Battery and system power selector integration scheme

• US 7,982,430 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2007
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: McDonald, Brent A., Breen, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIGGUSH, AARON C
• Application Number:
  US11/678,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20070132430A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,607 Days
• Field of Search: 320/137, 320/128, 320/136, 320/126, 320/163
• US Class Current: 320/128
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00309 Overheat or overtemperature protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0031 using battery or load disconnect circuits H02J9/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

For operating each smart battery included in a smart battery system, the smart battery is initialized prior to the smart battery being electrically coupled to the smart battery system. The smart battery system or an external power source is selected to provide power to an information handling system device. The smart battery includes an electronics device, a charge switch and a discharge switch. The electronics device operates the charge and discharge switches to jointly control an operating condition of the smart battery in response to receiving a control input from a controller of the device. The charge and discharge switches are closed in response to the electronics device and the controller being in agreement to charge the first smart battery. The charge or the discharge switch is opened in response to either the electronics device or the controller directing either of the switches to be opened.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a portable device including a smart battery system coupled to a system power switch and a battery power switch, wherein the smart battery system includes a first smart battery having a first battery electronics device, a first battery charge switch coupled to the first battery electronics device, a first battery discharge switch coupled to the first battery electronics device, and a first battery rechargeable cell coupled to the first battery electronics device, the first battery charge switch, and the first battery discharge switch, and wherein the smart battery system also includes a second smart battery having a second battery electronics device, a second battery charge switch coupled to the second battery electronics device, a second battery discharge switch coupled to the second battery electronics device, and a second battery rechargeable cell coupled to the second battery electronics device, the second battery charge switch, and the second battery discharge switch;

providing a charge to the first battery rechargeable cell in which the system power switch is closed and the battery power switch is opened, wherein during the charging of the first battery rechargeable cell, the first battery charge switch is closed, the first battery discharge switch is closed, the second battery charge switch is open, and the second battery discharge switch is open;

switching the charge being provided to the first battery rechargeable cell to the second battery rechargeable cell during which the system power switch remains closed and the battery power switch remains opened, wherein the switching comprises;

first, opening the first battery charge switch while leaving the first battery discharge switch closed, the second battery charge switch open, and the second battery discharge switch open;

second, closing the second battery discharge switch while leaving the first battery charge switch open, the first battery discharge switch closed, and the second battery charge switch open;

third, opening the first battery discharge switch while leaving the first battery charge switch open, the second battery charge switch open, and the second battery discharge switch closed; and

fourth, closing the second battery charge switch while leaving the first battery charge switch open, the first battery discharge switch open, and the second battery discharge switch closed; and

opening the system power switch and closing the battery power switch to provide power from at least one of the first smart battery and the second smart battery.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first battery charge switch, the first battery discharge switch, the second battery charge switch, and the second battery discharge switch comprise MOSFET body diode devices.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable device also includes a charger device that is coupled to a power source, the system power switch, and the battery power switch, and that is operable to provide a charge from the power source to the smart battery system.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein during the charging of the first battery rechargeable cell, the system power switch is closed and the battery power switch is open.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein during the switching of the charge being provided to the first battery rechargeable cell to the second battery rechargeable cell, the system power switch remains closed and the battery power switch remains open.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the system power switch and the battery power switch comprise MOSFET body diode devices.