US5764030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microcontrolled battery charger
Assignee: ICC Nexergy Inc
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Filing: 1997-03-14
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Granted: 1998-06-09
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Expires: 2017-03-14
Abstract
Abstract A battery charger for use with different types of batteries, such as batteries requiring constant current charging, such as nickel cadmium (NiCd) and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, as well as batteries which not only require constant current charging, but also require constant voltage charging, such as lithium ion batteries. The battery charger includes a pulse width modulator circuit for controlling a power transistor to provide a constant current or a constant voltage output as a function of the battery characteristics. The battery charger may include dual pockets for charging two modular batteries on a time division multiplex basis. In the dual pocket application, power is divided between the two pockets as a function of the charging characteristics of the battery and the power dissipation of the power transistors used for supplying charging current to the pockets.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Scott Gaza
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:56
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/40; H02J7/44; H02J7/443; H02J7/445; H02J7/485; H02J7/50; H02J7/80; H02J7/82; H02J7/825; H02J7/90; H02J7/933; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/44; H01M10/446; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A battery charger connected to a predetermined power supply for providing constant current and constant voltage charging, the battery charger comprising: a power transistor connected between the power supply and a battery to be charged; means for sensing the power dissipation of said power transistor; and means for controlling said power transistor to provide constant current and constant voltage to said battery to be charged as a function of the power dissipation of said power transistor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A battery charger connected to a predetermined power supply for providing constant current and constant voltage charging, the battery charger comprising: a power transistor connected between the power supply and a battery to be charged; means for sensing the power dissipation of said power transistor; and means for controlling said power transistor to provide constant current and constant voltage to said battery to be charged as a function of the power dissipation of said power transistor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A battery charger as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing means includes means for sensing the power dissipation of said power supply and wherein said controlling means includes means for controlling said power transistor as a function of the power dissipation of said power supply.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
A battery charger connected to a predetermined power supply for providing constant current and constant voltage charging, the battery charger comprising: a power transistor connected between the power supply and a battery to be charged; means for sensing the power dissipation of said power transistor, said sensing means including means for sensing the power dissipation of said power supply; and means for controlling said power transistor to provide constant current and constant voltage to said battery to be charred as a function of the power dissipation of said power transistor, wherein said controlling means includes a pulse width modulator (PWM) and means for receiving a predetermined input signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
A battery charger connected to a predetermined power supply for providing constant current and constant voltage charging, the battery charger comprising: a power transistor connected between the power supply and a battery to be charged; means for sensing the power dissipation of said power transistor, said sensing means including means for sensing the power dissipation of said power supply; and means for controlling said power transistor to provide constant current and constant voltage to said battery to be charred as a function of the power dissipation of said power transistor, wherein said controlling means includes a pulse width modulator (PWM) and means for receiving a predetermined input signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The battery charger as recited in claim 3, wherein said controlling means includes a transistor having base, collector and emitter terminals, a resistor and a capacitor, said resistor and capacitor defining an RC time constant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery charger as recited in claim 3, wherein said predetermined input signal is a signal generated at predetermined time periods.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The battery charger as recited in claim 5, wherein said RC time constant is selected to be relatively larger than said predetermined time period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
A multipocket battery charger connected to a predetermined power supply, the battery charger comprising: a first pocket for receiving a first battery; a first power transistor connected between said power supply and said first pocket; means for controlling said first power transistor to provide a constant current output to said first pocket; a second pocket for receiving a second battery; a second power transistor connected between said power supply and said second pocket; means for sensing the power dissipation of said power supply; and means for controlling said first power transistor and said second power transistor so that the electrical power to said first pocket and said second pocket as a function of the power dissipation of said power supply.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
120 words
A multipocket battery charger connected to a predetermined power supply, the battery charger comprising: a first pocket for receiving a first battery; a first power transistor connected between said power supply and said first pocket; means for controlling said first power transistor to provide a constant current output to said first pocket; a second pocket for receiving a second battery; a second power transistor connected between said power supply and said second pocket; means for sensing the power dissipation of said power supply; and means for controlling said first power transistor and said second power transistor so that the electrical power to said first pocket and said second pocket as a function of the power dissipation of said power supply.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The multipocket battery charger as recited in claim 7, wherein said sensing means includes means for sensing the power dissipation of said first power transistor or said second power transistor, said controlling means including means for controlling said first power transistor or said second power transistor as a function of the power dissipation of said first power transistor or said second power transistor, respectively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The multipocket battery charger as recited in claim 7, further including means for controlling said first power transistor to provide a constant voltage output to said first pocket.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
A multipocket battery charger connected to a predetermined power supply, the battery charger comprising: a first pocket for receiving a first battery; a first power transistor connected between said power supply and said first pocket; a second pocket for receiving a second battery; a second power transistor connected between said power supply and said second pocket; means for sensing the power dissipation of said power supply; and means for controlling said first power transistor and said second power transistor so that the electrical power supplied to said first Docket and said second pocket is a function of the power dissipation of said power supply, wherein said controlling means includes a pulse width modulator (PWM), said PWM having means for receiving a predetermined input signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
124 words
A multipocket battery charger connected to a predetermined power supply, the battery charger comprising: a first pocket for receiving a first battery; a first power transistor connected between said power supply and said first pocket; a second pocket for receiving a second battery; a second power transistor connected between said power supply and said second pocket; means for sensing the power dissipation of said power supply; and means for controlling said first power transistor and said second power transistor so that the electrical power supplied to said first Docket and said second pocket is a function of the power dissipation of said power supply, wherein said controlling means includes a pulse width modulator (PWM), said PWM having means for receiving a predetermined input signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The battery charger as recited in claim 10, wherein said controlling means includes a transistor having base, collector and emitter terminals, a resistor and a capacitor, said resistor and capacitor defining an RC time constant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery charger as recited in claim 10, wherein said predetermined input signal is a signal generated at predetermined time periods.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The battery charger as recited in claim 11, wherein said RC time constant is selected to be relatively larger than said predetermined time period.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
76 words
A battery charger connected to a predetermined power supply for providing constant current and constant voltage charging, the battery charger comprising: a power transistor connected between the power supply and a battery to be charged; means for sensing the power dissipation of said power supply; and means for controlling said power transistor to provide constant current and constant voltage to said battery to be charged as a function of the power dissipation of said power supply.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
76 words
A battery charger connected to a predetermined power supply for providing constant current and constant voltage charging, the battery charger comprising: a power transistor connected between the power supply and a battery to be charged; means for sensing the power dissipation of said power supply; and means for controlling said power transistor to provide constant current and constant voltage to said battery to be charged as a function of the power dissipation of said power supply.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
94 words
A battery charger connected to a predetermined power supply for providing constant current and constant voltage charging, the battery charger comprising: a power transistor connected between the power supply and a battery to be charged; means for sensing the power dissipation of said power supply; and means for controlling said power transistor to provide constant current and constant voltage to said battery to be charged as a function of the power dissipation of said power supply, wherein said controlling means includes a pulse width modulator (PWM) and means for receiving a predetermined input signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
94 words
A battery charger connected to a predetermined power supply for providing constant current and constant voltage charging, the battery charger comprising: a power transistor connected between the power supply and a battery to be charged; means for sensing the power dissipation of said power supply; and means for controlling said power transistor to provide constant current and constant voltage to said battery to be charged as a function of the power dissipation of said power supply, wherein said controlling means includes a pulse width modulator (PWM) and means for receiving a predetermined input signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The battery charger as recited in claim 15, wherein said controlling means includes a transistor having base, collector and emitter terminals, a resistor and a capacitor, said resistor and capacitor defining an RC time constant.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The battery charger as recited in claim 15, wherein said predetermined input signal is a signal generated at predetermined time periods.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The battery charger as recited in claim 16, wherein said RC time constant is selected to be relatively larger than said predetermined time period.
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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) | 2001-06-08 | 2001-12-08 | 2002-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-08 | 2005-12-08 | 2006-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-08 | 2009-12-08 | 2010-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |