UNIVERSAL CHARGER

• US 20140001849A1
• Filed: 06/29/2012
• Published: 01/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tahoe Research Limited (f/k/a Learndale Limited) (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lilly Huang
• Inventors: Ravichandran, Krishnan, Proefrock, Wayne L., HUANG, Lilly
• Granted Patent: US 9,166,434 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/24
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/20 The dispersed energy generation being of renewable origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells

Abstract

A charging apparatus may be provided that includes a first charger part and a second charger part. The first charger part to receive first power from a first power source and second power from a second power source. The first charger part to determine a type of the second power source and to provide a first output power based on the determined type of the second power source. The second charger part to receive the first output power from the first charger part and to provide power to a load and/or a battery.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first charger part to receive first power from a first power source and second power from a second power source, the first charger part to determine a type of the second power source and to provide a first output power based on the determined type of the second power source; and

a second charger part to receive the first output power from the first charger part and to provide a second output power.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second power source is one of a solar power source, a mechanical power source, a photovoltaic power source, a thermal power source, a radio frequency power source, a vibration power source or a fuel cell.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first charger part includes:

a decoder to receive the second power from the second power source, and to determine the type of the second power source; and

a circuit to provide the second output power.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the decoder to provide an output signal to the circuit based on the determined type of the second power source.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the circuit to receive the output signal from the decoder, and the circuit to output power from the first power source or power corresponding to the second power source based on the output signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first charger part further includes a power impedance circuit to receive the second power from the second power source.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the power impedance circuit to adjust impedance of the second power from the second power source, and to provide the adjusted power to the circuit.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the power impedance circuit to adjust a resistance to increase stability of the second power to provide to the circuit.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the decoder is to include a look-up table.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first charger part includes a first port to receive the first power source and a second port to receive the second power source.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second charger part to provide the second output power to a battery or to a system load.

12. A charging apparatus comprising:

a first input port to receive first power from a first power source;

a second input port to receive second power from a second power source;

a decoder to receive the power from the second power source and to determine a type of the received power source, and the decoder to provide an output based on the determined type of power source;

a circuit to receive the first power, the second power and the output from the decoder, and the circuit to provide a power based on the output; and

a battery charger to receive the power from the circuit and to provide an output power.

13. The charging apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a power impedance circuit to receive the second power from the second power source.

14. The charging apparatus of claim 13, wherein the power impedance circuit to adjust impedance of the power from the second power source, and to provide the adjusted power to the circuit.

15. The charging apparatus of claim 14, wherein the power impedance circuit to adjust a resistance to increase stability of the second power to provide to the circuit.

16. The charging apparatus of claim 12, wherein the decoder is to include a look-up table.

17. The charging apparatus of claim 12, wherein the battery charger to provide the output power to a battery or to a system load.

18. The charging apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second power source is one of a solar power source, a mechanical power source, a photovoltaic power source, a thermal power source, a radio frequency power source, a vibration power source, or a fuel cell

19. An electronic device comprising:

a battery port to receive a battery; and

a charging apparatus to provide power to the battery or to provide power to a load, the charging apparatus including;

a decoder to receive power from a power source and to determine a type of the received power source, and the decoder to provide an output based on the determined type of power source,

a circuit to receive the output from the decoder, and the circuit to provide a power based on the output, and

a battery charger to receive the power from the circuit and to provide an output power to the battery or the load.

20. The electronic device of claim 19, further comprising a power impedance circuit to receive power from the power source, to adjust impedance of the power from the power source, and to provide the adjusted power to the circuit.

21. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the power impedance circuit to adjust a resistance to increase stability of the power to provide to the circuit.