Battery pack having a processor controlled battery operating system
First Claim
1. A smart battery having a power management system capable of self powered operation, even if accidently shorted, said smart battery comprising:
- (a) a plurality of rechargeable cells connected to positive and negative terminals to provide electrical power to an external device during a discharge mode and to receive electrical power during a charge mode, as provided or determined by said remote device, said battery including a separate voltage tap between said pair of terminals for defining a digital voltage source and a fuse between said tap and said positive terminal;
(b) a positive thermal coefficient device mounted in series with said cells and said terminals, said device having a conductive state for normal operation and a non-conductive state for momentarily interrupting current flow between said cells and said terminals in the event of a short;
(c) an analog means for generating analog signals representative of battery voltage and current at said terminals;
(d) a hybrid integrated circuit (IC) having an analog to digital convertor and a microprocessor for receiving the analog signals and converting them to digital signals representative of battery voltage, current and temperature, and calculating actual charge parameters over time from said digital signals, said charge parameters including at least a learned full charge capacity and remaining capacity;
(e) a data memory defined within said hybrid IC for storing said actual charge parameters, even when said battery is nominally fully discharged;
(f) means for supplying electrical power to the data memory from said voltage tap;
(g) a capacitor also electrically connected to the voltage tap for receiving electrical power therefrom, and for supplying power to said data memory in the event the supply of power to the data memory from the voltage tap is interrupted;
whereby said memory is momentarily powered by said capacitor in the event of a short, until the short is removed or said fuse interrupts current flow to said positive terminal, said voltage tap providing power for said data memory after said positive thermal coefficient device has returned to a conductive state; and
(h) a delatching circuit for electrically decoupling both the memory area and the capacitor from the voltage tap under predetermined conditions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rechargeable battery pack and a method of operating a rechargeable battery system. The battery pack includes a rechargeable battery, a processor for monitoring operation and performance of the battery, and a memory area for storing data values used by the processor. The memory area is normally powered by the battery, and a capacitor is provided to supply back-up power to the memory area in case of an interruption in the supply of electrical power to the memory area from the battery. The battery pack further includes a delatching circuit for electronically decoupling the memory area and the back-up capacitor from the battery under predetermined conditions.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A smart battery having a power management system capable of self powered operation, even if accidently shorted, said smart battery comprising:
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(a) a plurality of rechargeable cells connected to positive and negative terminals to provide electrical power to an external device during a discharge mode and to receive electrical power during a charge mode, as provided or determined by said remote device, said battery including a separate voltage tap between said pair of terminals for defining a digital voltage source and a fuse between said tap and said positive terminal; (b) a positive thermal coefficient device mounted in series with said cells and said terminals, said device having a conductive state for normal operation and a non-conductive state for momentarily interrupting current flow between said cells and said terminals in the event of a short; (c) an analog means for generating analog signals representative of battery voltage and current at said terminals; (d) a hybrid integrated circuit (IC) having an analog to digital convertor and a microprocessor for receiving the analog signals and converting them to digital signals representative of battery voltage, current and temperature, and calculating actual charge parameters over time from said digital signals, said charge parameters including at least a learned full charge capacity and remaining capacity; (e) a data memory defined within said hybrid IC for storing said actual charge parameters, even when said battery is nominally fully discharged; (f) means for supplying electrical power to the data memory from said voltage tap; (g) a capacitor also electrically connected to the voltage tap for receiving electrical power therefrom, and for supplying power to said data memory in the event the supply of power to the data memory from the voltage tap is interrupted;
whereby said memory is momentarily powered by said capacitor in the event of a short, until the short is removed or said fuse interrupts current flow to said positive terminal, said voltage tap providing power for said data memory after said positive thermal coefficient device has returned to a conductive state; and(h) a delatching circuit for electrically decoupling both the memory area and the capacitor from the voltage tap under predetermined conditions.
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2. A battery pack comprising:
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terminal means for connecting the battery pack to a battery powered device and to a battery recharger; a battery including at least one rechargeable battery cell connected to the terminal means, said battery having i) a discharge mode for supplying electrical power to the battery powered device, and ii) a charge mode for receiving electrical power from the terminal means; means to sense and to generate signals representing battery voltage, battery temperature or battery current; a processor for receiving the signals representing battery voltage, battery temperature or battery current, and for performing a predefined series of calculations using said signals; a memory area for storing data values including at least values representing at least one of battery voltage, battery temperature and battery current; a power supply circuit electrically connecting the memory area to the battery to supply electrical power to the memory area from the battery, and including i) a capacitor to receive electrical power from the battery and to supply electrical power to the memory area in case of an interruption in the supply of electrical power from the battery, and ii) a delatching subcircuit for electrically decoupling both the memory area and the capacitor from the battery under predetermined conditions. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a battery system having a rechargeable battery, a processor and a memory area, the method comprising:
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sensing, and generating signals representing, battery voltage, battery temperature or battery current; storing data values in the memory area, said stored data values including at least values representing at least one of battery voltage, battery temperature and battery current; the processor performing a series of predefined calculations using said data values; supplying electrical power to the memory area from the battery; also supplying electrical power to a capacitor from the battery to develop an electric voltage level in the capacitor; supplying electrical power to the memory area from the capacitor in case of an interruption in the supply of electrical power to the memory area from the battery; and electrically decoupling both the memory area and the capacitor from the battery under predetermined conditions. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification