Battery pack including multiple battery cell technologies

• US 7,339,348 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2004
• Issued: 03/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Bui, Vinh X., Kehoe, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward H
• Application Number:
  US10/836,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20050242773A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 320/119, 320/106, 320/125, 320/110, 713/300, 713/321, 702/63
• US Class Current: 320/106
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery pack includes a housing. A first battery is located in the housing, the first battery using a first cell technology. A second battery is located in the housing, the second battery using a second cell technology that is different from the first cell technology. The battery pack can be connected to a portable computer chassis to provide an extended life power source. Each battery is coupled to an independent battery management unit (BMU). Each BMU shares a common connector.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising:

a housing comprising a first housing section and a second housing section, wherein the first housing section comprises a battery connector, whereby the second housing section is larger in volume than the first housing section;

a first battery located in the first housing section, the first battery using a first cell technology and coupled to the battery connector; and

a second battery located in the second housing section, the second battery using a second cell technology that is different from the first cell technology and coupled to the battery connector, wherein the second housing section is capable of housing the second battery being of a second battery volume that is larger than a first battery volume of the first battery.

2. The battery pack of claim 1 further comprising:

a battery management unit coupled to the first battery and the second battery and operable to monitor and control the first battery and the second battery.

3. The battery pack of claim 1 further comprising:

a first battery management unit coupled to the first battery and operable to monitor and control the first battery; and

a second battery management unit coupled to the second battery and operable to monitor and control the second battery.

4. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the first cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride.

5. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the second cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride.

6. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the first cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride, and the second cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride.

7. A battery pack comprising:

a housing comprising a first housing section and a second housing section, wherein the first housing section comprises a battery connector, whereby the second housing section is larger in volume than the first housing section;

a plurality of batteries located in the housing;

at least one battery using a first cell technology, located in the first housing section, and coupled to the battery connector and a battery management unit that is operable to monitor and control the battery using the first cell technology; and

at least one battery using a second cell technology that is different from the first cell technology, the battery using the second cell technology located in the second housing section and coupled to the battery connector and a battery management unit that is operable to monitor and control the battery using the second cell technology.

8. The battery pack of claim 7 wherein the first cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride.

9. The battery pack of claim 7 wherein the second cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride.

10. The battery pack of claim 7 wherein the first cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride, and the second cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride.

11. A method for providing battery power comprising:

providing a battery pack including a housing comprising a first housing section and a second housing section, wherein the first housing section comprises a battery connector, whereby the second housing section is larger in volume than the first housing section;

situating a first battery in the first housing section and coupling the first battery to the battery connector, the first battery using a first cell technology;

situating a second battery in the second housing section and coupling the second battery to the battery connector, the second battery using a second cell technology that is different from the first cell technology;

coupling a battery management unit to the first battery and the second battery; and

providing power by selecting a battery to discharge by communicating with the batteries battery management unit.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

storing power by selecting a battery to charge by communicating with the batteries battery management unit.