A charging device is provided, which is capable of starting up a control circuit without any separate power supply so as to start an appropriate charge operation even when a secondary battery is in an overdischarged state. A charging device to charge a secondary battery with electric power generated by a solar cell includes: a charging control unit that controls the electric power generated by the solar cell to have a current value and/or a voltage value suitable for charging, and that supplies the controlled electric power to the secondary battery; and a start-up control unit that supplies, to the charging control unit, a boosted power source by boosting the electric power from the solar cell when charging is started, and that starts up the a charging control unit.

The present invention relates to a secondary battery module comprising a cartridge assembly in which at least two or more cartridges are stacked and combined, wherein the module comprises one or more fixed members provided on the outer surface thereof in order to configure a battery pack in which one or more modules are mechanically/electrically connected in series or in parallel with each other.

A battery control system is used with a battery, and has a converter to charge and/or discharge the battery. The converter is thermally coupled to the battery, and the temperature of the battery is sensed. A control circuit is provided for controlling the efficiency or power loss of the converter according to the temperature of the battery sensed by the sensor, thereby to alter the level of thermal heat generation, and in turn, transfer from the converter to the battery. In this way, the battery temperature is controlled so that the life time of the battery can be extended. It makes use of the existing converter to deliver thermal energy, so that a separate heater is avoided.

A solar power system and method of data sampling to predict how much energy a solar power system will generate is disclosed. The solar power system consists of a solar panel, a battery, a sensor adapted to monitor the amount of energy, e.g. by sensing the current and voltage, generated by the solar panel, a controller which regulates the charge of the battery, and a processor which is adapted to monitor the charge of the battery. The processor receives signals from the sensor and stores the information in non-transitory memory. This solar power system may be used to operate various home automation devices, including but not limited to automated window coverings or windows. The processor preferably communicates with a user interface, which will enable the user to program the operation of the automated windows, and also view how much battery charge will be left for the remainder of the day and night.

A solar powered device comprising a solar radiation collection portion, wherein the solar radiation collection portion includes: a solar panel to collect solar radiation, a concentrator surrounding the solar panel to concentrate the solar radiation, and a charge controller coupled to the solar panel, a base portion, a plurality of legs, and a connection portion operably connecting the solar radiation collection portion to the base portion, the connection portion including a connection member having a first end and a second end is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.

Described are solid-state energy storage devices and methods of making solid-state energy storage devices in which components of the batteries are truly solid-state and do not comprise a gel. Useful electrodes include metals and metal oxides, and useful electrolytes include amorphous ceramic thin film electrolytes that permit conduction or migration of ions across the electrolyte. Disclosed methods of making solid-state energy storage devices include multi-stage deposition processes, in which an electrode is deposited in a first stage and an electrolyte is deposited in a second stage.

While lithium-air batteries have been known, in which oxygen in the air is used as a positive electrode active material and lithium is used as a negative electrode active material, it is desired to provide a battery system capable of efficient utilization of oxygen. A battery system is provided, including: a lithium-oxygen battery; an oxygen compressing unit configured to compress oxygen released from the lithium-oxygen battery; a storage unit configured to store oxygen compressed by the oxygen compressing unit; and an oxygen supplying unit configured to supply oxygen stored in the storage unit to the lithium-oxygen battery.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the localized capture, storage and specialized use of power generated from natural sources, such as solar power or hydropower. The apparatus can be used, for example, on a deck or a side of a marine vessel, or on a land-based structure, where there is a requirement for managed power generation and storage.

Provided herein are systems and methods for storing energy. A photon battery assembly may comprise a light source, phosphorescent material, a photovoltaic cell, and a waveguide. The phosphorescent material can absorb optical energy at a first wavelength from the light source and, after a time delay, emit optical energy at a second wavelength after a time delay. The photovoltaic cell may absorb the optical energy at the second wavelength and generate electrical power. In some instances, a first waveguide may be configured to direct the optical energy at the first wavelength from the light source to the phosphorescent material and/or a second waveguide may be configured to direct the optical energy at the second wavelength from the phosphorescent material to the photovoltaic cell.

A solar-powered umbrella has a cap structure that is connected by hinges to struts. The struts are relatively rigid and positioned above the umbrella shade and house solar panels. When the umbrella is opened and closed, the struts rotate via the hinges from an open to closed position. When the solar panels are exposed to the sun, light is converted to electrical energy to charge a rechargeable battery. The battery supplies power to one or more USB ports. A user can recharge an electronic device (e.g., smartphone or tablet computer) by connecting to a port of the umbrella using a cable.