Overvoltage protection utilized when a battery is removed from a system
First Claim
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1. A system, comprising:
- a current source coupled to a node and configured to produce a current;
a rechargeable battery coupled to the node and configured to receive the current through the node during a recharging cycle; and
an overvoltage protection system coupled between the node and the current source, and configured to disconnect the current source from the node when a voltage at the node exceeds a threshold value in response to disconnection of the rechargeable battery, wherein the current source appears as an open circuit in response to the disconnection of the current source, and wherein the overvoltage protection system is a fast loop system.
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Abstract
A system and method are provided for safely recharging a battery. A current source is coupled to a node and configured to produce a current. The battery is coupled to the node, and is configured to recharge during a recharging cycle based on receiving the current through the node. An overvoltage protection system is coupled between the node and the current source, and configured to disable the current source when a voltage at the node exceeds a threshold value. For example, the current source may be substantially instantaneously disabled when this occurs.
7 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a current source coupled to a node and configured to produce a current; a rechargeable battery coupled to the node and configured to receive the current through the node during a recharging cycle; and an overvoltage protection system coupled between the node and the current source, and configured to disconnect the current source from the node when a voltage at the node exceeds a threshold value in response to disconnection of the rechargeable battery, wherein the current source appears as an open circuit in response to the disconnection of the current source, and wherein the overvoltage protection system is a fast loop system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19)
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12. A method comprising:
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recharging a battery using a current flowing through a power node from a current source during a recharging cycle; comparing a voltage at the power node to a threshold value to produce a comparison signal; and controlling the current source by a fast loop system, based on the comparison signal, wherein when the voltage at the power node is above the threshold value in response to disconnection of the rechargeable battery, the current source is disconnected from the power node and appears as an open circuit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A circuit comprising:
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a current source section coupled between a power source and a power node; a rechargeable battery that is configured to be recharged using a current from the current source flowing through the power node, the rechargeable battery being coupled between the power node and ground; and an overvoltage protection section coupled between the power node and the current source, and configured to substantially instantaneously disconnect the current source from the power node when a voltage at the power node exceeds a threshold value in response to disconnection of the rechargeable battery, wherein the current source appears as an open circuit in response to the disconnection of the current source, and wherein the overvoltage protection section is a fast overvoltage loop section, whereby the threshold value is equal to or below a rated voltage of a device coupled to and powered by the node. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A system, comprising:
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a current source coupled to a node; a rechargeable battery coupled to the node; and an overvoltage protection system coupled between the node and the current source, the overvoltage protection system comprising; a comparator configured to compare the voltage at the node to the threshold value and produce a comparison signal therefrom, and a disabling device coupled between the comparator and the current source, and configured to produce a disabling signal that disconnects the current source when the comparison signal indicates the voltage at the node exceeds the threshold value, wherein the current source appears as an open circuit in response to the disconnection of the current source wherein the disabling devise is configured to produce a disabling signal that disconnects the current source within about 20 microseconds of when the comparison signal indicates the voltage at the node exceeds the threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification