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Method and system for charging multi-cell lithium-based battery packs

  • US 9,118,189 B2
  • Filed: 08/20/2013
  • Issued: 08/25/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An electrical combination comprising:

  • a first battery pack having a first plurality of battery cells, each cell in the first plurality of battery cells having a Lithium-based chemistry, the first battery pack having a first nominal voltage in a first nominal voltage range;

    a first power tool operable to be powered by the first battery pack, the first battery pack being connectable to and supportable by the first power tool;

    a second battery pack having a second plurality of battery cells, each cell in the second plurality of battery cells having a Lithium-based chemistry, the second battery pack having a second nominal voltage in a second nominal voltage range, the number of battery cells in the first plurality of battery cells being different than the number of battery cells in the second plurality of battery cells;

    a second power tool operable to be powered by the second battery pack, the second battery pack being connectable to and supportable by the second power tool; and

    a battery charger configured to connect to and charge each of the first battery pack and the second battery pack, the battery charger including a controller and being configured to,when the first battery pack is connected to the battery charger,charge the first battery pack,communicate with the first battery pack,determine a characteristic of the first plurality of battery cells, andgenerate a first signal to enable the charging of the first battery pack, the first signal being generated based on the characteristic of the first plurality of battery cells when the first battery pack is connected to the battery charger, and when the second battery pack is connected to the battery charger,charge the second battery pack,communicate with the second battery pack,determine a characteristic of the second plurality of battery cells, andgenerate a second signal to enable the charging of the second battery pack, the second signal being generated based on the characteristic of the second plurality of battery cells when the second battery pack is connected to the battery charger.

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