Multi-Type Battery Charger Control
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for charging a battery, said apparatus comprising:
- a charger circuit including a power conversion circuit and a switch, said power conversion circuit configured to connect to an external power source, said power conversion circuit having an output providing power to said switch, said switch generating a variable duty cycle pulse width regulation output, said charger circuit configured to electrically connect to the battery;
a processor in communication with said switch, said processor programmed to execute a process for charging the battery, said process including reading a code identifying a specified charging protocol method, selecting a charging protocol corresponding to said code, and controlling said switch to charge the battery in a manner determined by said charging protocol; and
an identification device associated with said code identifying said specified charging protocol method, said identification device being a plug-in device releasably connected to said processor, said identification device independent of the battery, said identification device not physically attached to or housed with the battery when said identification device is connected to said processor;
whereby said apparatus applies said charging protocol to the battery by switching an output of said power conversion circuit.
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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.
53 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for charging a battery, said apparatus comprising:
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a charger circuit including a power conversion circuit and a switch, said power conversion circuit configured to connect to an external power source, said power conversion circuit having an output providing power to said switch, said switch generating a variable duty cycle pulse width regulation output, said charger circuit configured to electrically connect to the battery;
a processor in communication with said switch, said processor programmed to execute a process for charging the battery, said process including reading a code identifying a specified charging protocol method, selecting a charging protocol corresponding to said code, and controlling said switch to charge the battery in a manner determined by said charging protocol; and
an identification device associated with said code identifying said specified charging protocol method, said identification device being a plug-in device releasably connected to said processor, said identification device independent of the battery, said identification device not physically attached to or housed with the battery when said identification device is connected to said processor;
whereby said apparatus applies said charging protocol to the battery by switching an output of said power conversion circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method in a battery charger for charging a battery, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) reading a code associated with a first key, said first key being a plug-in device independent of the battery to be charged, said key not physically attached to or housed with the battery during said step of reading;
b) selecting a charging protocol corresponding to said code;
c) controlling a switch to generate a pulse output in accordance with said charging protocol, said switch receiving power from a power conversion circuit, said switch configured to send said pulse output to the battery; and
d) monitoring to detect a removal of said first key and an insertion of a second key having an associated code, and if said insertion is detected, repeating said steps starting at step a) with said second key being read instead of said first key. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for charging a battery, said system comprising:
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a key associated with a code, said key independent of the battery, said key being a plug-in device received by a receptacle, said key not physically attached to or housed with the battery when said key is received by said receptacle;
a charger circuit including a power conversion circuit and a switch, said power conversion circuit configured to connect to an external power source, said power conversion circuit connected to said switch, said switch configured to generate a variable duty cycle pulse width signal as an output, said switch configured to connect said output to the battery;
a storage component storing said code;
an input/output component communicating with said key and said charger circuit; and
a processing component communicating with said storage component and said input/output component, said processing component executing a process including reading said code associated with said key, saving said code in said storage component, and controlling said switch to charge the battery with a charging protocol corresponding to said code. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification