Monitoring battery cell voltage
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a battery gauge circuitry implemented on an integrated circuit, said battery gauge circuitry comprising;
a plurality of switches each configured to receive a respective voltage signal representative of a voltage on an associated battery cell and configured to individually open in response to a voltage reduction on a battery cell associated with a respective one of said switches;
a logic device configured to determine if at least one of the switches is open;
at least one register configured to store data that indicates if at least one switch of said plurality of switches is open; and
a controller configured to initiate halting power delivery to a load if at least one of the switches is open.
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Abstract
An apparatus includes battery gauge circuitry implemented on an integrated circuit. The battery gauge circuitry includes a plurality of switches that individually open in response to a voltage reduction on a battery cell associated with a respective one of the switches. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a logic device that determines if at least one of the switches is open. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a register that stores data that indicates if at least one switch is open. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a controller that initiates halting power delivery to a load if at least one of the switches is open. The controller also identifies the open switch.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
a battery gauge circuitry implemented on an integrated circuit, said battery gauge circuitry comprising; a plurality of switches each configured to receive a respective voltage signal representative of a voltage on an associated battery cell and configured to individually open in response to a voltage reduction on a battery cell associated with a respective one of said switches; a logic device configured to determine if at least one of the switches is open; at least one register configured to store data that indicates if at least one switch of said plurality of switches is open; and a controller configured to initiate halting power delivery to a load if at least one of the switches is open. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A battery pack, comprising:
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a plurality of battery cells; discharge switch circuitry configured to provide power from said battery cells to a load; and a battery gauge circuitry implemented on an integrated circuit, said battery gauge circuitry comprising; a plurality of switches each configured to receive a respective voltage signal representative of a voltage on an associated battery cell and configured to individually open in response to a voltage reduction on a battery cell associated with a respective one of said switches; a logic device configured to determine if at least one of the switches is open; at least one register configured to store data that indicates if at least one switch of said plurality of switches is open; and a controller configured to initiate halting power delivery to a load if at least one of the switches is open. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system comprising:
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a cordless power tool; a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells configured to provide power to said cordless power tool; and a battery gauge circuitry implemented on an integrated circuit, said battery gauge circuitry comprising; a plurality of switches each configured to receive a respective voltage signal representative of a voltage on an associated battery cell and configured to individually open in response to a voltage reduction on a battery cell associated with a respective one of said switches; a logic device configured to determine if at least one of the switches is open; at least one register configured to store data that indicates if at least one switch of said plurality of switches is open; and a controller configured to initiate halting power delivery to said cordless power tool if at least one of the switches is open. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification