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Rechargeable battery having overcharge protection circuit and method of charging rechargeable battery

  • US 5,939,865 A
  • Filed: 03/31/1998
  • Issued: 08/17/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A rechargeable battery pack for use with a charging adapter having first and second electrical terminals for charging the battery pack, the charging adaptor including means for changing between high and low charging rates in response to a voltage change detected at the first and second contacts, the battery pack comprising:

  • at least one rechargeable cell having first and second poles;

    a first electrical contact positioned for contacting the first terminal of the charging adapter, said first electrical contact being electrically coupled to said first pole of said rechargeable cell;

    a second electrical contact positioned for contacting the second terminal of the charging adapter, said second electrical contact being electrically coupled to said second pole of said rechargeable cell;

    a voltage adjusting circuit for increasing the voltage across the first and second electrical contacts upon receipt of a first command and for decreasing the voltage across the first and second electrical contacts upon receipt of a second command;

    a timing means for measuring time; and

    a control means coupled to said timing means and said voltage adjusting circuit for communicating said first command to said voltage adjusting circuit, and for communicating said second command to said voltage adjusting circuit after a predetermined amount of time.

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