Integrated power source layered with thin film rechargeable batteries, charger, and charge-control

• US 6,608,464 B1
• Filed: 06/30/1997
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Original Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Inventors: Suter, Joseph J., Lew, Ark L., Le, Binh Q.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US08/884,714
• Time in Patent Office: 2,241 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101, 320/107, 320/108, 429/61, 429/90
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 16/00 Arrangements in connection with power supply of propulsion units in vehicles from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind electric propulsion with power supply from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind B60L8/00; marine propulsion by wind motors driving water-engaging propulsive elements B63H13/00; wind motors specially adapted for installation on vehicles F03D9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/465 with solar battery as charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/209 adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/5044 Cells or batteries structurally combined with cell condition indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/005 Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A self-contained, small, lightweight, portable, renewable, modular integrated power source. The power source consists of a recharging means such as solar cells that are laminated onto a rechargeable energy source such as a solid state polymer battery which in turn is laminated onto a substrate containing circuits which manage the polymer battery charging. Charging of the battery can occur via solar energy or, alternatively, via RF coupling using external RF charging equipment or a hand held generator. For added support, the integrated power source is then bonded to an applications housing or structure. This integrated power source can independently power the electronic application. It can also serve as casing or housing by taking the shape of the application enclosure.

Claims

1. An integrated power source comprising:

an all polymer battery; and

semiconductor circuitry integrated with the battery for implementing power management functions.

2. The integrated power source as recited in claim 1, wherein the semiconductor circuitry is implemented using chip-on-board components.

3. The integrated power source as recited in claim 1, further comprising energy charging means for delivering electrical current to the battery.

4. The integrated power source as recited in claim 3, wherein the semiconductor circuitry includes means for selecting between multiple energy charging means.

5. The integrated power source as recited in claim 3, wherein the battery, the semiconductor circuitry, and the energy charging means are laminated together to form a laminate structure.

6. The integrated power source as recited in claim 5, further comprising applications electronics laminated to the laminate structure.

7. The integrated power source as recited in claim 5, wherein the integrated power source is malleable for forming and functioning as different structural configurations.

8. The integrated power source as recited in claim 7, further comprising a base structure material.

9. The integrated power source as recited in claim 8, wherein the base structure material has a particular structural configuration, the laminated battery, semiconductor circuitry, and energy charging means being laminated to and assuming the configuration of the base structure material.

10. An integrated power source comprising:

a rechargeable energy source; and

power management means integrated with the energy source.

11. The integrated power source as recited in claim 10, further comprising means for recharging the energy source.

12. The integrated power source as recited in claim 11, wherein the power management means includes means for selecting between multiple recharging means.

13. The integrated power source as recited in claim 11, wherein the rechargeable energy source is a fuel cell.

14. The integrated power source as recited in claim 11, wherein the rechargeable energy source is a battery.

15. The integrated power source as recited in claim 14, wherein the battery, the power management means, and the recharging means are laminated together to form a laminate structure.

16. The integrated power source as recited in claim 15, further comprising applications electronics laminated to the laminate structure.

17. The integrated power source as recited in claim 15, wherein the integrated power source is malleable for forming different structural configurations.

18. The integrated power source as recited in claim 17, wherein the power management means includes means for regulating and managing the charge delivered to the battery.

19. The integrated power source as recited in claim 18, wherein the power management means is programmable.

20. The integrated power source as recited in claim 19, wherein the power management means further includes a memory module for storing, in digital format, data concerning operational characteristics of the battery.

21. The integrated power source as recited in claim 20, wherein the power management means can accommodate a range of voltage outputs.

22. The integrated power source as recited in claim 21, wherein the power management means further includes means for matching the internal impedance of the battery.

23. The integrated power source as recited in claim 22, wherein the power management means further includes means for protecting the battery against reverse polarity.

24. The integrated power source as recited in claim 23, wherein the power management means further includes a display connected to the regulating the charge means.

25. The integrated power source as recited in claim 24, wherein the recharging means comprises an array of solar cells.

26. The integrated power source as recited in claim 24, wherein the recharging means comprises an RF charging means.

27. The integrated power source as recited in claim 24, wherein the recharging means comprises a microwave charging means.

28. The integrated power source as recited in claim 24, wherein the recharging means comprises an electrical generating charging means.

29. An integrated power source comprising:

an all polymer battery, and

power management means integrated with the battery;

wherein the integrated power source is malleable for forming different structural configurations.

30. The integrated power source as recited in claim 29, further comprising energy charging means for delivering electrical current to the battery.

31. The integrated power source as recited in claim 30, wherein the power management means comprises means for selecting between multiple energy charging means.

32. The integrated power source as recited in claim 31, wherein the power management means further comprises means for regulating and managing the charge delivered to the battery.

33. The integrated power source as recited in claim 32, wherein the power management means is programmable.

34. The integrated power source as recited in claim 33, wherein the power management means further comprises a memory module for storing, in digital format, data concerning operational characteristics of the battery.

35. The integrated power source as recited in claim 34, wherein the power management means can accommodate a range of voltage outputs.

36. The integrated power source as recited in claim 35, wherein the power management means further comprises means for matching the internal impedance of the battery.

37. The integrated power source as recited in claim 36, wherein the power management means further comprises means for protecting the battery against reverse polarity.

38. The integrated power source as recited in claim 37, wherein the power management means is implemented using chip-on-board components.

39. The integrated power source as recited in claim 38, wherein the battery, the power management means, and the energy charging means are laminated together to form a laminate structure.