Abstract: A crawler type power shovel vehicle (1) operated by a hydraulic actuator (20), constructed from an electric motor (31) for driving a hydraulic pump (32) for supplying hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuator (20), a battery (50) for supplying direct current power, an inverter (41) for operating the electric motor (31) by converting the direct current power into alternating current power and supplying it to the motor, a controller (40) for causing the inverter (41) to control operation of the electric motor (31), and a voltage/current sensor (42) for detecting the magnitude of a load current flowing from the battery (50) into the inverter (41). The controller (40) stops the motor (31) when the magnitude of the load current detected by the voltage/current sensor (42) continuously exceeds a predetermined threshold for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A power management system includes a battery pack having a battery controller and includes an adapter operable for charging the battery pack and powering a system load. The adapter generates a power recognition signal indicative of a maximum adapter power and receives a control signal. The battery controller in the battery pack receives the power recognition signal and generates the control signal to adjust an output power of the adapter according to a status of the battery pack and a status of the system load.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is used to confirm the charge amount and degradation state of a battery. Various cycle test battery measurements are conducted at prescribed time intervals until the end of the battery life, and the measured values are used to generate a determination table or determination tables showing relationships between battery charge amount and degradation state. To establish the charge amount and degradation state of a subject battery, the subject battery is measured and the results compared with determination table values. The existing charge amount and the state of battery degradation are estimated in accordance with a determination table location of matching values.

Abstract: A system and method for improving cycle lifetimes for a lithium-ion battery pack, particularly for adapting to a dynamic use profile for a user.

Abstract: A container for testing an electrochemical cell having at least one anode and at least one cathode. The container includes a base and a lid movably coupled to the base between an open position and a closed position. The base and the lid cooperate to define an internal cavity that is sized to receive the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting an open cell tap condition in a battery pack. The method includes: applying a detection voltage across an electrical impedance that is coupled to a measurement node, where the detection voltage exceeds voltage measures at a node disposed between serially coupled battery cells of the battery pack and the measurement node is coupled by a circuit path to said node; measuring the voltage at the measurement node while the detection voltage is being applied; and detecting a break in the circuit path when the voltage measured at the measurement node is substantially equal to the detection voltage.

Abstract: A method for use with a vehicle battery pack, where the method determines a voltage threshold that may prevent the vehicle battery pack from being overcharged. The voltage threshold may be a dynamic threshold that changes or adjusts over time in order to accommodate changing conditions in the vehicle battery pack, the vehicle and/or the surrounding environment. The method may consider one or more battery readings when determining the voltage threshold, including temperature, voltage and/or current readings. According to one embodiment, the method is designed to accommodate high-current, short-duration charging events, like regenerative breaking.

Abstract: A system, a method, and an article of manufacture for determining an estimated battery parameter vector indicative of a parameter of a battery are provided. The method determines a first estimated battery parameter vector indicative of a parameter of the battery at a first predetermined time based on a plurality of predicted battery parameter vectors, a plurality of predicted battery output vectors, and a first battery output vector.

Abstract: A system and method for determining life of a rechargeable battery. Data representing relationship between lasting time of the battery and equivalent number of life cycles of the battery is provided; lasting time of the battery in charging is obtained; and the life of the battery is determined utilizing the obtained lasting time and the data provided.

Abstract: Control apparatus for operating a rechargeable energy storage device and for collecting operating data, as well as a method for operating such a control apparatus. The invention is described with reference to the use in a motor vehicle and to the control of the rechargeable energy storage device thereof for the supply of the electric drive of the motor vehicle. However, it should be noted that an apparatus having the features of the claims can operate rechargeable energy storage devices also independently of motor vehicles, or in stationary use.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide methods and systems for auto-voltage detect chargers. One disclosed method comprises the steps of determining a condition of a battery based at least in part on a measured response to a predetermined test charge; and determining a voltage rating of the battery based at least in part on the condition of the battery and a response to a precharge process.

Abstract: A battery-state monitoring apparatus includes: a secondary battery 200 supplying an electric power to portable equipment 300; and an operation processing part 50 that can detect a battery state of the secondary battery 200 in a detection mode to detect the battery state of the secondary battery 200, the operation processing part using the secondary battery 200 as a power source, wherein the battery-state monitoring apparatus includes a start-up current detecting part 31 detecting a start-up of the portable equipment 300, and wherein the operation processing part 50 waits for a detection of the battery state in a standby mode in which power consumption is smaller than the detection mode until the start-up is detected by the start-up current detecting part 31, and, on the other hand, the operation processing part 50 detects, by intermittently performing a temporary return from the standby mode to the detection mode, the battery state of the secondary battery in a return period during which the return is made.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an external programming device is operable to determine and graphically display power consumption of an implantable medical device (“IMD”). In accordance with this particular embodiment, the external programming device includes a graphical user interface display and a communication interface operable to receive information from an IMD. In this embodiment, the external programming device is operable to receive IMD parameter settings and/or battery parameter values from the IMD, calculate a power consumption rate for the IMD, and then display the power consumption on the graphical user interface display using a graphical visual indicator.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide an output based upon a selected test criteria. Additionally, circuitry is provided to assist in balancing batteries used in a string of multiple batteries.

Abstract: Battery maintenance equipment is provided for use in maintaining storage batteries. The battery maintenance equipment includes battery maintenance circuitry. A redemption code output is provided and configured to provide an output having a redeemable value in response to the battery maintenance circuitry. A method includes outputting a redemption code in response to usage of battery maintenance equipment.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and battery including a state-of-charge indicator (SOCI) to monitor and display the amount of charge within the battery. The SOCI is capable of operating in a hibernate mode, an active mode, and/or a sleep mode. The battery may be manufactured, shipped and/or stored with the SOCI operating in a power-saving hibernate mode. The SOCI may exit the hibernate mode and begin operating in active mode if a physical key connected to the battery is removed. In addition, the SOCI may operate in a sleep mode while the battery is not being used to conserve power. Furthermore, the invention provides a method of making a battery including a SOCI to monitor and display the state of charge of the battery.

Abstract: A BMS and driving method, the BMS including a sensing unit sensing voltages and currents of battery cells and an MCU determining an SOC of the battery cells and controlling charging and discharging based on cell voltages and currents of the battery cells, wherein the MCU includes an SOC measurer measuring first SOCs and, after a predetermined duration, second SOCs of the battery cells; and a controller determining whether a first difference value between a maximum second SOC value and the second SOCs of each battery cell is greater than a first reference value or determining whether a second difference value between the first and second SOCs of respective battery cells is greater than a second reference value, and determining which battery cell is shorted when the first difference value is greater than the first reference value or when the second difference value is greater than the second reference value.

Abstract: Improvements both in the methods whereby existing techniques for determining the condition of a battery are communicated to a user (for example, to the owner of a private vehicle, or to the service manager of a fleet of vehicles), or the vehicle's operating system, and in the methods for evaluating the condition of the battery are disclosed. It has been discovered by the inventors that the difference in internal resistance of a fully charged battery as measured during charging and as measured after charging is greater for a battery in poor condition than for a new battery. The invention relates in part to instruments and corresponding methods for evaluating the condition of a battery utilizing this discovery.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward machine implemented method for estimating the ion density of the surface of either positive or negative electrode of a battery. The machine-implemented method includes dividing each electrode into N layers of active electrode material, determining the ion density variable for each one of the N layers of the active electrode, and determining the ion density of the electrode surface. In the presently disclosed method, the ion density variable of each of the N layers of the active electrode changes as a function of the difference between the respective ion density variables of adjacent N layers, and the ion density of the electrode surface changes as a function of the battery current and the difference between the respective ion density variables of adjacent N layers. The present method is particularly applicable to Li-ion batteries.

Abstract: A circuit used to measure cell voltages in a battery pack can include a cell voltage level shifter, a sense block, and a compensation current generator. The cell voltage level shifter selects a cell and shifts the terminal voltages of the selected cell from a first voltage level to a second voltage level. The sense block monitors the current consumed by the level shifter, and generates a signal indicative of the consumed current. The compensation current generator generates compensation currents to compensate the current consumed by the level shifter. Therefore, unbalance of the cell capacities caused by the current consumed by the level shifter can be reduced or eliminated, and thus the overall capacity of the battery pack can be improved.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing electrical storage batteries monitor magnetic susceptibility of components of the storage batteries. In some embodiments, magnetic susceptibility of a plate in a lead-acid battery is determined to provide an indication of the state of charge of the battery.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a secondary battery includes repeatedly performing: an open circuit voltage measurement step of measuring the open circuit voltage of the secondary battery to be evaluated at each of a plurality of temperatures; a potential change measurement step of measuring, after the open circuit voltage measurement step, the potential change in the secondary battery while changing the state of charge of the secondary battery; and an equilibrium potential measurement step of measuring the equilibrium potential of the secondary battery after the potential change measurement step. An entropy variation in each of the different states of charge is calculated based on the open circuit voltages at the plurality of temperatures measured in the state of charge, and a chemical diffusion coefficient in each of the different states of charge is calculated based on the equilibrium potential of the secondary battery and the potential change in the secondary battery both measured in the state of charge.

Abstract: A battery replaceable pack for a portable electronic device is provided. The battery replaceable pack includes a containing casing, at least one battery, a protecting circuit board, and a connector. The protecting circuit board has a charging circuit and a detecting circuit electrically connected with each other. When the portable electronic device is connected to an external power supply, the charging circuit performs a testing charge on the battery and the detecting circuit detects the status of the battery. The detecting circuit detects whether the battery is rechargeable so as to assure the battery safety. An electronic device with the battery replaceable pack is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the management of large stationary batteries. The invention is a comprehensive system and process for the management of stationary batteries that are used for backup power and are deployed in widely dispersed locations. The system may be comprised of a plurality of batteries and web-based software. The system software can automatically analyze, determine and report the number of batteries and total cost based on required runtime reserve by computing the power of batteries currently in a system and available batteries for installation.

Abstract: A battery testing/charging system includes an execution unit, such as a battery tester/charger, a receptacle configured to receive an external booster pack, and an outlet configured to power the booster pack when the booster pack is connected to the outlet. The receptacle removably receives the booster pack, such that the booster pack can be removed and separately carried when the execution unit is not required. The receptacle may be integrated with the execution unit. Alternatively, the execution unit may be mounted on a cart, and the receptacle integrated with the cart. The cart may also include an accessory storage tray and an output device bracket. The execution unit may receive partial or total power from the booster pack.

Abstract: A charge protection circuit with a timing function is disclosed. The circuit includes a charge protection module constituting of a second switch, a second capacitor and a control integrated circuit (IC). The second switch Q2 is switched to turn on or turn off to charge or discharge the lithium-ion battery. The second capacitor configured for setting a delay time of a Ct terminal of the control IC, thus to prevent the battery from being overcharged. The circuit further includes a charge timing circuit configured for predetermining a time threshold value. When the charge time reaches the time threshold value, the charge timing circuit outputs a second high level signal to charge the second capacitor. The second capacitor triggers the control IC to turn off the second switch, thereby terminating the charge of the battery body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for evaluating an internal short circuit of a battery. An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus capable of evaluating whether or not an internal short circuit has occurred in an electrode group in consideration of pressure applied to the electrode group. An internal short circuit evaluation apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention includes at least a pressure member capable of operating independently and applying pressure to at least a predetermined position of the surface of the electrode group, and a short-circuiting member that is pressed into the predetermined position. An internal short circuit evaluation apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention includes a pressure member having an integrated short-circuiting member.

Abstract: A system measures a temperature condition of a component of a mobile communication device, determines a battery of the mobile communication device based on the measured temperature condition, activates the determined battery, activates a temperature management device connected to the battery, and manages the measured temperature condition of the component with the temperature management device.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring the operating state of a battery, preferably a Ni metal hydride or a Li-ion battery, formed of consisting of one or several interconnected battery cells, during the charging and discharging of the battery a low-frequency alternating current signal or voltage signal is applied to the battery. The resulting voltage or current signal is measured and the operating state of the battery or its battery cells is determined from at least one change in the harmonic distortion content of the measured voltage or current signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods and apparatus are provided for indicating to a user a low battery condition of a remote control for a controlled device. More particularly, a remote control detects a low battery condition as well as the replacement of batteries in the remote control. The remote control transmits a low battery message to a controlled device responsive to detecting a low battery condition. Similarly, the remote control transmits a battery status message to the controlled device responsive to detecting the replacement of batteries in the remote control. The controlled device utilizes the low battery message and the battery status message to determine whether to present a low battery indicator to a user regarding a low battery condition of the remote control.

Abstract: The battery system has a current detection circuit 2, an amplifier 6, and a detection circuit 7 that detects the current flowing through batteries 1 from amplifier 6 output. The current detection circuit 2 is provided with a voltage source circuit 8 that supplies a test voltage to the input-side of the amplifier 6. Current detection lines 10 connect the current detection resistor 5 to the input-side of the amplifier 6, and the detection circuit 7 stores a reference voltage corresponding to the current detection lines 10 in the connected state. When the voltage source circuit 8 supplies the test voltage to the input-side of the amplifier 6, the detection circuit 7 compares the amplifier 6 output voltage with the reference voltage. The detection circuit 7 detects an open-circuit in the current detection lines 10 by the shift in voltage from the reference voltage.

Abstract: A method for determining the internal resistance of a battery, in particular a lead-acid vehicle battery, and an associated device for performing the method are described, in which differential values are calculated from the measured values for the voltage and the current, and these differential values are processed with the aid of a regulator, such as an integrator or a PID regulator. A signal results at the output of the regulator, which corresponds to the reciprocal value of the internal resistance of the battery. This signal is taken into consideration again in each following computing step. The functional capability may be inferred from its internal resistance.

Abstract: A state monitoring unit monitors a state of an assembled battery in which unit cells are connected in series. The state monitoring unit includes a plurality of voltage monitoring devices and a controller. The controller transmits a common voltage measurement command to the voltage monitoring devices connected in a daisy-chain scheme. Each of the voltage monitoring devices measures the voltage of the corresponding unit cells in response to the command that is received from the controller or the adjacent voltage monitoring device at a leading end of the communication channel, and transmits the command to the adjacent voltage monitoring device at a termination of the communication channel. When received the measured voltage from the adjacent voltage monitoring device at the termination, the voltage monitoring device transmits it with the own measured voltage. The controller determines the abnormality in reception state based on the number of received, measured voltages.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided. The electrochemical cell comprises a cathode compartment, wherein a metal in a solid form is disposed in the cathode compartment. The electrochemical cell further comprises a separator, an anode compartment, and at least one contact device disposed in the cathode compartment or in the anode compartment. The contact device is suspended from the top of the electrochemical cell in the cathode compartment or in the anode compartment. The electrochemical cell is in a ground state. An electrochemical cell during its working is also provided. Methods for using and manufacturing the electrochemical cell are also provided. The electrochemical cell is used to determine a state-of-charge of a source.

Abstract: A battery management device is provided for accurately measuring in a simple manner the internal resistance (reciprocal of conductance) of a battery that serves as the determination reference of the deterioration level of a battery without the application of an AC voltage to the battery while the battery remains onboard, and determining and displaying the deterioration level of the onboard battery.

Abstract: For one disclosed embodiment, power from a backup battery may be received by first circuitry. One or more other batteries different than the backup battery may be tested with the first circuitry. Second circuitry may be allowed to supply power from at least one of the one or more other batteries to at least one electronic component at startup based at least in part on the test having a first result. Startup of the at least one electronic component may be prevented based at least in part on the test having a second result. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring voltage of individual cells connected in series includes a pair of busses connectable to the cells and a flying capacitor connectable to the busses. The capacitor stores the charge of one of the cells such that an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) connected to the capacitor may process an accurate representation of the voltage of the cell being measured.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a chargeable battery, a battery voltage detecting section, and a determining section. The battery voltage detecting section is configured to detect a battery voltage output from the rechargeable battery. The determining section is configured to determine a voltage level status of the rechargeable battery based on the battery voltage detected by the battery voltage detecting section. The determining section is free from determining the voltage level status when a rate of change in the battery voltage is equal to or greater than a predetermined criteria. Such a battery pack is used for a power tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial truck with at least one drive battery and at least one apparatus (A) for determining the state of charge of the battery and to a method for operating such an industrial truck. The apparatus (A) for determining the state of charge of the battery includes a device (B) for determining the dynamic internal resistance and a device (C) for determining the internal cell voltage of the battery with the aid of the dynamic internal resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and battery including a state-of-charge indicator (SOCI) to monitor and display the amount of charge within the battery. The SOCI is capable of operating in a hibernate mode, an active mode, and/or a sleep mode. The battery may be manufactured, shipped and/or stored with the SOCI operating in a power-saving hibernate mode. The SOCI may exit the hibernate mode and begin operating in active mode if a physical key connected to the battery is removed. In addition, the SOCI may operate in a sleep mode while the battery is not being used to conserve power. Furthermore, the invention provides a method of making a battery including a SOCI to monitor and display the state of charge of the battery.

Abstract: Systems and method for providing sensors in batteries are provided. In certain aspects of the disclosure, a battery comprises a housing dimensioned to fit within a battery compartment of the communication device, a battery cell configured to supply power to the communication device, one or more sensors within the housing configured to measure a condition external to the battery and to received power from the battery cell, and an interface configured to interface the one or more sensors with a processing system in the communication device.

Abstract: An object of the invention is, in a mobile electronic device having a sleep mode for power saving, to make it easy to measure a current in a sleep period without requiring a measurement device with high-resolution precision. On the basis of a reference capacity table and a sleep period current value measured by a measurement device connected from the outside which are stored in a storage unit (16) in advance, a control unit (17) calculates a remaining battery amount by summing a current value actually measured at a non-sleep time and an integrating value of a sleep time and a sleep period current value, and subtracting the sum value from a reference capacity value stored in the reference capacity table (160).

Abstract: The state-of-charge adjusting apparatus which enables to shorten a time to reach a capacity equalization is provided. A CPU extracts a block consisting of a plurality of unit cells connected continuously to each other, the plurality of the unit cells each having a voltage higher than a target voltage, and connects both ends of each block to a discharge resistance to make each block discharge. Thereafter, the CPU extracts a unit cell having a voltage higher than the target voltage and connects both ends of the extracted unit cell to the discharge resistance to make the extracted unit cell discharge until the voltage of the extracted unit cell reaches the target voltage.

Abstract: A self diagnostic battery charging system may include a battery charger and a diagnostic module having a power supply separate from the battery charger. Additionally, a method may include executing a diagnostic program and indicating a result from the diagnostic program.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, battery charge management using a scheduling application is disclosed. A first parameter may be received from a scheduling application running on a mobile computing device having a battery pack. Based on at least the first parameter and battery pack data, a required charge percentage for the battery pack may be determined and the remaining capacity of the battery pack may be determined. If the remaining capacity of the battery pack is less than the required charge percentage, a charge termination voltage may be determined and the battery pack may be charged to the charge termination voltage.

Abstract: There are provided an electrically-conductive connecting plate that connects electrode terminals of a plurality of battery cells; a fastening member that fastens the connecting plate and each of the electrode terminals together; temperature-detecting means that is placed near a fastened portion between the connecting plate and the corresponding electrode terminal which are fastened together with the fastening member, and detects temperature around the fastened portion; and abnormality-judging means that judges abnormality in the battery cells or the fastening member on the basis of temperature detected by the temperature-detecting means.

Abstract: A battery management system that estimates an internal impedance of a battery, a method of driving the same, a device that estimates an internal impedance of a battery, and a method of estimating the internal impedance of a battery. A method of driving a battery management system that estimates the internal impedance of a battery including a plurality of cells includes generating a battery equivalent model of the battery, receiving a terminal voltage signal and a charge and discharge current signal of the battery, and generating a first discrete signal corresponding to the terminal voltage signal of the battery and a second discrete signal corresponding to the charge and discharge current signal of the battery, and filtering the first discrete signal and the second discrete signal according to a frequency range corresponding to the battery equivalent model so as to estimate the internal impedance of the battery.

Abstract: A locomotive, a battery system and a method for monitoring a battery are provided. The battery has a first plurality of cells electrically coupled in series to one another. The first plurality of cells includes a second plurality of cells and a third plurality of cells electrically coupled together at a node. The method includes calculating a first number of failed cells in the first plurality cells. The method further includes calculating a second number of failed cells in the second plurality cells and a third number of failed cells in the third plurality cells.

Abstract: A system and method for scalable configuration of intelligent energy storage packs are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method comprises providing a first current measurement of a first energy storage cell electrically connected to a first converter circuit, and the first converter circuit controls the charge and discharge of the first energy storage cell. A first voltage measurement of the first energy storage cell is provided. First control signals are received and the first control signals are determined according to a load policy. The first converter circuit transforms a first voltage from the first energy storage cell to a desired first bus contribution voltage according to the first control signals.

Abstract: A configurable power control system is disclosed. The power control system can include a control module, an enable/disable module coupled to a power rail (i.e. an internal power line) to enable and disable power to the power rail. The system can also include a sequencer module coupled to the first and a second power rail to sequence power to the power rail(s). The system can also include a fault detect module to detect system parameters. Additionally, the system can include a memory module to store user input and can store detected faults to be utilized by the control module and other modules to control interrelationships between the enable module, the sequencer module, the fault detect module, power in, and power provided via the power rails.