Lithium battery deactivator

• US 5,119,009 A
• Filed: 04/20/1989
• Issued: 06/02/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pagones, Basil, McCaleb, Frank D.
• Primary Examiner(s): HICKEY, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US07/340,636
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 429/7, 429/89, 429/105, 320/2, 320/13
• US Class Current: 320/127
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/574 Devices or arrangements for the interruption of current
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A Lithium battery includes a switch to operatively activate the discharging circuit so that Lithium may be inactivated for safe disposal of the battery.

Claims

1. A safety mechanism for use in rendering a Lithium power source safe for disposal after use, comprising:

a battery having at least one Lithium cell;

discharge means for discharging said at least one Lithium cell;

a manually operated switch means for selectively coupling said discharge means to said at least one Lithium cell to substantially complete discharging of said at least one cell; and

a battery housing for housing said battery, said discharge means, and said manually operated switch means.

2. The safety mechanism of claim 1 wherein said means for selectively coupling comprises a one-time-operable switch for activating said discharge means.