A method for managing a plurality of batteries that are electrically coupled together includes (1) monitoring respective voltages of the plurality of batteries and (2) in response to a respective voltage of a first battery of the plurality of batteries reaching a first threshold value at a first time, reducing a charge or discharge rate of the first battery, relative to at least a second battery of the plurality of batteries. Charge and discharge rates may be adaptively managed such that each battery reaches the first threshold value at substantially the same time.

A voltage measuring apparatus is configured to measure voltages of respective battery cells of a battery cell array including a plurality of battery cell groups each including a predetermined number of battery cells connected in series. The voltage measuring apparatus includes a plurality of measuring units each provided for each of the battery cell groups. The adjacent measuring units are connected through a communication channel so as to perform current communication therebetween. A bidirectional diode circuit element is connected to the communication channel extending between the adjacent measuring units.

A battery system for a motor vehicle or other system includes a voltage bus with positive and negative bus rails, and first and second battery packs. The battery packs are arranged between and connected to rails. High-voltage switches are collectively configured to selectively interconnect the battery packs in a series or parallel battery arrangement. The switches include a pair of mutually-exclusive three-way/two-position contactors each having a series connection position and parallel connection position corresponding to the respective series and parallel battery arrangements. An electric powertrain includes an electrical load connected to the battery system, and a controller coupled to the switches. In response to a battery mode selection signal, the controller selectively transitions the contactors from the series connection position to the parallel connection position, or vice versa. A motor vehicle includes road wheels, a body, and the electric powertrain.

A battery charging system of an electronic device includes: a battery having a first nominal voltage and including: battery cells each having a second nominal voltage that is less than the first nominal voltage; and electrical connectors that electrically connect ones of the battery cells to provide the battery with the first nominal voltage; a first charge port configured to electrically connect to a first type of connector; a charging module configured to: receive power via the first charge port; and when a voltage of the received power is less than the first nominal voltage at least one of: charge ones of the battery cells individually; and charge groups of two or more of the battery cells.

A battery pack which has cell units in which top-side and bottom-side battery cells are connected in series, and is capable of switching the connection state of the cell units, wherein a control unit monitors voltage imbalances between the plurality of cell units, and also monitors whether or not a cell unit contact failure has occurred. In order to stop a charging/discharging when a contact failure occurs, a signal (abnormality stoppage signal or charging stoppage signal) for stopping discharge is produced and outputted to the electrical device body-side.

A system and method for supplying uninterruptible power includes a housing, a power supply input, a power source equipment input, a first powered device output, a second powered device output, an alternative power supply, and a control module. The control module includes a comparator, a switch, a converter and an injector. The injector includes a regulator and power autonegotiation module. The alternative power supply includes a plurality of battery packs in series. There can also be first and second powered devices with uninterrupted power, even when only one of the powered devices breaks. A power is uninterrupted to the first powered device, even if power is stopped to the second powered device, due to a repair or fault of the second powered device.

A riding lawn mower comprising, a pair of rear drive wheels, a pair of front wheels, a deck positioned between the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear drive wheels, a rotatable cutting blade, and multiple battery packs removably coupled to the riding lawn mower and structured to provide power to the riding lawn mower, each battery pack graspable and removable by a user, wherein the multiple battery packs sequentially provide power to the riding lawn mower.

A configuration instruction associated with configuring a plurality of batteries which supply power to a plurality of motors in a vehicle is received. The batteries are configuring as specified by the configuration instruction, where the batteries are able to be configured in a plurality of configurations, including: a first configuration where at least some of the batteries are electrically connected together in parallel and a second configuration where at least some of the batteries are electrically connected together in series.

The present invention includes self-contained, rechargeable power systems for areas having unreliable electrical grids or no electrical grid at all, and methods related thereto. The system may include one or more solar panels of various sizes to provide an off-grid power generation source, battery receivers for receiving batteries of various chemistries, and a control circuitry that is operable to detect the voltage and/or current output of the batteries that are installed in the system to determine their specific battery chemistry and then adjust the charge algorithm of the batteries to optimize both the charge capacity and the cycle life of the batteries. The control circuitry may also be operable to switch configurations of the solar panels and/or the batteries to optimize performance of the system. The system may be operable to power one or more light emitters and/or external electronic devices connected through the system by a charge port.

A battery energy processing device includes: first and second inductors, first and second phase bridge arms, an energy storage element, and a controller. First ends of the first and second inductors are connected with a positive electrode of a battery. A midpoint of the first phase bridge arm is connected with a second end of the first inductor; A midpoint of the second phase bridge arm is connected with a second end of the second inductor. A first end of the energy storage element is connected with a first confluent end; a second end of the energy storage element is connected with a second confluent end. The controller is configured to control the first and second phase bridge arms to charge and discharge the battery through the first and second inductors to heat the battery. The first and second inductors are in different operating states.