Apparatus for enabling multiple modes of operation among a plurality of devices

• US 7,059,769 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2000
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick Henry Potega
• Original Assignee: Patrick Henry Potega
• Inventors: Potega, Patrick Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): VERBITSKY, GAIL KAPLAN
• Application Number:
  US09/699,216
• Time in Patent Office: 2,055 Days
• Field of Search: 374/185, 374/208, 374/45, 374/57, 374/104, 374/4, 374/183, 374/163, 374/166, 374/141, 338/22.R, 429/90, 429/92, 429/93, 428/40.1, 428/42.3
• US Class Current: 374/185
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/547 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/25 by controlling the electric load
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/143 for measuring surface temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/22 the element being a non-linear resistance, e.g. thermistor G01K7/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/223 characterised by the shape of the resistive element
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/36 Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3835 involving only voltage measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/443 in response to temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

Apparatuses for enabling multiple modes of operation are disclosed that include power and data interfaces for inter-connecting multiple devices. The apparatuses, in various configurations, connect primarily powered devices, batteries, and a plurality of external peripheral devices, among which are monitoring devices, power supplies, and battery chargers. In connecting a combination of devices, for example a battery, its host device, and a peripheral third device comprised of a battery charger and power supply, said apparatus allows simultaneous and concurrent data or power to flow between at least two of said devices.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing temperature sensing information comprising a resistive element accessible to a DC power source, a DC powered device, a DC power module, and an external monitoring device, wherein said DC power source is normally coupled to, and delivers DC power source temperature sensing information to said DC powered device, said apparatus further comprising:

a multi-conductor interface member electrically isolating said DC power source from said DC powered device, said multi-conductor interface member including a first plurality of conductors electrically connected with said DC power source, and a second plurality of conductors electrically connected with said DC powered device; and

a connection interface electrically coupled to said multi-conductor interface member and providing electrical contacts accessible to said resistive element, enabling selective interconnection among said DC power source, said DC powered device, said DC power module, and said external monitoring device, to effect said selective access to said resistive element'"'"'s temperature sensing information.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said DC power source is a battery;

said resistive element is in thermal contact with said battery; and

said resistive element is accessible by said multi-conductor interface member first plurality of conductors, via said connection interface, to said DC power module for the purpose of monitoring said battery'"'"'s temperature.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said DC power source is a battery;

said DC power module is a battery charger;

said resistive element is in thermal contact with said battery; and

said resistive element is accessible by said multi-conductor interface member first plurality of conductors, via said connection interface, to said battery charger for monitoring said battery'"'"'s temperature.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said DC power source is a battery;

said DC power module is a DC power supply;

said resistive element is in thermal contact with said battery; and

said resistive element is accessible by said multi-conductor interface member first plurality of conductors, via said connection interface, to said DC power supply for the purpose of monitoring said battery'"'"'s temperature.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said DC power module is a battery charger;

said resistive element is in thermal contact with said battery charger; and

said resistive element is accessible by said multi-conductor interface member first plurality of conductors, via said connection interface, to said DC powered device for the purpose of monitoring said battery charger'"'"'s temperature.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said DC power source is a battery;

said resistive element is in thermal contact with said battery; and

said resistive element is accessible, via a jumpered connector electrically coupled to said connection interface, to said DC powered device for enabling monitoring said battery'"'"'s temperature.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said DC power source is a “

smart”

battery;

said DC power module is a battery charger capable of transferring data;

said DC powered device includes a processor, normally coupled to said battery, decoupled from said battery by said multi-conductor interface member;

said resistive element is in thermal contact with said battery;

said resistive element is accessible to said battery charger by said multi-conductor interface member first plurality of conductors, for monitoring said battery temperature;

said DC powered device is accessible to said battery charger by said multi-conductor interface member second plurality of conductors, for communicating said temperature-sensing information to said DC powered device; and

said battery charger monitors said battery temperature and delivers information about said monitored battery temperature to said DC powered device, via said connector interface, for enabling both said DC powered device and said battery charger to monitor said battery'"'"'s temperature.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said DC power source is a battery;

said DC power module is a battery charger capable of transferring data;

said resistive element is in thermal contact with said battery;

said resistive element is accessible to said battery charger by a first set of conductors of said multi-conductor interface member first plurality of conductors, for monitoring said battery temperature;

said battery is accessible to said battery charger by a second set of conductors of said multi-conductor interface member first plurality of conductors, for charging said battery; and

said battery charger, via said connector interface, permitting monitoring of said battery temperature while charging said battery.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said DC power module is a DC power supply capable of transferring data;

said DC powered device includes a processor, normally coupled to said battery, decoupled from said battery by said multi-conductor interface member;

said resistive element is in thermal contact with said DC power supply;

said resistive element is accessible to said DC powered device by a first set of conductors of said multi-conductor interface member second plurality of conductors, for monitoring said DC power supply temperature;

said DC power supply is accessible to said DC powered device by a second set of conductors of said multi-conductor interface member second plurality of conductors, for receiving power from said DC power supply; and

said DC powered device, via said connector interface, enabling monitoring said DC power supply temperature while receiving power from said DC power supply.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said DC power source is a battery;

said DC power module is a data-enabled battery charger capable of transferring data;

further

said DC power module includes a DC power supply capable of transferring data;

said DC powered device includes a processor, normally coupled to said battery, decoupled from said battery by said multi-conductor interface member;

said resistive element is in thermal contact with said battery;

said resistive element is accessible to said battery charger by a first set of conductors of said multi-conductor interface member first plurality of conductors, for monitoring said battery temperature;

said battery is accessible to said battery charger by a second set of conductors of said multi-conductor interface member first plurality of conductors, for charging said battery;

said DC power supply is accessible to said DC powered device by said multi-conductor interface member second plurality of conductors, for powering said DC powered device; and

said battery charger, via said connector interface, monitors said battery temperature while charging said battery; and

further

said DC power supply enabling power delivery simultaneously to said DC powered device.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said resistive element is a flexible resistive ink applied to an insulator medium in a thin continuous layer covering and entire area between two conductors, said resistive ink electrically in contact with an equal portion of each conductor;

said insulator medium electrically isolates said conductors in said multi-conductor interface member from said resistive element.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flexible apparatus for attaching to surfaces of a multiplicity of DC power sources and DC power modules is comprised of:

a flexible multi-conductor member including a first plurality of power and data conductors for providing access to a “

smart”

battery pack'"'"'s power and data contacts; and

further including

a second plurality of flexible power and data conductors for providing access to a “

smart”

DC powered device'"'"'s power and data contacts, said DC powered device'"'"'s power and data contacts normally coupled to mating contacts of said “

smart”

battery for delivering power to said DC powered device, and for transferring data between said “

smart”

battery and said DC powered device;

said multi-conductor member further including a flexible central insulating medium, upon opposing faces of which are positioned electrically-conductive contacts of said first and second plurality of conductors,

a connection interface for electrically coupling an external DC power module to said multi-conductor member, providing said external DC power module access to said first and second plurality of conductors,

a user interposing said flexible multi-conductor member between said removable “

smart”

battery pack'"'"'s contacts and said DC powered device'"'"'s normally mating contacts, thereby electrically isolating said DC power source'"'"'s contacts from said DC powered device'"'"'s contacts, and further

said electrically-conductive contact ends of said first plurality of conductors are electrically coupled to said battery'"'"'s power and data contacts, and further

said electrically-conductive contact ends of said second plurality of conductors are electrically coupled to said DC powered device'"'"'s power and data contacts, and further

said connection interface is accessible to an external DC power module for accessing power and data along said first plurality of conductors to said “

smart”

battery, and along said second plurality of conductors to said DC powered device.

13. The apparatus in claim 12, wherein a flexible apparatus is a label device for being applied by a user to a pre-manufactured removable battery pack, said label printed with an indicia.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising:

a first non-conductive medium in contact with said resistive element;

said connection interface comprising a plurality of electro-conductive elements electrically coupled to said resistive element; and

means for attaching said non-conductive medium to at least one of said DC power source and said DC power module.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attaching means is a low tack adhesive.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising replaceable portions that can be replaced where worn or damaged.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a printable exterior surface for displaying indicia.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said insulator medium and said resistive element define a single flexible layer, whereby said apparatus is capable of conforming to one or more surfaces of one of said DC power source and said DC power module.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is configured to be a product label, applied to the exterior of one of said DC power source and said DC power module for monitoring the temperature of the device to which it is applied.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, comprising an interface to a data-enabled DC power source.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

said apparatus has a reconfigurable geometry, adapted to conform to diverse locations on the device to which it is applied; and

such a geometry includes conforming to the device to which it is applied.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising replaceable portions that can be replaced where worn or damaged.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a printable exterior surface for displaying indicia.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least one of said electro-conductive elements is capable of conducting a data signal.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resistive element is integral to said multi-conductor interface member.

26. An apparatus for monitoring temperature changes of a power source, said apparatus comprising:

a flexible insulator layer, upon one major surface area of which is deposited by a printing process a continuous thin film of flexible thermally-resistive ink;

a means for attaching an other non-deposited surface of said insulator layer to the power source, so that said flexible layer conforms to any contoured surface of the power source, resulting in enhanced temperature sensitivity of said thermally-resistive ink;

a plurality of conductors, a first one of which is electrically coupled along a part of its length to an accessible edge of said ink film area, and a second one of which is electrically coupled along part of its length to an opposing edge of said ink film area, said conductors being so positioned in parallel to each other as to geometrically proscribe two opposite edges of a parallelogram, said ink film area therein of dimensions resulting in a specific resistive value;

the first and second conductors being electrically attached at their uncoupled terminuses to a monitoring device for acquiring power signals;

a predetermined power signal flowing from said power source through said first conductor, then across said ink film to the second conductor, alters the resistive value of said ink as it thermally reacts to changes in temperature at said power source, and

said altered resistive value resulting in an anticipated change in the power signal acquired at the monitoring device, a degree of change to the signal determining temperature based on the resistive value;

whereby said apparatus monitors temperature changes of said power source.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a multi-conductor connector for accessing data at said power source.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising user-replaceable portions for redirecting temperature data and/or power signals.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said apparatus transfers temperature-related data signals.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the multi-conductor connector further including a means of nterconnecting a power source and a host device so as to simultaneously and concurrently be independently powered from one or more external peripherals.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said interconnecting means functions as an interface for connecting at least two devices, sources, and peripherals.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a jumpered terminal connector for reconnecting power and/or data conductors upon disconnecting an attached peripheral.

34. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said apparatus is configured to be a product label applied to an exterior surface of said power source.

33. An apparatus for monitoring temperature functions of a power source, said apparatus comprising single non-conductive layer upon which is applied a substantial area of thermally-resistive ink as a continuous film, said area of ink being partitioned into segments by the application of a plurality of conductors, each electrically attached along part of its length to said ink area so as to be parallel to an adjacent conductor, so as to parse out geometric segments of said ink area as independent positive temperature coefficient thermistors;

wherein, upon being attached to a power source, each segment separately monitors the specific surface area of said power source to which it is in contact.