Abstract: A direct-current power source apparatus in which a lithium-ion capacitor unit is used as an electric storage system and which can fully utilize the lithium-ion capacitor unit and maintain the supply of electricity to a load is provided. An electric storage system includes a lithium-ion capacitor unit and a lead-acid battery connected in parallel with a load, and a voltage detecting section that detects the voltage of the lithium-ion capacitor unit. When the voltage detecting section detects that the voltage of the lithium-ion capacitor unit has reached a unit lower-limit voltage, a control circuit outputs a conduction signal for causing a switching circuit to get into a conductive state. When the switching circuit gets into a conductive state, the secondary battery supplies an electric power to a motor. At this time, the secondary battery charges the lithium-ion capacitor unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying battery capacity and a charge/discharge state of a portable device are provided. The apparatus includes a charge Integrated Circuit (IC) for providing current to recharge the battery using an external charge power source, a sensing resistance interposed between the battery and the charge IC, a switch connected to the sensing resistance in parallel and opened to flow the current to the sensing resistance when a capacity of the battery is measured, and a controller for determining the capacity of the battery using voltage values at both ends of the sensing resistance measured when the switch is opened.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus includes first and second electrical connections configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of an automotive vehicle which includes a battery. Digital samples are obtained during operation of the vehicle which are related to the system. The digital samples are stored in memory.

Abstract: Provided is a battery state monitoring circuit including: a charge/discharge control circuit for detecting and controlling a state of a secondary battery; an automatic recovery circuit; a temperature sensor circuit; and a comparator for comparing a voltage of an output terminal of the automatic recovery circuit and a voltage of the secondary battery, and outputting a signal indicative of a result of the comparison to the temperature sensor circuit, to control an operation of the temperature sensor circuit. The temperature sensor circuit operates only when the output of the automatic recovery circuit is larger, that is, only when a charger is connected between external terminals.

Abstract: A by-pass circuit for a battery system that disconnects parallel connected cells or modules from a battery circuit or controls the current through the parallel connected cells or modules. If a cell has failed or is potentially failing in the system, then the by-pass circuit can disconnect the cell or module from other cells or modules electrically coupled in parallel. If a cell or module has a lower capability than another cell or module, then the by-pass circuit can control the current to the cell or module to maximize the performance of the system and prevent the system from creating a walk-home condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for battery gauging in a portable terminal are provided. In the battery gauging method, it is determined in a low-power mode whether a listening interval occurs for detecting the presence of a received signal. The remaining battery capacity is detected if the listening interval occurs. An interrupt signal is transmitted to the second processor, operating in a low-power mode, if the remaining battery capacity is less than or equal to a threshold. Upon receipt of the interrupt signal, the second processor wakes up to interrupt the power of the portable terminal.

Abstract: It is possible to prevent charge of an incompatible secondary cell while suppressing the size of a mobile electronic device and a secondary cell without increasing power consumption so as to prevent damage of the secondary cell or the mobile electronic device by charge. A detachable secondary cell (30) supplies power to a mobile electronic device (2). The mobile electronic device (2) includes: a cell terminal (60) which outputs and inputs power to/from the mounted secondary cell (30); non-contact information extraction means (20) which performs a magnetic field communication; a loop antenna (26) which transmits/receives a signal using an electromagnetic wave by the non-contact information extraction means (20); and control means (22) which acquires particular information outputted from the non-contact information extraction means (20) and controls charge of the secondary cell (30) according to the acquired particular information. The loop antenna (26) is arranged in the cell terminal (60).

Abstract: Provided are a battery state monitoring circuit and a battery device which can be readily adapted to variation in number of batteries, and has low withstand voltage and a simple circuit configuration.

Abstract: Limit values of battery charging and discharging power are set by a battery charge discharge control apparatus, based on the estimation of the internal resistance of a battery according to a detected battery temperature and the sampling of a battery current and a battery voltage respectively detected by a current sensor and a voltage sensor. The limit values are used to control the battery current and the battery voltage to be within a current use range and a voltage use range of the battery, according to conditions of the battery in a vehicle.

Abstract: A method, circuit, and topology are provided for utilization of this circuit in Li-Ion or any other battery that benefits from balancing between individual cells. The whole system is characterized as having high efficiency (and thus low heat losses) compared to previous art implementations. The actions of the circuit are continuous and bi-directional in respect to each cell.

Abstract: A battery management system and a driving method thereof are provided for detecting a short battery cell. The battery management system includes a main control unit (MCU) and a cell balancing unit. The MCU transmits a battery cell control signal for controlling charge and discharge of the battery cells. The cell balancing unit balances the battery cells according to the battery cell control signal. The MCU includes a cell balancing discharge amount measurement unit and a controller. The cell balancing discharge amount measurement unit measures a cell balancing discharge amount of each of the battery cells. The controller compares a difference value between a maximum value among the cell balancing discharge amounts of the battery cells and each of the cell balancing discharge amounts to determine a short battery cell.

Abstract: A passive battery discharge apparatus located within a cap. The cap extends over battery contacts to be discharged. The discharge apparatus includes a conductive material with specified volumetric resistivity properties that is formed into a pad. The cap is positioned over the contacts so that the pad touches and spans between the contacts to be discharged. A spring insures good contact between the pad and the battery contacts. A metal heat sink provides added thermal control. The discharge apparatus provides an economical solution to safely transport batteries that are beyond their useful service life by avoiding circuit components in favor of conductive elastomers or conductive foams.

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: A system and method for use with a vehicle battery pack having a number of individual battery cells, such as a lithium-ion battery commonly used in hybrid electric vehicles. In one embodiment, the method evaluates individual battery cells within a vehicle battery pack in order to obtain accurate estimates regarding their average transient voltage effect, open circuit voltage (OCVCell) and/or state of charge (SOCCell) so that a cell balancing process can be performed. These cell evaluations may be performed fairly soon after the vehicle is turned off and in a manner that utilizes a minimal amount of in-vehicle resources.

Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one secondary battery, a fuse, and a control section. The fuse is configured to cut off charge or discharge current of the secondary battery upon detection of an abnormality of the secondary battery. The control section is configured to detect the abnormality of the secondary battery, and to perform a fusion-cutting process of fusion-cutting the fuse in accordance with the result of the detection. Upon detection of the abnormality, the control section measures a first potential being the potential of a subsequent stage of the fuse and a second potential being the potential of the secondary battery. If it is found from the result of the measurement that the first potential and the second potential are equal, the control section determines that the fuse has not been fusion-cut by the fusion-cutting process, and stops the fusion-cutting process.

Abstract: In one aspect, a handheld electric appliance includes: an oscillating electric motor or linear motor controlled by control circuitry; a battery connected to the oscillating electric or linear motor; and charge detection circuitry configured to determine a charging state of the battery. The charge detection circuitry is coupled to the control circuitry such that, in response to the charge detection circuitry determining that the charging state of the battery reaches a predetermined threshold, the control circuitry activates the oscillating electric motor or linear motor to cause noise generated by the motor to perceptibly change to indicate a threshold charging state.

Abstract: In a battery pack which comprises: a battery set composed of two or more lithium battery cells connected in series; a first protection circuit including a first voltage detect part for detecting the voltage(s) of a part of the two or more battery cells, and a first signal output part for issuing an output signal when a detect voltage detected by the first voltage detect part goes below a given over-discharge judgment voltage value; a second protection circuit including a second voltage detect part for detecting the voltage(s) of another part of the two or more battery cells, and a second signal out part for issuing an output signal when the detect voltage of the battery cell detected by the second voltage detect part goes below a given over-discharge judgment voltage value; and, a switch which is connected to the current path of the battery set and can be turned on or off according to the output signals of the first and second signal output parts and, there is further provided dead time means connected betwee

Abstract: A system and method for measuring voltage of individual cells connected in series includes a single flying capacitor. The capacitor stores the charge of one of the cells such that a primary analog-to-digital converter (ADC) connected to the capacitor may process a representation of the voltage of the cell being measured. A secondary ADC is connected directly to the cell being measured. The measurements of the primary and secondary ADCs are then compared to verify the accuracy of the flying capacitor.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting battery cell abnormalities in a multi-cell series battery for effectively and quickly detecting abnormalities with a simple, small circuit that provides improved reliability, safety and service life of the multi-cell series battery. In the voltage monitoring device 12, immediately after the start of the monitoring cycle of any battery cell BTi, cell voltage abnormality detector 14 checks whether cell voltage Vi is outside of the normal operating range. The cell voltage abnormality detector 14 has: a group of selection switches 18 for selecting any battery cell BT of multi-cell series battery 10 and retrieving its voltage to first and second monitoring terminals A, B; cell voltage/monitoring current converter 20; monitoring current/monitoring voltage converter 22; comparison/evaluation circuit 24; evaluation signal output circuit 26 and abnormality detection controller 28.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an electrical variable of a rechargeable battery and a method for producing said apparatus, has: a measuring element (1), a printed circuit board (4) and a contact element (5) having a first end (6) and a second end (7), wherein the first end (6) of the contact element (5) is electrically connected to the printed circuit board (4), and the second end (7) of the contact element (5) is electrically connected to the measuring element (1) by a welded joint.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack for a power tool can have a data terminal that provides a signal that is indicative of whether the voltage is below a threshold and can serve as both a pre-charge signal for a charger and as a stop-discharge signal for a power tool. A charger can include a power supply circuit and a voltage detection circuit. A charger control module can receive a signal indicative of the voltage of the battery pack and determine a pre-charge time based on the voltage and can monitor a change in the voltage of the battery pack during the pre-charge operation and stop the pre-charge operation based on the change in voltage and the time period.

Abstract: A battery management system is provided for managing a battery that supplies power to a vehicle. The battery includes a plurality of cells. The battery management system includes a sensing unit for measuring a voltage of each of the plurality of cells. The battery management system detects at least one first cell among the plurality of cells that needs to be balanced according to the measured voltage of each of the plurality of cells. In addition, the battery management system performs a cell balancing operation on said at least one first cell by using different methods according to a driving state of the vehicle.

Abstract: The method of controlling charging and discharging in a hybrid car power source detects remaining capacity of batteries 1 that supply power to the motor 11 that drives the hybrid car, controls battery 1 charging and discharging to keep detected remaining capacity within a pre-set first targeted control range under normal conditions, and controls battery 1 charging and discharging to keep detected remaining capacity within a second targeted control range that is narrower than the first targeted control range when an abnormality is detected. Further, the method of controlling charging and discharging sets the second targeted control range to include the detected remaining capacity when the range for controlling battery 1 remaining capacity is switched from the first targeted control range to the second targeted control range at detection of an abnormality.

Abstract: A system and method adapted to rejuvenate batteries at or near the resonant frequency of the battery. The present invention takes a battery and applies a modulated current charging signal to increase battery performance. A resonant signal is adapted to re-train and adjust battery materials for proper operation. By repeated charge/discharge cycling, battery memory decreases and/or battery capacity increases, thereby improving the battery capacity.

Abstract: A voltage sensing device with which high-precision voltage sensing is possible without the need to obtain a unique correction constant for each device. A pair of voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 is selected from voltage input nodes NC0-NCn in switch part 10, and they are connected to sensing input nodes NA and NB in two types of patterns with different polarity (forward connection, reverse connection). Sensing input nodes NA and NB are held at reference potential Vm by voltage sensing part 20, and current Ina and Inb corresponding to the voltage at voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 flows to input resistors RIk and RIk-1. Currents Ina and Inb are synthesized at different ratios in voltage sensing part 20, and sensed voltage signal S20 is generated according to the synthesized current Ic. Sensed voltage data S40 with low error is generated according to the difference between the two sensed voltage signals S20 generated in the two connection patterns.

Abstract: A fuel cell power supply device capable of externally supplying electric power in a stable manner is provided.

Abstract: An electric power supply control system has a battery, a vehicular alternator, large electric power systems, operation limitation target systems, and a battery condition management device. Each large electric power system generates a rush current when initiating its operation by electric power supplied. Each operation limitation target system is capable of limiting its operation for a demand during the operation of the large electric power systems. The large electric power systems and the operation limitation target systems change their operation conditions based on an allowable electric power (or an allowable electric current) supplied from the battery condition management device in order to maintain a terminal voltage of the battery which is not less than a limitation voltage.

Abstract: A battery electrolyte monitor including a probe and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a capacitive element within the probe. The probe is acid resistant, and therefore the probe protects the capacitive element from contact with the battery electrolyte. The control circuit periodically charges and discharges the capacitive element using direct current. Depending on at least one of a charging characteristic and a discharging characteristic, the control circuit determines the electrolyte level. If the electrolyte is below a desired minimum level, the control circuit illuminates an indicator light.

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: 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 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 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: 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: The present invention relates to a battery protection circuit for protecting a plurality of batteries connected in series. The battery protection circuit includes: a controller for monitoring the batteries and outputting control signals based on predetermined conditions associated with the batteries; a first N-channel MOSFET and a second N-channel MOSFET coupled in a common-drain configuration in a low-side path, wherein at least one of the first and second N-channel MOSFETs turns off in response to the control signal received from the controller when at least one of the predetermined conditions is detected; and a gate protection circuit for preventing gate-to-source voltages of the first and second N-channel MOSFETs from exceeding a predetermined gate-to-source voltage level.

Abstract: An active voltage management device and a method for actively managing a voltage level of an energy storage device are provided. The active voltage management device comprises: a pair of input terminals adapted to be connected to the energy storage device; a reverse polarity protection circuit coupled to the pair of input terminals; a voltage comparator circuit adapted to compare a second voltage associated with the voltage level of the energy storage device to a reference voltage and to provide an output based upon the comparison of the second voltage to the reference voltage; and a transistor adapted to operate in a linear mode to dissipate energy from the energy storage device at a substantially constant current level, wherein output of the voltage comparator circuit is adapted to activate the transistor when the second voltage is greater than or equal to the reference voltage.

Abstract: A battery management system and a method of operating the same includes a plurality of battery cells constituting one pack and connected to a battery having at least one pack, and determines an estimated state of charge (SOC) of the battery. The battery management system determines whether or not a pack current flows, and controls a reset of an SOC depending on the determination result. The battery management system sets an OCV idle period associated with a temperature of the battery, and compares the idle period with a time for which the current of the battery does not flow, and sets the reset OCV depending on the comparison result. The battery management system resets the estimated SOC as the reset SOC associated with the reset OCV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a state of charge (SOC) compensation method for a vehicle using electrical energy, and a battery management system using the SOC compensation method. To determine the SOC of the battery, charge and discharge current of the battery is used to calculate a first SOC of the battery and a first corresponding voltage, a rheobasic voltage is calculated, an integration error corresponding to a difference between the first voltage and the rheobasic voltage is calculated, a SOC compensation factor is added to the first SOC when the integration error is greater than a first threshold value, and a SOC compensation factor is subtracted from the first SOC when the integration error is less than a second threshold value.

Abstract: In a battery pack which comprises: a battery set composed of two or more lithium battery cells connected in series; a first protection circuit including a first voltage detect part for detecting the voltage(s) of a part of the two or more battery cells, and a first signal output part for issuing an output signal when a detect voltage detected by the first voltage detect part goes below a given over-discharge judgment voltage value; a second protection circuit including a second voltage detect part for detecting the voltage(s) of another part of the two or more battery cells, and a second signal output part for issuing an output signal when the detect voltage of the battery cell detected by the second voltage detect part goes below a given over-discharge judgment voltage value; and, a switch which is connected to the current path of the battery set and can be turned on or off according to the output signals of the first and second signal output parts and, there is further provided dead time means connected bet

Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus includes first and second electrical connections configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of an automotive vehicle which includes a battery. Digital samples are obtained during operation of the vehicle which are related to the system. The digital samples are stored in memory.

Abstract: A remaining-battery-capacity estimating apparatus estimates the remaining capacity of a battery used as a backup. The apparatus reduces the voltage output from a rectifier to an actual load, measures current flowing from the rectifier and the battery to the actual load and a dummy load device provided separately from the actual load, controls the load of the dummy load device such that the measured current is a predetermined value, and calculates the remaining capacity of the battery based on the terminal voltage of the battery and the discharging time of discharging the battery to the actual load and the dummy load device, by referring to battery data indicating the relationship among the discharging time of the battery, the terminal voltage of the battery, and the remaining capacity of the battery, at a predetermined current of the battery.

Abstract: A system for modeling a battery installed on a motor vehicle including a crank started engine, a voltage sensor connected to provide measurements of battery voltage and a temperature sensor providing temperature measurements provides for correcting capacity of the battery starting from the battery's rated capacity. A vehicle body computer implements the model through a stored program implementing an energy flow model of the target battery and stored data relating to model parameters including battery rated capacity and cranking current required for engine start over a temperature range. The stored program being responsive upon execution by the vehicle body computer for using the battery voltage measurements and temperature measurements during engine cranking to correct battery capacity.

Abstract: A battery safety monitor system. The system includes at least one battery, at least one zener diode, at least one safety device, a microcontroller, a display device and a power supply. The at least one battery comprises at least one cell string capable of outputting voltage signals. The at least one zener diode is operatively coupled to the at least one battery cell string. The at least one safety device is operatively coupled to the at least one battery cell string. The microcontroller is operatively coupled to the at least one zener diode. The display device is operatively coupled to the microcontroller. The power supply is operatively coupled to the microcontroller and the display device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of charging a lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell wherein the lithium-sulfur cell comprises a cathode comprising an electroactive sulfur-containing material, an anode comprising lithium, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. Also disclosed are methods for determining charge termination when charging lithium-sulfur cells.

Abstract: A secondary-battery management apparatus calculates the possible discharge duration of a secondary battery correctly even after a load current changes. The secondary-battery management apparatus calculates the remaining capacity and the remaining lifetime of the secondary battery in accordance with a measured temperature of the battery in a standby state, calculates the remaining capacity of the battery in accordance with a measured discharging current of the battery while the battery is in a discharging state, and calculates the remaining capacity of the battery in accordance with a measured charging current while the battery is in a charging state. When discharging from the battery is required by means of a reduction of an output voltage of a rectifier, the deterioration of the battery is checked by discharging to a load device. A battery capacity is checked by measuring the discharge duration of the battery in the discharge by the load current pattern.

Abstract: In a battery pack which comprises: a battery set composed of two or more lithium battery cells connected in series; a first protection circuit including a first voltage detect part for detecting the voltage(s) of a part of the two or more battery cells, and a first signal output part for issuing an output signal when a detect voltage detected by the first voltage detect part goes below a given over-discharge judgment voltage value; a second protection circuit including a second voltage detect part for detecting the voltage(s) of another part of the two or more battery cells, and a second signal output part for issuing an output signal when the detect voltage of the battery cell detected by the second voltage detect part goes below a given over-discharge judgment voltage value; and, a switch which is connected to the current path of the battery set and can be turned on or off according to the output signals of the first and second signal output parts and, there is further provided dead time means connected bet

Abstract: A method for evaluating the conditions a battery comprises applying a discharge pulse to the battery and monitoring a response of the battery to the discharge pulse. In some embodiments a measure of battery condition is based at least in part on at least one of first and second parameters. The first parameter is related to the decrease in battery voltage after the onset of the discharge pulse. The second parameter is related to the recovery of the battery voltage after the discharge pulse. The first and/or second parameters may be supplied as inputs to an evaluation system such as a neural network, a fuzzy logic inference engine or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus of estimating a state of health (SOH) of a battery using internal resistance, which has been found to act as a parameter exerting the greatest influence on the SOH of the battery. The method comprises the steps of: storing an SOH estimation table constructing SOH values corresponding to various values of internal resistance according to temperature and a state of charge (SOC) in a memory; performing measurement of the temperature and estimation of the SOC of the battery when a request is made to estimate the SOH; detecting the internal resistance value of the battery; and reading the SOH values corresponding to the measured temperature, the estimated SOC of the battery, and the detected internal resistance value of the battery from the SOH estimation table.

Abstract: A protecting circuit for a battery used to power an electronic system includes a control circuit and a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit includes a tri-axial accelerometer having X, Y and Z axes. The tri-axial accelerometer is capable of detecting position changes of the battery and outputs through the X, Y and Z axes voltages that correspond to the position changes. The sensing circuit ultimately outputs a controlling voltage to the control circuit according to the voltages outputted by the X, Y and Z axes. When the battery is being installed onto or uninstalled from the electronic system, the outputted controlling voltage makes the control circuit OFF and the battery cannot power the electronic system. When the battery have been installed onto the electronic system, the outputted controlling voltage turns the control circuit ON and the battery can supply power to the electronic system.

Abstract: A battery system may be provided with a battery charge current path that is different from the battery discharge current path of the battery system, for example, by providing no controlled charge circuitry (e.g., providing no C-FETs) in the discharge current path of the battery system to avoid the power loss experienced across the C-FETs of a conventional battery system during battery system discharging operations.

Abstract: An apparatus supporting both identification of a battery type and communications over an interface between a battery and an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a processor for communicating with communications circuitry of the battery. Identification circuitry associated with the processor enables a determination of the type of battery with which the electronic device is connected. If a “smart” battery capable of carrying out serial communications with the electronic device is connected, the electronic device further provides means for carrying out communications between the processor and the communication circuitry of the battery.