Buffer battery power supply system
First Claim
1. A power supply system, comprising a charger circuit for generating a duty cycle for delivering power to an active system and a battery;
- a first feedback loop to sense the total output current generated by the charger circuit and a second feedback loop to sense the current delivered to said battery by said charger circuit; and
a battery switch circuit adapted to decouple said battery from said active system when said battery voltage is less than the minimum voltage required to power said active system, and couple said battery to said charger circuit to receive a charging current;
said first and second feedback loops including error circuits for generating an error signal to said charger circuit, wherein said charger circuit adjusting said duty cycle for adjusting the total output current delivered to the active system and the battery based on the value of said error signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A buffer battery power supply circuit is provided. In one embodiment, a battery charger circuit supplies a total output current which is delivered to both an active system and a battery. The total output current and the current delivered to a battery are sensed and compared to a preset threshold total output current signal and threshold battery current signal, respectively. The compared signals generate error signals which are provided as feedback to the battery charger circuit, so that the total output current can be controlled. In another embodiment, in addition to sensing the total output current and the battery current, the total output voltage is sensed and multiplied by the total output current, generating a total output power error signal. The error signals are provided as feedback to the battery charger circuit, so that the total output current and/or the total output voltage can be controlled. In other embodiments, a battery switch is provided that couples/decouples the battery from the load based on the minimum required voltage of the load, and provides a path between the battery and a power source so that the battery can receive a trickle charge even in a deeply discharged state, while permitting the power source to power the load. The circuitry of the present invention provides self-adjusting current management between a load and a rechargeable battery where the load requirements get priority over the battery recharge power requirements.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A power supply system, comprising a charger circuit for generating a duty cycle for delivering power to an active system and a battery;
- a first feedback loop to sense the total output current generated by the charger circuit and a second feedback loop to sense the current delivered to said battery by said charger circuit; and
a battery switch circuit adapted to decouple said battery from said active system when said battery voltage is less than the minimum voltage required to power said active system, and couple said battery to said charger circuit to receive a charging current;
said first and second feedback loops including error circuits for generating an error signal to said charger circuit, wherein said charger circuit adjusting said duty cycle for adjusting the total output current delivered to the active system and the battery based on the value of said error signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24)
- a first feedback loop to sense the total output current generated by the charger circuit and a second feedback loop to sense the current delivered to said battery by said charger circuit; and
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18. A power supply system comprising, an input power source, a charger circuit for generating a duty cycle for controlling said input power source to deliver controlled power to an active system and a battery;
- a first feedback loop to sense the total output current-generated by the charger circuit, said first feedback loop generating a first error signal based on said total output current and a preset threshold total output current signal;
a second feedback loop to sense the current delivered to said battery by said charger circuit, said second feedback loop generating a second error signal based on said current delivered to said battery and a preset threshold battery current signal;
a third feedback loop for sensing the total output power generated by said charger circuit, said third feedback loop generating a third error signal based on said total output power and a preset threshold total output power signal; and
a battery switch circuit adapted to decouple said battery from said active system when said battery voltage is less than the minimum voltage required to power said active system, and simultaneously couple said battery to said charger circuit to receive a charging current;
, wherein said charger circuit adjusting said duty cycle for adjusting the total output current and power delivered to the active system and the battery based on the value of said first, second or third error signal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26)
- a first feedback loop to sense the total output current-generated by the charger circuit, said first feedback loop generating a first error signal based on said total output current and a preset threshold total output current signal;
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27. A method of regulating the current delivered by a charger circuit to an active system and a battery, said method comprising the steps of:
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sensing a first error signal based on the total output current of said charger circuit and a preset threshold total output current signal;
sensing a second error signal based on the current delivered to said battery by said charger circuit and a preset threshold battery current signal;
providing one of said first or second error signals to said charger circuit as feedback signals, and adjusting the current delivered by said charger circuit based on said first or second feedback error signals;
sensing the voltage of said battery and decoupling said battery from a load if said battery voltage is less than a required minimum voltage for said load; and
coupling said battery to said charger circuit if said battery voltage is less than a required minimum voltage for said load. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
sensing a third error signal based on said total output current and a total output voltage of said charger circuit and providing one of said first, second or third error signals to said charger circuit as feedback signals, and adjusting the current and/or voltage delivered by said charger circuit based on said first, second or third feedback error signals.
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29. A method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising the step of:
multiplying said total output current and said total output voltage of said charger circuit to generate said third error signal, said third error signal being proportional to the total output power of said charger circuit.
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30. A method as claimed in claim 27, further comprising the step of:
sensing a fourth error signal based on a voltage delivered to said battery by said charger circuit and a preset threshold battery voltage signal and providing one of said first second or fourth or signals to said charger circuit as feedback signals, and adjusting the current and/or voltage delivered by said charger circuit based on said first, second or fourth feedback error signals.
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31. A method as claimed in claim 27, further comprising the step of:
limiting a reverse current coming from said battery and flowing to said charger circuit.
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32. A method as claimed in claim 27, further comprising the step of:
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amplifying said total output current and comparing said total output current to said preset threshold total output current signal to generate said first error signal; and
amplifying said current delivered to said battery by said charger circuit and comparing said current delivered to said battery to said preset threshold battery current signal to generate said second error signal.
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33. A power supply system, comprising a power source;
- a battery in parallel with said power source;
a load in parallel with said battery and said power source; and
a battery switch circuit placed between said battery and said power source, said battery switch circuit adapted to decouple said battery from said load when said battery voltage is less than the minimum voltage required to power said active system, and simultaneously couple said battery to a charger circuit to receive a charging current. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
- a battery in parallel with said power source;
Specification