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Devices and methods for protection of rechargeable elements

  • US 20020079865A1
  • Filed: 10/30/2001
  • Published: 06/27/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1998
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A protection circuit for use with a charger and a chargeable element, comprising:

  • a shunt regulator having first and second terminals for coupling in parallel across the chargeable element, the shunt regulator having a threshold ON voltage; and

    a first variable resistor thermally and electrically coupled to the shunt regulator, the first variable resistor having a first terminal for coupling to the charger in series and a second terminal for coupling to the chargeable element in series, wherein the first variable resistor limits current flowing through the shunt regulator during an overvoltage or overcurrent condition before the current reaches a level sufficient to cause the shunt regulator to fail.

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