Battery charger contact protection circuit
First Claim
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1. A contact protection circuit for use in an electrochemical cell recharging apparatus having a power source, and at least a first and second electrical contact for engaging an electrochemical cell, said contact protection circuit comprising:
- a thermistor;
a first transistor electrically coupled between said power source and said first electrical contact;
a second transistor electrically coupled to said first transistor, and said thermistor; and
a third transistor electrically coupled to said first and second transistor, and said second electrical contact.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A battery charger contact protection circuit (10) including a metal oxide field effect transistor (16) is provided. The battery charger contact protection circuit (10) adds the advantages of reducing heat, reducing cost, and providing flexibility in the charging of various types of battery chemistries. Excess heat is eliminated by reducing the amount of charge dissipated by the contact protection circuit.
21 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A contact protection circuit for use in an electrochemical cell recharging apparatus having a power source, and at least a first and second electrical contact for engaging an electrochemical cell, said contact protection circuit comprising:
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a thermistor; a first transistor electrically coupled between said power source and said first electrical contact; a second transistor electrically coupled to said first transistor, and said thermistor; and a third transistor electrically coupled to said first and second transistor, and said second electrical contact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for charging a rechargeable electrochemical cell, said apparatus comprising:
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a power source for supplying an electrical charge to said rechargeable electrochemical cell, at least first and second electrical contact means adapted to engage said electrochemical cell; and a charge protection circuit having a thermistor, a first transistor electrically coupled between said power source and said first electrical contact means, a second transistor electrically coupled to said first transistor and said thermistor, and a third transistor electrically coupled to said first and second transistor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A charge contact protection circuit for use in a battery charging apparatus, said circuit comprising:
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a thermistor; a first bipolar transistor; a second bipolar transistor, said second bipolar transistor electrically coupled to said first transistor and said thermistor; and a MOSFET electrically coupled to said first and second transistor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification