Hybrid battery pack including bi-directional charge regulator
First Claim
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1. A system for a rechargeable battery pack, comprising:
- one or more lower voltage cells connectable to a charging circuit via a lower voltage terminal;
one or more higher voltage cells electrically coupled in series to the one or more lower voltage cells via a bi-directional charge regulator;
a higher voltage terminal electrically coupled to the one or more higher voltage cells; and
a common ground terminal coupled to the one or more lower voltage cells and to the one or more higher voltage cells.
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Abstract
A system for a rechargeable battery pack includes one or more lower voltage cells connectable to a charging circuit via a lower voltage terminal and one or more higher voltage cells electrically coupled in series to the one or more lower voltage cells via a bi-directional charge regulator. A higher voltage terminal is electrically coupled to the one or more higher voltage cells, and a common ground terminal is coupled to the one or more lower voltage cells and to the one or more higher voltage cells.
12 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for a rechargeable battery pack, comprising:
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one or more lower voltage cells connectable to a charging circuit via a lower voltage terminal; one or more higher voltage cells electrically coupled in series to the one or more lower voltage cells via a bi-directional charge regulator; a higher voltage terminal electrically coupled to the one or more higher voltage cells; and a common ground terminal coupled to the one or more lower voltage cells and to the one or more higher voltage cells. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for an asymmetric rechargeable battery pack, comprising:
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a first set of battery cells electrically coupled in parallel and connectable to a charging circuit; a second set of battery cells electrically coupled in series to the first set of battery cells; first and second output terminals; a common ground terminal electrically coupled to both the first set of battery cells and to the second set of battery cells; and a bi-directional charge regulator electrically coupled between the first set of battery cells and the second set of cells, the bi-directional charge regulator being configured to; provide current to the second set of cells responsive to the first set of cells being connected to the charging circuit; and provide current to the first set of cells responsive to a state of charge of the first set of cells decreasing below a state of charge of the second set of cells by a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A rechargeable battery pack comprising:
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a lower voltage portion including one or more lower voltage cells connectable to a charging circuit via a lower voltage output; a higher voltage portion including one or more higher voltage cells coupled to a higher voltage output, the higher voltage cells electrically coupled in series to the one or more lower voltage cells; a bi-directional charge regulator coupled between the lower voltage portion and the higher voltage portion, the bi-directional charge regulator comprising; an inductor; a first transistor selectively operable to couple the inductor to the lower voltage portion; a second transistor selectively operable to couple the inductor to the higher voltage portion; and a control circuit configured to selectively actuate the first and second transistor based on at least a mode control signal indicating whether the bi-directional charge regulator is to operate in a charging or discharging mode. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification