Constant-current/constant-voltage current supply
First Claim
1. A method for providing a current to a load, the method comprising:
- selecting a current provided to the load from one of a fixed current and a variable current, the variable current being based on the voltage across the load, the selecting requiring selecting the smaller magnitude current from one of the fixed current and the variable current.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and circuits implementing a constant-current/constant-voltage circuit architecture are provided. The methods and circuits preferably provide a charging system that provides current to a load using a fixed current until the load is charged. When the load is charged, the methods and circuits preferably provide a variable current to the load in order to maintain the voltage level across the load. This variable current varies according to the voltage across the load. In one embodiment of the invention, a constant power current may also be used as one of the load charging currents. The constant power current may act as a limit on the charging circuit'"'"'s power output.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for providing a current to a load, the method comprising:
selecting a current provided to the load from one of a fixed current and a variable current, the variable current being based on the voltage across the load, the selecting requiring selecting the smaller magnitude current from one of the fixed current and the variable current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of providing a current to a load using one of a plurality of feedback loops, wherein one of the plurality is a constant current loop that provides a constant current and one of the plurality is a constant voltage loop that provides a variable current, the method comprising:
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comparing an available constant current to an available variable current; and
selecting the constant current loop to provide current to the load when the available constant current is lower than the available variable current, and selecting the constant voltage loop to provide current to the load when the available variable current is lower than the available constant current. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A circuit for providing a current to a load, the circuit comprising:
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a first current loop that is adapted to provide a fixed current;
a second current loop that is adapted to provide a variable current; and
a priority circuit that receives a first signal from the first current loop which indicates the level of an available fixed current and a second signal from the second current loop which indicates the level of an available variable current and selects one of the first current loop and the second current loop to provide current to the load based;
on a predetermined priority assigned to the first signal and the second signal, the predetermined priority requiring selection of the loop that provides the lower magnitude current.- View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A circuit for providing a current to a load, the circuit comprising:
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a first current loop that is adapted to provide a fixed current;
a second current loop that is adapted to provide a variable current; and
a priority circuit that receives a first signal from the first current loop which indicates the level of an available fixed current and a second signal from the second current loop which indicates the level of an available variable current, compares the available fixed current and the available variable current, and selects one of the first current loop and the second current loop based on the comparison, the predetermined priority requiring selection of the loop that provides the lower magnitude current. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A circuit for providing a current to a load, the circuit comprising:
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a first current loop that is adapted to provide a fixed current;
a second current loop that is adapted to provide a variable current; and
a priority circuit that receives a first signal from the first current loop which indicates the level of an available fixed current and a second signal from the second current loop which indicates the level of an available variable current, compares the first signal and the second signal, and selects the lower magnitude current of the available fixed current and the available variable current, based on the comparison to provide current to the load. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A circuit means for providing a current to a load, the circuit comprising:
means for selecting a load charging current from one of a fixed current and a variable current, the variable current being based on the voltage across the load, the means for selecting utilizing a predetermined priority, the predetermined priority requiring providing the load with the lower magnitude current of the fixed current and the variable current. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
Specification