Electrical device, such as a battery charger

• US 20040113589A1
• Filed: 08/11/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Santana, George L. Jr., Crisp, Robert, Willhide, Joseph, Glasgow, Kevin, Spence, Glen C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,336,054 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/128
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00038 using passive battery identification means, e.g. resistors or capacitors identification by mechanical connections H02J7/0045
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00041 in response to measured battery parameters, e.g. voltage, current or temperature profile
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00302 Overcharge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00308 Overvoltage protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0031 using battery or load disconnect circuits H02J9/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/12 Precharging analysis, e.g. determining presence of battery

Abstract

An electrical device, such as a battery charger, a method for operating an electrical device, a method for charging a battery, and a software program for operating the electrical device and/or the battery charger. In some aspects, the battery charger is capable of charging different types of batteries and capable of operating on alternate sources of AC power or alternate sources of DC power. Also, the battery charging circuit will not operate if one of the power source, the battery, the power switch means and the control means (including the microcontroller) malfunctions. In addition, in the battery charging circuit, the battery under charge enables the operation of the battery charging circuit.

Claims

1. An apparatus for replenishing a power storage device, the apparatus comprising:

a circuit connectable to a power source and including a switch; and

a controller activated by the power storage device, the controller being operable, upon activation, to activate the switch.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power storage device is a battery, and wherein the circuit is a charging circuit operable to supply power from the power source to the battery to charge the battery.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, to be activated, the controller receives power from the power storage device.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, upon activation of the switch, the circuit is operable to supply power from the power source to the power storage device to replenish the power storage device.

5. An apparatus for replenishing a power storage device, the apparatus comprising:

a circuit electrically connectable to a power source; and

a controller electrically connectable to the circuit, the controller being activated by the power storage device, the circuit being activated by the controller and being operable to transfer power from the power source to the power storage device to replenish the power storage device.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the power storage device is a battery, and wherein the circuit is a charging circuit operable to supply power from the power source to the battery to charge the battery.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein, to be activated, the controller receives power from the power storage device.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the circuit includes a switch, wherein, upon activation, the controller is operable to activate the switch, and wherein, upon activation of the switch, the circuit is operable to supply power from the power source to the power storage device to replenish the power storage device.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a circuit including a switch, the circuit being operable to receive power from a power source and to generate a circuit signal; and

a controller electrically connected to the circuit and connectable to a power storage device, the controller being activated by the power storage device, the controller being operable, upon activation, to activate the switch.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the circuit is operable to transfer power from the power source to the power storage device to replenish the power storage device.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the power storage device is a battery, and wherein the circuit is a charging circuit operable to supply power from the power source to the battery to charge the battery.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein, to be activated, the controller receives power from the power storage device.

13. An apparatus comprising:

a circuit, in response to a control signal, operable to receive power from a power source and to generate a circuit signal; and

a controller electrically connected to the circuit and connectable to a power storage device, the controller being activated by the power storage device and being operable to generate the control signal.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the circuit is operable to transfer power from the power source to the power storage device to replenish the power storage device.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the power storage device is a battery, and wherein the circuit is a charging circuit operable to supply power from the power source to the battery to charge the battery.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein, to be activated, the controller receives power from the power storage device.

17. An electrical combination comprising:

a power storage device; and

an apparatus including

a circuit, in response to a control signal, operable to receive power from a power source and to generate a circuit signal, and

a controller electrically connected to the circuit and connectable to a power storage device, the controller being activated by the power storage device and being operable to generate the control signal.

18. A combination as claimed in claim 17, wherein the apparatus includes an apparatus housing supporting the circuit and the controller.

19. A combination as claimed in claim 18, wherein the power storage device includes

a device housing separate from the apparatus housing, and

a power storage component supported by the device housing, the power storage component being electrically connectable to the controller and being operable to activate the controller.

20. A combination as claimed in claim 17, wherein the circuit is operable to transfer power from the power source to the power storage device to replenish the power storage device.

21. A combination as claimed in claim 20, wherein the power storage device is a battery, and wherein the circuit is a charging circuit operable to supply power from the power source to the battery to charge the battery.

22. A combination as claimed in claim 17, wherein, to be activated, the controller receives power from the power storage device.

23. A method of operating an apparatus, the apparatus including a circuit operable to receive power from a power source and to generate a circuit signal, and a controller electrically connected to the circuit and connectable to a power storage device, the controller being operable to generate the control signal, the method comprising the acts of:

connecting the controller to the power storage device;

activating the controller with the power storage device;

generating a control signal upon activation of the controller;

transmitting the control signal to the circuit; and

in response to the control signal, receiving power from a power source and outputting a circuit signal.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the activating act includes powering the controller with the power storage device.

25. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the outputting act includes supplying a charging signal from the power source to the power storage device to replenish the power storage device.