UNIVERSAL BATTERY PACK AND POWERING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A universal power pack for powering a device, the power pack comprising:
- a master cell comprising a receptacle for receiving at least one battery, a controller circuit for regulating an output voltage and current of said at least one battery, said regulated voltage and current available at an output of said master cell;
a slave cell comprising an input, a recharging circuit connected to said input for recharging a rechargeable cell with power available at said input, a power output connected to the device and a switching circuit for directing a selected one of said power available at said power input and power available from said rechargeable cell to said power output; and
a conductor releasably interconnecting said master cell output and said slave cell input;
wherein when power is available at said slave cell input, said switching circuit interconnects said salve cell input with said slave cell output and when power is not available at said slave cell input, said switching circuit interconnects said rechargeable cell with said slave cell output.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is disclosed a universal power pack, power supply and battery harvesting device. Generally, each comprises a receptacle for receiving at least one battery or battery pack having a different shape and/or nominal output voltage. A controller circuit is provided for regulating the output voltages and/or currents of the battery or batteries with the regulated voltage and current available at an output. The devices allow other devices to be powered or recharged, or batteries to be recharged. In a particular embodiment, a master cell and slave cell are provided wherein the slave cell continues to power attached devices when connection with the master cell is not available.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A universal power pack for powering a device, the power pack comprising:
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a master cell comprising a receptacle for receiving at least one battery, a controller circuit for regulating an output voltage and current of said at least one battery, said regulated voltage and current available at an output of said master cell; a slave cell comprising an input, a recharging circuit connected to said input for recharging a rechargeable cell with power available at said input, a power output connected to the device and a switching circuit for directing a selected one of said power available at said power input and power available from said rechargeable cell to said power output; and a conductor releasably interconnecting said master cell output and said slave cell input; wherein when power is available at said slave cell input, said switching circuit interconnects said salve cell input with said slave cell output and when power is not available at said slave cell input, said switching circuit interconnects said rechargeable cell with said slave cell output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A universal battery power supply, comprising:
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a receptacle configured for receiving one of a plurality of different battery packs, each of said battery packs comprising a different nominal voltage; and a controller circuit for receiving said different nominal voltage of said one of said plurality of battery packs and providing an output, wherein a voltage available at said output remains substantially at a predetermined value regardless of said different nominal voltage. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A universal battery harvesting device for recharging a rechargeable battery with at least one partially depleted battery having a nominal voltage, the device comprising:
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a receptacle configured for receiving the at least one partially depleted battery, said at least one battery having a nominal voltage; and a recharging circuit comprising an input configured for attachment between poles of the at least one partially depleted battery, an output configured for attachment between poles of the rechargeable battery and a recharging circuit connected between said input and said output; wherein in operation said recharging circuit boosts the nominal voltage to a recharge voltage, said recharge voltage available between poles of the rechargeable battery, and regulates a flow of current between poles of the rechargeable battery. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification