Method and apparatus for providing an electronic lockout for a rechargeable battery
First Claim
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1. A rechargeable battery including a lockout circuit located within a battery system for preventing a cell located within said battery system from being recharged with an incompatible charging system comprising:
- at least one rechargeable cell connected to a charging node and a ground node;
a memory element connected to a data node and said ground node for conveying charging information to said battery system;
a lockout switch connected to said at least one rechargeable cell for connecting said at least one rechargeable cell to said ground node; and
wherein said charging system provides a voltage on said data node to control operation of said lockout switch connecting said at least one rechargeable cell to said ground node for charging said at least one rechargeable cell.
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Abstract
A rechargeable battery (100) includes a lockout circuit (200) for preventing rechargeable cells (101) from being charged when connected to a charging system (103) which does not include a data node (109). The lockout circuit (200) includes a lockout switch (113) which is biased by a voltage applied to data node (109). Data node (109) provides a closed circuit to allow rechargeable cells (101) to be charged only with charging systems which utilize a correct charging regimen.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A rechargeable battery including a lockout circuit located within a battery system for preventing a cell located within said battery system from being recharged with an incompatible charging system comprising:
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at least one rechargeable cell connected to a charging node and a ground node; a memory element connected to a data node and said ground node for conveying charging information to said battery system; a lockout switch connected to said at least one rechargeable cell for connecting said at least one rechargeable cell to said ground node; and wherein said charging system provides a voltage on said data node to control operation of said lockout switch connecting said at least one rechargeable cell to said ground node for charging said at least one rechargeable cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of charging a rechargeable battery which is connected to a compatible charging system, said rechargeable battery including a charging node, data node and ground node, said method comprising the steps of:
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detecting at a switch a voltage provided at said data node by a charging apparatus; closing said switch in response to said voltage; and connecting at least one cell in said rechargeable battery to said charging apparatus in response thereto. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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Specification