Battery pack including multiple battery cell technologies

• US 20050242773A1
• Filed: 04/30/2004
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Bui, Vinh X., Kehoe, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 7,339,348 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/116
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery pack includes a housing. A first battery is located in the housing, the first battery using a first cell technology. A second battery is located in the housing, the second battery using a second cell technology that is different from the first cell technology. The battery pack can be connected to a portable computer chassis to provide an extended life power source. Each battery is coupled to an independent battery management unit (BMU). Each BMU shares a common connector.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising:

a housing;

a first battery located in the housing, the first battery using a first cell technology; and

a second battery located in the housing, the second battery using a second cell technology that is different from the first cell technology.

2. The battery pack of claim 1 further comprising:

a battery management unit coupled to the first battery and the second battery and operable to monitor and control the first battery and the second battery.

3. The battery pack of claim 1 further comprising:

a first battery management unit coupled to the first battery and operable to monitor and control the first battery; and

a second battery management unit coupled to the second battery and operable to monitor and control the second battery.

4. The battery pack of claim 1 further comprising:

a connector situated on the housing and coupled to the first battery and the second battery.

5. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the first cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride.

6. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the second cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride.

7. The battery pack of claim 1 wherein the first cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride, and the second cell technology is selected from members of the group not selected for the first cell technology.

8. A battery pack comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of batteries located in the housing;

at least one battery using a first cell technology and coupled to a battery management unit operable to monitor and control the battery using the first cell technology; and

at least one battery using a second cell technology that is different from the first cell technology, the battery using the second cell technology coupled to a battery management unit operable to monitor and control the battery using the second cell technology.

9. The battery pack of claim 8 further comprising:

a connector situated on the housing and coupled to the plurality of batteries.

10. The battery pack of claim 8 wherein the first cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride.

11. The battery pack of claim 8 wherein the second cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride.

12. The battery pack of claim 8 wherein the first cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride, and the second cell technology is selected from members of the group not selected for the first cell technology.

13. A battery pack comprising:

a housing;

a first battery located in the housing, the first battery using a first cell technology and coupled to a first battery management unit which is operable to monitor and control the first battery; and

a second battery located in the housing, the second battery using a second cell technology that is different from the first cell technology, the second battery coupled to a second battery management unit which is operable to monitor and control the second battery.

14. The battery pack of claim 13 further comprising:

a connector situated on the housing and coupled to the first battery and the second battery.

15. The battery pack of claim 13 wherein the first cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride.

16. The battery pack of claim 13 wherein the second cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride.

17. The battery pack of claim 13 wherein the first cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride, and the second cell technology is selected from members of the group not selected for the first cell technology.

18. An information handling system comprising:

a chassis;

a processor located in the chassis;

a battery pack coupled to the processor, the battery pack including a housing;

a first battery located in the housing, the first battery using a first cell technology; and

a second battery located in the housing, the second battery using a second cell technology that is different from the first cell technology.

19. The information handling system of claim 18 further comprising:

a battery management unit coupled to the first battery and the second battery and operable to monitor and control the first battery and the second battery.

20. The information handling system of claim 18 further comprising:

a first battery management unit coupled to the first battery and operable to monitor and control the first battery; and

a second battery management unit coupled to the second battery and operable to monitor and control the second battery.

21. The information handling system of claim 18 further comprising:

a connector situated on the housing and coupled to the first battery and the second battery, the connector for coupling the battery pack to the processor.

22. The information handling system of claim 18 wherein the first cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride.

23. The information handling system of claim 18 wherein the second cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride.

24. The information handling system of claim 18 wherein the first cell technology is selected from the group consisting of prismatic, cylindrical, polymer, and nickel metal hydride, and the second cell technology is selected from members of the group not selected for the first cell technology.

25. The information handling system of claim 18 wherein the battery pack is situated partially within the chassis and partially external to the chassis.

26. A method for providing battery power comprising:

providing a battery pack including a housing;

situating a first battery in the housing, the first battery using a first cell technology;

situating a second battery in the housing, the second battery using a second cell technology that is different from the first cell technology;

coupling a battery management unit to the first battery and the second battery; and

providing power by selecting a battery to discharge by communicating with the batteries battery management unit.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

storing power by selecting a battery to charge by communicating with the batteries battery management unit.

28. Apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of battery cell packs in the housing, each cell pack having its own independent battery management unit (BMU);

each BMU sharing a battery connector for connection to an information handling system;

one of the battery packs using a first cell technology; and

another of the battery packs using a second cell technology, different from the first cell technology.