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 fuel cell power plant is provided for a mobile unit. The mobile unit is provided with a drive device (29) driving the mobile unit when supplied with electrical power. The power plant comprises a fuel cell (21) generating power when supplied with fuel, a battery (27) charged with power generated by the fuel cell, a power regulation device (31) selectively distributing power from the fuel cell (21) and the battery (27) to the drive device (29), and a controller (33) for controlling running operations. The controller (33) estimates the energy required to activate the fuel cell (21), and controls the power regulation device (31) when the energy required to activate the fuel cell is greater than or equal to a determination value so that the fuel cell is not activated and power from the battery (27) is supplied to the drive device (29). In this manner, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption during startup operations.

Abstract: Computer-assisted methods for determining the state of charge of a specific lithium ion battery, without the need for charging and discharging the battery, by utilizing look-up tables or algorithms which store the relationships of state of charge to open-circuit voltage or to ramp-peak current, or to both for that type of specific lithium-ion battery to determine the state of charge for that specific lithium-ion battery.

Abstract: A method and system for accurately reporting battery capacity is disclosed herein. The disclosed method and system prevent the reporting of discontinuous capacity values resulting from starting or stopping recharge cycles. The disclosed method and system prevent over or under reporting of battery capacity due to the transition between charge and discharge curves in a battery model.

Abstract: A battery unit comprises a plural number of cells. The cells are provided with temperature sensors adjacent thereto respectively. One cell is provided with one temperature sensor adjacent thereto, but all of the cells are not provided with temperature sensors; so that the total number of temperature sensors is less than the total number of cells. Cells provided with temperature sensors adjacent thereto, respectively, and cells not provided with any temperature sensor are mixedly connected. The temperature sensors are divided into a plural number of temperature sensor blocks, and an abnormal temperature of a cell is detected by comparing resistance values of the temperature sensor blocks with one another.

Abstract: A charging element device comprises a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal which are located at one end of a cylindrical battery case having a positive electrode and a negative electrode equipped therein and which are respectively connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode, with an electrolyte solution charging opening being formed at the other end of the battery case. The electrolyte solution charging opening is sealed by a plug having a safety valve, and the safety plug reduces an inner pressure of the battery case when the inner pressure is not less than a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A modularized power supply is presented employing individual electrochemical cells which are rendered inert when separated from a specified unlocking circuit. The cells are enclosed in a cell module having a disabling circuit which isolates the cell terminals and prevents release of significant cell energy. A switch in the disabling circuit is activated when the cell module is connected to the specified unlocking circuit in an external frame. The frame includes receptacles for receiving multiple modules, all of which must be connected before power is delivered to a host interface. The frame may include circuits and devices for monitoring the performance of the modules, for controlling cell charging and discharging, and protective elements to protect the modules and tray from aberrant conditions such as high temperatures, overcurrent, and similar events. By including these in the frame, fewer elements are required in the individual modules, reducing their complexity, weight and cost.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, an inverter, a reformer and a circuit. The fuel cell stack is adapted to produce heat in response to a fuel flow, and the inverter is coupled to the fuel cell stack and is adapted to use electrical energy produced by the fuel cell stack to furnish electrical power that is received by a power grid. The reformer is adapted to produce the fuel flow, and the circuit is adapted to interact with the reformer to produce an approximate predetermined amount of heat. The circuit also determines cell voltages of the fuel cell stack, selects the minimum cell voltage, and interacts with the inverter to regulate the amount of the electrical power that is furnished by the inverter based on the selected voltage.

Abstract: A connecting device applicable to a battery terminal can display the electrical condition, such as the voltage of power and the condition of the fuses of each line. The connecting device includes a main body having a clamp at one end for fixing to the battery terminal, and the other end for carrying a display unit and connecting cables of appliances. The display unit makes the connecting device displayable with electrical conditions directly without the need of using other testing devices.

Abstract: A storage battery of the conventional kind for supplying power to electrical devices has a supervising unit (37) for determining the electric capacity. The supervising unit is electrically connected to terminal posts (19) of the battery in order to measure the battery voltage and also measures the battery current. Measurement posts (31) are connected to the end cells of the battery in parallel to the terminal posts (19) and to the supervising unit through bridges (34). The supervising unit (37) also measures the voltage between the measurement posts (31) and the difference between the measured voltages is a measure of the current flowing through the battery, this difference voltage corresponding to a sum of the voltages over portions of the terminal posts and the bridges (34). From this difference voltage the current through the battery is calculated and therefrom the remaining electric capacity of the battery is determined by repeating regularly the measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of detecting the capacity of the standby power. First, the components that are supplied with working voltage from the standby power are switched to the main power by a switch circuit. Then a control unit activates a dummy-loading circuit, thereby a coupling a loading device to the standby power. A voltage monitoring circuit monitors variations of the standby power to judge the capacity of the standby power, by which the switch circuit decides whether the standby power is activated or not. When detecting the capacity of the standby power, a switch circuit is needed to prevent variations of the standby power from affecting the normal operation of the essential circuit, and the standby power is supplied as operating power.

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 battery includes a cell having an outer circumference and a battery tester. The batter tester can be of different types. One type a segmented display tester includes a first voltage divider and a plurality of parallel battery tester elements including a voltage controlled display having a first terminal coupled to the first voltage divider and a second voltage divider coupled in parallel with the first voltage divider and coupled to a second terminal of the voltage controlled display. The second voltage divider also includes a non-linear device. A second type of battery tester is also disclosed. This type is a variable type and has a first voltage divider including a non-linear device coupled to a plurality of resistance elements and a voltage controlled display having a first terminal coupled to the first voltage divider and a plurality of second terminals coupled to the plurality of resistance elements.

Abstract: In case of a conventional battery having a laminated sheet material as a battery case (1) for storing a battery body, the metal foil on the laminated sheet does not contact to either a positive electrode or a negative electrode and electric potential is unstable. Therefore, there was a problem that it was impossible to obtain electrical shielding effect.

Abstract: Deficiencies in the electrolyte level of the cells of NiCd battery can be detected by measuring the internal resistance of the cells. Initially, data is collected for a battery type and capacity, correlating measured internal resistance with the amount of water that must be added to bring the cell resistance to an acceptable value. Subsequently, cells of other batteries of the same type and capacity can be measured to determine how much water must be added and the levels quickly restored. The polarization value of the cells can be used lieu of the internal resistance in the same fashion.

Abstract: A small protector is provided for a high energy density battery such as a lithium ion battery. A flat sheet form of leading portion extending from a positive temperature coefficient element is provided thereon with at least one battery protecting circuit element for detecting at least one abnormality selected from overcharging, over-discharging, overcurrent, and unusual temperature to cut off a current passing therethrough. A fail-safe mechanism is achieved for the actuation of the positive temperature coefficient element and the actuation of the battery protecting circuit element.

Abstract: The battery testing circuit of the present invention preferably includes a substrate, a display printed on the substrate for displaying a level of discharge of a battery, a display driver circuit coupled to the display and to the battery for receiving power from the battery to drive the display, and a battery discharge level sensing circuit coupled to the display and to the battery for sensing a discharge level of the battery and for supplying a display signal representing the sensed discharge level to the display. At least one of the circuits is printed on the substrate using processable conductive polymer materials as ink layers. Preferably, the battery discharge level sensing circuit component continuously senses the discharge level and the display continuously displays the discharge level. The display is preferably a field-responsive liquid crystal display made of either polymer liquid crystal or polymer dispersed liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A protective device for a repeatedly rechargeable electrochemical battery (10) with a battery housing (12), the protective device having at least one switching element (86) which can be activated by a detector element (62) and which is designed or adjusted to prevent recharging and/or discharging of the battery (10) in an impermissible operating state thereof. The protective device has a hermetically sealed protective housing (54) which holds the battery housing (12). An impermissible operating state of the battery (10) causes a change in shape (deflection) to be impressed on the detector element (62). Preferably, the at least one switching element (86) is made as a make contact which electrically short circuits a recharging circuit supplied by a charging device when a predetermined expansion in the volume of the battery housing (12) and/or gas escape therefrom occurs. The protective device is part of an implantable device, such as a hearing aid.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting and displaying a realistic time remaining to a recommended replacement time (RRT) of a battery of a implantable cardiac stimulating device or similar battery powered medical device is provided.

Abstract: For use with a valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery, a fluid fill system and a method of maintaining fill fluid in a VRLA battery. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a fluid determination circuit, associated with the battery, that determines a quantity of fill fluid in the VRLA battery and (2) a controller, coupled to the fluid determination circuit, that introduces replacement fill fluid into the VRLA battery based on the quantity to replace fill fluid lost from the VRLA battery. The fluid determination circuit comprises sensors that measure a temperature and pressure associated with the VRLA battery, and a state of a fluid release valve on the battery.

Abstract: A method for producing a battery tester label is disclosed. The method includes forming an inserted tester device and a base layer, which are combined together to form the battery tester label. The resulting tester label can be applied to a battery. Also disclosed are methods for producing a plurality of battery tester labels disposed on a common releasable liner. The resulting array can be stored for subsequent application to batteries, cut into relatively long strips for rolling and storage, or immediately applied to batteries.

Abstract: Battery mounting and testing apparatuses and methods of forming the same are described. In one implementation, a substrate includes a surface area over which a battery terminal housing member is to entirely cover. A conductive first test contact is disposed on the substrate surface and extends from within the surface area to outside of the surface area. A conductive second test contact is disposed on the substrate surface and extends from within the surface area to outside the surface area. The second test contact is spaced from the first test contact and is preferably electrically isolated therefrom on the substrate. In one aspect, an electronic device is provided by mounting a battery with the first and second test contacts. In circuit testing is performed after the battery is mounted utilizing the portions of the first and second test contacts which extend outside of the surface area for probe testing.

Abstract: An intelligent battery device comprises the battery pack and the battery management device. The battery pack includes a battery group which is chargeable and dischargeable and a thermistor which detects and outputs the temperature of the battery group. The battery management unit, after receiving power and temperature signal from the battery pack between the battery pack and a host equipment, transfers power and information about the remaining capacity and deterioration of the battery to the host equipment and then transfers power supplied from the host equipment to the battery pack.

Abstract: A light transparent moisture barrier useful for preventing moisture from destroying the effectiveness of a moisture sensitive cell condition tester on an electrochemical cell, comprises a plurality of very thin layers of amorphous silicon nitride and a hydrophobic fluorocarbon polymer on a flexible, polymeric substrate. The layers are formed on the substrate by a deposition process such as sputtering. The thickness of any individual layer is less than one micron.

Abstract: A process for evaluating a remaining capacity of a battery includes the steps of measuring a discharge current and output voltage from the battery during discharging of the battery, calculating a maximum output value of the battery based on a characteristic of the variation in discharge current and output voltage determined from the measured values of the discharge current and output voltage, and evaluating the remaining capacity of the battery based on the calculated maximum output value. The evaluation of the remaining capacity of the battery by this process is prohibited in a sudden-load-varying state in which the variation in load of the battery during discharging of the battery exceeds a predetermined limit level. Thus, it is possible to properly evaluate the remaining capacity of the battery without obtaining or using unstable voltage information of the battery immediately after the load varies suddenly, thereby leading to an enhanced accuracy of evaluation of the remaining capacity.

Abstract: At step S21, a residual amount judging section of abattery residual amount display circuit measures a battery voltage. If a mode transition is detected at step S22, the process returns to step S21 without executing the subsequent steps. If it is judged at step S23 that the operation mode is a reception-waiting mode, the process goes to step S24, where the battery amount judging section judges a battery residual amount by comparing the detected battery voltage with threshold values. If the operation mode is judged to be a transmission mode, the battery residual amount judging section determines a voltage drop during a transmission at step S25, and converts the voltage drop into a battery voltage of a reception waiting mode at step S26 by subtracting the voltage drop from a batter voltage obtained in a reception waiting mode immediately before the mode transition.

Abstract: A communication apparatus which prevents problems caused by the increase of internal resistance in a battery. The apparatus obtains the internal resistance (.DELTA.V) of a battery, and if the internal resistance obtained is over a reference value, a message to change the battery is displayed to the user. The user exchanges the battery directed by the display, so that the problems due to the increase of the internal resistance can be prevented. Further, the battery voltage during transmission is predicted from the internal resistance, and if the predicted value is lower than a predetermined reference voltage, a message that no residual battery exists is displayed to the user, thereby avoiding the situation where the battery voltage becomes lower than the reference voltage because of the internal resistance at the moment of transmission, resulting in the apparatus being suddenly reset and the conversation cut off without any warning.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for measuring battery state-of-charge, the total available capacity is calculated using natural logarithms. The application of natural logarithm instead of using Peukert's Equation simplifies the method and provides higher accuracy.

Abstract: A battery strength tester used on a battery which has indicating means to indicate the strength of the battery and switching means which can easily be employed to complete a circuit so as to place the indicator means across the terminals of the battery and display the charge of the battery and wherein said switch, after a predetermined interval or temperature is reached, automatically opens to break the electrical contact across the battery terminals. A light emitting material employed as the indicator material is another special feature of the battery strength tester.

Abstract: A portable communication device with battery conservation capability is capable of sensing (223) its power source and suppressing a battery conservation circuit depending on an actual voltage determined (225) from an analog-to-digital converter. Two or more voltage ranges are defined (227) such that battery conservation is disabled when an external power source is operated in one of the predetermined voltage ranges.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provide a life indicator which can detect an occurrence of growth and obtain various information based on it. A life indicator of this invention having at least a sensor portion, a sending circuit, a receiving circuit and a light emitting diode. The sensor portion is adapted to be applied with a pressure based on an elongation of a positive plate directly or indirectly, so as to detect the applied pressure as a change of electric parameter.

Abstract: A battery and circuitry for monitoring state of charge of the battery are housed in a single housing. A display may be provided for displaying an indication of the state of charge, and a communication circuit may be provided for communicating electrical signals representing the state of charge to the exterior of the housing. Preferably, the battery module additionally includes a switch device for connecting the battery to terminals external to the housing and control circuitry responsive to the monitoring circuitry for causing the battery to be connected to and disconnected from the terminals. The control circuitry operates in accordance with thresholds to prevent deep discharge and overcharge.

Abstract: An inexpensive, high precision accumulation type remaining battery capacity meter and method are provided, whereby the remaining capacity of the battery is determined by computing an accumulated discharge value and is displayed in steps on a display unit. The meter includes a memory device with at least one data table relating the terminal voltage of a battery discharging at a predetermined discharge current or discharge power to the remaining capacity of the battery. The data table is used to correct the computed remaining capacity displayed on the display unit. Corrections are only made within a specified range so that abnormal change in the displayed capacity is prevented.

Abstract: A multicell storage battery, especially of the nickel/hydride type, is provided with pressure safeties for protection against high internal pressures. The pressure safeties respond at a preassigned critical pressure, causing mechanical changes in shape or through destruction which can be optically or electrically monitored. For example, a hinged lid is caused to swing up responsive to a rupture disk, interrupting a light beam. Alternatively, a rupture disk is coated with a conducting enamel and is connected by lead wires to form an electrical circuit which is interrupted responsive to damage of the enamel layer (e.g., responsive to bursting of the membrane).

Abstract: A maximum output power and a discharged electric power amount from the battery is calculated; a future variation in maximum output power relative to the discharged electric power amount is evaluated, thereby determining a remaining capacity of the battery on the basis of the electric power amount discharged until the maximum output power reaches a preset lowest maximum-output power. Thus, the remaining capacity of the battery can be correctly detected, irrespective of the charged state, the discharge rate, the degree of deterioration of the battery and the like.

Abstract: A battery power monitoring apparatus for use in an electric automobile is provided. The battery power monitoring apparatus determines the amount of available reserve electric power remaining in a storage battery based on electric power discharged from the storage battery to an electric motor and a battery characteristic stored in a memory, representing a relation between a voltage level at which a given level of current flows from the storage battery and the then discharged electric power. The battery characteristic is updated based on the latest detected voltage of the storage battery and current flowing from the storage battery. The battery power monitoring apparatus determines that charge polarization has occurred when a voltage level of the storage battery from which the given level of current flows is increased, and prohibits the updating of the battery characteristic. With this operation, the amount of available electric power is calculated correctly even under the influence of charge polarization.

Abstract: A method for encasing a battery with a label containing an integral test circuit device that is thermally insulated from the battery and is activated by depressing a selected area of the label whereupon a thermally sensitive material associated with the test circuit displays whether the battery has capacity. The battery so produced with the test circuit device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tester for determining the condition of an electrochemical power source, e.g. a battery or main cell, is disclosed. The tester may comprise an electrolytic (coulometric) cell connected in series to a auxiliary cell. The auxiliary cell is a miniature electrochemical power cell. The electrolytic (coulometric) cell may have no electromotive force of its own and may comprise an anode and cathode of the same material, desirably silver, with an electrolyte contacting at least a portion of both the anode and cathode. The tester may be permanently connected in parallel to a main cell being tested and is thin enough to be integratable into a label for the main cell. As the main cell discharges, the electrolytic cell anode clears proportionally to the discharge of one of the electrodes of the main cell to provide a continuous visually discernible indication of the state of charge of the main cell.

Abstract: A light transparent moisture barrier useful for preventing moisture from destroying the effectiveness of a moisture sensitive cell condition tester on an electrochemical cell comprises a plurality of very thin, alternating layers of an inorganic material and an organic material on a flexible, polymeric substrate. The layers are not laminated, but are formed on the substrate by a deposition or coating process and the thickness of any layer is less than 5 microns. The organic material is a hydrophobic polymer and the inorganic material is a metal oxide, nitride, a glass or silicon.

Abstract: A battery encased with a label containing an integral test circuit device that is thermally insulated from the battery by an expanded material and is activated by depressing a selected area of the label whereupon a thermally sensitive material associated with the test circuit displays whether the battery has capacity. A method for producing the test circuit device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light transparent moisture barrier useful for preventing moisture from destroying the effectiveness of a moisture sensitive cell condition tester on an electrochemical cell, comprises a plurality of very thin layers of amorphous silicon nitride and a hydrophobic fluorocarbon polymer on a flexible, polymeric substrate. The layers are formed on the substrate by a deposition process such as sputtering. The thickness of any individual layer is less than one micron.

Abstract: A rechargeable metal-air electrochemical cell comprising a hydrogen-oxygen recombination electrode recombines hydrogen produced at the anode with oxygen to replenish the supply of water in the cell. The cell comprises an oxygen gas-permeable, liquid water-impermeable air cathode disposed in the cell case such that the cell is substantially impermeable to liquid water and the cell can receive and discharge oxygen gas through an opening in the cell case. During the discharge mode of the cell, the recombination electrode is inactive, and during the recharge mode, the recombination electrode catalyzes the electrochemical recombination of hydrogen and oxygen in the cell to form water. According to another aspect, the cell can comprise a device for indicating the end of the charge mode by sensing the level of current between the cathode and the recombination electrode and comparing that current level to a predetermined current level.

Abstract: The device uses a sensor probe in which a plurality of electrolyte level sensor coils and/or specific gravity stratification indicators are stacked vertically in the walls of a hollow electrically insulating and chemically nonreactive elongated probe housing such that the sensor coils never come into contact with the electrolyte. Balanced transformers or series resonant coils are used to sense changes in electrolyte level and/or changes in specific gravity at various respective levels to indicate stratification of electrolyte. The fields of the sensors are changed by the amount of electrolyte in the area of the sensor coils. These changes operate to produce signals that are read as digital or analog outputs.

Abstract: A battery encased with a label containing an integral test circuit device that is activated by depressing a selected area of the label whereupon a thermally sensitive material displays whether the battery has capacity. A method for producing the test circuit device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for and a method of indicating the residual capacity of a secondary cell, that needs be recharged using a simply constituted device, correctly and within a short period of time.

Abstract: A storage battery is provided which includes a casing and a cover secured to the casing. The cover includes a body having a top surface and a peripheral skirt; the top surface having a plurality of vent apertures, at least one negative terminal and at least one positive terminal, and an elongated recess having a bottom, four side walls and an open top. The negative and positive terminals have extensions exposed at opposite ends of the recess, and a state-of-charge indicator assembly is mounted in the recess and electrically connected to the negative and positive terminal extensions. The state-of-charge indicator assembly is sealed in the recess by relatively thin adhesive seal or membrane applied over the open top and adhered to the top surface of the cover. The membrane is provided with percent charge and test switch indicia thereon.

Abstract: A backup battery management method (200), and corresponding apparatus (101 ) monitors a system voltage (111 ) and charges a backup battery (109) while a short-term average (405) of the system voltage exceeds a long-term average (407) of the system voltage.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for detecting a current residual capacity of a battery employed in an electric vehicle, such as an electric car. During a charging process, a value of the charge current of the battery is measured and an estimated discharge voltage corresponding to a current battery accumulated power is determined. A power of the battery as a product of the value of the charge current of the battery and the estimated discharge voltage is thereafter computed and the computed power is added to the current battery accumulated power to provide a new current battery accumulated power for display. During a discharging process, values of the discharge voltage and the discharge current are measured. The amount of consumed power is thereafter computed as a product of the values of the discharge voltage and the discharge current. The computed amount of consumed power is subtracted from a current battery residual capacity to produce a new current battery residual capacity for display.

Abstract: A battery strength tester used on a battery which has indicating means to indicate the strength of the battery and switching means which can easily be employed to complete a circuit so as to place the indicator means across the terminals of the battery and display the charge of the battery and wherein said switch, after a predetermined interval or temperature is reached, automatically opens to break the electrical contact across the battery terminals. A light emitting material employed as the indicator material is another special feature of the battery strength tester.