Portable auxiliary charging battery pack for thin metal film battery power pack

• US 6,262,559 B1
• Filed: 07/06/2000
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Technologies Incorporated (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Technologies Incorporated (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Inventors: Eggert, Daniel M., Becker, Thomas P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US09/611,045
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 320/103, 320/104, 320/106, 320/135, 307/64, 307/66, 307/44, 307/49
• US Class Current: 320/103
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A keeper battery pack includes a housing incorporating an array of series-connected alkaline battery cells coupled to a cable extending outside the housing and terminating in a quick-connect connector plug adapted to plug into the charger port of a portable lead-acid battery power pack ofthe type used for jump-starting automotive vehicles. The keeper pack is portable and can maintain the charge on the battery power pack during extended periods of non-use, such as during storage, transportation and the like.

Claims

1. A portable keeper battery pack for providing a low-current keeper charge to a battery power pack which has a charger port, the keeper battery pack comprising:

a housing,

an array of interconnected alkaline battery cells disposed in the housing,

a current-limiting circuit for limiting current deliverable from the alkaline cells to a trickle level, and

a cable having an inner end connected to the array within the housing and an outer end disposed outside the housing and provided with a quick-connect connector removably electrically connectable to the charger port.

2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein each of the battery cells is a 1.5-volt cell.

3. The battery pack of claim 2, wherein the array includes nine alkaline battery cells.

4. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein each of the battery cells is a C-cell.

5. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein each of the battery cells is a AA-cell.

6. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein each of the battery cells is a D-cell.

7. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the battery cells are connected in series.

8. The battery pack of claim 7, wherein the current-limiting circuit includes a current-limiting resistor in series with the battery cells.

9. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the cable includes a pair of conductors respectively connected to positive and negative terminals of the array.

10. A battery pack system comprising:

a battery power pack including a first housing,

at least one lead-acid battery cell disposed in the first housing,

a pair of connector clamps disposed outside the first housing,

a pair of first cables respectively connecting the clamps to the at least one lead-acid battery cell, and

a charger port on the first housing electrically connected to the at least one lead-acid battery cell; and

a keeper battery pack for providing a low-current keeper charge and including a second housing,

an array of interconnected alkaline battery cells disposed in the second housing,

a current-limiting circuit for limiting current deliverable from the alkaline cells to a trickle level, and

a second cable having an inner end connected to the array within the second housing and an outer end disposed outside the housing and provided with a quick-connect connector removably electrically connectable to the charger port.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein each of the battery power pack and the keeper battery pack is portable.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one lead-acid battery cell is a thin metal film cell.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one lead-acid battery cell produces a nominal output voltage of approximately 12 volts.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the alkaline battery cells include nine series-connected 1.5-volt cells.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the 1.5-volt cells are AA-cells.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the 1.5-volt cells are C-cells.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the 1.5-volt cells are D-cells.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the current-limiting circuit includes a current-limiting resistor in series with the battery cells.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the second cable includes two conductors respectively connected to positive and negative terminals of the array.