Apparatus and method of simulating high battery temperature in a rechargeable battery
First Claim
1. A rechargeable battery system which is charged by a charging network which is not intended for use with said rechargeable battery system, said charging network having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, said rechargeable battery system comprising:
- at least one rechargeable cell;
at least one temperature sensor having a first state and a second state for measuring an operating temperature of said at least one rechargeable cell;
a first control means for detecting a voltage potential of said at least one rechargeable cell;
a second control means actuated by said first control means for changing said at least one temperature sensor from said first state to said second state; and
whereby said second control means is actuated based on said voltage potential for simulating a high temperature condition of said at least one rechargeable cell to enable said charging network to change from said first mode of operation to said second mode of operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device (111) for simulating a high battery temperature used in charging a rechargeable cell (101). The device takes advantage of a control signal generated by a voltage control circuit (103) used to disconnect a rechargeable cell (101) from a charging system (105) when a predetermined voltage is reached. The device (111) is generally used with cells having a lithium based chemistry and requiring a different charging regime then nickel chemistry cells. The device (111) is activated by the control signal from control circuit (103) which detects a predetermined voltage from rechargeable cell (101) enabling thermistor (113) to change its state. This change is detected by the charging system (105) which alters its mode of operation from a rapid charging rate to a slower charging rate. The device is retrofitable to existing rechargeable batteries allowing them to be charged using existing charging systems alien to the rechargeable battery.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A rechargeable battery system which is charged by a charging network which is not intended for use with said rechargeable battery system, said charging network having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, said rechargeable battery system comprising:
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at least one rechargeable cell; at least one temperature sensor having a first state and a second state for measuring an operating temperature of said at least one rechargeable cell; a first control means for detecting a voltage potential of said at least one rechargeable cell; a second control means actuated by said first control means for changing said at least one temperature sensor from said first state to said second state; and whereby said second control means is actuated based on said voltage potential for simulating a high temperature condition of said at least one rechargeable cell to enable said charging network to change from said first mode of operation to said second mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A battery utilizing a lithium ion chemistry used to power electronic devices, said battery capable of being recharged by a charging system, said charging system generating a charging voltage and having a capability for receiving temperature information, said battery comprising:
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at least one lithium ion cell; a battery control device for measuring a voltage of said at least one lithium ion cell and providing a plurality of control signals in response thereto; a temperature sensor for detecting temperature information of said at least one lithium ion cell and supplying said temperature information to said charging system; a temperature control device connected to said temperature sensor for controlling operation of said temperature sensor; at least one switch positioned in series with said charging system and controlled by said battery control device for disconnecting said charging system from said battery when said battery reaches a predetermined voltage; and wherein said battery control device activates said temperature control device in response to said at least one lithium ion cell reaching a predetermined voltage and said temperature control device altering current flow of said temperature sensor to simulate a substantially high temperature for receipt by said charging system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of charging a rechargeable battery with a charging apparatus having a first mode of operation and second mode of operation and whose charging scheme is incompatible with said rechargeable cell within said rechargeable battery, comprising the steps of:
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applying a charging current from said charging apparatus to at least one rechargeable cell; detecting a voltage potential of said at least one rechargeable cell; measuring the temperature of said at least one rechargeable cell using a temperature sensor; sending a control signal from a first control network to a second control network when a predetermined voltage potential is reached to allow said temperature sensor to simulate a high temperature to said charging apparatus; and sensing a simulated high temperature at said charging apparatus to change from said first mode of operation to said second mode of operation allowing said rechargeable cell to charge at a slower rate. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification