Systems and methods for replacing one or more battery modules of a battery pack include using one or more communication devices to instruct a battery management system of the battery pack that a number of battery modules of the battery pack is equal to a remaining number of battery modules in the battery pack after one or more battery modules have been disconnected. The remaining battery modules of the battery pack may be charged to any voltage within a nominal voltage range while the one or more communication devices are coupled to the battery pack.

A surgical stapling system including a shaft assembly transmits actuation motions from an actuator and an end effector compresses and staples tissue. The end effector comprises an elongated channel; an anvil having a staple forming surface is moveable relative to the elongated channel between an open position and a closed position; and a staple cartridge removably positioned within the elongated channel. The staple cartridge comprises a body having a tissue contacting surface in a confronting relationship with the staple forming surface; a plurality of staple drivers within the cartridge body each supporting a staple; and a tissue thickness compensator positionable between the anvil and the cartridge, the tissue thickness compensator is captured by the staples and assumes different compressed heights within the different staples. The tissue compensator comprises first conductive elements. The system determines properties of tissue compressed between the anvil and the cartridge.

Method, modules and a system formed by connecting the modules for controlling payloads are disclosed. An activation signal is propagated in the system from a module to the modules connected to it. Upon receiving an activation signal, the module (after a pre-set or random delay) activates a payload associated with it, and transmits the activation signal (after another pre-set or random delay) to one or more modules connected to it. The system is initiated by a master module including a user activated switch producing the activation signal. The activation signal can be propagated in the system in one direction from the master to the last module, or carried bi-directionally allowing two way propagation, using a module which revert the direction of the activation signal propagation direction. A module may be individually powered by an internal power source such as a battery, or connected to external power source such as AC power. The system may use remote powering wherein few or all of the modules are powered from the same power source connected to the system in a single point. The power may be carried over dedicated wires or concurrently with the conductors carrying the activation signal. The payload may be a visual or an audible signaling device, and can be integrated within a module or external to it. The payload may be powered by a module or using a dedicated power source, and can involve randomness associated with its activation such as the delay, payload control or payload activation.

Power systems and methods of using the same to deliver power. A power system referenced herein can include a housing capable of attaching to a workstation, one or more cradles or mounting fixtures to receive at least one energy storage device, electronic circuitry to communicate status of the at least one energy storage device, state of charge of the at least one energy storage device, and/or overall health of the at least one energy storage device, and one or more electrical connectors to allow the at least one energy storage device to charge and/or discharge and communicate with the electronic circuitry, with said housing having an internal power supply and charge circuitry, said power supply capable of receiving input power from an external AC or DC power source; wherein the power system is configured to deliver power to the workstation.

An arrangement for feeding electrical power into an AC grid includes a multiplicity of feed modules. Each feed module includes a converter module for converting a direct voltage into an alternating voltage, as well as a storage module for storing electrical energy. The storage module is connected to a direct voltage side of the converter module and an alternating voltage side of the converter module is configured for connection to the AC grid and/or to at least a further one of the feed modules, so that on the alternating voltage side the feed modules form a series circuit that can be connected to the AC grid. At least one of the storage modules is configured for connection to an energy generation plant.

Disclosed is a connection apparatus capable of supplying power supplied from a power supply module to a load. The connection apparatus includes: a connection unit connectable with the power supply module; a light emission element; and a light emission controller for controlling the light emission element, wherein the light emission controller causes, upon detection of a connection of the power supply module to the connection unit, the light emission element to emit light for a first predetermined time.

The power source system includes high-voltage batteries; a first motor configured to receive power supplied from the high-voltage batteries. A first relay is arranged on a first power supply path. A second motor is configured to receive power supplied from the high-voltage batteries; the second relay that is arranged on a second power supply path. A detection unit detects an abnormality in the first power supply path and the second power supply path. A control unit controls the first relay and the second relay. The detection unit turns off the first relay when an abnormality is detected in the first power supply path, and turns off the second relay when an abnormality is detected in the second power supply path.

A battery system with a large-format Li-ion battery powers attached equipment by discharging battery cells distributed among a plurality of battery packs. The discharging of the battery cells is controlled in an efficient manner while preserving the expected life of the Li-ion battery cells. Each battery pack internally supports a battery management system and may have identical components, thus supporting an architecture that easily scales to higher power/energy. Battery packs may be added or removed without intervention with a user, where one of battery packs serves as a master battery pack and the remaining battery packs serve as slave battery packs. When the master battery pack is removed, one of the slave battery packs becomes the master battery pack. Charging and discharging of the battery cells is coordinated by the master battery pack with the slave battery packs over a communication channel such as a controller area network (CAN) bus.

A device for supplying electrical power including one or more photovoltaic panels includes one or more photovoltaic panels configured to generate electricity. The example device also includes an electric motor electrically operated by electricity generated by the one or more photovoltaic panels, and a generator mechanically coupled to the electric motor. A positive bus bar and negative bus bar are electrically coupled to the generator. At least one secondary battery is electrically coupled to the positive bus bar and negative bus bar. At least one electrical outlet is electrically coupled to the positive bus bar and negative bus bar.

A power supply system includes a battery disposed on a vehicle lower portion; a feeder line electrically coupled to the battery, wired inside a hollow front pillar that couples a vehicle upper portion with the vehicle lower portion, and configured to supply electric power from the battery to the vehicle upper portion; and a power distributor disposed on the vehicle upper portion, electrically coupled to the feeder line, and configured to distribute the electric power that is input from the feeder line to load devices disposed on a vehicle. As a result, the power supply system can improve the workability of wiring work.