Generic rechargeable battery and charging system

• US 20060108974A1
• Filed: 11/24/2004
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Homero Castillo
• Original Assignee: Homero Castillo
• Inventors: Castillo, Homero
• Application Number:
  US10/998,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20060108974A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers

Abstract

A rechargeable battery includes a rechargeable element, a transfer device and control circuitry. The transfer device may be a secondary coil with a corresponding primary coil that is supplied electrical power. The transfer device may be a photovoltaic cell supplied with light energy or a thermoelectric generator supplied with heat.

Claims

1. An electrical energy storage device comprising:

(a) a rechargeable element which stores electrical energy;

(b) a coupling device that receives power from an external source of power and outputs electrical power; and

(c) control circuitry integrated with the rechargeable element and the coupling device which controls a flow of electricity to the rechargeable element.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the external power source comprises a source of electrical power and the coupling device comprises a coil.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the external power source comprises a light source and the coupling device comprises a photovoltaic cell.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the external power source comprises a heat source and the coupling device comprises a thermoelectric power generator.

5. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1 wherein the rechargeable element comprises a standard size rechargeable battery.

6. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1 wherein the device has a size substantially the same as a standard size rechargeable battery.

7. The electrical energy storage device of claim 2 wherein the coil is inductively coupled to the source of electrical power through a primary coil.

8. The electrical energy storage device of claim 1 wherein the control circuitry further comprises a rectifier and a current limiter.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the rechargeable battery is inside an appliance.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the appliance is selected from the group consisting of (i) a camera, (ii) a personal digital assistant, (iii) a radio, (iv) a shaver, (v) a toothbrush, (vi) a beeper, (vii) a cell phone, (viii) a chemical sensor, and, (ix) a H₂S sensor.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the source of electrical power comprises an alternating current source.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the source of electrical power comprises a direct current source, the system further comprising a DC/AC converter.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the source of electrical power is selected from the group consisting of (i) and automobile, (ii) boat, and, (iii) an aeroplane.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the external source of power comprises an electrical source of power.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the external power source comprises a light source.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the external power source comprises a heat source.

9. A system for storage of electrical energy in a rechargeable element comprising:

(a) a chamber which has a primary coil coupled to a source of electrical power;

(b) a rechargeable battery including a secondary coil and control circuitry integrated with the rechargeable element, the secondary coil inductively coupled to the primary coil, the rechargeable battery being positioned inside the chamber.

15. A method of storing electrical energy comprising:

(a) positioning a battery integrally comprised of (A) a rechargeable element, (B) a coupling device, and (C) control circuitry, in proximity to an external source of power, the coupling device receiving power from the external source and producing electrical power;

(c) activating the external source of power; and

(d) storing electrical energy in the rechargeable element.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein external power source comprises a primary coil and the battery is positioned inside a chamber that includes the primary coil.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the source of electrical power comprises an alternating current source.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein the source of electrical power comprises a direct current source, the method further comprising using a DC/AC converter.