A first portion of a series battery is arranged where the first portion of the series battery produces a first magnetic field and the series battery includes a plurality of charge storage devices, a negative output terminal, a positive output terminal, and a plurality of intradevice connections connecting the plurality of charge storage devices in series. A second portion of the series battery is arranged such that a second magnetic field produced by the second portion of the series battery at least partially cancels out the first magnetic field.

A first portion of a series battery is arranged where the first portion of the series battery produces a first magnetic field and the series battery includes a plurality of charge storage devices, a negative output terminal, a positive output terminal, and a plurality of intradevice connections connecting the plurality of charge storage devices in series. A second portion of the series battery is arranged such that a second magnetic field produced by the second portion of the series battery at least partially cancels out the first magnetic field.

A tilt sensor includes a notification unit adapted to provide notification about occurrence of tilt; a water storage chamber that contains an electrolytic solution; and a unit cell that includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator placed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. When the water storage chamber tilts, the electrolytic solution is injected into the separator and the unit cell starts generating power and supplies electric power needed to drive the notification unit.

A tilt sensor includes a notification unit adapted to provide notification about occurrence of tilt; a water storage chamber that contains an electrolytic solution; and a unit cell that includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator placed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. When the water storage chamber tilts, the electrolytic solution is injected into the separator and the unit cell starts generating power and supplies electric power needed to drive the notification unit.

Provided are a battery module and an energy storage apparatus. The battery module includes: a main body including a plurality of batteries that are electrically connected to each other, the main body having an output terminal; at least one end plate disposed on at least one end of the main body and isolated from the main body by an insulating member; and an insulative base installed on the at least one end plate, the base having an installation groove defined thereon, the installation groove having a rib protruding from a bottom thereof, the rib defining an accommodating groove. A circumferential side wall of the base has an installation opening in communication with the accommodating groove, at least a part of the output terminal extends into the accommodating groove through the installation opening, and the output terminal is electrically connected to the at least one end plate.

Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a battery unit comprising a string of battery modules in series. Each battery module includes a plurality of battery cells in series. Each battery module comprises a respective balancing circuit and a respective power electronics unit with a first DC/DC converter. The respective battery modules are connected in series via the respective power electronics unit. In each battery module, the first DC/DC converter comprises: an input port with two input terminals connected to the battery cells; an output port with two output terminals providing an output voltage; and a power supply port receiving power for the first DC/DC converter from the balancing circuit. The first DC/DC converter sets the output voltage of the battery module to a predetermined value. The balancing circuit extracts energy from a selected battery cells and provides it to the first DC/DC converter or the power electronics unit.

Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a battery unit comprising a string of battery modules in series. Each battery module includes a plurality of battery cells in series. Each battery module comprises a respective balancing circuit and a respective power electronics unit with a first DC/DC converter. The respective battery modules are connected in series via the respective power electronics unit. In each battery module, the first DC/DC converter comprises: an input port with two input terminals connected to the battery cells; an output port with two output terminals providing an output voltage; and a power supply port receiving power for the first DC/DC converter from the balancing circuit. The first DC/DC converter sets the output voltage of the battery module to a predetermined value. The balancing circuit extracts energy from a selected battery cells and provides it to the first DC/DC converter or the power electronics unit.

A battery module and a method of manufacturing a battery module are provided. The battery module includes a plurality of current collectors configured to electrically connect battery cells of the battery module together, and a flex circuit. The battery module is configured to have a number of electrical connections between the plurality of current collectors and the flex circuit. The flex circuit comprises a number of connection terminals, each capable of being electrically coupled to a current collector of the plurality of current collectors. The number of connection terminals is greater than the number of electrical connections. The electrical connections are made between the plurality of current collectors and a subset of the connection terminals of the flex circuit.

A molten metal battery system includes a plurality of secondary cells electrically connected in series with each other and comprising a plurality of molten metal anodes arranged fluidly in parallel with each other. The system also includes a plurality of electrically isolated molten metal reservoirs, each of the molten metal reservoirs fluidly connected to a corresponding secondary cell of the plurality of secondary cells and configured to exchange molten metal with the corresponding secondary cell while preventing electrical shunt current from flowing between the plurality of secondary cells via the molten metal.

A molten metal battery system includes a plurality of secondary cells electrically connected in series with each other and comprising a plurality of molten metal anodes arranged fluidly in parallel with each other. The system also includes a plurality of electrically isolated molten metal reservoirs, each of the molten metal reservoirs fluidly connected to a corresponding secondary cell of the plurality of secondary cells and configured to exchange molten metal with the corresponding secondary cell while preventing electrical shunt current from flowing between the plurality of secondary cells via the molten metal.