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Apparatus and method for charging an energy storage source

  • US 6,194,793 B1
  • Filed: 08/07/1998
  • Issued: 02/27/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Power supply apparatus, comprising:

  • an energy storage device coupled to a first node and being capable of storing energy;

    an energy supply source coupled to said first node and being capable of producing energy;

    an energy converter having an input terminal coupled to said first node and an output terminal that is connectable to a load, said energy converter being capable of converting electric energy of varying voltages at said input terminal to electric energy at a constant voltage and of delivering the electric energy at said constant voltage to a load connected to said output terminal, but where said energy converter converts energy from said input terminal to said output terminal at efficiency levels which vary as a function of voltage on said input terminal such that a minimum desired energy conversion efficiency requires a corresponding minimum threshold voltage on said first node at said input terminal, and wherein said energy converter is actuateable in response to a control signal to convert electric energy from said input terminal to electric energy at said constant voltage for said load; and

    a detector connected to said first node and being capable of sensing voltage of said energy storage device at said first node and of providing said control signal upon sensing voltage at said first node which is at or above said minimum threshold voltage.

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