Charging a battery having a nominal critical terminal voltage
First Claim
1. A method of charging a battery in a personal electronic device, the battery having a nominal critical terminal voltage that may not be exceeded without hazardous failure of the battery, the method comprising:
- applying charging current to the terminals of the battery in the personal electronic device according to a time profile including intervals when the terminal voltage of the battery exceeds the nominal critical terminal voltage; and
controlling the time profile to prevent hazardous failure of the battery in the personal electronic device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A battery pack of a computer system includes a battery having a nominal critical terminal voltage that may not be exceeded without hazardous failure of the battery. The battery pack includes a controller for routing power from an external power source to the battery to recharge the battery. The controller is configured to apply a time profile of charging power to the terminals of the battery. The profile includes time portions when the terminal voltage of the battery exceeds the nominal rated critical terminal voltage. The controller is also configured to control the time profile to prevent hazardous failure of the battery.
69 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of charging a battery in a personal electronic device, the battery having a nominal critical terminal voltage that may not be exceeded without hazardous failure of the battery, the method comprising:
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applying charging current to the terminals of the battery in the personal electronic device according to a time profile including intervals when the terminal voltage of the battery exceeds the nominal critical terminal voltage; and controlling the time profile to prevent hazardous failure of the battery in the personal electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of charging a lithium ion battery in a personal electronic device, the battery having a nominal critical terminal voltage that may not be exceeded without hazardous failure of the battery, the method comprising:
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converting energy into pulses of power; and charging the battery using the pulses of power to cause a terminal voltage of the battery to exceed the nominal critical terminal voltage.
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10. A method of charging a battery in a personal electronic device, the battery having a nominal critical terminal voltage that may not be exceeded without hazardous failure of the battery, comprising:
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applying a time profile of charging power to the battery, the time profile repeatedly cycling a terminal voltage of the battery from higher levels that exceed the nominal rated critical terminal voltage to lower levels that are no higher than the nominal rated critical terminal voltage; measuring a relaxation voltage of the battery at times during the time profile; and continuing the time profile until the relaxation voltage reaches a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of charging a battery, the battery having a nominal rated critical terminal voltage that may not be exceeded without hazardous failure of the battery, the method comprising the steps of:
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applying a time profile of charging power to the terminals of the battery, the profile including the portions when the terminal voltage of the battery exceeds the nominal rated critical terminal voltage; and controlling the time profile to prevent hazardous failure of the battery.
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16. A method of charging a lithium ion battery, the battery having a nominal critical terminal voltage that may not be exceeded without hazardous failure of the battery, the method comprising:
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converting energy into pulses of power; and charging the battery using the pulses of power to cause a terminal voltage of the battery to exceed the nominal critical terminal voltage.
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17. A personal electronic device capable of receiving power from an external power source, the device comprising:
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a microprocessor; a memory; a system bus; and a rechargeable battery pack including a battery having a nominal rated critical terminal voltage that may not be exceeded without hazardous failure of the battery; and a controller for routing power from the power source to the battery to recharge the battery, the controller being configured to apply a time profile of charging power to the terminals of the battery in the personal electronic device, the profile including time portions when the terminal voltage of the battery exceeds the nominal rated critical terminal voltage, and to control the time profile to prevent hazardous failure of the battery in the personal electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A personal electronic device capable of receiving power from an external power source, the device comprising:
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a microprocessor; and a rechargeable battery pack including; a lithium ion battery, the battery having a nominal critical terminal voltage that may not be exceeded without hazardous failure of the battery; and a controller for routing power from the power source to the battery to recharge the battery, the controller being configured to charge the battery using pulses of power and cause a terminal voltage of the battery to exceed the nominal critical terminal voltage. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A personal electronic device capable of receiving power from an external power source, the device comprising:
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a microprocessor; and a rechargeable battery pack including; a battery having a nominal critical terminal voltage that may not be exceeded without hazardous failure of the battery; and a controller for routing power from the power source to the battery, the controller being configured to apply a time profile of charging power to the battery, the time profile repeatedly cycling a terminal voltage of the battery from higher levels that exceed the nominal rated critical terminal voltage to lower levels that are no higher than the nominal rated critical terminal voltage, measure a relaxation voltage of the battery at times during the time profile, and continue the time profile until the relaxation voltage reaches a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A battery pack capable of receiving power from an external power source, the battery pack comprising:
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a battery having a nominal rated critical terminal voltage that may not be exceeded without hazardous failure of the battery; and a controller for routing power from the power source to the battery to recharge the battery, the controller being configured to apply a time profile of charging power to the terminals of the battery, the profile including time portions when the terminal voltage of the battery exceeds the nominal rated critical terminal voltage, and to control the time profile to prevent hazardous failure of the battery.
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33. A battery pack capable of receiving power from an external power source, the battery pack comprising:
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a lithium ion battery, the battery having a nominal critical terminal voltage that may not be exceeded without hazardous failure of the battery; and a controller for routing power from the power source to the battery to recharge the battery, the controller being configured to charge the battery using pulses of power and cause a terminal voltage of the battery to exceed the nominal critical terminal voltage.
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34. A battery pack capable of receiving power from an external power source, the battery pack comprising:
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a battery having a nominal critical terminal voltage that may not be exceeded without hazardous failure of the battery; and a controller for routing power from the power source to the battery, the controller being configured to apply a time profile of charging power to the battery, the time profile repeatedly cycling a terminal voltage of the battery from higher levels that exceed the nominal rated critical terminal voltage to lower levels that are no higher than the nominal rated critical terminal voltage, measure a relaxation voltage of the battery at times during the time profile, and continue the time profile until the relaxation voltage reaches a predetermined level.
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Specification