Battery replacement system for battery-powered digital data handling devices

• US 5,309,031 A
• Filed: 04/22/1991
• Issued: 05/03/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Busch, John P., Stewart, Gregory N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US07/689,419
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 307/64, 307/66, 307/85, 307/149, 307/150, 361/391, 361/412, 361/415, 365/228
• US Class Current: 307/66
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/296 characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery-powered lap-top computer has a main battery for ordinarily supplying power to the computer circuitry. A reserve battery is connected through a manual switch to the circuitry. When the main battery starts to lose its charge, the manual switch is operated to connect the reserve battery to the circuitry prior to removal of the main battery. A new main battery is installed and the switch is operated to disconnect the reserve battery from the circuitry. Provision is made for the main battery to slowly charge the reserve battery.

Claims

1. A battery-powered digital data handling device comprising:

(a) a main battery for supplying power to the device circuitry;

(b) a reserve battery for selectively supplying power to the device circuitry;

(c) a switch, connected to the device circuitry for switching to the reserve battery prior to removal of the main battery, to continuously maintain power to the device circuitry; and

(d) a charging circuit connected from the main battery to the reserve battery for maintaining the reserve battery in a charged state.

2. A method of replacing the main battery in a digital data handling device without losing power to the device circuitry, comprising the steps of:

(a) charging a reserve battery from the main battery;

(b) connecting the reserve battery, through a closed switch, to the device circuitry;

(c) removing the main battery; and

(d) supplying power from the reserve battery to the device circuitry whereby power is continuously maintained to the device circuitry.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

(e) installing the main battery; and

(f) opening the closed switch to disconnect the reserve battery from the device circuitry.

4. A battery replacement system for continuously maintaining power to an electrical load comprising:

(a) a main battery for supplying power to the load;

(b) a reserve battery for selectively supplying power to the load;

(c) a switch, connected to the load for switching to the reserve battery prior to removal of the main battery, to continuously maintain power to the load; and

(d) a charging circuit connected from the main battery to the reserve battery for maintaining the reserve battery in a charged state.

5. A method of replacing the main battery in a battery replacement system without losing power to an electrical load, comprising the steps of:

(a) charging a reserve battery from the main battery;

(b) connecting a reserve battery, through a closed switch, to the load;

(c) removing the main battery; and

(d) supplying power from the reserve battery to the load whereby power is continuously maintained to the load.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of:

(e) installing the main battery; and

(f) opening the closed switch to disconnect the reserve battery from the load.