Multi-type battery charger control
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for charging a battery, said apparatus comprising:
- an identification device for identifying a specified battery type;
a charger circuit including a power conversion circuit and a switch, said power conversion circuit connected to an external power source and having an output connected to said switch, said switch providing a variable duty cycle pulse width regulation output to the battery; and
a processor in communication with said switch, said processor programmed to execute a process for charging a battery, said process including reading said specified battery type identified by said identification device, selecting a charging protocol based on said battery type, controlling said switch to charge the battery in a manner determined by said specified battery type, and monitoring for changes to said identification device;
whereby said apparatus applies said charge to the selected battery type by switching an output of said power conversion circuit with.
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Abstract
An apparatus for selectively charging a variety of batteries. A battery charging system includes a charging circuit, a processor, and a key, or identification device. The key has a value or code associated with the type of battery to be charged. The processor executes a software program that reads the value associated with the key. The software program charges the battery in a manner required by the battery type associated with the key value. In another embodiment, the program checks for changes to the key, such as when an operator swaps the key during charging.
48 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for charging a battery, said apparatus comprising:
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an identification device for identifying a specified battery type;
a charger circuit including a power conversion circuit and a switch, said power conversion circuit connected to an external power source and having an output connected to said switch, said switch providing a variable duty cycle pulse width regulation output to the battery; and
a processor in communication with said switch, said processor programmed to execute a process for charging a battery, said process including reading said specified battery type identified by said identification device, selecting a charging protocol based on said battery type, controlling said switch to charge the battery in a manner determined by said specified battery type, and monitoring for changes to said identification device;
whereby said apparatus applies said charge to the selected battery type by switching an output of said power conversion circuit with. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method in a battery charger for charging a battery of a selected battery type, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing for reading a battery type identified by an identification device;
monitoring for a change of said identification device;
providing for selecting a charging protocol based on said battery type;
providing for controlling a switch to charge said battery type in accordance with said charging protocol, said switch receiving power from a power conversion circuit, said switch adapted to connect to a battery. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for charging a battery, said system comprising:
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an identification device for identifying a specified battery type;
a charger circuit including a power conversion circuit and a switch, said power conversion circuit connected to an external power source, said power conversion circuit connected to said switch, said switch providing a variable duty cycle pulse width regulation output to the battery; and
a storage component for storing said specified battery type;
an input/output component for communicating with said identification device; and
a processing component in communication with said switch, said processing component executing a process including reading said specified battery type corresponding to said identification device, and controlling said switch to charge the battery in a manner required by said specified battery type. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for charging a battery, said apparatus comprising:
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a means for identifying a specified battery type;
a means for determining if said specified battery type changes;
a power conversion circuit connected to an external power source; and
a means for providing a variable duty cycle pulse width regulation output to the battery. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification