US4602203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infrared battery detector and charging system
Assignee: MED CARE OF KANSAS INCORPORATED A KN CORP
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Filing: 1984-11-01
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Granted: 1986-07-22
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Expires: 2004-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A battery charging system for rectangular, 9-volt batteries has inclined holders with mesh contacts engageable with the terminals of an inserted battery. Reflective tape is affixed to one side of the battery, and an optoelectronic assembly presents a sensing signal whenever the battery is received in one orientation in the holder. The sensing signal reinitializes a pulse counter which then counts a predetermined number of timing reference pulses from a pulse generator. Simultaneously, a control means coupled to the sensing signal renders a charging circuit conductive to charge the battery. Once the pulse counter has received a predetermined number of pulses, the charging circuit is interrupted. If the battery is incorrectly inserted, the charging circuits will not charge the battery, and also a reverse polarity alarm audibly indicates the error. Consequently, the charging system is foolproof, simple to use and can simultaneously charge a multitude of batteries without manual intervention.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold W. Bragdon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:35
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/50; H02J7/70; H02J7/751; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S320/00; Y10S320/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A battery charging system operative to a charge a battery having a positive electrical terminal and a negative electrical terminal, said system comprising: supply means having a pair of output terminals for providing an electrical power output adapted for charging said battery; support means for receiving said battery in either of a pair of alternate orientations thereof and having a pair of electrical connector means disposed for engagement with said terminals of said battery when the latter is in either of said orientations; first circuit means for coupling said output terminals of said supply means with said connector means of said support means; control means operably coupled with said first circuit means and provided with a control input terminal for selectively interrupting said first circuit means; activating means provided with a sensing signal output terminal means for sensing when said battery is received in said support means in one of said orientations thereof and presenting an output at said sensing signal output terminal said activating means including radiation source means associated with said support means, radiation reflecting means on a portion of said battery, and radiation sensing means associated with said support means operably associated with said sensing signal output terminal: and second circuit means for coupling said sensing signal output terminal of said activating means with said control input terminal of said control means for causing the latter to render said first circuit means conductive.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
A battery charging system operative to a charge a battery having a positive electrical terminal and a negative electrical terminal, said system comprising: supply means having a pair of output terminals for providing an electrical power output adapted for charging said battery; support means for receiving said battery in either of a pair of alternate orientations thereof and having a pair of electrical connector means disposed for engagement with said terminals of said battery when the latter is in either of said orientations; first circuit means for coupling said output terminals of said supply means with said connector means of said support means; control means operably coupled with said first circuit means and provided with a control input terminal for selectively interrupting said first circuit means; activating means provided with a sensing signal output terminal means for sensing when said battery is received in said support means in one of said orientations thereof and presenting an output at said sensing signal output terminal said activating means including radiation source means associated with said support means, radiation reflecting means on a portion of said battery, and radiation sensing means associated with said support means operably associated with said sensing signal output terminal: and second circuit means for coupling said sensing signal output terminal of said activating means with said control input terminal of said control means for causing the latter to render said first circuit means conductive.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
166 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein there is provided: pulse generating means for providing a series of electrical timing reference pulses; pulse counter means coupled with said generating means for receiving said pulses from the latter and having a reset terminal adapted to have an electrical reset signal applied thereto for reinitializing said counter means, and a timer output terminal at which an electrical timer output signal is presented whenever said counter means has counted a predetermined number of pulses following reinitialization thereof; third circuit means for coupling said sensing signal output terminal of said activating means with said reset terminal of said counter means for reinitializing the latter whenever said activating means senses that said battery has been received in said one orientation thereof by said support means; and fourth circuit means for operably coupling said timer output terminal of said counter means with said second circuit means for interrupting said first circuit means when said counter means has counted said predetermined number of pulses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
The invention of claim 2, wherein said second circuit means includes: a NOR gate having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and a logic output terminal, said first input terminal being operably coupled with said fourth circuit means; means for electrically coupling said second input terminal of the NOR gate with said sensing signal output terminal of said activating means; and means for electrically coupling said logic output terminal of said NOR gate to said control input terminal of said control means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
214 words
A battery charging system operative to charge a battery having a positive electrical terminal and a negative electrical terminal, said system comprising: a supply means having a pair of output terminals for providing an electrical power output adapted for charging said battery; electrical connector means engageable with said terminals of said battery and operably coupled with said output terminals of said supply means; first circuit means for coupling said output terminals of said supply means with said connector means; control means operably associated with said first circuit means and provided with a control input terminal for selectively interrupting said first circuit means; pulse generation means for providing a series of electrical timing reference pulses; pulse counter means coupled with said generating means for receiving pulses from the latter, having a reset terminal adapted to have an electrical reset signal applied thereto for reinitializing said counter means and having a timer output terminal at which an electrical timer output signal is presented whenever said counter means has counted a predetermined number of pulses following reinitialization thereof; and means for operably coupling said timer output terminal of said counter means with said control input terminal of said control means for interrupting said first circuit means when said counter means has counted said predetermined number of pulses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
214 words
A battery charging system operative to charge a battery having a positive electrical terminal and a negative electrical terminal, said system comprising: a supply means having a pair of output terminals for providing an electrical power output adapted for charging said battery; electrical connector means engageable with said terminals of said battery and operably coupled with said output terminals of said supply means; first circuit means for coupling said output terminals of said supply means with said connector means; control means operably associated with said first circuit means and provided with a control input terminal for selectively interrupting said first circuit means; pulse generation means for providing a series of electrical timing reference pulses; pulse counter means coupled with said generating means for receiving pulses from the latter, having a reset terminal adapted to have an electrical reset signal applied thereto for reinitializing said counter means and having a timer output terminal at which an electrical timer output signal is presented whenever said counter means has counted a predetermined number of pulses following reinitialization thereof; and means for operably coupling said timer output terminal of said counter means with said control input terminal of said control means for interrupting said first circuit means when said counter means has counted said predetermined number of pulses.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-21 | 1990-01-20 | 1990-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-21 | 1994-01-20 | 1994-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-21 | 1998-01-20 | 1998-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |