607results about "Passive battery identification" patented technology

An intelligent rechargeable battery pack having a battery management system for monitoring and controlling the charging and discharging of the battery pack is described. The battery management system includes a memory for storing data related to the operation of the battery, and the battery management system is also configured to communicate the data related to the operation of the battery to other processors for analysis.

A method of controlling an inductive charging system on those occasions in which the combined power requests of a plurality of secondary devices exceed the power capacity of the power supply. The method includes at least one of (a) powering each device at a level below its requested level, (b) powering each device sequentially, and / or (c) powering each device in a repetitive pattern (e.g. time multiplexing). Also disclosed is a method of controlling an inductive charging system at least partially as a function of information received from the power management unit (PMU) of each secondary device.

A look-up table assists a source of logic of an apparatus in determining the power requirements of an unknown battery-powered device, so that a configurable power supply adjusts its output to provide the correct power to the device. The functions of the look-up table, in conjunction with generic templates and update-able historical information, if available, are substantially based on determining a “power signature” of the device. As a secondary function, the look-up table enables detection of battery charging activity and, when necessary, provides various means of disabling charging operations. More than one look-up table is available, and a look-up table can be located at any inter-connected device, apparatus, or power source. Inter-device communications further enhance the functionality of the look-up table, especially for collaborative data-acquisition.

A system and method for battery protection. In some aspects, a method of conducting an operation including a battery pack, includes the acts of monitoring a first battery pack condition at a first monitoring rate, determining when a second battery pack condition reaches a threshold, after the second battery pack condition reaches the threshold, monitoring the first battery pack condition at a second monitoring rate, the second monitoring rate being different than the first monitoring rate. In some aspects, a method of conducting an operation including a battery, the battery including a cell having a voltage, power being transferable between the cell and the electrical device, a controller operable to control a function of the battery pack, the controller being operable with a voltage at least one of equal to and greater than an operating voltage threshold, the cell being operable to selectively supply voltage to the controller, includes the act of enabling the controller to operate when the voltage supplied by the cell is below the operating voltage threshold.

A battery transfer and charging system for electric vehicles is described. A station removes one or more spent batteries of electric vehicles having multiple batteries. The receiving system includes an engagement device for engaging with engagement structures of the batteries, in order to assist the removal of spent batteries. Spent batteries removed from vehicles may be tested and charged as they progress through the system in an assembly-line fashion. Following recharge, batteries may be transferred to the displacement station for installation within later vehicles. Batteries which cannot adequately be recharged can be automatically removed from the system.

A battery transfer and charging system for electric vehicles is described. A station removes one or more spent batteries of electric vehicles having multiple batteries. The receiving system includes an engagement device for engaging with engagement structures of the batteries, in order to assist the removal of spent batteries. Spent batteries removed from vehicles may be tested and charged as they progress through the system in an assembly-line fashion. Following recharge, batteries may be transferred to the displacement station for installation within later vehicles. Batteries which cannot adequately be recharged can be automatically removed from the system.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method of charging a battery includes supplying a charging current to the battery and measuring one or more battery parameters. The battery parameters may be, for example, temperature, voltage and / or charging current. The battery parameter measured is used to determine a charging current set point. The set point may be selected from a number of different set points stored in memory, where each set point corresponds to a respective battery parameter range. If the charging current being supplied to the battery is different from the charging current set point determined the charging current is adjusted to match the set point. This process is repeated for each of a plurality of time periods (e.g., sampling periods) during charging of the battery.

An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide a battery test output related to a condition of the battery. A memory stores a battery tester address of the battery tester, and communication circuitry transmits the battery test output formatted with the battery tester address on a communication link to a remote location.

A battery monitor is provided for use with a battery of an automotive vehicle. The battery monitor can provide real time battery condition measurements and can selectively control the charging of the battery through an alternator of the vehicle based upon the measured battery condition.

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.

An apparatus and method for testing / charging a storage battery includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can be affixed to the storage battery, the RFID tag is configured to store and transmit information related to the battery. The apparatus also includes a battery tester / charger. The tester / charger includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver configured to receive the transmitted information related to the battery, and testing / charging circuitry configured to utilize the received information related to the battery to test / charge the storage battery.

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.

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.

Chargers which can be connected to batteries with different charging requirements and which have an identification device for identification of the different batteries are disclosed. With these chargers, the different types of batteries are recognized by a magnetic identification device. In a first exemplary embodiment, the identification device comprises at least one magnetic sensor, which is arranged in or on the charger and detects at least one magnetic parameter of a magnetic element, which is mounted in or on the battery. In a second exemplary embodiment, the identification device has at least one magnetic element and at least one magnetic sensor for detection of at least one magnetic parameter of the at least one magnetic element. The battery comprises a shielding and / or amplifying device, which alter(s) the at least one magnetic parameter of the at least one magnetic element.

An electronic battery tester and method includes generating battery test data from an electronic battery test. The battery test data is transmitted over a wireless communication medium. In another aspect, a method and apparatus is provided for receiving battery test data from a wireless communication medium.

A system, a method, and a device for detecting and charging electronic articles, and more particularly for charging batteries in electronic cigarettes.

A battery charger management system / method implementing indirect execution of battery charging profiles is disclosed. The system utilizes a power source control unit (PSCU) to selectively switch a power supply source to a battery charging power supply (BCPS) that charges a battery. A power monitor control unit (PMCU) monitors the current consumed by the BCPS and reports this to the PSCU. The BCPS current consumption provides the PSCU a profile of the charging characteristics of the battery attached to the BCPS, allowing identification of the battery type and a determination of the optimal charging profile for the battery in its current charge state. The power source to the BCPS is switched by the PCCU in accordance with the determined optimal charging profile to optimally charge the battery. The PSCU may operate independently or in conjunction with wireless commands received from a mobile communication device (MCD).

A system and method for recharging secondary batteries. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a supervisory circuit, a voltage converter, a portable power source, and one or more of a holder and a socket. The holder is adapted to receive a specific type of secondary battery of a portable device. The socket is adapted to mate with a plug of a device-specific charging cord connected to the portable device. Each of the holder and the plug can be associated with a programming resistor that provides a voltage requirement of the secondary battery. When the secondary battery is either placed in the holder or is connected to the socket, the supervisory circuit communicates with the voltage converter to supply the appropriate voltage required to recharge the secondary battery. The voltage converter receives power from the portable power source. The voltage converter can convert the voltage of the portable power source up (i.e., increasing the voltage) or down (i.e., decreasing the voltage) as appropriate to recharge the secondary battery as instructed by the supervisory circuit. The portable power source of the portable battery recharge station can be one of several types of power sources. For example, the portable power source can be replaceable, rechargeable, or renewable.

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

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.

In a device system, and method for inductive charging, an efficiency of transmission of electromagnetic induced power may be maximized. Specifically, a control portion of a charging device may change an attribute, such as position or area, of a primary coil as to be more aligned with a secondary coil of to be charged device.

A system and method for recharging secondary batteries. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a supervisory circuit, a voltage converter, a portable power source, and one or more of a holder and a socket. The holder is adapted to receive a specific type of secondary battery of a portable device. The socket is adapted to mate with a plug of a device-specific charging cord connected to the portable device. Each of the holder and the plug can be associated with a programming resistor that provides a voltage requirement of the secondary battery. When the secondary battery is either placed in the holder or is connected to the socket, the supervisory circuit communicates with the voltage converter to supply the appropriate voltage required to recharge the secondary battery. The voltage converter receives power from the portable power source. The voltage converter can convert the voltage of the portable power source up (i.e., increasing the voltage) or down (i.e., decreasing the voltage) as appropriate to recharge the secondary battery as instructed by the supervisory circuit. The portable power source of the portable battery recharge station can be one of several types of power sources. For example, the portable power source can be replaceable, rechargeable, or renewable.

A system for verification of a battery (100) includes the battery (100) and a device (400,500). The battery (100) includes a memory device (135) for storing an identification number and a verification number. The verification number is generated by applying a key to the identification number. The device (400,500) is coupled to the battery (100) and includes a device memory (515) for storing the key and a microprocessor (435,510) for verifying the identification number of the battery (100) by applying the key to the verification number.

A method and apparatus is provided in which a radio frequency identification (RIFD) tag is associated with the storage battery and is used in conjunction with a battery test, battery charger, or other battery maintenance. A cable configured to be affixed to the storage battery. The cable is configured to store information and wirelessly communicate the information to a battery tester. A battery maintenance device configured to couple to the battery and to perform battery maintenance on the battery through the cable. The battery maintenance device includes wireless communication circuitry configured to communicate with a memory of the cable.

A method of controlling an inductive charging system on those occasions in which the combined power requests of a plurality of secondary devices exceed the power capacity of the power supply. The method includes at least one of (a) powering each device at a level below its requested level, (b) powering each device sequentially, and / or (c) powering each device in a repetitive pattern (e.g. time multiplexing). Also disclosed is a method of controlling an inductive charging system at least partially as a function of information received from the power management unit (PMU) of each secondary device.