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System and method for boosting battery output

  • US 8,179,103 B2
  • Filed: 04/04/2008
  • Issued: 05/15/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of boosting an output of a power supply battery in an electrical circuit including a power supply battery operable at a power supply voltage, a supercapacitor, a contactor connected across the supercapacitor, and a switch configured to open and close a current path from the power supply battery and the supercapacitor to an electrical load, wherein the method comprises:

  • charging the supercapacitor to a regulated voltage;

    applying, by closing the switch, a series combination of the regulated voltage and the power supply voltage to the electrical load;

    wherein the step of charging the supercapacitor to the regulated voltage comprises charging the supercapacitor to a selected voltage level that is substantially less than the power supply voltage; and

    if the supercapacitor becomes fully discharged, operating the contactor to bypass the supercapacitor and avoid reverse charging of the supercapacitor.

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