US5736833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rapid battery charging circuit with overvoltage shunt
Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1996-06-28
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Granted: 1998-04-07
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Expires: 2016-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A circuit for charging a battery comprising a charging source, a transistor and a charge control device for switching the transistor. When saturated and switched on, the transistor permits flow of charge to the battery from the charging source. The charge control device senses when main power is lost and switches the transistor off to prevent discharge of the battery through the charging source. After the battery is charged the transistor provides a path of least resistance to bleed off unwanted charge from other sources thereby preventing overcharging of the battery. The circuit therefore charges a battery rapidly and prevents overcharging of the battery. The charge control device is operable from a constant supply voltage supplied by a main power source when available or from the charged battery to continue operation despite loss of main power.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard D. Farris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:17
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/02; H02J9/00; H02J9/04; H02J9/06; H02J9/061; H02J2207/00; H02J2207/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a transistor connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said transistor is switchable between a first state in which current linearly flows through said transistor from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and a charge control device connected to said transistor to switch said transistor between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a transistor connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said transistor is switchable between a first state in which current linearly flows through said transistor from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and a charge control device connected to said transistor to switch said transistor between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
168 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a transistor connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said transistor is switchable between a first state in which current flows through said transistor from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and a charge control device connected to said transistor to switch said transistor between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device comprises a comparator device which compares said main power source potential to said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
168 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a transistor connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said transistor is switchable between a first state in which current flows through said transistor from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and a charge control device connected to said transistor to switch said transistor between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device comprises a comparator device which compares said main power source potential to said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
162 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a transistor connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said transistor is switchable between a first state in which current flows through said transistor from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and a charge control device connected to said transistor to switch said transistor between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said predetermined threshold value is substantially fixed regardless of said main power source potential.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
162 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a transistor connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said transistor is switchable between a first state in which current flows through said transistor from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and a charge control device connected to said transistor to switch said transistor between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said predetermined threshold value is substantially fixed regardless of said main power source potential.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
195 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a transistor connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said transistor is switchable between a first state in which current flows through said transistor from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and a charge control device connected to said transistor to switch said transistor between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said predetermined threshold value is derived from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said predetermined threshold value is derived from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
195 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a transistor connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said transistor is switchable between a first state in which current flows through said transistor from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and a charge control device connected to said transistor to switch said transistor between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said predetermined threshold value is derived from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said predetermined threshold value is derived from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
151 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a switching device connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said switching device is switchable between a first state in which current linearly flows through said switching device from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and charge control means connected to said switching device to switch said switching device between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
151 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a switching device connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said switching device is switchable between a first state in which current linearly flows through said switching device from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and charge control means connected to said switching device to switch said switching device between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
172 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a switching device connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said switching device is switchable between a first state in which current flows through said switching device from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and charge control means connected to said switching device to switch said switching device between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device comprises a comparator device which compares said main power source potential to said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
172 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a switching device connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said switching device is switchable between a first state in which current flows through said switching device from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and charge control means connected to said switching device to switch said switching device between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device comprises a comparator device which compares said main power source potential to said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
166 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a switching device connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said switching device is switchable between a first state in which current flows through said switching device from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and charge control means connected to said switching device to switch said switching device between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said predetermined threshold value is substantially fixed regardless of said main power source potential.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
166 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a switching device connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said switching device is switchable between a first state in which current flows through said switching device from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and charge control means connected to said switching device to switch said switching device between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said predetermined threshold value is substantially fixed regardless of said main power source potential.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
199 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a switching device connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said switching device is switchable between a first state in which current flows through said switching device from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and charge control means connected to said switching device to switch said switching device between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said predetermined threshold value is derived from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said predetermined threshold value is derived from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
199 words
A circuit for charging a battery comprising: a charging potential source which derives its power from a main power source potential; a switching device connected in series between said charging potential source and said battery, wherein said switching device is switchable between a first state in which current flows through said switching device from said charging potential source and said battery and a second state in which no current flows from said charging potential source and said battery; and charge control means connected to said switching device to switch said switching device between said first state and said second state, wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above a predetermined threshold value, and wherein said charge control device derives operational power from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said predetermined threshold value is derived from said main power source potential when said main power source potential is above said predetermined threshold value, and wherein said predetermined threshold value is derived from said battery when said main power source potential is below said predetermined threshold value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
In combination: a transistor connected between a charging power source and a battery, wherein charge current periodically flows through said transistor from said charging power source to said battery; and a diode connected between said battery and a load, wherein said transistor periodically shunts leakage current from the diode away from the battery.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
In combination: a transistor connected between a charging power source and a battery, wherein charge current periodically flows through said transistor from said charging power source to said battery; and a diode connected between said battery and a load, wherein said transistor periodically shunts leakage current from the diode away from the battery.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
In combination: a main power source that provides power to a load; a charging power source that provides power to a battery; a diode coupled between said battery and said load; and a transistor coupled between said charging power source and said battery, wherein current flows through said transistor from said diode to said charging power source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
In combination: a main power source that provides power to a load; a charging power source that provides power to a battery; a diode coupled between said battery and said load; and a transistor coupled between said charging power source and said battery, wherein current flows through said transistor from said diode to said charging power source.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A dual-function electrical device that provides current to a battery when the battery is not charged, and shunts current away from the battery when the battery is charged.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A dual-function electrical device that provides current to a battery when the battery is not charged, and shunts current away from the battery when the battery is charged.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 11, wherein the dual-function electrical device is a transistor.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for maintaining a battery, comprising the steps of: providing current from a power source to the battery through an electrical device during a first cycle; and shunting current away from the battery to the power source through the electrical device during a second cycle.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
46 words
A method for maintaining a battery, comprising the steps of: providing current from a power source to the battery through an electrical device during a first cycle; and shunting current away from the battery to the power source through the electrical device during a second cycle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the dual-function electrical device is a transistor.
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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) | 2001-04-06 | 2001-10-06 | 2002-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-06 | 2005-10-06 | 2006-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-06 | 2009-10-06 | 2010-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |