A modular integrated ultracapacitor-based energy storage and power delivery apparatus (UCAP module) is described. In some embodiments, the UCAP module comprises: at least one ultracapacitor cell coupled together in a series, parallel, or combination of both series and parallel configuration; an integrated charging unit; conductive hardware electrically coupling the ultracapacitors cells together; at least one UCAP terminal rod extending throughout the UCAP module and used to route power within the UCAP module and in some embodiments to other UCAP modules; and a protective casing. In some embodiments the UCAP terminal rod couples the UCAP module to at least one additional UCAP module in a series, parallel, or a combination of both series and parallel configurations. In other embodiments, the UCAP module further comprises connector rods that electrically and mechanically couple the UCAP module to at least one additional UCAP module.

Cordless indicia readers may use a rechargeable energy storage unit (RESU) for power. The RESU may include either at least one lithium-ion battery or at least one super capacitor. Problems may arise when an RESU containing a lithium-ion battery is charged using a super-capacitor charging-scheme. The present invention embraces a system and method for charging a barcode scanner that includes determining the RESU type and then charging the RESU with a charging process that is appropriate for the RESU type.

A method for controlling operation of garden equipment with a battery pack including a control unit for performing the method, when the battery back is inserted into a recess of the garden equipment and in data communication, via a data bus, with a control unit of the garden equipment. The control unit reads an identifier of the garden equipment, which identifier is used to retrieve operational control data for the specific garden equipment from a memory medium of the control unit. The control unit also collects sensor data from garden equipment sensors and controls the operation of the garden equipment from the control unit based on the retrieved control data and the collected sensor data.

One embodiment provides a battery pack including a housing, a plurality of battery cells supported by the housing, and a terminal block. The terminal block is configured to be coupled to a power tool to provide operating power from the plurality of battery cells to the power tool. The terminal block has a positive power terminal, a charging terminal, and a ground terminal. The battery pack also includes a charging circuit provided between the charging terminal and the plurality of battery cells. The charging circuit is configured to receive and transfer charging current above 12 Amperes to the plurality of battery cells during charging. The charging circuit includes a charging switch and a fuse coupled between the charging terminal and the charging switch.

A battery management platform including a battery configured to supply a type of power to at least one load device, and a central charging station configured to provide power to charge the battery while the battery is coupled to the central charging station. The central charging station including a locking mechanism configured to: secure the battery to the central charging station when a status of the battery is determined to be checked-in, and disengage to allow the battery to be removed when the status is verified to be check-out. Wherein the locking mechanism includes an override function configured to allow a user to disengage the locking mechanism without an electronic command.

A battery module for monitoring and suppressing battery swelling and interacting with a charging device includes a battery cell disposed in a nonconductive housing, a conductive label affixed to the nonconductive housing, a switch, and a controller. The battery cell is charged via a supply voltage from a charging device. The switch is coupled between the battery cell and the conductive label. The controller detects a resistance variation value ΔR of the conductive label as result of swelling of the nonconductive housing, and generates a corresponding control voltage. As the resistance of the conductive label increases, the supply voltage may be adjusted downward according to the control voltage. If the resistance variation value ΔR conductive label is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the controller closes the switch, and the battery cell may then fully discharge through the conductive label.

A system is provided with a set of removable battery packs and a set of power tools each including a motor, a controller, and a battery receiving portion. For each power tool, the controller is configured to identify a type of battery pack coupled to the battery receiving portion and set a conduction band associated with phases of the motor or an advance angle by which phases of the motor are shifted based on the identified type of the battery pack.

A battery pack includes a housing of a first material, a cell assembly, and a cell support of a second material. The cell assembly is disposed in the housing and includes a plurality of cell units. The cell unit includes a positive electrode of the cell unit and a negative electrode of the cell unit. The cell support is configured to support at least the cell assembly. The cell support is at least disposed at two ends of the cell assembly and at least part of the cell support encapsulates the positive electrode of the cell unit and the negative electrode of the cell unit. The first material is different from the second material.

A device includes an AC impedance circuit to apply an AC excitation signal to a set of battery cells of a battery pack. The device includes a controller to determine a battery pack identification (ID) value from a battery pack identification (ID) circuit of the battery pack, calculate an impedance value of the battery pack based on the AC excitation signal, identify a maximum charging rate to charge the battery pack using the battery pack ID value of the battery pack and the impedance value of the battery pack, where the battery pack is one of at least two battery packs having a same battery pack ID value with different maximum charging rates, and set a charging rate to charge the battery pack using the maximum charging rate.

A method for conducting an operation including a power tool battery pack. The battery pack can include a housing, a first cell supported by the housing and having a voltage, and a second cell supported by the housing and having a voltage. The battery pack also can be connectable to a power tool and be operable to supply power to operate the power tool. The method can include discharging one of the first cell and the second cell until the voltage of the one of the first cell and the second cell is substantially equal to the voltage of the other of the first cell and the second cell.