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Method and apparatus for charging a battery using multiple charging sources

  • US 9,496,738 B2
  • Filed: 11/30/2012
  • Issued: 11/15/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A modular battery charger, comprising:

  • a main charging source that provides a main charging current to a charging interface, the charging interface configured to connect to a set of charging contacts of a rechargeable battery;

    an auxiliary charging source that selectively provides auxiliary charging current to the rechargeable battery in addition to the main charging current, the auxiliary charging source configured to connect to a positive device contact of a set of device contacts of the rechargeable battery; and

    a charge controller operably coupled to the main charging source to control the main charging current provided to the charging interface, and further operably coupled to the auxiliary charging source to enable or disable the auxiliary charging source;

    an external charging source interface that accepts an external charging source module that provides additional charging current to the rechargeable battery, the external charging source interface configured to allow the charge controller to selectively enable or disable the external charging source module when connected to the external charging source interface; and

    wherein the external charging source interface has a negative contact that is coupled to a negative device contact of the set of device contacts.

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