electrically isolate the charging device from the power storage device if a current flowing through the power conduit exceeds a current limit. The charging device also includes a controller configured to control the current flowing through the power conduit if the current flowing through the power conduit causes an integration threshold to be exceeded, wherein the integration threshold is representative of a predetermined amount of current that is enabled to flow through the power conduit over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus including monitoring unit and a charging control unit. The monitoring unit is configured to monitor at least one data acquisition source of a device operated by a rechargeable battery and to estimate a context of the device based on data acquired from the at least one data acquisition source. The charging control unit is configured to dynamically adjust charging voltage and charging current applied to the rechargeable battery based on the estimated context of the device acquired from the monitoring unit. The battery includes at least one battery cell.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products charge a battery in a vehicle. A charging station selects charging parameters based on a vehicle identification number associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of serial multi-vehicle quick charge systems and stations for battery propulsion vehicles and methods thereof. One charging system comprises a charging unit having a plurality of charging circuits configured to be individually switched. The plurality of charging stations is electrically connected to the charging unit through the plurality of charging circuits. A controller is programmed to initiate charging of a vehicle connected to the charging unit through one of the charging stations by signaling a corresponding one of the charging circuits to close, track order of connection of each vehicle connected to the charging unit and initiate charging of each subsequently connected vehicle one at a time based on the order of connection, such that an individual vehicle is charged until a predetermined fraction of battery charge capacity has been obtained before the controller initiates charging of a vehicle next in the order of connection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for ascertaining the open circuit voltage (OCV) of a battery, to a battery with a module configured to ascertain the open circuit voltage and to a motor vehicle having a corresponding battery, which is configured to ascertain the ageing-dependent open circuit voltage of battery packs installed in a vehicle. To this end it is proposed to determine the open circuit voltage during the charging operation of the battery. Furthermore proposed are a battery having a module for ascertaining the open circuit voltage of a battery, and a vehicle having a battery of this type.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating an external manual battery charger having a first AC power input and a DC charging output. The apparatus includes an AC controller configured to adjust at least one power parameter supplied to the AC power input of the external manual battery charger. The power parameter(s) may be any one or more of AC current, AC voltage and AC power. The apparatus further includes a feedback converter configured to monitor at least one charging parameter and to control the AC controller to adjust the one or more power parameters in accordance with the monitored charging parameter or parameters.

Abstract: A charging system (10) is constituted by including a battery assembly (14) constituted by a plurality of storage batteries (12), a switching unit (16), a charging control unit (18), and a battery management unit (20). The battery management unit (20) is equipped with: a voltage acquiring section (22) for acquiring a terminal-to-terminal voltage (VB) of the battery assembly (14) on which constant current charging is being performed under the control of the charging control unit (18); and a transmission processing section (24) for, when the acquired terminal-to-terminal voltage (VB) of the battery assembly (14) reaches a predetermined threshold switching voltage (V0), transmitting a switching command for prompting the charging control unit (18) to switch from constant current charging to constant voltage charging.

Abstract: A charge control device for a secondary battery controls a charge of the secondary battery including positive and negative electrodes. The device includes: a degradation degree detection and evaluation unit that detects and evaluates a degree of degradation of the secondary battery; and a charge control unit. The charge control unit controls a voltage application state to the electrode at a time of charge of the secondary battery based on an evaluation result of the degree of degradation of the second battery in the degradation degree detection and evaluation unit.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a system for measuring electricity. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

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: A charging method using a multiphase line voltage for charging an energy storage system (ESS) using a polyphase motor drive circuit communicated to a polyphase motor, the polyphase motor drive circuit including a plurality M of driver stages, one driver stage for each phase of the polyphase motor with each driver stage coupled across the energy storage system.

Abstract: A charge control circuit includes: a charge/discharge circuit to charge a capacitor when an input current from an input power supply is smaller than a first current, and discharge the capacitor when the input current is greater than the first current; a discharge circuit to discharge the capacitor when the input current becomes greater than a second current greater than the first current; an error amplifier circuit to amplify an error between a lower voltage between a capacitor charging voltage and a reference voltage corresponding to the maximum output voltage, and a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage; and a drive circuit to perform switching of a transistor of a booster circuit, including an inductor and the transistor to increase an inductor current, configured to boost the output voltage by supplying the inductor current to the terminal when the transistor is off, so that the error becomes smaller.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging multiple rechargeable devices is disclosed. The apparatus includes a hub or multiple T-connectors connected between a power source, preferably a Zinc-air battery, and several chargers, the hub/T-connectors configured to provide electrical and mechanical connectivity between the power source and the chargers. The apparatus includes housings configured to encase the chargers and to conformally receive each of the corresponding devices containing rechargeable batteries. The apparatus further includes pouches configured to removably receive chargers, devices, and the power source. When the power source voltage falls below a certain threshold, then a charger associated with a device having the smallest difference between its rated voltage and its measured voltage discontinues charging before other chargers. The apparatus is wearable by a user.

Abstract: A battery system including a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells and a charger control circuit configured to receive unregulated power from a source and to provide regulated power to the battery pack. The battery system also includes a battery management system configured to individually monitor and control the plurality of battery cells and the charger control circuit.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for saving power and electricity in a charging device including external power supplies and battery chargers having a primary circuit and a secondary circuit where a switch is located in the primary circuit and a current sensing device in the secondary circuit to sense when there is a drop in current in the secondary circuit or no current in the secondary circuit because the load such as a cell phone or tablet is charged and when this occurs the switch in the primary circuit is opened and the primary circuit no longer draws power from the source of power until the switch in the primary circuit is closed by activation of a user of the charging device.

Abstract: An excavator includes an electric load, an electrical energy storage unit including an electrical energy storage part (19) that supplies electric power to the electric load, and a control unit (30) that controls an amount of charge to the electrical energy storage part (19) so that a charge rate of the electrical energy storage part (19) is between a system control upper limit value and a system control lower limit value. The control unit (30) controls the amount of charge to the electrical energy storage part (19) based on a changing trend of a detection value of the charge rate.

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: Cell balancing aims to prolong the battery operating life by equalizing the Electro Motive Force (or Open Circuit Voltage) of the participating cells. Even perfectly balanced cells though will exhibit different output voltages because of differences in their internal impedances. The difference in voltage will depend on the load current frequency and intensity. A method is described for re-distributing charge in such a way so when the worst (from the point of view of voltage spread) possible load conditions occur, cells will have similar outputs and none will cross the under-voltage threshold causing a premature shut down of the battery.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable medium are provided for high current battery charging using IR dropout compensation. The method first measures a battery current value and then multiplies that battery current value by an effective resistance of the battery to produce an effective dropout voltage value. The effective battery voltage value is then compared with a desired battery top off voltage value. The switch mode battery charger output setpoint is adjusted based on the setpoint voltage. Battery current and terminal current are then compared. Charging is terminated if the battery current is less than the terminal current. If the battery current is greater than the terminal current the battery current value is measured again and the charging process continues until the condition is met.

Abstract: A device and method for rated voltage detection and charging of electric batteries. The method comprises the steps of measuring a terminal voltage of the battery having first or second rated voltages, comparing the terminal voltage to a number of threshold voltages between a minimum threshold voltage and a maximum threshold voltage, determining a condition of the battery, which can be ready to charge or fault, based on a comparison of the terminal voltage to the threshold voltages, determining that the rated voltage of the electric battery is the second rated voltage if the determined condition of the electric battery is ready to charge, conducting a pre-charge process if the determined condition of the battery is neither ready to charge nor fault, determining the rated voltage of the electric battery based on a response to the pre-charge process, and charging the electric battery according to the determined rated voltage.