Portable rechargeable battery
First Claim
1. A rechargeable battery comprising a housing, rechargeable battery means having positive and negative direct current terminals arranged in the housing and the terminals connectable from outside the housing for powering a device connected to the terminals, circuit means arranged within the housing and connected to the battery means terminals for connecting a power source thereto to cause a charging current to flow into the battery means in the reverse direction from which current normally flows from the battery means, said circuit means having terminals accessible on the outside of the housing for permitting a battery charging power pack to be coupled thereto for charging the battery means, measuring circuit means coupled to the battery means for sensing the amount of charge or current transferred to the battery means from a power pack connected to the circuit means in a battery charging relationship, and signaling means coupled with the measuring circuit means to be responsive to the measuring circuit means when it senses that the charge transferred to the battery means has recharged the battery means and automatically signals the charged condition, said measuring circuit means being essentially de-coupled from the battery means when the battery charging power pack is disconnected therefrom to thereby remove any current drain on the battery means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rechargeable battery having a housing storing a rechargeable battery means and including a battery charge transfer measuring circuit within the battery housing. The battery means and the measuring circuit are sealed in the housing and are connectable to an external power pack for charging the discharged battery means. The measuring circuit controls signaling means visible from outside of the housing for signaling a charging condition to a fully charged condition of the housed battery means.
22 Citations
17 Claims
- 1. A rechargeable battery comprising a housing, rechargeable battery means having positive and negative direct current terminals arranged in the housing and the terminals connectable from outside the housing for powering a device connected to the terminals, circuit means arranged within the housing and connected to the battery means terminals for connecting a power source thereto to cause a charging current to flow into the battery means in the reverse direction from which current normally flows from the battery means, said circuit means having terminals accessible on the outside of the housing for permitting a battery charging power pack to be coupled thereto for charging the battery means, measuring circuit means coupled to the battery means for sensing the amount of charge or current transferred to the battery means from a power pack connected to the circuit means in a battery charging relationship, and signaling means coupled with the measuring circuit means to be responsive to the measuring circuit means when it senses that the charge transferred to the battery means has recharged the battery means and automatically signals the charged condition, said measuring circuit means being essentially de-coupled from the battery means when the battery charging power pack is disconnected therefrom to thereby remove any current drain on the battery means.
- 10. A rechargeable battery comprising a housing, rechargeable battery means having positive and negative direct current terminals arranged in the housing and the terminals connectable from outside the housing for powering a device connected to the terminals, circuit means arranged within the housing and connected to the battery means terminals for connecting a power source thereto to cause a charging current to flow into the battery means in the reverse direction from which current normally flows from the battery means, said circuit means having terminals accessible on the outside of the housing for permitting a battery charging power pack to be coupled thereto for charging the battery means, measuring circuit means coupled to the battery means for sensing the amount of charge or current transferred to the battery means from a power pack connected to the circuit means in a battery charging relationship, and signaling means coupled with the measuring circuit means to be responsive to the measuring circuit means when it senses that the charge transferred to the battery means has recharged the battery means and automatically signals the charged conditon.
Specification