US5696435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fast battery charger for a device having a varying electrical load during recharging
Assignee: Intermec IP Corp
•
Filing: 1995-03-07
•
Granted: 1997-12-09
•
Expires: 2015-03-07
Abstract
Abstract In an exemplary fast charging system, a hand-held computerized terminal with rechargeable batteries therein may be bodily inserted into a charger receptacle. The terminal may have volatile memory and other components requiring load current during charging. The system may automatically identify battery type and progressively increase charging current while monitoring for an increase in battery terminal voltage to ascertain the level of load current. The battery temperature may be brought into a relationship to surrounding temperature such that by applying a suitable overcharge current value and observing any resultant temperature increase, the level of remaining battery charge can be determined. For example, if the battery is found to be relatively fully discharged, a relatively high fast-charge rate may be safely applied while monitoring battery temperature. If the battery is initially relatively fully charged or reaches such a state during fast charge, the system may automatically switch to a lower sustainable overcharge rate selected according to battery type and temperature. A preferred system any automatically recharge the battery of a portable device according to an optimum schedule of essentially maximum safe charging rates as a function of battery temperature. The system may also convert a regulated charging current to a pulsed and modulated waveform to provide efficient net charging to the battery. The source of charging current can optionally be placed outside the terminal housing to eliminate any heat dissipation effects of the current source.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven E. Koenck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/50; H01M6/5044; H01M6/505; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/263; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/425; H01M10/4257; H01M10/44; H01M10/48; H01M10/486; H01M50/00; H01M50/20; H01M50/204; H01M50/207; H01M50/213; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/40; H02J7/44; H02J7/443; H02J7/485; H02J7/80; H02J7/82; H02J7/825; H02J7/865; H02J7/875; H02J7/90; H02J7/92; H02J7/927; H02J7/933; H02J7/94; H02J7/971; H02J7/975; H02J7/977; H02J9/00; H02J9/04; H02J9/06; H02J9/061; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/36; G01R31/3644; G01R31/3648; G01R31/374; G01R31/382; G01R31/3842; H01M50/50; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for providing charging current to a rechargeable battery associated with a device which presents a varying load to the battery during recharging comprising: connection means for electrically coupling a battery to a source of charging current, where the battery is connected to the device which presents a varying load and the charging current generally has a fixed DC amplitude; pass means operatively positioned between the connection means and the battery for selectively passing the charging current to the battery to modify the charging current into a pulsed wave form, said pulsed wave form having a plurality of pulses with pulse widths which are dependent on a desired level of net charging current; and so that pulsed current provides the desired level of net charging current to the battery over time while the battery is connected to the device which presents a varying load.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for providing charging current to a rechargeable battery associated with a device which presents a varying load to the battery during recharging comprising: connection means for electrically coupling a battery to a source of charging current, where the battery is connected to the device which presents a varying load and the charging current generally has a fixed DC amplitude; pass means operatively positioned between the connection means and the battery for selectively passing the charging current to the battery to modify the charging current into a pulsed wave form, said pulsed wave form having a plurality of pulses with pulse widths which are dependent on a desired level of net charging current; and so that pulsed current provides the desired level of net charging current to the battery over time while the battery is connected to the device which presents a varying load.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for providing charging current to a battery associated with a device presenting a varying load to the battery during charging comprising: providing a regulated generally fixed amplitude charging current from a charging current source to the battery; and pulsing the charging current through the battery so that the battery receives a net charging current over successive periods of time while the battery is connected to the device presenting a varying load to the battery, wherein duration of individual charging current pulses of the pulsed charging current depends on a desired net charging current.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for providing charging current to a battery associated with a device presenting a varying load to the battery during charging comprising: providing a regulated generally fixed amplitude charging current from a charging current source to the battery; and pulsing the charging current through the battery so that the battery receives a net charging current over successive periods of time while the battery is connected to the device presenting a varying load to the battery, wherein duration of individual charging current pulses of the pulsed charging current depends on a desired net charging current.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said charging current is a pulse width modulated signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pass means is comprised of a switching device which is controlled by a modulated signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the desired net level of charging current is determined by the amount of charging current that is provided to the battery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a current sensor operatively coupled to the battery to sense the amount of charging current supplied to the battery, wherein the pulse widths are dependent upon a sensed charging current.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of: sensing the charging current provided to the battery; and controlling the pulsing of the charging current depending on the sensed charging current.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the desired level of net charging current depends on the charging current supplied to the battery.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of providing a switching device connected between the charging current source and the battery, wherein the pulsed charging current is pulsed by oscillating the switching device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
A circuit for providing charging current to a rechargeable battery associated with a device which presents a varying load to the battery during recharging comprising: a current source; a current sensor operatively coupled to the battery for sensing the current through the battery and producing a control signal in response to the sensed current; and a switching device connected between the current source and the battery, said switching device being operatively connected to said current sensor such that the control signal causes the switching device to repeatedly turn on and off to provide a pulsed charging current to the battery.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
100 words
A circuit for providing charging current to a rechargeable battery associated with a device which presents a varying load to the battery during recharging comprising: a current source; a current sensor operatively coupled to the battery for sensing the current through the battery and producing a control signal in response to the sensed current; and a switching device connected between the current source and the battery, said switching device being operatively connected to said current sensor such that the control signal causes the switching device to repeatedly turn on and off to provide a pulsed charging current to the battery.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The circuit of claim 10 wherein said switching device comprises a transistor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said control signal comprises a pulse width modulated signal.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of providing charging current to a rechargeable battery inside a housing of a device which presents a varying load to the battery during recharging, comprising the steps of: connecting the device to a source of charging current located external to the housing of the device; providing a control signal; selectively passing the charging current from the source of charging current to the battery according to the control signal; monitoring the amount of the charging current received by the battery and generating the control signal based on the amount of the charging current received by the battery; and controlling the net amount of the charging current received by the battery for a given time by causing the control signal to increase and decrease the net amount of charging current passing through the pass means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of providing charging current to a rechargeable battery inside a housing of a device which presents a varying load to the battery during recharging, comprising the steps of: connecting the device to a source of charging current located external to the housing of the device; providing a control signal; selectively passing the charging current from the source of charging current to the battery according to the control signal; monitoring the amount of the charging current received by the battery and generating the control signal based on the amount of the charging current received by the battery; and controlling the net amount of the charging current received by the battery for a given time by causing the control signal to increase and decrease the net amount of charging current passing through the pass means.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for charging a battery contained within a housing of a device, where the battery is connected to a varying load and charging current for a given time is provided by a charging current source, said apparatus comprising: a conductor for communicating the charging current from the charging current source to the battery; a switching device positioned between the charging current source and the battery for converting the charging current from the charging current source into a pulsed current consisting of successive pulses having a duty cycle and a net value of charging current for a given time; a sensor associated with the battery for sensing the net value of the charging current at the battery; and a controller for receiving at the battery the net value of charging current for a given time, comparing it to a target net value, and adjusting operation of the switching device to vary the duty cycle of the pulsed current to maintain the target net value at the battery regardless of the varying load.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for charging a battery contained within a housing of a device, where the battery is connected to a varying load and charging current for a given time is provided by a charging current source, said apparatus comprising: a conductor for communicating the charging current from the charging current source to the battery; a switching device positioned between the charging current source and the battery for converting the charging current from the charging current source into a pulsed current consisting of successive pulses having a duty cycle and a net value of charging current for a given time; a sensor associated with the battery for sensing the net value of the charging current at the battery; and a controller for receiving at the battery the net value of charging current for a given time, comparing it to a target net value, and adjusting operation of the switching device to vary the duty cycle of the pulsed current to maintain the target net value at the battery regardless of the varying load.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for charging a battery contained within a housing of a device, where the battery is connected to a varying load and charging current for a given time is provided by a charging current source, said apparatus comprising: a switching device positioned between the charging current source and the battery for converting the charging current from the charging current source into a pulsed current consisting of successive pulses having a duty cycle and a net value of charging current for a given time; a sensor associated with the battery for sensing the net value of the charging current for a given time at the battery; a controller for receiving the net value of charging current at the battery for a given time, comparing it to a target net value for and adjusting operation of the switching device to vary the duty cycle of the pulsed current to maintain the target net value at the battery regardless of the varying load; and said charging current source comprising a current regulator to produce the charging current.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for charging a battery contained within a housing of a device, where the battery is connected to a varying load and charging current for a given time is provided by a charging current source, said apparatus comprising: a switching device positioned between the charging current source and the battery for converting the charging current from the charging current source into a pulsed current consisting of successive pulses having a duty cycle and a net value of charging current for a given time; a sensor associated with the battery for sensing the net value of the charging current for a given time at the battery; a controller for receiving the net value of charging current at the battery for a given time, comparing it to a target net value for and adjusting operation of the switching device to vary the duty cycle of the pulsed current to maintain the target net value at the battery regardless of the varying load; and said charging current source comprising a current regulator to produce the charging current.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for charging a battery pack for powering a device external to the battery pack, where the battery pack is connected to a varying load and charging current is provided by a charging current source external to the battery pack, said battery pack comprising: a battery pack housing; a battery disposed within the battery pack housing; a switching device disposed within the battery pack housing and being operatively connected between the charging current source and the battery; a processor disposed within the battery pack housing and being electrically connected to the switching device for providing a control signal to the switching device in order to control the net charging current supplied to the battery; and a sensor operatively connected to the processor for sensing at least one operating parameter of the battery, wherein the net charging current supplied to the battery is controlled based on the sensed operating parameter of the battery.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for charging a battery pack for powering a device external to the battery pack, where the battery pack is connected to a varying load and charging current is provided by a charging current source external to the battery pack, said battery pack comprising: a battery pack housing; a battery disposed within the battery pack housing; a switching device disposed within the battery pack housing and being operatively connected between the charging current source and the battery; a processor disposed within the battery pack housing and being electrically connected to the switching device for providing a control signal to the switching device in order to control the net charging current supplied to the battery; and a sensor operatively connected to the processor for sensing at least one operating parameter of the battery, wherein the net charging current supplied to the battery is controlled based on the sensed operating parameter of the battery.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for charging a battery contained within a housing of an electronic device, where the battery is connected to a varying load and charging current is provided by a charging current source external to the housing of the electronic device, said apparatus comprising: a switching device disposed within the housing of the electronic device and being operatively connected between the external charging current source and the battery; a processor disposed within the housing of the electronic device and being electrically connected to the switching device for providing a control signal to the switching device in order to control the net charging current supplied to the battery; and a sensor operatively connected to the processor for sensing at least one operating parameter of the battery, wherein the net charging current supplied to the battery is controlled based on the sensed operating parameter of the battery.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for charging a battery contained within a housing of an electronic device, where the battery is connected to a varying load and charging current is provided by a charging current source external to the housing of the electronic device, said apparatus comprising: a switching device disposed within the housing of the electronic device and being operatively connected between the external charging current source and the battery; a processor disposed within the housing of the electronic device and being electrically connected to the switching device for providing a control signal to the switching device in order to control the net charging current supplied to the battery; and a sensor operatively connected to the processor for sensing at least one operating parameter of the battery, wherein the net charging current supplied to the battery is controlled based on the sensed operating parameter of the battery.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for charging a battery contained within a housing of a device, where the battery is connected to a varying load and charging current for a given time is provided by a charging current source, said apparatus comprising: a switching device positioned between the charging current source and the battery for converting the charging current from the charging current source into a converted charging current having a net value of charging current for a given time; a sensing component operatively connected to the battery to receive current corresponding to the net value of the charging current received by the battery; an amplifier connected to the sensing component for producing an amplified signal correlated to the net value of charging current to the battery; and a controller for receiving the amplified signal and adjusting operation of the switching device to maintain a target net charging current at the battery regardless of the varying load.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for charging a battery contained within a housing of a device, where the battery is connected to a varying load and charging current for a given time is provided by a charging current source, said apparatus comprising: a switching device positioned between the charging current source and the battery for converting the charging current from the charging current source into a converted charging current having a net value of charging current for a given time; a sensing component operatively connected to the battery to receive current corresponding to the net value of the charging current received by the battery; an amplifier connected to the sensing component for producing an amplified signal correlated to the net value of charging current to the battery; and a controller for receiving the amplified signal and adjusting operation of the switching device to maintain a target net charging current at the battery regardless of the varying load.
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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) | 2000-12-08 | 2001-06-09 | 2001-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-08 | 2005-06-09 | 2005-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-08 | 2009-06-09 | 2009-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |