Abstract: A method for monitoring charge level or remaining capacity of a battery pack, a disposable battery or a rechargeable battery, which is used to supply energy for an automation technology, field device having a data storage unit associated with the battery pack, disposable battery or rechargeable battery. Specific information about the battery pack, disposable battery or rechargeable battery is stored in the data storage unit and process-specific and operation-specific information about energy consumption is written to the data storage unit. In the case of the battery pack, disposable battery or rechargeable battery being used in a second automation technology field device, remaining service life of the battery pack, the disposable battery or the rechargeable battery is calculated and output on the basis of the process- and operation-specific information.

Abstract: A lithium polymer (LiPo) battery pack having LiPo battery cells is provided which includes battery protection circuitry, charging circuitry, cell balancing circuitry, and control and communication circuitry. The batteries can be charged while in use by an internal charger. Battery charging and discharging are accomplished in a controlled and protected manner to avoid overcharging and overdischarging conditions. The novel battery pack has built-in safeguards against dangerous LiPo battery conditions and is implemented in a small, portable unit which contains the battery cells, control and protection circuitry, internal charger and display gauge. The battery pack is useful for powering an intravenous fluid warmer or other medical or electrical devices and equipment.

Abstract: A battery pack with at least two electrochemical cells, lithium ion cells in particular, has each cell including a positive pole and a negative pole on the end face of the particular cell body, the poles of the cells being electrically connected in series and/or in parallel. A cell connector for electrically connecting the cells is provided on at least two cells, on the end face on the same side relative to their position in the battery pack, the cell connector connecting one pole of the connected cells and extending to a contact region of a circuit board; the cell bodies of the cells are positioned parallel to each other, and the end faces of the cell bodies are located in the same plane.

Abstract: A protection device includes a voltage detector having N or more sub-circuits each for monitoring a specific battery cell to output a detection signal when at least one of the battery cells outputs an abnormal voltage. Each sub-circuit includes voltage dividing resistors, a reference voltage generator, and a comparator. The voltage dividing resistors generate a voltage division signal by dividing an output voltage of the battery cell. The reference voltage generator generates a reference voltage. The comparator compares the voltage division signal against the reference voltage. Each comparator is powered with voltage across the battery cell associated with the sub-circuit.

Abstract: A battery includes multiple conductive battery plates and a complex electrolytic material located between the conductive battery plates. The battery also includes a conductive sensor wire located within the complex electrolytic material. The conductive sensor wire may be configured to generate a magnetic field within the complex electrolytic material based on an electrical signal flowing through the conductive sensor wire. The battery may further include a temperature sensor wire within the complex electrolytic material.

Abstract: A disposable blood test device comprises a substrate configured for carrying a chemical reagent and circuitry formed on the substrate. The circuitry comprises a sensor portion associated with the chemical reagent to enable measurement of at least one of a presence and a concentration of a blood analyte, and an information storage portion configured to store information indicative of a property of the chemical reagent.

Abstract: A secondary battery pack includes a plurality of cells each comprising a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal and arranged side by side, a battery management circuit board configured to monitor a voltage of the cells, and a plurality of bus-bars electrically connecting the electrode terminals of the adjacent cells. Each of the bus-bars includes first connecting portions connected to the electrode terminals and a second connecting portion connected directly to the battery management circuit board.

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 sensor for measuring a level of a conductive liquid, is provided. The sensor includes at least two electrodes that can be positioned in a holding tank so as to be partially submerged in the conductive liquid, sensor leads coupled to the at least two electrodes, and circuitry and a controller for determining the properties of the electrolyte, the circuitry being coupled to the at least two electrodes via the sensor leads, and the controller being coupled to the circuitry. The sensor may be used as an electrolyte level sensor in a flow battery system.

Abstract: The non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes an outer case, a positive electrode housed in the outer case, a negative electrode housed in the outer case such that the negative electrode is separated from the positive electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte accommodated in the outer case. The negative electrode comprises a current collector and negative electrode layer formed on one surface or both surfaces of the current collector. The negative electrode layer includes at least one main negative electrode layer which is formed on the surface of the current collector and contains a first active material, and a surface layer which is formed on the surface of the main negative electrode layer and contains a second active material different from the first active material, the second active material being a lithium titanium composite oxide having a spinel structure.

Abstract: IC tags are installed in rechargeable batteries and then information required for manufacturing control of the rechargeable batteries or information required to produce battery packs which use rechargeable batteries is recorded onto the IC tags. Allowing the information recorded onto the IC tags to be rewritten makes it possible to search for the causes of occurring problems as well as make the best use of improvements to the rechargeable batteries when information during use of the rechargeable batteries is recorded after the rechargeable batteries are manufactured and shipped.

Abstract: A secondary battery comprising a heat-sensitive indicator on the outer surface of the battery is disclosed. The color of the heat-sensitive indicator changes according to battery temperature. The heat-sensitive indicator may comprise a sheath. When the internal temperature of the battery increases rapidly, the heat-sensitive indicator changes color to alert the user that the battery is abnormally hot.

Abstract: A high sensitive detector detects and determines the presence of a very small amount of biological substances. The high sensitive detector comprises a sensor part, a sense amplifier, and microprocessor. A sensor part of the detector comprises two components; one comprises transistors and the other comprises affinity binding molecules for capturing biological substances. The affinity binding molecules can capture biological substances through specific molecular recognition. The electrical properties of a transistor-based circuit are changed when the affinity binding molecules capture biological substances on the gate of the transistors. The electrical signal is amplified by an amplifier and transferred to a microprocessor. The microprocessor modulates the transferred signal to determine the presence of biological substances.

Abstract: A battery unit includes a battery assembly. The battery assembly includes a glass ceramic and a positive-side active material constituting a first composite layer, a glass ceramic and a negative-side active material constituting a second composite layer, and a solid-state electrolyte layer located between the first composite layer and the second composite layer. The battery unit also includes a case in which the battery unit is stored, a load sensor provided on the case, and a clamp member clamping the case and the load sensor.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards flat battery for use in a battery pack. The flat battery includes an electrode terminal that conducts to the exterior of the exterior member and connects to the battery elements within the interior region. Electrode terminals of the flat battery are formed using a connection section, and a voltage detection section that connects a voltage detection line to a control device that detects an output voltage. A notch established between the connection section and the voltage detection section mutually separates the connection section and the voltage detection section. Because of a difference in thickness between spacer sections between the connection sections and the voltage detection section, the connection section is moveable in the lamination direction of the flat battery between the spacers, while the voltage detection section is fixed.

Abstract: A system and method provides a status indicator to a battery pack of a medical device. The battery pack includes a power supply capable of being connected to the medical device. The battery pack also includes an indicator to automatically indicate a status of at least a portion of at least one of the battery pack and the medical device. For example, the indicator can indicate a status of the power supply.

Abstract: A bus bar simultaneously performs electrical connection between unit cells and detection of voltage of the unit cells in a battery module having the same and includes: vertical bent parts formed by bending opposite ends of a strip-shaped bar body in the same direction, the vertical bent parts being provided with coupling grooves or protrusions; and a horizontal bent part formed by bending one of the vertical bent parts toward the bar body such that the horizontal bent part is parallel with the bar body. The electrode terminals of the unit cells are connected to the rear surface of the bar body of the bus bar, whereby the electrical connection between the unit cells is accomplished, and the horizontal bent part of the bus bar is directly connected to a battery management system for monitoring the potential difference and the temperature of the unit cells to control the unit cells.

Abstract: Provided is a secondary battery of an assemble-type structure having a cell body including an electrode assembly of cathode/separator/anode sealed therein; and a cap assembly including a protection circuit electrically connected to the cell body so as to control overcharge, overdischarge and overcurrent of the battery and a cap housing covering an upper part of the battery, and being detachably coupled to the cell body. Since the cap assembly including the protection circuit and cap housing is assembled detachably from the cell body and electrically connected to and also can be physically firmly fixed to one another, provided are effects capable of greatly reducing the manufacturing process steps of the battery, and solving all the problems associated with use of battery cases and insert injection molding.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle battery arrangement comprising sensors and an electronic sensor system, by which means the charging and operating state of the vehicle battery is monitored. Said vehicle battery arrangement comprises a heat insulating box (1) provided with a cover (9). The sensors, electronic sensor system and other electronic components for data processing and storage are split between two thermally coupled electronic modules. A first electronic module is connected to the battery in a mechanically fixed manner as a battery module (6), and the second electronic module is connected to the cover (9) of the heat insulating box (1) in a mechanically fixed manner as a cover module (12), the two modules being interconnected for data transmission preferably by means of a power line communication.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally to battery cell fuel gauges for packaged batteries and associated systems and methods. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes detecting one or more parameters corresponding to one or more battery cells that are disposed within a casing of a battery packet with a fuel gauge that is also disposed within the casing and that is electrically coupled to a data connector that is accessible from outside the casing. The method can further include formatting the detected one or more parameters into a data file that is readable with non-proprietary hardware and/or software, e.g., via a USB cable. The data file is stored at the fuel gauge. The method can still further include providing a host device with access to the data file via the data connector.

Abstract: A nonaqueous-electrolyte battery has a positive electrode 3 including a positive active material, a negative electrode 4 including a negative active material having a lithium insertion/release potential higher than 1.0 V (vs. Li/Li+), and a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the nonaqueous electrolyte contains a compound having pyridine groups and a compound having one or more silyl groups.

Abstract: A novel label-free sensitive detection method by employing a novel sensitive charge sensor is provided. Dissociation constant information is provided by a simple measurement of the dissociation of the target molecule form the target's receptor. The later process is affected by a novel system and its configuration as described herein. Basic objectives are to provide a drug discovery and characterization system that is an improvement over the current state of the art, low cost, highly sensitive, accurate, fast and easy to use. This invention involves both a physical system and a methodology.

Abstract: Cell voltage measuring systems and methods for determining voltage levels across cells within a string of electrochemical cells coupled to each other in series are provided. The string of electrochemical cells has a plurality of tap points dispersed throughout the string. A network of electro-mechanical relays electrically couple to the string of electrochemical cells with each relay coupling to a respective tap point. A controller is coupled to the network of relays and selectively activates a pair of relays within the network responsive to a selection signal. Activation of the pair of relays develops an output voltage level that corresponds to the voltage across one or more cells between respective tap points of the activated pair of relays.

Abstract: An active material for a battery includes a mixed phase includes a lithium titanium composite oxide phase and a nonstoichiometric titanium oxide phase. This active material is excellent in lithium absorption/desorption performance, exhibiting high electric potentials in lithium absorption/desorption and high conductivity.

Abstract: An electrical connection structure, and a secondary battery pack using the same are disclosed. The structure comprises an electrical connection member which includes an insulating body for insulating a PCM from a battery cell, and cathode and anode leads mounted on the insulating body in a state of being electrically insulated from each other. One or both of the cathode and anode leads are welded to associated electrode terminals of the battery cell. The cathode and anode leads are connected in a contact state to associated electrode taps of the PCM when engaging the PCM to the battery cell. The connection structure allows only the electrode leads to be welded to the battery cell, and allows the electrode terminals to be connected to the electrode taps through contact without an additional welding operation, thereby remarkably reducing the number of assembling steps, lowering manufacturing costs and preventing malfunction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery pack including a roughly rectangular casing, a main circuit board disposed at a bottom surface, and cylindrical battery cells disposed over the main circuit board in two rows and four layers, the battery cells in each set of paired battery cells being connected in parallel, and the four sets of the parallel-connected paired battery cells being connected in series.

Abstract: A management information display unit that is able to form management information for managing the power supply state of fuel cells and displays the management information while allowing the management information to be identified as to which electronic device pertains to the management information based on identification information inputted from a plurality of electronic devices that are able to output the formed management information in correlation with the identification information of the fuel cell, and an information transmitting part for transmitting the identification information and the management information while allowing the information to be inputted to the management information display unit are provided.

Abstract: A battery pack which includes a battery pack electronic control circuit adapted to control an attached power tool and/or an attached charger. The battery pack includes additional protection circuits, methodologies and devices to protect against fault conditions within the pack, as the pack is operatively attached to and providing power to the power tool, and/or as the pack is operatively attached to and being charged by the charger.

Abstract: A battery state detection arrangement is provided for use in conjunction with a series connection of multiple battery cells, e.g., a series connection of at least two lead batteries in a vehicle electric system having a voltage which is higher than conventional system voltages. The battery state detection arrangement detects both a defect in a battery and a defect in the overall system and transmits signals to a higher-level energy management system as well as, if necessary, a display. Additional components provide a charge equalization in the batteries by selectively recharging or selectively discharging unevenly charged batteries.

Abstract: A battery pack apparatus is provided. The battery pack includes a battery, a circuit board connected to the battery, and a detecting unit on the circuit board configured to detect a battery power line of the battery detached from the circuit board by detecting a battery voltage drop.

Abstract: A battery pack with at least two electrochemical cells, lithium ion cells in particular, has each cell including a positive pole and a negative pole on the end face of the particular cell body, the poles of the cells being electrically connected in series and/or in parallel. A cell connector for electrically connecting the cells is provided on at least two cells, on the end face on the same side relative to their position in the battery pack, the cell connector connecting one pole of the connected cells and extending to a contact region of a circuit board; the cell bodies of the cells are positioned parallel to each other, and the end faces of the cell bodies are located in the same plane.

Abstract: A method for determining characteristic variables for electrical states of an energy storage battery includes subdividing an electrolyte volume of the battery into at least two electrolyte volume components with associated electrolyte balancing areasabd defining at least two electrode plate balancing areas by subdividing the total resistance of electrode plates in the battery into resistance components for the defined electrode plate balancing areas and by subdividing the total energy storage capacity of the electrode plates into energy storage capacity components for the defined electrode plate balancing areas. The method further includes determining the electrolyte concentration of the electrolyte volume components for the defined electrolyte balancing areas and determining the amounts of charge which are held in the electrode plates in each of the electrode plate balancing areas. At least one characteristic variable for associated electrical states of the battery is determined using a mathematical model.

Abstract: A low battery indicating device is disclosed for indicating that a battery has low power. The device includes an indicator having a body movable between a retracted, unactuated position and an extended, actuated position. The indicator is visible when in the actuated position. The device also includes means for biasing the indicator towards the actuated position, and latch means cooperating with a portion of the body of the indicator, when the latch means is in a stop position, to hold the indicator in its unactuated position. The latch means is movable between the stop position and a go position which frees the indicator to move, under operation of the biasing means, to the actuated position. A memory alloy wire is mechanically associated with the latch means so as to leave the latch means in the stop position when the memory alloy wire is in a relaxed state and to move the latch means to the go position when the memory alloy wire is in a contracted state caused by heating of the memory alloy wire.

Abstract: A secondary battery with high safety is provided. A heater and a diode are connected in series, and a thermistor is connected in parallel with thus formed series circuit. A fuse is connected in series with thus formed parallel circuit to form a protective circuit, which is attached to an accumulator to complete a secondary battery. In the case of overcharging, the accumulator generates heat so that the thermistor heats up to increase the resistance value. As a result, the current pass through the heater, which generates heat to break the fuse. In the case of short circuit, the diode is reverse-biased and no current passes through the heater so that the fuse does not break.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sealed battery, in which leakage can be detected in reliable manner, a method for manufacturing the sealed battery, and a method for detecting leakage of the sealed battery. The invention provides a sealed battery containing helium, a method for manufacturing the sealed battery, and a method for detecting leakage. From inside a battery case sealed except an electrolyte inlet, the air is withdrawn, and pressure is applied by a gas containing helium under pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure through the electrolyte inlet. The electrolyte is injected, and after the electrolyte and the gas containing helium have been injected, the electrolyte inlet is sealed.

Abstract: An upgradable SMART (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) battery pack capable of upgrading a SMART function thereof is provided, including a battery array, a host interface for supplying power to a host and performing a SMART communication therewith, a protection circuit for protecting battery cells in the battery array from overcurrent or overvoltage, a microprocessor for monitoring a current state of the battery array, calculating a battery capacity thereof and controlling the SMART communication with the host via the host interface, a nonvolatile memory for storing an operational program of the microprocessor and battery information, a signal processor for converting a level of a signal to be sent to the host via the host interface into a predetermined level that is desired by the host and processing the level-converted signal, and an input/output port for performing an interfacing operation between the host and the microprocessor to download a control program and data from the host.

Abstract: A battery is disclosed that includes a container having a positive terminal and a negative terminal and an electrochemical cell disposed within said container, said cell having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a cell voltage measured across said positive and said negative electrodes of said cell. The battery further includes a housing containing electronic circuitry associated with said container, said electronic circuitry electrically connected between said electrodes of said cell and said terminals of said container to create an output voltage measured across said positive and said negative terminals of said container and wherein the container and housing substantially enclose the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A battery strength indicating and switch means on a battery which is coupled across the terminals of the battery and which is provided with an indicating means to indicate the strength of the battery and in addition, the battery strength indicating means is also provided with an in-line switch which can easily be depressed to complete the circuit so as to place the indicator means across the terminals of the cell and display the charge of the battery.

Abstract: To make a battery pack (2) capable of connection over a communication network for the sake of maintenance of the battery pack (2). The battery pack (2) is provided with a network interface (12) given a unique IP address, which is connected to a LAN along with a network interface (11) of a PC body (1). Even if the PC body (1) is suspended, the battery pack (2) can be accessed over the LAN. A computer for maintenance, arranged on the LAN, can thus access the battery back (2) to acquire the operating status of a rechargeable battery (3) and data stored in a memory (8), such as a serial number, thereby performing maintenance.

Abstract: A system and method provides a status indicator to a battery pack of a medical device. The battery pack includes a power supply capable of being connected to the medical device. The battery pack also includes an indicator to automatically indicate a status of at least a portion of at least one of the battery pack and the medical device. For example, the indicator can indicate a status of the power supply.

Abstract: The battery pack of the invention comprises an outer case, a battery main body disposed within the outer case, and a heat-sensitive current blocking element mounted on the outer surface of the battery main body. On the inner surface of the outer case is provided a press portion for pressing the heat-sensitive current blocking element against the outer surface of the battery main body. In this arrangement, even when the battery pack is given vibration or impact, the heat-sensitive current blocking element can be kept retained in close contact with the outer surface of the battery main body. Accordingly, the heat generated in the battery main body can be rapidly and surely transferred to the heat-sensitive current blocking element, making sure that thermal runaway of the battery is prevented.

Abstract: A rod-shaped coupler for connecting a current collector to a terminal pin, is described. The coupler is secured to the entire width of the current collector, preferably the cathode in a cell of a case negative design, and is generally aligned along the longitudinal axis of the electrode assembly. An extension portion of the coupler extends beyond the electrode assembly and is of a hollow, tubular structure crimped or otherwise collapsed into surrounding contact with the terminal pin. The coupler and terminal pin are then welded together. Preferably, the terminal pin is roughened prior to effecting the connection. This method of attachment is suitable for either primary lithium or secondary lithium ion cells, particularly those powering implantable biomedical devices.

Abstract: A small fuel cell (10) powers a portable electronic device (12) and contains a fuel reservoir (14) and a device (16) that measures the amount of liquid fuel (18) that is in the reservoir. The fuel cell operates on hydrogen that is obtained from a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, such as alcohol or other hydrocarbons. The liquid fuel is typically converted into hydrogen by a reforming process. The reservoir that is connected to the fuel cell has an indicia (19) that is readable by a human user of the portable electronic device, for measuring the amount of liquid hydrocarbon fuel that is present in the reservoir. Typically, the indicia consist of a sight glass, a capacitive element, a resistive element, a transparent portion of the reservoir, a float, or an acoustic transmitter coupled with an acoustic receiver.

Abstract: A device in accordance with a present invention includes at least one of a stainless steel anode and transition metal oxide cathode.

Abstract: A multiple-cell battery having a built-in controller is disclosed that extends the run time of the battery. The controller may extend the run time of the battery, for example, by converting the cell voltage to an output voltage that is greater than a cut-off voltage of an electronic device, by converting the cell voltage to an output voltage that is less than the nominal voltage of the electrochemical cell of the battery, or by protecting the electrochemical cell from current peaks. The controller may also include a ground bias circuit that provides a virtual ground so that a converter may operate at lower cell voltages. The battery may be a single-cell battery, a universal single-cell battery, a multiple-cell battery or a multiple-cell hybrid battery. The individual cells of the multiple-cell battery may be connected in series or parallel. In addition, the individual cells may have a controller in each cell that is capable of performing one or more functions to extend the run time of the cell.

Abstract: A portable electronic device receives notification from a base station showing that the amount of energy or fuel remaining in a battery is low. The portable electronic device then has a display showing the remaining amount of energy or fuel in the battery is low in accordance with the notification. Location information is received by a location information receiving section, and is transmitted to the base station. The portable electronic device receives fuel supplying device information showing the location of a device able to supply fuel or give a charge of electricity to the battery from the base station. A supplying device provides the fuel or gives the charge of electricity in accordance with information transmitted from the portable electronic device, and transmits information showing the compensation owed to the base station.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus has a multiplicity of display units including an electronic viewfinder and a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. The apparatus has various display modes. The remaining battery power, i.e., estimated amounts of remaining battery times relative to a current remaining battery capacity, are calculated for the respective display modes. The calculated remaining battery power is collectively displayed as the remaining battery power information on the respective display units. The remaining battery power can be obtained for all the display modes even when the battery is being charged, so that a user can always grasp the remaining battery power of any of the display modes.

Abstract: According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a self-contained portable energy storage device is disclosed that includes a housing having first and second external contact terminals, a high-energy storage capacitor disposed in the housing and coupled between first and second internal terminals, and a voltage converter disposed in the housing and coupled to the first and second internal terminals. The voltage converter is also coupled to the first and second external contact terminals to convert the voltage appearing at the first and second internal terminals to a substantially constant voltage that the voltage converter applies to the first and second external contact terminals.

Abstract: A battery strength indicating and switch means on a battery which is coupled across the terminals of the battery and which is provided with an indicating means to indicate the strength of the battery and in addition, the battery strength indicating means is also provided with an in-line switch which can easily be depressed to complete the circuit so as to place the indicator means across the terminals of the cell and display the charge of the battery.

Abstract: A battery strength indicating and switch means on a battery which is coupled across the terminals of the battery and which is provided with an indicating means to indicate the strength of the battery and in addition, the battery strength indicating means is also provided with an in-line switch which can easily be depressed to complete the circuit so as to place the indicator means across the terminals of the cell and display the charge of the battery.