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: Charging devices and methods for charging electrically powered vehicles are disclosed. One example charging device includes a processor configured to at least partially control a state voltage and a detection circuit coupled to the processor. The detection circuit includes an energy storage device and a discharge circuit coupled to the energy storage device. The energy storage device is configured to be charged by the state voltage. The discharge circuit is configured to discharge said energy storage device in response to a discharge command from said processor. The processor is configured to determine a charging state associated with the electrically powered vehicle based on a voltage across said energy storage device.

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: An apparatus and method enable a charging power supply for a battery charge in a portable terminal regardless of the charge capacity of a charge cable for an external power supply. The apparatus for controlling a charge current in the portable terminal includes a detector for detecting power supplied to a battery and a charge capacity of a charge cable when the charge cable is connected to supply external power, and a charge integrated circuit (IC) for resetting a charge capacity of the portable terminal according to the capacity of the charge cable and controlling the power supplied to the battery according to an operation of the detector, when the charge capacity of the charge cable detected by the detector is not equal to the charge capacity of the portable terminal.

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: 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: A charge device is provided. The charge device includes a charge interface, a voltage detector and a control circuit. The charge interface receives a first power and provides a charge power to charge a rechargeable device accordingly. The voltage detector detects a charge voltage of the rechargeable device. The control circuit is respectively coupled to the charge interface and the voltage detector. When the charge voltage is smaller than a predetermined voltage, the control circuit makes the charge voltage and a charge current of the charge power to present a proportional relation. An electronic device and a charge method are also provided.

Abstract: A battery isolator unit is disclosed for controlling a switching means having a first contact for connection to a terminal of a first battery, a second contact for connection to a corresponding terminal of a second battery, and an actuating input for biasing a switch element of the switching means switch in a closed position. The battery isolator unit includes a sensing circuit and a switch controller. The sensing circuit periodically determines a first and second value attributable to terminal voltage values of the first battery and the second battery respectively. The switch controller is responsive to detecting a predetermined condition of the first battery and/or the second battery to provide to the actuating input a control signal having a characteristic for biasing the switch element to the closed position.

Abstract: A regulator comprises a rectifying circuit that rectifies an alternating current output from an output terminal of each phase of the three-phase alternating-current generator “101” and passes a charging current to the battery “B”; first to third semiconductor devices “T1”, “T2”, “T3” each of which has a first terminal “x1” to which a control signal is input, a second terminal “x2” connected to a negative side of the battery “B”, a third terminal “x3” connected to a positive side of the battery “B”, and a fourth terminal “x4” connected to an output terminal of a corresponding phase “U”, “V”, “W” of the three-phase alternating-current generator “101”; and a controller “CON” that detects a charging voltage for the battery and outputs the control signals based on a detection result.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for supplying energy, comprising: a first input adapted to receive a first voltage from a first terminal of a control component, a second input adapted to receive a second voltage from a second terminal of the control component, a first output adapted to receive output a control signal to a control terminal of the control component for controlling an energy supply of an electrical load; and a power determining arrangement, comprising a switched-capacitor arrangement having an input coupled to the first and the second input of the circuit arrangement and an output coupled to the first output of the circuit arrangement.

Abstract: A charging signal Vi responding to a charging current is inputted to one input terminal (?) of an operational amplifier 95 forming a comparator and a setting signal Vr corresponding to a setting current value is inputted to the other input terminal (+) of the operational amplifier 95. When the charging signal Vi is not higher than the setting signal Vr, a charging stop signal is generated from the output terminal of the operational amplifier 95 to interrupt a switch unit 4. A starting signal Vcc larger than the setting signal Vr applied to the other input terminal (+) is applied to the one input terminal (?) of the operational amplifier 95 through a condenser 94 till a prescribed time elapses from the start of a charging operation to generate a charging start signal from the output terminal of the operational amplifier 95 and electrically conduct the switch unit 4.

Abstract: A battery pack system module may include a module bypass switch for allowing charge current to bypass the battery pack system module. The module bypass switch may be activated to divert charging current from the battery pack system module to other battery pack system modules. The charging current may be diverted to bring other battery pack system modules into balance with the battery pack system module. That is, to bring the state of charge of all battery pack system modules into coarse balance. When the module bypass switch is activated, charging current through the module bypass switch may be monitored by a current sensing device such as a current sensing resistor. A microprocessor may receive information about the bypass current level and use the information to determine when to de-activate the module bypass switch. Sensing current through a module bypass switch allows more accurate and quicker inter-module balancing.

Abstract: A method includes charging a battery to a first percentage of full capacity, where the first percentage of full capacity is above a pre-charge capacity and below the full capacity, monitoring, using a controller, the battery for a predetermined threshold and in response to the battery reaching the predetermined threshold, charging the battery to a second percentage of full capacity, where the second percentage of full capacity is greater than the first percentage of full capacity.

Abstract: A charge control circuit having a charge controller, a voltage detector, and a current detector is provided. The charge controller repeats the constant current constant voltage charge a plurality of times. In doing so, the charge controller supplies a charging current of a predetermined set current value from the charger to the secondary battery. This causes the charger to execute constant current charge when the terminal voltage detected by the voltage detector becomes equal to a predetermined threshold voltage value during the execution of the constant current charge. In turn, the charger executes a constant voltage charge by supplying a charging voltage of the threshold voltage value from the charger to the secondary battery until a current value detected by the current detector becomes equal to a predetermined threshold current value.

Abstract: A battery protection circuit for protecting a secondary battery composed of a first cell and a second cell, includes a reference voltage supply circuit that outputs a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage generated based on cell voltages of the first cell and the second cell, respectively; a first detection circuit that outputs a signal prohibiting charging when at least one of the cell voltages of the first cell and the second cell exceeds a predetermined overcharge indication value; a second detection circuit that outputs a signal prohibiting charging when at least one of the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage is not within a predetermined target range; and a control circuit that controls to prohibit charging when at least one of the outputs from the first detection circuit and the second detection circuit is the signal prohibiting charging.

Abstract: A power storage device including: a secondary battery; an acquisition unit that acquires charging period information for charging the secondary battery; and a charge control unit that calculates a charging power on the basis of the charging period information and controls charging power used for charging the secondary battery so that of the charging power is equal to the calculated charging power.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method implemented by a processor, comprising receiving voltage values corresponding to a battery system, receiving charge values corresponding to charge flowing through the battery system, and determining a state of charge based on specified anchoring points of a charge integration, the anchoring points based on the received voltage and time.

Abstract: A charging monitor has a switch disposed between a load section having a storage battery and an external AC power supply supplying a current to the load section via a plurality of lines and interrupts the supply of the current from the external AC power supply to the load section; a current detection circuit; a suppression circuit that suppresses a DC component contained in the detection signal; a filter circuit that filters a plurality of frequency components contained in the detection signal so that attenuation increases as a frequency becomes high; a rectifier smoothing circuit that rectifies and smoothens an output signal; and an electric leakage determination circuit that detects an electric leakage and shuts off the switch.

Abstract: A charging circuit includes a current mirror block configured to charge a load in response to a control voltage applied thereto, and a charge controller configured to generate the control voltage in response to comparison result values obtained by comparing a current sensing value and a voltage sensing value of the current mirror block with respective reference values. The comparison result value are applied to the gates of MOS transistors connected in series. The charge controller is configured to switch a charge mode from a constant current charge mode to a constant voltage charge mode when the charge state of the load reaches a predetermined state.

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: An electronic device which is able to be charged via a universal serial bus (USB) interface which connects to a computer. A first voltage of a battery of the electronic device, a second voltage and an electric current of the USB interface are determined. If a difference between the first voltage and a saturation voltage of the battery is greater than a predefined value, the electronic device is charged with a first electric current. If the second voltage is not lower than a threshold voltage and the electric current of the USB interface is not lower than the electrical energy consumption of the electronic device, the first electric current is decreased.

Abstract: Some embodiments include systems for electric grid balancing and methods of using and providing the same. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A power management system includes a sensor to detect current output from a battery, a first comparator to compare the battery current to a first reference value, and a burst controller to perform a first power control operation based on said comparison. The power control operation reduces power consumed by the battery in order to cause the battery current to fall below the first reference value. This may be accomplished by reducing or shutting down power to one or more functions or features of a host system that includes or is coupled to receive power from the battery. The host system may include or correspond to a mobile phone and/or any of a number of other electronic devices.

Abstract: A navigation ECU records a charge-possible point through charging position record processing and records the history of traveling conditions near the charge-possible point through learning control processing. If a destination point on an optimum route is the charge-possible point, the navigation ECU determines a continuous section where the EV traveling is possible up to the charge-possible point based on the history through SOC management plan preparation processing, and changes over the HV traveling and the EV traveling according to the determination through in-travel processing.

Abstract: A network-controlled charge transfer device for electric vehicles includes a control device to turn electric supply on and off to enable and disable charge transfer for electric vehicles, a transceiver to communicate requests for charge transfer with a remote server and receive communications from the remote server, and a controller, coupled with the control device and the transceiver, to cause the control device to turn the electric supply on based on communication from the remote server.

Abstract: A battery pack includes: a secondary battery formed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series; a control section measuring a voltage at each of the battery cells and controlling each part according to the measurement result; a charge/discharge control circuit temporarily inhibiting charging and discharging of the secondary battery under control of the control section; an interruption circuit interrupting charge and discharge currents of the secondary battery under control of the control section to inhibit charging and discharging of the secondary battery permanently; a discharge circuit discharging a predetermined battery cell among the battery cells under control of the control section; a capacity measuring section measuring the amount of electricity discharged from the battery cell; and a storage section storing total discharge amount information indicating a total amount of discharged electricity and a charge/discharge inhibition record indicating a count of temporary charge/discharge inhibition

Abstract: A charging circuit includes a transistor, a current regulating resistor, a field effect transistor (FET) and a main controller. The transistor includes an emitter, a base and a collector, the FET includes a source, a gate and a drain. The emitter is connected to the battery charger; the drain is connected to the battery. The main controller includes a current control unit, a charge control unit and a voltage detection unit. The current control unit transmits current signals to the base of the transistor to turn on the transistor and regulate the current values of the collector, the voltage detection unit detects the voltage of the battery and controls the charge control unit according to detection result, and the charge control unit sends a command signal to the gate to switch the FET on or off.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to restore or recharge one or more cells of a battery. A switching module sources an element charging current from a first input voltage to the battery when a charging control signal is at a first logical level or sinks an element discharging current from the battery to a second input voltage when the charging control signal is at a second logical level. A controller module provides the charging control signal based upon a comparison of a reference voltage and a control voltage pulse, the control voltage pulse being generated by the controller module in response to a replica current, the replica current being proportional to the element charging current. A feedback module compares a voltage of the battery to a reference voltage to provide a charging error signal.

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: A battery charger for an electronic device receives current limited power from an external power source, such as a Universal Serial Bus power interface. The battery charger can linearly regulate a charging current to an internal battery and limit the charging current so as not to demand current in excess of what the external power source can provide. A bi-directional pass element coupled between a system power terminal and the internal battery controls the charging current and effectively isolates the internal battery from a system load during charging of the battery while providing a low impedance path from the internal battery to the system load during discharging of the battery.

Abstract: A charging control apparatus controls charging of a battery connected to a battery terminal and supplies a voltage and a current necessary for a system circuit through an output terminal. The charging control apparatus has a switching control circuit that controls a DC-DC converter, the DC-DC converter performing DC-DC conversion with respect to an input voltage input through an input terminal and outputting an obtained output voltage to the output terminal. The charging control apparatus has an output voltage detection circuit that detects the output voltage. The charging control apparatus has a battery voltage detection circuit that detects a battery voltage of the battery terminal. The charging control apparatus has a first switch MOS transistor connected between the output terminal and the battery terminal. The charging control apparatus has a voltage control circuit that controls an operation of the first switch MOS transistor according to the battery voltage.

Abstract: A charging method for a rechargeable battery is disclosed. A preset power is provided to the rechargeable battery when the rechargeable battery is connected to a charger for execution of a first charge process. A use state of the rechargeable battery is obtained. A first adjustable charge power is provided to the rechargeable battery when the rechargeable battery is reconnected to the charger for execution of a second charge process.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a switching controller uses an auxiliary winding voltage of a transformer to form a signal representative of current flow through a secondary winding of the transformer. The controller is configured to limit a current through a secondary winding to a maximum value.

Abstract: Systems (50, 200) and methods for determining a state of charge of a battery (52, 102, 150, 202) are provided. The system (50, 200) includes a power source (56, 206) configured to provide a charging current to a battery (52, 102, 150, 202). A controller (54, 104, 204) is included and configured to determine a state of charge of the battery (52, 102, 150, 202) based on impedance of a battery (52, 102, 150, 202) during a discharge time period based on an impedance and a state of charge relation-ship of a battery (52, 102, 150, 202) during a charge time period.

Abstract: An overcharge protection device (OPD) is provided that may be used alone, or in combination with conventional charging protection systems, to protect a battery pack from the occurrence of a potentially damaging overcharging event. The OPD is designed to be coupled to, and interposed between, the terminals of the battery pack. During normal system operation, the OPD has no effect on the operation of the charging system or the battery pack. During an overcharging event, if overcharging is not prevented by another conventional system, the OPD of the invention creates a short across the terminals of the battery pack causing a battery pack fuse designed to provide battery pack short circuit protection to blow, thereby interrupting the current path from the charger to the battery pack and preventing the battery pack from being overcharged.

Abstract: An automotive power supply system comprises a battery module that includes serially connected battery groups each constituted with serially connected battery cells, integrated circuits each disposed in correspondence to one of the battery groups, a control circuit, a transmission path through which the integrated circuits are connected to the control circuit and a relay circuit via which an electrical current is supplied from the battery module. In response to a start signal instructing an operation start and received via the transmission path, each integrated circuit measures terminal voltages at the individual battery cells in the corresponding battery group and executes an abnormality diagnosis. If abnormality diagnosis results provided by the integrated circuits indicate no abnormality, the control circuit closes the relay, enabling supply of electrical current from the battery module and subsequently, the control circuit receives measurement results from the integrated circuits via the transmission path.

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: Systems, apparatus, and methods for automobile battery management is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for providing balanced and individualized charging to a battery pack is provided. The apparatus uses microcontrollers to determine a charge level of the batteries, and correspondingly controls a power balancer to apply a charge current to the battery in relation to the charge level, and dissipates the remaining charge current as heat energy. In one embodiment, a system controller controls a balanced charging operation of the battery system, provides an interface for a user to monitor cell-level parameters, and protects the battery cells from undercharging or overcharging during the charging or discharging operations.

Abstract: A charging method for a battery includes: enabling a charging device to charge the battery with a first charging voltage having a value that is increasing and a first charging current having a value that is constant; and when it is determined that the value of the first charging voltage is equal to a maximum charging voltage value of the battery, enabling the charging device to charge the battery with a second charging voltage having a value that is equal to a maximum charging voltage value of the battery, and a second charging current having a value that is decreasing. A charging device for realizing the charging method is also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: A differential amplifier circuit comprises a first input transistor including a control electrode serving as a non-inversion input terminal and a second input transistor including a control electrode serving as an inversion input terminal. These first and second input transistors constitute a difference pair. A bias current generation circuit section is provided to generate a bias current flowing to the first and second input transistors. An offset adjustment circuit section is provided to adjust an input offset voltage appearing at these input terminals. The offset adjustment circuit section has an adjustment resistance formed from a first variable resistance inserted into a first current route connecting to the first input transistor and a second variable resistance inserted into a second current route connecting to the second input transistor. The bias current generation circuit section changes the bias current in accordance with a change in a value of the adjustment resistance.

Abstract: A charge/discharge control device for a secondary battery mounted on a vehicle includes a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of a battery and a control device setting a battery power charged to and discharged from the battery base on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and the state of charge of the battery. The control device sets at least one of a first value, a second value and a third value to be increased as the battery temperature rises, the first value indicating the state of charge at the time of switching between charging and discharging of the battery, the second value indicating the state of charge at the time when the battery power charged to the battery reaches a limit value in the case where the state of charge falls below the first value, and the third value indicating the state of charge at the time when the battery power discharged from the battery reaches the limit value in the case where the state of charge exceeds the first value.

Abstract: A batter charger for charging a secondary batter using a power supply circuit which converts an AC input into a DC output, includes a first resistor for detecting constant-current control and a second resistor for detecting end of charging. The first resister and the second register are inserted in series in a current path of the charging current. The power supply circuit has output characteristics of a constant-current control characteristic and a constant-voltage control characteristic. The constant-current control is performed using a first detection voltage generated at the first resistor, and the constant-voltage control is performed by comparing a second detection voltage generated at a series resistor composed of the first resistor and the second resistor with a reference voltage using a comparator, and detecting an end of charging indicated by the second detection voltage fallen below the reference voltage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a battery charging control circuit. The charging control circuit includes: a constant-current charging unit and a trickle charging unit. The charging control circuit further includes a branch switch, a control unit, and a detection unit. The branch switch is connected between a power source and the rechargeable battery for enabling or disabling the constant-current charging unit. The control unit is between the constant-current charging unit and the branch switch for controlling the branch switch. The detection unit is used to detect a state of the rechargeable battery. If the detection unit detects the state of the rechargeable battery is correspond to a predetermined state, then the control unit controls the branch switch to disable the constant-current charging unit and enable the trickle charging unit.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for supplying energy, comprising: a first input adapted to receive a first voltage from a first terminal of a control component, a second input adapted to receive a second voltage from a second terminal of the control component, a first output adapted to receive output a control signal to a control terminal of the control component for controlling an energy supply of an electrical load; and a power determining arrangement, comprising a switched-capacitor arrangement having an input coupled to the first and the second input of the circuit arrangement and an output coupled to the first output of the circuit arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a charging control circuit for a rechargeable battery. The charging control circuit includes: a constant-current charging unit and a trickle charging unit. The charging control circuit further includes a branch switch, a detection switch, a control unit, and a detection unit. The branch switch is connected between a power source and the rechargeable battery for enabling or disabling the constant-current charging unit, the detection switch is turned on or off depending on the enable or disable state of the constant-current charging unit. The control unit is connected between the detection switch and the branch switch for controlling the branch switch to turn on or off depending on the off or on state of the detection switch.

Abstract: Herein described are at least methods and systems to control power dissipation while charging a device. In a representative embodiment, the method comprises first monitoring a first voltage output by a charger used for said charging a battery of a device, second monitoring a second voltage at the battery, first determining a first current based on a power dissipation value associated with the device, the first voltage, and the second voltage, second determining a minimum of the first current and a second current, wherein the second current equals the maximum charging current during a typical charge cycle of the device, and applying a control signal to a control circuit to generate the minimum, wherein the control circuit is communicatively coupled to the charger at a first port, and the battery at a second port. An exemplary system comprises one or more circuits operable for, at least performing the aforementioned method.

Abstract: A method for estimating a life status of a lithium battery applicable to a portable electronic device is described. The method includes the following steps. Firstly, a plurality of lithium battery life status intervals are sectioned out by a plurality of voltage-electric quantity curves representing characteristics of the lithium battery. Then, an actual voltage and an actual electric quantity of the lithium battery of the portable electronic device are measured. Afterwards, positions of the actual voltage and the actual electric quantity in the lithium battery life status intervals are determined to estimate the life status of the lithium battery.

Abstract: A charger that charges a battery unit including a secondary battery, includes a receiving unit, a detection unit, a determination unit, and a control unit. The receiving unit receives, from the battery unit, battery state information indicating a state of the battery unit, if the secondary battery is being charged. The detection unit detects charge state information indicating the state of the battery unit, if the secondary battery is being charged. The determination unit determines, using the battery state information and the charge state information, whether the battery unit is in a normal state. The control unit controls charging of the secondary battery in the battery unit depending on whether the battery unit is in the normal state.

Abstract: A control system for charging enabling efficient charging of rechargeable batteries in an electronic apparatus which charges its rechargeable batteries by using a charger circuit when driving the apparatus by using an external power source, including first detecting unit for detecting a differential value between a maximum permissible charging current allowed by the rechargeable batteries and a charging current flowing to the rechargeable batteries; second detecting unit for detecting a maximum usable current by detecting a differential value between a maximum supplyable current allowed by the external power source and the current consumption of the apparatus; third detecting unit for detecting a differential value between a maximum useable current and the charging current flowing to the rechargeable batteries; and control unit for controlling the system in accordance with the differential values detected by the first and third detecting units so that the charger circuit generates the maximum charging current